There are Google detractors and the competition will always be fierce with the faithful sometimes get trampled in the melee. Uploading gmail contacts is not easy on Facebook while these giants vie for influence. However, until that changes definitively, Google is where the website action is.
Yesterday on Google there were upwards of 5 Billion searches. There will be more today. Yes, you are there. You have a storefront – a website But unless your website is created and functions according to the Google algorithm the only way your existing or potential customer can find you in the crowd is if your address is clasped in their hand as they get jostled in the avalanche of other choices.
Google is Consumer Driven
How do you set yourself apart? Well, the best way is to remember that Google is consumer driven and realize that at the beginning of each one of those 5 Billion searches are ten fingers on a keyboard. I'm sure yours were among them. How did you search? Did you know the name of the business to answer your query? Probably not or you would have gone there directly. What question did you ask to find your solution? What questions would your potential customer be asking to find you – if they don't yet know your name?
The Google algorithm is impartial and responsive. However it does gather statistics to make it more personally responsive to individuals. You will notice that Google ads on your sidebars are mostly about what interests you or what you have been searching for. In the long run, search results themselves can gets skewed leaning toward past preferences. If you have been searching mostly liberal or democratic sites, chances are related searches will edit out conservative or republican sites. This can be seen as a plus in efficiency but a minus in freedom of choice.
For the business it means that the closer you comply with Google search criteria the more likely it will be that Google will put you above your competition on search results, if that competitor is less compliant – even if they are bigger than you or a more recognized industry brand.
Meta Tags, Keywords and the Informed Consumer:
We are an information rich society which technology has placed at our fingertips. Consumers – you and me and your potential client or customer will research everything from gallbladder symptoms to wedding gowns before we even go looking for a remedy or designer. And if we didn't do it before we set out – we certainly back up our initial impressions with an internet search before making an informed decision.
Article comments
1 - Sean D
Please take a look at the very top left of Marilyn Harding's website and see her google analytics code sitting right there: UA-10119037-2. Marilyn you need to check your website in multiple browsers. I bet you won't be able to fix it though since you are not a website designer! This is exactly why the wordpress theme route doesn't work. You actually need to know what you are doing.. It's like doing surgery yourself... It may seem really easy... but if there are complications and if you have no idea about css, you cannot fix it when you have a problem. Then you call up a professional!
GL
2 - Colin Dawson
I completely condone point number 4.
Creating a website is just the starting point, it is no use having a website if you are not going to use some techniques to generate traffic towards the site and once you receive that traffic, to be compelling to the viewer. (As I learnt the hard way in the past)!
Not many people know of the wide range of techniques that you can use to generate traffic to your site and in turn achieve a higher search engine ranking and secure leads.
Coincidentally, I have just received a mailing from a company called Intellimon, which specialize in website design software and traffic generation services. And in this mailing, they are offering a module from their Complete Guide To Traffic training course completely free for Thanksgiving. I redeemed my free module last night from a choice of 30, and have learnt so much, and am already applying these techniques to my site. The link they provided was to their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/CompleteGuideTo , I totally recommend you check it out, as you can never have too much knowledge on this subject area.
3 - Marilyn Harding
Hi Sean,
I'm not hiring out as a web designer - good thing! My frustrations and limitations with aspects of templates and plugins make me very respectful of code writers. My ultimate goal is not to be a website developer or to trash website designers.
I do know that many people looking to hook up with a good designer can save themselves money and frustration by asking some relevant questions of those they might hire. This was my intent based on my own experience and the experience of many I know. Personally I think a more informed consumer makes a better client.
And Colin,
Thanks for your comment. There are constantly changing options for traffic generation - organic and purchased. Judging from the majority of websites - if you just glimpse the source code - you will see that many do not comply with the basic Google criteria. Just doing that will set your website above the rest.
When I discovered this on my own professionally designed site written in ColdFusion and costing over $30,000.00 my question to my design company was "Pick your poison - you know this and you did not include it in the source code of my site or you do not know this and you charge me as expert web designers - which is it?". ~ mh
4 - Marilyn Harding
Just a follow up for Sean,
That error with the Google analytics number showing bothered me but I hadn't taken the time to figure it out. After it was pointed out, I contacted the designer of the WordPress "Adaptive" template and within five minutes had the code for the correction.
Tip of the hat to WordPress template designer Jeff Raines
5 - Marilyn Harding
Forgive me - Jeff Rainey - of ThemeSpectrum
6 - Magda
Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other person's webpage link on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar in favor of you.