Any suggestions about search engines?

[ItsScott]

Hi,
Im new to trying to get ranked in search engines, and was wondering if someone can give me advice?

I have designed my web pages using 'Microsoft Frontpage 2003' for my business. I have never tried to sell anything or really advertise, just to give my current clients information. I am now wanting to add products and try to rank in the search engines, but dont know the best way to do this.

I have heard about Webposition 3, but dont know if this is any good.

Can someone please give me some advice?

Much Appreciated
Scott

[bhartzer]

Welcome to the forums, ItsNeil.

I wouldn't use any type of automated software to help you rank in the search engines. It all needs to be done by hand, as no search term or keyword is alike--and no software can help you rank well in the searh engines.

That said, though, essentially there's a few essentials in this business:
1 - get your website listed in directories and get links to your website from websites that are considered to be 'authorities' on your website's topic.
2 - create content on your website so that other websites will want to naturally link to you.
3 - optimize the web pages on your website using basic industry-recognized techniques.

[ItsScott]

Hi,
Thanks for the advice, cheers.

As a totally newbie to this, what is the best way to get info regarding your suggestions?

Is this the right place within the forum for basic questions from am newbie?

Thanks again
Scott

[bhartzer]

Yes, this is the place to ask questions related to the general topic of search engines.

[SEOforGoogle]

ItsNeil -

This forum is one of the best places to get your questions answered - and remember - there are no stupid questions, we were all newbies at one point!

Good Luck.

[ctabuk]

Hi itsneil, a few more tips.

In order to attract the SE spiders do regular weekly updates to your site. I use a 'News' page and it works.
When submitting your site to Directories use something catchy from your main keywords. (megadescription not megatags) I use CTAB which are my Company initials, now my site has over 200 first place positions, so if I run a simple add like, 'Need a Mortgage? Search CTAB on any Search Engine'- cheap ad great results.
I'm glad you are not going to use webprogold there is only (as far as I know) one automated software that really works and that is Internet Business Promoter, I have used it for years, I know exactly where my site is at the press of a button. I'll do yours for you if you like?

[ItsScott]

Hi ctabuk,
Thanks for the reply.

The main reason for us trying to get in the search engines, as we have just purchased a new domain name, and want to sell new products that we are designing. Our main site is very basic, and going to be changed, but would appreciate if you can check it for me , its www.customdesigns.org.uk . We havent really pushed this, but also plan to.

Is there certain page layout that web crawlers etc like? For example is it better to do just plane text, with frames, and leave out anything fancy?

Scott

[ctabuk]

Hi Scot, as you know your 'products'pages are not ready yet, so SE spiders treat these as 'Under Construction'and move on quickly. You have a great deal of competition for the keyword 'Software', so I suggest you try 'Software Bargains' in your megadescription. You have the perfect opportunity to try my theory on Company Initals CDL(UK). When submitting to Directories use a simple cut and paste slogan, ie 'For great Software at great prices visit CDL(UK) www.customdesigns.org.uk' put the initials at the top of every page. Once the spiders start seeing this over and over again you will start to go to the top, it takes time, but if you check my initials CTAB you will find us top with 'Right to Buy Facts'- that has led to my keywords getting top billing across the board. Once your pages are complete e-mail me through WPW and I'll keep my promise. I'll check out your competitors today and post them later.

[ctabuk]

Scott as promised on Google UK the top sites under the search 'Software' are www.rsac.org
www.update-software.com
www.regret.com
www.opengroup.org
www.sibelius.com
www.macupdate.com
www.theregister.co.uk
www.codemasters.com

The top one is via initials, surprise!
Check their "linksto" and submit to the same Directories and more! Good luck

[ItsScott]

Thanks for that info, much appreciated. Its excellent getting help when a newbie, as woudnt know the best way to get the info.

How do I check their links to, where would I get that info from?

Regards
Scott

[ctabuk]

Hi, two ways, use a Google tool bar and simply put "theirsite" less the dot com/uk etc or use www.allsearchengines.co.uk and do the same in their search box, under rated SE that one. Once you have discovered who links to them it is easy to find the directories thay are in, and simply do likewise.

[sfowler]

That is good advice. Leave frames alone, they are not helpful. Make sure you have text links (not Java) to all your pages. Most search engines cannot follow Java links. Same with frames, not all of them understand it.

Just remember, a search engine can only read and index text. If there is little text there, then you will not rank for it.

Keep it simple, and it will work - but not overnight!

[ItsScott]

Hi sfowler,
Thanks for the advice, is it okay to use tables?

Scott

[ItsScott]

Hi ctabuk,
Thanks for that, so if for example I wanted to search for links to www.regret.com I would just enter www.regret ?

Thanks again
Scott

[ctabuk]

Yup You've got it

[sfowler]

No real problems about tables. You will find people telling you to get rid of tables and do everything in CSS, but so long as you keep the size down, there can be no problem with them.

Java and flash are the big problems, and frames are not a good idea. Google does seem to manage frames, but they are a real pain to optimise. Our company sites use them and it is costing me a number of sleepless nights.

The major problem is the lack of content in each frame. They are all separate HTML pages and, as such, ranked on their individual content and inbound links.

Try and get some of your links onto internal pages. I know all directories tell you to just submit the top page, but if you submit an internal page (just one page in total!)and it is completely relevant to the directory category, you will usually get it listed. I have done that with country-specific pages in country-specific directories.

[ctabuk]

Hi Scot I've e mailed my reply, so crack on with submitting, and we all forgot to tell you, add your autograph (URL)through Your Profile to your posts. It's been a pleasure to help out.

[ItsScott]

Hi ctabuk,
Thanks for taking the time in helping me. I never got the email, any chance of resending it?

Scott

[ctabuk]

Hi Scott, all it say's is that providing you are paid purely for generating sales and not via commissions fro mortgages you are ok to go ahead. It might benefit you to simply raise the question with the Estate Agent. Cheers

[favouritelink]

Originally Posted by bhartzer

That said, though, essentially there's a few essentials in this business:
1 - get your website listed in directories and get links to your website from websites that are considered to be 'authorities' on your website's topic.

Hi ItsScott.

To help you out a little bid I added your website to our website directory (www.favouritelink.com). I hope you don't mind it. You can find your website under the following category : Home >> Computer / PDA >> Software II >> Network Software

If you click the following link you will see the details of your link It has the following :

3 Links tou your website, rating system, a email friends link and Alexa traffic ranking.

If you want me to add a logo or banner then let me know I can add it also.

goodluck and welcome in webproworld

[ItsScott]

Thanks for adding me to your web search, thanks

Scott

[freehits]

As stated above IBP is a good product I too enjoy, but there is really no need at the point your at. I would get your scripts into a seperate file for one thus moving your content closer to the top of the page. I would get the brackets out of your title tag as well. As fowler states tables wont matter in my opinion, but if you have the know-how use css to keep the pages loading fast and small. You may want to link the text in your body where a keyword is present as well. And as your keyword seem to me to be a very long battle you have ahead of yourself, the best advice I had heard that anyone can do, is add one article page a day whwnever possible. the content you have at the years end will be that of a powerhouse site. You will likely have link requests coming to you at this stage.
Also find the list of high ranking DIRECTORIES sticky post and start posting, that may be the best thread online period.