Search engine optimization—Is your site lost in cyberspace?
Over 70 percent of Web users begin each Internet exploration using a search engine such as Google, Yahoo, or MSN.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the science of being found on the Web by the search engines. The better optimization a site has, the higher it will rank with the search engines. Over 90 percent of Web users turn to search engines when pursuing specific information. Very few venture beyond the initial page of results. If you don’t rank on the first page, your chances of being found are compromised.
Should my site be optimized?
You built your site for a purpose. If people can’t find it, was it the best use of your company’s funds? SEO is a very cost effective manner of gaining exposure and tracking visitors. Without it, the ROI of building and maintaining a site may drop significantly.
How long does it take to see results?
Achieving a favorable ranking in the major search engines is a gradual process. You may see some tangible results within days, but typically it takes one to three months to see a positive return. A savvy keyword strategy is critical to achieve a favorable rank—consider targeted keywords and phrases, align their relevance to your site’s content, research their popularity, and determine the level competition you will encounter.
How Do I Monitor My Site’s Activity?
One of the great attributes of the Web is the ability to gather actionable data. In no other medium can you track results as accurately as on the Web. Any site can include the analytics to track hits, their sources, navigation patterns, pages per visit, time on the site, and exit pages. This type of data provides the information to resolve real time issues, improve the experience of your user and improve your organic search ranking.
Employing, maintaining, and monitoring search engine optimization is one of the most critical elements of a successful Web site, yet is often overlooked. Whether it is time to redesign your site or not, do some research—search ways you want to be found and see where you rank in Google. Are you there?