Why Don't I Show Up In Google?
Tuesday, 18 March 2008 14:35
We have all received the emails. You know the ones. Someone telling you they can guarantee a number one listing in Google for only $99. You may think something sounds a little fishy, and you're right! At the same time, you may begin to wonder, 'why doesn't my business show up when I search for hair salon'? There are many reasons why you may not show up.
Though Google would love it if webmasters did not have to optimize websites to receive better placement in search engines, the reality is we do. However, the solution is not as simple as our unscrupulous online marketing firm in the first paragraph may have you think. It will not happen with $100, and it will not happen in two days.
Search engine optimization is a process. Some businesses may try to cheat a little using various tactics such as keyword stuffing, hidden content, duplicate content, etc. These cheats may help you in the short run, but in the long run they are likely to get you banned from Google altogether.
So what can you do to increase search engine ranking?
Content. Content that your visitors can use, content that is gets refreshed regularly. This is the main thing to focus on. Quality content will make your website better, make your users happier and, as if that wasn't enough, it will help you to achieve better rankings in the search engines.
One of the best things you can do is to organize your content. There is a reason why the web page evolved into the website: there was too much content covering too many topics on one never ending page. You should organize your content so that each page touches on one topic. When you do this think about the phrases visitors would use to find you. For our hair salon maybe you would have a page on beauty tips. You may think of a clever name for this page such as 'Beautonify: A Diva's Weblog', but what will people search for? Probably 'beauty tips'. Thus, a more appropriate title would be 'Beautonify: Hair and Beauty Tips'.
There are many online resources with endless information about search engine optimization. Start with some good quality content, it will make your visitors happier if nothing else. For a free search engine ranking report feel free to contact me.
