Category Archives: Search

About search. How do websites attract and list well in search. Creating content and design that will attract search.

Search Matters: Ethics and Integrity Mean Something to Search

by aabiz Posted on 05/29/2012

There are many search engines and directories… yeah right, but, one is a verb. For example, if you want to know about my work just google my name.

There are legitimate ways to increase the visibility of a website.

So, the first place to look for tips on how to optimize search is from the monsters mouth, the google website on Webmaster Guidelines for: best practices to help Google find, crawl, and index your site.   If someone says they have tricks and schemes that will increase traffic or put you on top of a google search, watch out because the monster does not like being teased. On the other hand the beast itself offers ways to help make Google-friendly sites. I have posted more links below that will inform you or site person about things to think about regarding search.

First, if you have interest in how a site is listed but can not control how it is built here are some Tips:

  • You can submit sites to location and subject related listings and directories. Think about where your sight should be listed and find out if you can submit it. It helps to have a few descriptions of varying lengths prepared and ready to use for listing submissions.
  • Events generate press releases and these generate listings. So, if you have an Event be sure you send out a solid press-release. Use your attractive language in your event postings and press releases because a news source, calendar or city listing is likely to quote you. Often they will include an e-mail address or website address (URL)
  • Tell people you have a website! Talk about your site, use it with clients. Put the URL on business cards. Mention the website name and address in if someone writes an article or interview.
  • Ask the person or people in charge of the website design to check on the search basics.

Search Basics

Content is searched: Your content should be interesting, informative and worded well.

  • Use words people use and understand, at least part of the time.
  • Thinking about keywords while writing content does not mean pump junk words into your pages.
  • It does mean use the vocabulary that you think people looking for your website will use.
  • The keywords are the words people who are searching will enter into a search.
  • It is best if your site text content is accessible to search. If it is hidden inside a design or management structure then things like proper page Titles, Description, and Heading tags can mean a lot when used properly.
  • Trying to trick the search engines is unethical and counter productive.
  • Understanding how to appeal to the search engines is productive.

When a site does not come up in search with obvious keywords, there is a lot a web designer can do to increase its potential attraction by using the right keywords. But, keep in mind the designer is not an expert on your field, product or service.  You know more about your business than the site designer does so you can help by providing strong and clear content. You can suggest appropriate keywords for titles and descriptions for at least the main pages of your site. Keywords in headings are also important. You don’t have to know what a <metatag> is or which ones work, but your site person should.

Content Attracts an audience and an audience attracts search.

  • If your site is popular and a lot of people click on it and link to it it will be listed better.
  • If your site has good content it will be more popular and attract more viewers.
  • Good content leads to popularity leads to higher listing.
  • If you submit your site to search engines and directories it helps.
  • If you submit your site to subject and location listings it will help more.
  • Mistakes in spelling and code make you look bad to viewers and to search engines.
  • In general, after content, for search optimization:
    • content again, and access to content
    • proper tagging of  page titles, descriptions, meta tags, headings
    • useful meta tags, particularly description.
    • submission to listings, being listed in content related directories
    • the domain name can help in search but sometimes it can’t be exactly what you want it to be.

When I have time I might write more about why I think  the history of search is totally interesting. Search is a core aspect of  internet history and internet history is seriously relevant to the history of the information age. The metaphor of searching alone is a gigantic idea. A book called, Search Matters: Ethics and Integrity Mean Something  to Search, could be about information science. Or it might be a book of psychology, philosophy, theology, cultural anthropology, self-help or all kinds of things.

off site links

Posted in Content, Internet, Keywords, Learning, Resources, Search | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Contact Information: Location, Privacy, Spam

by aabiz Posted on 05/29/2012

An e-mail address is one thing you do Not want the search to find with ease.

Of course you want to give your viewers a way to send email. Making it easy to click open a direct e-mail form also makes it easy for the address to be harvested by sinister crawlers seeking spam targets. It is a good idea to have an e-mail address that is just for your web mail. It can be set up so the website mail is forwarded to your primary e-mail. And, there are ways to have your e-mail address viewable on your webpage but less attractive to search. Like:

webmail (at symbol) actualart .biz (no spaces)

or make have an image of the address. The compromise, it is not quite as easy as just a  click open pre-addressed e-mail compose window. More and more we are seeing sites that use forms for mail. What is worse, having to key in an address or fill out a form? What would your audience rather do?

If you are comfortable with publicity and advertising you may see the public space of the internet as a great way to get your message out. Yet, if you see going online as a bit scary, it can be, but relax.  Just think about going online like going out. It is always potentially dangerous to go out in public and most of us still sometimes go out.  Look both ways before crossing the street. Pay attention to the road while driving and keep an eye out for potential hazards. Chances are you will survive and get where you want to go.

Posted in Internet, Search, Website Building Tips, Websites | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment