What is a Search Engine?
A search engine is just another web site - however search engines are unique. Part of what they do is to look through millions of other web sites and to index or catalogue them on their systems.
People can then go to that particular search engine and type in 'key words' that will help them to find web sites that might be of interest to them. When the key words are entered the index is then 'searched' for sites that contain those key words. The browser (that's you) is then presented with a list of those sites which the search engine indicates might match your criteria.
The position of a web site on this list is determined by a number of factors, and each search engine is different. However, in general search engine position is determined by correct use of 'meta tags' and number of links from other sites to your web site.
What is a Directory?
They work in similar ways to Search Engines, however, a directory provides a list of sites and does not search the Internet automatically like a Search Engine will.
Generally a directory is more limited in that it will only those sites which are submitted to it.
There are all kinds of directories, some general and some that will only list sites of a certain nature, e.g. some directories will only be interested in sites dealing with Alternative & Complementary medicine and so on...
How To Get Listed
In a word, submit! Go to the Search Engine or Directory and follow the instructions for submitting your site. You will need to have your key words ready in descending order of importance. This is because some submission pages will limit you to how many key words you can use. It makes sense to use the most important ones. See also our Hot Tip below...
Strong site promotion is what builds a strong presence on the Internet. This includes persistence. Some Search Engines will not show your listing for anything up to 6 months. Unless you are prepared to pay for an enhanced listing then this is something that you will have to accept. Be patient, because if you submit your site too frequently you could end up being blacklisted, and that is a hard one to get over...
Promoting your site through Search Engines and Directories can bring more targeted traffic to your site. Web site design is only one small part of effective promotion - more on that below, see Meta Tags.
Important: Using frames or lots of JavaScript in your site design often hinders placement in search engines.
The most important key factors affecting your search engine placements are the page title, choice of keywords, position of keywords on the page, how often the keywords are mentioned, and the number of links from other sites to your site.
Hot Tip |
You can submit your website free to hundreds of search engines and directories. It is always worth taking advantage of every FREE opportunity to promote your site. There are many free search engine submitters on the web including Submit Express
- click here to go to Submit Express - |
Key Search Engines
When searching the web there are eight search engines which dominate.
Google
AltaVista
Lycos
Overture (used to be GoTo)
Inkomi
Open Directory Project
LookSmart
Yahoo
Hot Tip |
Search Engines will often also have specific sites catering to your country of origin. Example, you can go to: www.google.com
which will take you to the main Google site... Or, if you are a resident in the UK you could instead go to www.google.co.uk
You then have the option of searching ONLY sites from the UK - well worth investigating |
What Are Meta Tags?
These are invisible code that are included in your pages. Invisible to people visiting the site but easily 'seen' by the search engines as they scan the Internet looking for new sites to index. This forms part of what is called the 'source code'.
If you would like to see a sites source code then from your browser window menu go to view, and then click 'Source' from the drop down menu that will appear.
An example of the code is included below:
<title>ellicottcitygraphicarts.com</title>
This tells the search engine the name of your site, in this case Ellicott City Graphic Arts
<meta name="description" content="Ellicott City Graphic Arts, offering graphic design, webdesign & hosting, print media, and more... and so on">
This provides a description of your site. Does not have to be too long as it is often truncated by on the Search Engine display page, get the important message into the first sentance.
<meta name="keywords" content="ellicott city , main street, attractions, antique shops, and so on... ">
This lets the Search Engine know what key words you think apply to your site. It is very important that they are kept relevant to the site and not to your business in general. The key words should also be repeated on your home page where possible. Use the same words when submitting your site to Search Engines and Directories.
A good source of general search engine information is Search Engine Watch |
