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.
The Internet Explained
The Internet is just a load of computers links together by cables, wires and other communication systems that allow the files and information stored on them to be viewed across the network by other computers, and that's it!
It is not a miracle, it was originally created for military purposes and so that Universities could share information. Neither is it the gateway to untold riches and a life the of Riley, despite what you may be told by all of those nice people who send you endless streams of e-mails promising you such.
This is why we say that your site is a tool. If its not doing something for you, what's the point? If you missed this message earlier go to to read this first .
Hot Tip |
You may as well get used to one of the Internets downsides, they are called spammers. Spammers are people or businesses who send out lots of unwanted and unsolicited e-mail. They clutter up your inbox and slow down connection time for others in general. Spammers should never be encouraged. Be warned that a lot of con artists are spammers, check out:
www.scambusters.com
or
www.scamorama.com |
How does your web site fit in? Well, your web site is or will be comprised of files stored on a big computer called an ISP (Internet Service Provider). An ISP is huge and the machinery is very expensive.
ISP's make their money by renting space on these big computers to other people, like you and me. For example one ISP can 'host' literally millions of web sites on their systems. Sound chaotic? How will anyone ever a single site among all of these millions of sites?
Each site has its own URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which usually looks like this:
http://www.ellicottcitygraphicarts.com
This tells your computer exactly what web site you want to look at, and as it is the only web site with this unique address, it can easily be found.
The initial concept behind the Internet was the free exchange of information, and it is still used by many today for exactly that purpose. However these days also it has also become an essential place to be for many businesses and sole traders and for anyone with a service to provide or a message to transmit.
To the uninitiated looking to make their own place on the Internet, it can be a scary place. The jargon is off-putting and confusing, and deliberately so in our view! When the jargon is explained in simple English most peoples reaction is along the lines of "Oh, is that it?" Check out our quick Jargon Buster here .
If you are currently talking to a 'professional' web designer and find that you are having to leave all of the decisions up to them because it all seems too much, then you are talking to the wrong person.
There is an old business adage, sell them what you have and not what they want. Don't fall for it! If we can't provide what you want we will not only tell you, we will also happily recommend someone who can! |
