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Discover why search matters and how to improve your website's findability for new customers. Learn about search engine indexing, on-page and off-page factors, keys to success, and an action plan for better online presence. Find valuable resources to enhance your web presence.
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Can New Customers Find YOU?Findability and Your WebsiteJean Bedord www.Bedord.com February 17, 2009 Mid-Peninsula Professional Alliance
Why Search Matters • Yellow pages declining • Newspapers declining • Geography may not matter • Younger demographics • Tech savvy demographics • Search now a habit • Grew 38% year-over-year December, 2008 • 18.7 billion searches • 199 million searchers • 93.7 searches per searcher
Search is Querying Indexes • Google • Yahoo • ASK • LIVE (Microsoft Windows Live) • Other niche search engines… • Indexing is FREE, but, but, but………
OnPage Factors • Metadata • Title Tag • Description • URL • Keywords in copy on webpages • Match search queries • Customer language • Synonyms, synonyms, synonyms
Off Page Factors / Links • Types • Outbound –FROM your site • Inbound – INTO your site • Internal website navigation • Sources • Directories • Reviews • Press Releases • Articles • Blog community comments • Pay per Click (PPC) Advertising
Keys to Success • Define your niche / value proposittion • Keyword Research • Simple messaging • Client Needs, NOT you • Words /terminology • What problem do you solve? • Establish credibility • Phone number • Zipcode, geographic location, physcial address • Email visible, though not linked • Develop inbound links
Action Plan • All webPAGES indexed in the search engines? • Appearance on the search results page • Examine links • Internal • Outbound • Cultivate inbound links • Consider adding blog technology for tips and/or events
Resources • Book: I’ve Got a Domain Name – Now What?? A Practical Guide to Building a Website and Your Web Presence by Jean Bedord at www.IveGotADomainName.com and Amazon • www.JustAskJean.com for recommendations • www.CorporateNoMore.com – coming • www.FindabilityMatters.com -- repositioning for EContentStrategies.com • Phone: 408-257-9221