Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1.) How does Google work?
2.) How long does it take to optimize a website?
3.) What is the difference between keywords and title words?
4.) How can I find out how people are looking for my particular service?
5.) I just started my site and am not sure why I am not getting more business?
6.) Where are you getting your keywords for my business from? How do you know which ones to use and which ones not to use?
7.) How do sites get ranked?
8.) Do All sites require optimization?

1.) How does Google work? | Back to Top

A good metaphor for the internet is that it is one big giant database of word and pictures. Let us concentrate on the words. Google created software tool that:

• 1.) Goes to every website in the world, takes a snapshot of all the info in that website and organizes it using proprietary algorithms.
• 2.) Creates a list of website ranked according to how many of the keywords and keywords phrases Google deems most relevant.
• 3.) Makes that list available through the Google search engine.

2.) How long does it take to optimize a website? | Back to Top

Usually about 6 months. That time may vary due whether or not it's and existing site or a new site.

3.) What is the difference between keywords and title words? | Back to Top

Keywords are words that your customers use to find your product or service through a search engine. Two or more keywords are called a phrase. In the early days of search engine results pages, (SERP’s) keywords were use by Google in their ranking algorithm to decide who were ranked higher. Back then essentially the more keywords you had in your site the higher, you were ranked. Google figured that out quickly and changed their algorithm and have been changing it ever since.

Title words are what you and everyone sees when they look at the individual tabs at the top of your browsers. While Google limits the number of these title words, they have gained in importance in search engine optimization and the subsequent SERP’s.

4.) How can I find out how people are looking for my particular service? | Back to Top

Use the keyword tool. Perform a search on keyword tool on a search engine and it will come up. Put in a term or two that are germane to your business and it will give you back many keywords that you can use in your website to the eventual optimization.

5.) I just started my site and am not sure why I am not getting more business? | Back to Top

There could be a number of reasons you are not getting calls that lead to clients and business. They could be as simple as you not answering the phone and letting it go to voice mail or that your position in the rankings is not sufficient to engender the desired response.

6.) Where are you getting your keywords for my business from and how do you know which ones to use and which ones not to use? | Back to Top

• 1. Google Analytics - In GA there is a parameter called "Keywords" it is listed under the "Traffic Sources" on the left hand side of the page. This is a list of all of the keyword phrases used in searches in which your website appeared and was clicked on or selected. Currently since we have been finally keeping track of these phrase your website searches, those searches have sent 878 total visits using 127 keywords.
• 2. The Adwords Keyword Tool is a free tool that Google created so you can generate keywords and phrases for the Adwords. Obviously, this is in their best interests because the more keywords you use the more revenue they can generate with those keywords. I usually start with this tool to generate an initial list as a point of departure.
• 3. Instinct/Experience/Tools - I have software tools that show me how all of the phrases generated from the other sources are ranking w.r.t. your website. I know from experience and looking at the analytics for dozens of sites how people look for stuff on the internet. This experience has come over time and making lots of mistakes and missteps that now, you are the beneficiary. In addition, I have years of experience counseling small business on how they are found in the yellow pages.

7.) How do sites get ranked? | Back to Top

The search engine optimization (SEO) ranking of any web site is a function of many complex interrelated variables some of the most important are listed below:

• Age of Web Site
• Content
• Website Structure
• Key Words Searched
• Other web sites optimized for the same Key Words Searched.

There are many other factors too numerous to mention. Some of the reason it is difficult to achieve a first page ranking are:

• Competition is too great in the category being searched. Attaining first page ranking in a category where older web sites with content that is better than that in your web site may prove difficult.
• If the category is littered with directories (e.g., YELP, Best of the Web, Yellowpages.com, etc) providing services similar to yours. These directories tend to be ranked higher but careful implementation of good content will negate this effect.
• Poor content creation for existing web sites. Content is king for Google in particular. Google has tailored its googlebot to give the highest rankings to what they consider to be the most excellent content provided.
• Ineffectual Key Words utilized in the existing web site. Just because you have "stuffed" your site with keywords you think may get you a higher ranking doesn't mean that you will be rewarded by Google with a higher ranking.
• Other web sites optimized for the same Key Words Searched.

8.) Do all sites require optimization? | Back to Top

Some websites do not require optimization. They become by default the most relevant website in their category. This may be due to esoteric content supplied by a passionate contributor (e.g., underwater basket weaving) or they the website long before it was fashionable to have a website and have maintained it over the years. Google reward sites that have been around for a long periods of time. Websites for business do not have the luxury of time and/or passionate content.