Tips

Issue #2 

Theme: Content Counts

E-NEWS - Expose your site to more HITS!
Topics:

My web site looks cool but why doesn't it rank higher?

I use Meta tags, so why don't I rank higher?

Where can I put Meta tags?

How can I LookSmart?

Worth Repeating (hyperlink to previous article) 

FINAL WORD

My web site looks cool but why doesn't it rank higher?

The fact that your home page (or submitted URL page) has little or no text content may be a bigger problem than you think! 

Many designers are now using 'Splash pages' (that lead to the actual content pages) that utilize Flash, shockwave or other animation techniques for their clients' home page. These pages may be very cool and fun, but they use little or no words on the viewed 'Home' page. 

This may cause the following problem: Your page is not ranked when a specific search is done using certain 'word(s)'- (or keywords). 

Solution:
To be listed higher on the search engine ranking you need to add these 'words' to your submitted URL page. If a competitors page mentions the desired 'word(s)' many times on their web site page, their page will rank better than yours, since the 'splash' page does not appear to contain WORDS at all, just images.  The multiple use of these 'word(s)' in the normal body of the submitted web page will generate matches for the search engines to pick up. If you want your page to be found by using ANY specific 'word' you must use that word on THAT PAGE and use it as much as possible. In addition, the use of these words in the unseen html, e.g. the name for an image (buttons, banners or link images), html page name (e.g., link pages) or similar, can increase the occurrence of the word in the html page itself and thus help to increase the ranking. However, it is content that counts. So make sure your page is full of content that is both valuable and viewable text.

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I use Meta tags, so why don't I rank higher?

Meta tag keywords ALONE are NOT going to get your site ranked higher. Your site needs to contain content (or keywords) as text throughout the submitted web page as well as throughout your web site. Use these keywords as text in a sentence or paragraph on your home page. You may also use these words as a name for an image (buttons, banners or link images), as a html page name or as a comments tag (<!- add you comments here! > ) in your html, but it is the viewed content that counts. Be creative and make sure it is readable text, as in a sentence. A page full of indiscriminately repeated text will most likely cause your site to be banned from most sites.

Some search engines don't care about Meta tags. They simply do not accept meta tags for ranking purposes. Does this mean you should not use meta tags on your web page? Certainly not! If you do not include meta tags you may miss out on the benefits of the search engines & directories that do accept them. Here are some suggestions that can improve your current meta tags.

Revise your web site "title" to 16 words or less and use some 'keyword(s)' in the text. If you include 'keyword(s)' in the title of your site this could help your ranking. Keep it simple.

Revise your Meta tag "Description". Your Meta tag "Description" content may NOT mention 'keyword(s)' at all. Make sure this includes the main 'keywords'. You should also narrow your description down to 25 words or less. Keep it simple.

Revise your Meta tag "Keywords". Your Meta tag "Keywords" content may NOT mention a specific 'keyword' you want. This meta tag should include several variations of the 'keyword'. The only rule is to not repeat any single word more than 7 times, alone or in combination as a phrase in your 'keywords'. For instance you can use the word several times as plural, singular or in a phrase. Also, keep it simple.

Does your URL (web site name) contain a "keyword". Domain names or URL's are very important but that is a matter that you may not have control over. Your URL may be counted as a "keyword" when searching. If another web site has the keyword in its name it may appear before your site. 

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Where can I put Meta tags? 

You can add Meta tags to any web site page. Include the web site title, description and keyword tag on any page you wish. It may help and is not a bad idea. But remember it is what is seen on your page that matters. Content Counts!

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How can I LookSmart?

LookSmart powers the search directories of MSN, Excite@Home, CNN and Time Warner. In addition, over 350 Internet service providers use LookSmart to power their search directories--that is well over 70 percent of US internet users. It is even more important for people to LookSmart, than to feel smart and may I say (in my best Billy Crystal impression) "You loooook Smaaaart".

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Final Word:

Remember it is up to you to have your web site designed to your specifications. Our service is to submit your URL page for consideration to be included in search engine or directory sites. Inclusion of your site is up to the discretion of the individual search engine or directory sites. So make sure you let your designer know that you wish to submit your site to a search submission company and to follow your instructions. A "Splashy" page may look great, but it may not give you the ranking results you wish to have.

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