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Search Engines: Overview
What are search engines?
Over the years, any site that allows users to enter a search phrase and returns
a list of results from its database of web pages and documents has
come to be known as a 'search engine'. These sites can be broken down
into two basic types - true search engines that use an automated robot
to crawl and map out the Internet, and directories that are organized
by human editors. Seen from the user's point of view the difference
between the two is rather insignificant. However, from an online marketing
standpoint, it is important to understand that there is a difference
between the two.
True search engines use a robot, to visit sites on the Internet, 24 hours a day. These robots, also called spiders or crawlers, are constantly visiting and mapping all the websites on the Internet. The robots analyze each site's content and submit them to the search engine's database for indexing. When users perform a search, the search engine compares the user's search phrase with the indexed results of the crawlers' findings.
Directories such as Yahoo.com on the other hand, are not automated but maintained by
people. When you submit your site to a directory, an editor will review
your submission and determine whether to include your site.
Why are search engines important?
Search engines are vital to bringing in a steady flow of visitors/clients to your
site. Recent surveys have shown that over 80% of Internet users find
web sites through search engines. Getting a high ranking in a popular
search engine such as Google.com can literally double your traffic
overnight. Independent studies also show that search engines are the
top source of consumers seeking information about products and services.
This results in a targeted group of consumers with a higher conversion
rate than that generated by other online marketing methods.
What are the most important search engines?
When it comes to search engines, it is important to think quality,
not quantity. A handful of search engines comprise the vast majority
of the traffic online. Services claiming to submit your site to
hundreds or thousands of search engines are a waste of time and
money. You should focus only on the major search engines and possibly
a few specialty search engines related to your services or geographic
area.
Google.com has by and large become the heavyweight of search engines
and should be the top priority in your search engine optimization
efforts. It accounts for 72% of all search engine traffic due to
its speed and quality of results. In addition to it's own highly
used site, Google.com provides the search results for AOL, Netscape,
Yahoo, and Hotbot.
AllTheWeb.com and Inktomi come in at second and third behind Google.com.
AllTheWeb.com also provides search results for Lycos.com and Hotbot.com.
Inktomi does not have it's own website but it's search engine is
used by MSN, Overture, About.com, and Looksmart.
These three search engines account for nearly all searches online.
Search engine submission tips?
It is often a good idea to submit your homepage to the major web directories such as Yahoo and Dmoz.org before submitting to the search engines. Being in these two major web directories immediately improves your site's link popularity. After submitting your site to search engines, it can take weeks or even months for your site to be crawled and indexed.
Most search engines will automatically re-crawl your site on a regular
basis once you've been indexed with them. We recommend that you only
resubmit your site after a significant change has been made to the
web page, or if it's been dropped from the search engine's index.
While different search engines react differently you can generally
resubmit your site once a month without risk of the search engines
regarding it as "spamming".
Things to avoid when submitting your site to a search engine:
- Do not submit your site multiple times in hopes of getting it indexed sooner
- Do not resubmit your site more than once a month after it's been indexed
- Do not try to fool search engines by submitting variations of a URL to the same site
- Do not submit more than 10 pages per day for search engines that require you to submit each page individually
How do I achieve a higher ranking in search engines?
Most search engines use a combination of keyword analysis and link popularity to rank indexed web sites for each search phrase. In the following three articles, we will be covering these topics in detail. You'll learn how to:
- Choose effective keywords
- Utilize these keywords in your website meta-tags and content
- Increase your web site's link popularity
Blitz Development is constantly adding new reports to this series of real estate marketing tips. If you would like to receive email notification of new articles, please submit your name and email address below.
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Real Estate Marketing Tips
Advantages of Online Marketing
Targeting a Niche Market
Why Use a Professional Domain
Choosing a Good Domain Name
Shopping for a Website
Problems with Real Estate Sites
Content Your Visitors Want
Converting Leads Into Clients
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search Engine Basics
Choosing Effective Keywords
Writing Keyword Optimized Copy
Link Popularity
Handling Online Leads
Blitz Development
102 Falkirk Court #2
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Email: info@blitzdevelopment.com
Phone: 1-800-510-0025
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