SEO Updates

Business Week published a piece by Sherry Alpert on March 28, 2005 entitled ‘Let Search Engines Do the Walking.’

Here’s an excerpt or two…

Because of cost effectiveness and the ability to target very specific markets, more small businesses are making an online strategy at least one part of their overall campaigns. With that comes a whole different set of challenges, but to get moving in the right direction, ask yourself a couple of easy questions: Are you selling a service or a product? And, more importantly, what is the benefit to people finding you online?

These are the main points:

1. IT’S NOT ABOUT FLASH.

“Do you need eye-popping graphics and Flash animations — and the cost and complexity that come with them? Probably not.” “You want to lace your Web site with as much relevant, informative description about your company and services, so that the search engines will pick it up.”

2. THINK KEYWORDS.

“…People can post a beautifully designed Web site with all the bells and whistles, but unless it draws results on search engines, what will it all that work matter if the masses will never see it? Search engines see only words on your Web site, and keywords are, well, key. Without the right ones in page titles, meta tags, and copy, your Web site will be so far down the list that few will ever find it.”

3. POWER LEADS.

“Let’s say you’re selling a service that is driven by reputation and referrals.” “Many service businesses… get significant leads and new clients from optimized Web sites.” Prospective clients want to see that you have a “substantial” site, or else they might consider you “an amateur or a neophyte with nothing worth posting.”

The conclusion of the article?

For small businesses still reluctant to embrace the Internet — and there are plenty — no matter your industry, you would be well-advised to have a well-designed, well-written, but not overly jazzed-up, Web site. It will bolster your credibility, and just as important, your accessibility. Today, it’s a virtual necessity.

Nancy wrote this on March 30th, 2005 and filed it under Internet Marketing & SEO, SEO Articles, SEO Tips, SEO Updates |