A few thoughts on search engines (By a "Total Non-techno")

Thought I'd share a few hints, based on our experiences over the past three and a half years....

We only concentrate on the major ( 12 or so search engines) and directories, like Open Directory, who supply their database to many of the big SE's (see I'm learning "tech/geek speak" terminology already). Apparently 95% of "hits" come from the major search engines (how they arrive at those figures I'll never know!). I've found that I check our listings in the search engines every two months or so and do resubmit - just to the MAJOR search engines. Though I don't try it with Alta Vista and especially Yahoo (as we are already high up there with our creative writing courses). I don't dare risk them chucking us out, though I don't think they will! We've had some difficulty with HotBot and Lycos (especially) and Open Directory in getting listed, so I do re-submit from time to time and they then seem to get listed. Alta Vista seems to take a while- about 6 weeks. Believe Lycos is "winding down" in listing sites incidentally and Infoseek takes a while also. So suggest checking your listings occasionally and resubmitting (INDIVIDUALLY). I don't think any of the major search engines see that as spam.

We also submit to the regional Yahoo (Australia and New Zealand) and find we get listed . I bid on key words with Go To (only 1c) for 'writing courses', but we've found the traffic from them to be minimal.

A thought on which to end...
Question: With all the comments and articles about search engines and so many people spending so much time and effort "trying to get the better of them", why don't more web marketers rather spend their valuable energies in activities which they CAN CONTROL to some extent. Once you have posted to the major search engines, monitor your positioning from time to time (say once a month) then LET BE. You'll never beat them, because their policies change all the time. Start concentrating on MARKETING and carving out a unique niche for yourself on the net with your particular products.

It's been a long learning curve
seeing what works and what doesn't in getting listed with the major search engines ...like the lessons of life itself.

Hope this helps your ArticleXpress readers , Bill

Best Wishes from the First City to see the Sun in "Godzone" (as "little" New Zealand is affectionately known)

About the Author

Craig Lock has been involved in the personal finance field for too many years. He is now an author of five published books with another twelve being published and marketed on the Internet. Craig has studied and written extensively on money matters: articles, brochures for financial institutions and books.

:To contact see details below.


C.Lock@xtra.co.nz
http://www.elkpublications.com/godzone.htm