Search Engine Optimization?

[AudiSport]

Hi everyone,

It would be great if any of you could spare a few minutes to advise me on the below;

My girlfriend is looking to setup a company trading online. Now I am a graphic designer so will have a head start in getting the look and feel of the website together, however, I really don't understand exactly how 'Search Engine Optimization' works. I'm aware there are companies out there who will offer to do this for me at a cost. I understand that basically this is all about getting her site listed in search engines - however exactly what we will have to do on a day to day basis, and what I need to bear in mind when designing the site is not clear.

Can anyone give me any advice on what I should bear in mind at this early stage, and how we can create / maintain 'through traffic' once the site is live?

Also, what leagal issues do we need to consider when coming up with a name. Can we just choose the name, register an appropriate domain name and start trading, or do we need to contact Companies House etc?

Thank you all very much in advance!

Edited by AudiSport on Monday 1st October 22:55

[PetrolTed]

I'm sure others will be along to give tips on SEO, all I'd say is don't rely on SEO for business. In a competitive market you should bank on more traditional techniques for obtaining leads.

[jamesuk28]

On a day to day basis? Not a lot. The site can be re-submitted to major search engines and directories every now and again say once every 30 days or so. SEO is quite an in depth process, start with identifying the major search terms or keywords your customers will use to search for your product. The domain name itself can be important.

Incorporate these terms in the text, menu links, ALT text for images, H1 and H2 headers, get your Title and description sorted, Inbound and outbound links are important (esp inbound) Keyword weight within content, title etc play a role plus a host of other factors.


Google has just changed its algorithm so naturally written / reading content is very important. Dont be tempted to cheat (if you do not know what you are doing) or you will get blacklisted.

As Ted said dont rely on web traffic alone. We have recently got a clients website to the top position in Google for their choosen search term. The client is asking us how we can improve that because they are not selling as much as they thought!!!, ie they are relying purely on web traffic alone.

Edited by jamesuk28 on Tuesday 2nd October 09:31

[Tazio1]

I have paid for SEO and have not had a good experience, page 3 -4 listings on key words with no click through from potential clients as they only look at page 1 listings. In my expereince a waste of money.

If you need high ranking on google only way I have fund is through Adwords where you pay to be shown. This does work but can be very expensive especially if you are bidding on popular words.

Good Luck,

Darren