Search engines are how most people find the sites they visit and to have a high ranking on the top search engines is what is needed.
Getting high ranking on search engines is one of the best ways for customers to find their way to your site.
People go to Google or Yahoo! Which are the most popular and type in words or phrases that describe their interest. Then they go through the sites listed on the first page of the 100+ pages that come up. The amounts are huge so even if you're on the second of the 100+ pages of search results there is not a great chance of being clicked.
The information is categorized according to keywords. Users can then easily find the precise information they are looking for in the more than one billion Web pages out there. Mind boggling when you think about it and somehow you have to be at the top of the pile. Search engines create databases of the information on Web sites across the Internet.
While some search sites are directory-based like Yahoo!, with sites being reviewed and indexed by real live people, others depend on spiders (also called robots) that constantly crawl across the Web. These visit sites and index their content based on the text found on their pages. They then follow these links to other sites.
Others rank sites within search categories based on how much the sites are willing to pay for click-throughs. The sites pay nothing to be listed but may pay a small amount for every person that clicks on the link to their site.
There are hundreds of search engines and directories (and new ones every day). However, there are three or four that drive the most traffic and so you MUST be listed on these.
First, you need to make be get listed in Yahoo!. Various reports say anywhere from 50% to 80% of all Web site visitors originate from a Yahoo! search. Your site needs to be there. It does cost to have your site reviewed by Yahoo but will be well worth it when your site is listed. You need to take the risk that it doesn't get listed because the pay-back is good.
The next largest players are Google and Inktomi. which are both true search engines. They crawl sites and index content and links. Submitting your site to these major players is currently free, although your listing is not guaranteed. There is the option of paying a fee for a premium listing or buying a keyword under a sponsored link. This will put a site at the top of the page or in a sidebar.
Another way to get a higher ranking in the search engines is to use pay per click where you pay a charge for each time your ad is clicked on. This has nothing to do with organic search ratings directly but a very welcome side effect is that as more people click on your ads and therefore visit your website you will be much more likely to be moved up in the search engine rankings.
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