A new "virus" is sweeping the Internet. It strikes by stealth
at a websites profits and it could be crippling yours. It's
called "Invisible Website Syndrome" (or IWS) and renders it's
victims practically invisible on the world wide web.
The rise of IWS is attributed to the shear volume of webpages
available online - now well over 2 Billion. Once, website visibility
was not an issue - now it's a major headache.
There are 5 steps to dealing with IWS:
1. Recognise the symptoms
2. Test for it
3. Recognise you are a sufferer
4. Take the medicine & commit to recover
5. Immunise against future outbreaks
1.Recognise the symptoms
Lack of "hits" and lacklustre profits are the most common symptoms.
These are caused by the website appearing to be invisible to
anyone searching for it's products, services or content, due
to disastrous search engine rankings. Consequently, potential
customers are lost to the competition.
2. Test for it
If you think you have the symptoms, then confirm by testing.
Go from search engine to search engine, carrying out searches
using keywords or phrases that your potential customers would
use. Use those words or phrases that identify your products,
services or subject matter - but not your company or website
name itself. If you are well down the rankings, with many competitors
"weighing in" above you, then your website is a sufferer.
If you don't have the time, a quick check method is to use
a free visibility testing service (such as our own free visibility
report - see below)
3. Recognise you have it
If the diagnosis confirms your website as a sufferer, then face
up to it. Acceptance is the first step towards recovery!
4. Take the medicine and commit wholeheartedly to recovery
Resolve to take the medicine, however unpleasant the taste. There
are two options: Do it yourself and you'll need to study the
search engines inside out. A potentially daunting task, but
it may suit you if you've got more time than money.
Alternatively, enlist the help of a search engine specialist
who can undertake & administer the whole process of recovery
to full visibility.
(Special note: Don't be tempted to cut corners by using automated
software without proper research. You could do more harm than
good.)
5. Immunise against future outbreaks
Once on the road to recovery (it can be a long process), you'll
want to make certain IWS never strikes your site again. Constant
attention will prevent further outbreaks. As the search engines
change, so to does IWS. There is no "magic pill" cure - it can
strike again at any time, unless you remain vigilant. So, keep
on top of how it's evolving as a result of search engine changes
and act accordingly. A monthly maintenance programme to keep
your website visible should be your goal.
Don't ignore Invisible Website Syndrome. It's the internet equivalent
of a wasting disease, slowly taking hold on your website, eroding
your profits while your competitors grow stronger. With the huge
amount of webpages online, it can only get worse.
About the Author
Robin Porter
See if your website suffers from "Invisible Website Syndrome"
- get a free visibility report for your site at http://www.rpasystems.com