Understanding Search Engines – As people continue to do more business and research over the Internet, search engine optimization (SEO) firms are scratching their heads, wondering how to achieve great rankings for their Web clients.
One method of supposedly generating excellent search engine rankings is known as linking. This technique has gained popularity with SEO firms. However, it produces questionable results.
Terms like backlinking and cross-linking have worked their way into Webmasters’ SEO strategy plans. Specifically, the justification for linking is “more links means more importance, which equals more traffic.” On the other hand, beware of this method. Presuming that Google will assign or rank your site higher based on many links is invalid. This is especially true with broken links.
LINKING DOES NOT EQUAL RANKING
Suppose you’ve followed the linking method and have linked or traded links with 100,000 other Websites; congratulations on the hard work. Accordingly, you have asked the Google bot 100,000 times to index your Website. Google bot is one of many search bots or spiders that Google uses to crawl the Internet.
For this reason, the Google bot will see your Web site link listing in the websites or directories you have linked. You have asked the Google bot to return to your Web site multiple times and cache your Web site’s information or content. But this alone will not increase your ranking.
See: SEO RANKING PAGE ONE ON GOOGLE
THREE PRIMARY FACTORS DETERMINE RANKINGS
Three primary factors that determine your Website’s ranking or position in Google or other major search engines is a search phrase.
1. CONTENT
The first and most important factor is the content. Content is king. Many people and businesses do not have time to write their Web copy. Alternatively, they hire a professional copywriter to write keyword-rich, original website content to enhance and improve your Website’s quality and transform more visitors into customers.
2. RELEVANCY
The second factor determining your Web site’s ranking or position in Google for a particular search phrase is relevancy. Beware, relevance is in the eye of the beholder. Above all, make sure you interpret yourself through the public’s eye. What is relevant to you is not necessarily applicable to a website visitor or the search engines.
If you are a wedding planner, your Website may contain information, links, and articles about wedding-related subjects. For example, data and relevant topics include bakeries, florists, and bridal wear. Should you have jewelry or marriage advice? That’s up to you. Therefore, remember to ask yourself, “Is this relevant to my visitors?”
See: GREAT DESIGN ELEVATES WEBSITES ABOVE THE REST
3. VISITORS
Like many other website owners, you will have to rely on email campaigns, newsletters, and networking to get the word out if you are not as fortunate as many other Website owners. On the other hand, visitor traffic is not the be-all to ranking strategy, but it certainly helps Google determine where to rank your Web site in the search engine universe.
In a nutshell, there is no magic bullet to excellent search engine results. However, using “Content relevant to your Visitors” will take a long time. Build your Website for visitors, and search engines like Google, Yahoo, and BING will follow.
See: MAXIMIZE YOUR ONLINE POTENTIAL
ABOUT VISIONEFX
The VISIONEFX SEO team understands that you want your business website to get top exposure on Google. To do that, you need professional search engine optimization. We build an SEO strategy with your traffic goals in mind from planning to launch.
Please read what our customers have to say about VISIONEFX on Google Reviews.
For more information, call (757) 619-6456 or email info@visionefx.net.
About the Author
I am Rick Vidallon, Creative Director for VISIONEFX, a Web design company based in Virginia Beach, VA.
