By Russell Holland – evangelist with EC Web Sites – www.ec2.co.nz

Search Engines work by looking at your content on your web site – so it follows that the more content you have the better chance your pages will be listing higher for more search terms.

While it is tempting to be short and concise when writing for the web, the more words you use to describe something the better when it comes to encouraging those search engine robots to your web site.

Consider the words that your target market would use when searching for your products or services – there’s little point calling yourself a Barrister or Solicitor when your target customers will be searching for ‘lawyer’.

For products make sure that you include manufacturer product numbers or catalogue numbers as this is often what people will be searching for.

Don’t forget to include the ‘AKA’ or ‘also known as’ terms, as some markets or industries refer to different terms to describe the same process or tool.

Case studies and testimonials reinforce your quality statements and why people should engage with you Ðthey also can contain great search engine bait.

Ask your suppliers for information product sheets and have these available on your web site. The search engines will see these – and although not as good as unique content – can help your web site to be found for those words contained in the product information sheets.

Links to your web site will also help with the ranking of your pages – the more links into your web site the better -consider your Chamber of Commerce, your Industry Associations and your suppliers as well as any paid advertising you undertake such as Yellow Pages or Finda or ManufacturersSuccessConnection.com

Let me know at rus@ec2.co.nz for any IT topic that you would like to see covered in future articles or with feedback.