Search Engine Optimisation: The Most Important Part of Web Development
22nd Feb 2009 @ 14:43
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. In this article we will look at the reasons why this is quite possibly the most important factor in web development. We will talk about the massive effect it can have on your website's popularity and the huge boost it will give your sales. As an added bonus we will discuss some of the easiest ways you can improve your rankings.
Why is SEO Important?
SEO is all about making sure your website is at the top of the page when an Internet user searches for your kind of business. Imagine the huge increase in sales any company would have if they could show a prospective client their business card before they see anyone else's. A well optimised website allows you and your business to do exactly this.
SEO is more than important, it is absolutely critical. To be blunt, without SEO you will be missing out on a massive chunk of visitors, a massive chunk of sales and a massive chunk of money.
Will it Boost Sales?
More important: can you afford to throw away 81% of your visitors by ignoring SEO?
Studies show that an overwhelming 81% of web users[1] use search engines to find new websites. If you chose the ignore SEO (and many inexperienced webmasters do) then you are effectively giving away 81% of your sales to your competitors. That's quite silly, isn't it?
"Ok, SEO is important, but I'm on the second page, so why should I worry?"
We've heard this many times, you may even have said it. The simple fact of the matter is that when looking for a new website, Internet users generally find it within the first page of search results. If you're not on the first page, it won't be you they find. Not only is a first page listing very important, a ranking in the number one spot is unbelievable valuable as it can lead to a click through rate of over 20%!
How Can I Improve My Rank?
For a good ranking in the search engines, nothing really compares to the work of a competent SEO consultant but there are a few things you can do to improve your search engine ranking a little.
- Never underestimate the power of content. Search engines love it and so do your site visitors. Write some content for your site (relevant to your topic, of course) and make sure you link to it.
- Regular updates can work wonders. If you launch a site and then never add to it, search engines aren't going to be very impressed. However, if you launch your site and consistently add new content (see above) they are going to smile (well, search engines don't "smile" but you get the idea).
- Get people talking about your website. Viral marketing is some of the most effective so go ahead and give the world something to talk about. Release a small product for free, offer a big discount, do whatever it takes to grab the attention of a few people. If you get it right, they will tell their friends, who will feel compelled to inform their friends, and the cycle goes on and on...
Tags: sales / search engine / seo
Notes & References
1 - Source: UK Internet User Monitor, 2000 by Forrester Research
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