List Your Site With Directories and Search Engines

Listing your site with the major search sites - that is, directories and search engines - can direct large numbers of interested prospects to your site. Your goal is to make sure that your site shows up on the "search results" screen when potential customers look for you. Although there are thousands of different search engines, they all fall into two different categories.

Identity Designs can make sure your website is listed in the search engine and directories and help your website to get a higher ranking by using keywords that are in high demand with a lot less competition. For a Free Search Engine Evaluation contact Identity Web Designs .

True Search Engines
These search engines use software agents (called spiders, robots, or crawlers) to scour the entire Web and index everything they find. (Two widely known examples are AltaVista and HotBot.) Search engine link databases built this way create a more comprehensive, though less qualified, listing of sites. "All-in-one search engines" (also known as "meta search engines"), such as Dogpile, provide a single page of results created from the combined returns of simultaneous keyword searches across many search engines.

Directories
These types of search engines organize information about sites into hierarchical listings, much like a telephone directory. The most widely know examples are Yahoo!, Infoseek, and LookSmart. Qualified directories, such as Yahoo!, About.com, Britannica Internet Guide, Open Directory, and Magellan, review each site they list and make their reputation by linking only to the best sites.

Both types of search sites keep their listings in a proprietary index database. When you use a search site, it looks in its database, not on the Web, to find sites that match your query. (For more information on search sites, visit Search Engine Watch.) Here's how to submit your site to make sure search engines return a link to your Web site when a prospective customer comes searching for you:

Submit Your Site to Yahoo!
Getting a listing in Yahoo! means traffic, and traffic means business. According to "NetRatings Search Engine Ratings," Yahoo! ranks number one, getting approximately 51% of all directory and search engine traffic. Approximately 22 million people use Yahoo! every day. Each site listed on Yahoo! has been inspected by an editor - a Yahoo! surfer - before it has been listed. Give your site an edge, and prepare it fully before submitting it. Then, be sure to fill out the forms properly and completely. If you do not receive a listing, there are ways to resubmit and contact Yahoo! regarding your submission.

Submit Your Site to Other Directories
Although less numerous than search engines, there are still hundreds of directories that can potentially drive traffic to your site. Locate and prioritize the directories you want to list your site, and then submit your URL to each one. You might also consider using submission services or consultants to help you make your submissions.

Submit Your Site to True Search Engines
Preparing your site for submission to true search engines is a fine art. The process entails identifying keywords and phrases that your customers will use to find sites like yours, and then deploying those keywords in specific ways throughout your HTML code, submitting your prepared site, and monitoring your results to fine-tune your placement on each engine.

Evaluate Paid-For Positioning
Consider the advantages of free registration vs. paid-for positioning. Most search sites offer free registration, but many are expanding their services to include pay-as-you-go options such as purchasing keywords via auction, express listing services, and keyword / ad banner combinations. Paid-for positioning offers some super advantages, including speedy registration and/or high relevance rankings for your target audience. Weigh all these issues carefully before you begin submitting your site to search sites.

For a Free Search Engine Evaluation contact Identity Web Designs .