Search engine optimisation (SEO)

If your site isn't shown on the first three pages of search results 90% of Internet users will never know it exists.

Most customers will find your website by using one of the big three search engines (Google, Yahoo, MSN). Everyone uses a search engine to find information and services on the web. The challenge to all site owners is to prove your site is one of the best to these engines. Website designers are engaged in a continual challenge to make their sites rank highest on these searches with search engine optimisation.

At Smith and Saunders we've been designing top ranked sites for over a decade so know the best ethical ways to get your website noticed.

Over the long term no-one can beat the system and the only way to get good quality consistent rankings on the search engines is to optimise your site effectively.

There is no magic wand or quick fix that will get you the coveted number one spot on Google in the natural search rankings. Only good design and effective research and optimisation will get results.

Having created a web site it's important to make sure it's working for you and that means people have to be able to find it. If they are looking for a service or product you supply but haven't dealt with you before, they won't be searching for you by name they'll be searching for the product or service. SEO or search engine optimisation is the name given to the art of making your company appear when people search for something you can supply.

What we do

Firstly we'll review and audit your web site and explain in plain English its position in the natural search engine rankings. This review will be followed by recommendations of the changes required to your web site to improve its position.

We need to make sure you get high rankings for the right search terms to maximise your return on investment.

We will then provide a summary of our findings and our suggestions and recommendations, highlighting any areas that suggest possible improvements to your web site.

Our work with you will cover a number of areas, for example:

• Assess your key words (the words users will use to find what you do)
• Research your key words to see if these are 'actually' what your potential customers are looking for and not what you 'think' they are looking for
• Ensure those key words are used prominently and relevantly on your pages so that the search engines will recognise your site
• Increase the amount of relevant text on your site whilst maintaining its look and feel
• Give images on your site appropriate and effective labels - remember search engines cannot see pictures and so need to be guided by words. This also helps partially sighted users view your site
• Ensure that all search engine specific data is included in your site
• Get your website connected to other relevant sites and vice versa called backlinks. Search engines use connections like these to judge how valuable and relevant other sites are to your site
• Include a site map – a set of directions to your site for the search engines. This makes their job easier and makes it more likely they will find all the information on your site

Search engine optimisation isn't a one-off quick fix, it requires continued monitoring to see how a site is rating and any changes in search behaviour are incorporated into the pages.

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Get your site noticed

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