FAQ's - Search Engine Optimization
Q. I'm confused about SEO - what is involved?
A. Let's start with what search engines do. When someone is searching for something they put in a search term which describes what they are looking for. The search engine responds by checking to see what content it has categorized under this search term (keyword). Long before any search takes place, each search engine visits almost every page of every website in an automated fashion, to categorize it with a search term which the search engines feels is appropriate for the content on that page. When someone uses that term, the search engine looks in the category it created for that search term and serves the customer a list of sites, photos, videos, and articles it has already categorized for that search term.
Strategies for SEO range from simple to complex, but most follow these basic steps:
1. Research the search terms (keywords) your customers are using which accurately describe your products. This critical step is the foundation for SEO work and involves researching to find search terms which have a high amount of your customers using them monthly, and a low amount of your competitors using them.
2. Optimize your website for these search terms. Various components on your website indicate to the search engines what your page should be ranked for. Do more of these things and your site will get better ranking. These elements include page text, internal programming elements, image names, and internal website links.
3. Build quality links to your website. Search engines trust what other websites do and say about yours. A highly ranked website within your industry that links to yours will give your website instant credibility to the search engines.
4. Add new, relevant content to your website. This is an important benefit to having a blog associated with your website.
Q. Why do you require 6 months in your agreement?
A. There are two very important points here. First, there is no magic number as to how long it will take you to get on page one of the major search engines. The biggest factor is the level of competition for the keywords (search terms) which your customers are using. The more sophisticated your competition, the more sophisticated and sustained your approach will need to be to unseat them. We have found that in most situations 6 months of SEO work is sufficient to achieve the results we are after without doing more than is necessary. The second point is that your online marketing efforts such as SEO, should not stop. Once you achieve your first page ranking, our efforts reduce to maintaining your rank rather than achieving it.
Q. Companies are guaranteeing me first page ranking for $200 - why is your service more?
A. The most common version of this scam involves selecting some keywords (search terms) that will be simple to get you ranked for - simple because none of your competitors are using them. The problem is they have no value because your customers are not using them either, which does you no good. The whole purpose of SEO is to make sure your company shows up when your Customers are searching for your products. No customer searches for your search terms you rank for = no customers = no business. Another version of this scam is where the company that you hire uses their own links from popular websites which they own or rent for you. So long as you keep paying for this service you keep your rank. The moment you stop paying, their links are removed and instantly your rank disappears.
Q. My website host has an automated way to do SEO - what is different with your service?
A. Unfortunately, there are a lot of claims around SEO - most are untrue. The only SECRET you will find is this: getting first page rank for a valuable search term is becoming increasingly difficult as your competitors are getting more sophisticated. It is very unlikely that you will learn enough and do enough quick enough to outpace them. A very big part of what we do, is research to find opportunities for your business to succeed.
Q. There are lots of books on SEO, and software - can't I just do it myself?
A. Yes, there are many things you can do which will help. There are unfortunately lots of things you can do which may not help, but cause your site harm in the eyes of the search engines. Consider this; there are only 10 places on Google's first page for any search term. Increasingly the level of competition for these valuable spots is becoming fierce, and the simple tactics which are for sale in book or software form will not be enough to get you the ranking you want. Think of it this way, if you were opening a business somewhere would you try to do the electrical, plumbing, or legal work yourself?
FAQ's - Website Design
Q. What is the process for getting my website completed?
A. First, we schedule a conference call with your designer to discuss your ideas for your website, so we can create the site you want. Next we create 2 design mock-ups for your review. Then, we will discuss with you what you like or want changed and make revisions to your design until you are completely satisfied. Finally one of our developers will build your site based on your design. We copy your existing website content to your new site, or input content you provide us, or you may use our copy writers to create professionally written content for a nominal fee.
Q. What is a host?
A. A host is a computer. This host computer has connectivity to the internet and has an address. This address is associated with your website domain name, so when someone types in your website address (URL) they are routed to this computer. The host holds all the files which make up your website.
Q. What is a Registrar?
A..
A registrar is a company that is authorized to register domain names for their respective owners with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). The registrar also associates your domain name with your host address, so when someone types in the domain name for your website they will be delivered to your host and your website files will be shown.
Q. What is a Domain Name?
A. That is the .com, .net, (or other) name of your website. For example; www.MySite.com.
Q. Is this website from a template?
A. No - we do not use templates, each site is designed for your company and is unique.
Q. I can get a free website - why would I pay for one?
A. Although it might seem like a good deal, there is always a catch. Often, these systems use their own proprietary methods of creating a template website, if you don't mind your site looking like another company's then no problem -yet. The problem comes in several forms, the first is that you will not own your files. They exist in the company's site, and you can not move them elsewhere. So long as you keep paying them for hosting or some other charge, your site will be working, if not - you're out of business. As you add content or functionality to your website, you go further down the path of not being in control of it. Eventually you will need to do real SEO (not the automated kind that doesn't work), or add functionality to your website which the system will not allow, and you are stuck.
Q. Where is the design and development work performed?
A. Design is from one of our three designers - San Diego, Los Angeles, or Kingsport. Development is either from Atlanta, or Vancouver, BC.
Q. I want to increase the visitors to my website, can you help with that?
A. Yes, attracting the right visitors to your website is the foundation of our Search Engine Optimization work. We start with a review of your website to uncover any sticking points that are prohibiting your site from being ranked properly. Next, we research to find the best search terms to have your website ranked for. These search terms will either make or break your online business, so we spend a great deal of time & effort here. Next we make sure that your website reflects these keywords (search terms your customers are using) through programming, content re-writing, internal linking pages, and building links to your website - another critical component which we spend a great deal of time and effort getting the right kinds of links that will build your rank.
If your question is not listed, please either chat it to us using the chat system above, or drop us a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We'll be happy to answer your question and list it on this page.
Q. What is Joomla?
A. Joomla is the worlds most popular open-source Content Management System (CMS) website platform. Since it is open source, developers all over the world have programmed many free, and low cost extensions which add new functionality. An extension can be plugged in to give the website new functionality, saving hours of programming time and expense for the website owner, and eliminates obsolescence. Joomla also is designed to allow search engines to read all the information on the website efficiently so they can rank the website for various search terms.
Q. What is a CMS system?
A. CMS stands for Content Management System, and is a core component of the Joomla website platform. This allows for easy management of the website content by non-technical people. Text is located in articles which are displayed on the website, along with photos, videos and any other form of content. By replacing the content in the articles, a website can be updated real-time without any programming skills needed.