| I have run into it too many times. Companies that | | | | The designers that don't pay attention to simple |
| say their sister built my site, my secretary built it | | | | search engine optimization (SEO) basics are not |
| or my cousin's, nephew's, good friend in high | | | | providing your business with the best value for |
| school. In the end I am all for helping young | | | | your hard earned advertising dollars. Your web |
| developers hone their skills, but it should never be | | | | site is on the front lines of how people look for |
| at the expense of what your business can | | | | goods and services and judge the value of what |
| accomplish with a strong web marketing program | | | | you have to offer. Google is your home page and |
| designed and implemented by a professional web | | | | maximizing your web development with that in |
| developer. | | | | mind can be the difference between breaking |
| Everyone knows Google is the number one | | | | even on your investment or earning a profitable |
| search engine and for good reason. Google offers | | | | return on your website. |
| comprehensive search capabilities that evolve, | | | | By hiring a knowledgeable, talented and thorough |
| change and grow with users habits and keyword | | | | web developer you will see the difference in your |
| searching trends. Google Analytics can give any | | | | traffic, usability and growth for your web |
| company keen insight into how people are coming | | | | presence. Have your cousin's, nephew's good |
| to your site, where they are going and how long | | | | friend from high school build a site for your family |
| they are viewing your content. There are | | | | or local school group, but don't experiment with |
| sophisticated ways in which to assign specific | | | | your companies image and potential revenue |
| value to conversions based on what people do | | | | generating ability. |
| when they visit your site. A companies' focus with | | | | Here's a SEO tip: What does the title of your |
| their web site should be to receive a return on | | | | home page say? Does it say "untitled document" |
| what they have invested in its development. | | | | or have the name of your business? If you are a |
| Some developers are simply designers that can | | | | global brand like Nike or ESPN a page title with |
| build magnificent looking sites that use Flash | | | | your name works great. But if your Bob's Tire |
| animation, sound and video with awesome | | | | and Lube, and that's the title of your website, |
| graphics and wonderful backgrounds. This is great | | | | then you will most likely only be found on a |
| and if used properly and can be very effective in | | | | Google search for your company name and not |
| gaining the attention of potential customers. | | | | for your core services or products. Your page |
| However, if used simply to be cool and flashy it | | | | title is the first thing Google sees to index search |
| can actually hurt the ability for potential | | | | terms for your web site and Bob's Tire and Lube |
| customers to find and use your site to buy or | | | | will most likely not be the first thing people search |
| contact you about what you have to offer. The | | | | to find your business. Think of how prospective |
| whole purpose of a business web site is to | | | | customers search for the products you offer and |
| generate business and inspire trust and brand | | | | title your home page with those keyword terms |
| recognition. | | | | and phrases. |