Introduction

Search engines and directories are one of the primary ways that Internet users find web sites. That is why a website with a good search engines listing may see a dramatic increase in visitors to their sites. Some people argue about the effectiveness (or otherwise) of search engines and directories. The simple fact is - if you have a website, and you want to be found on the Internet, then you must use search engines and directories to be found.

Everyone wants a good listing but many websites appear low in search rankings or may not get listed at all because of poor design or because the website contains large sections of graphics/pictures etc, although to you it may look great, search engines can't read graphics etc, so that means they miss out on text that might make your site more 'visible' to potential visitors to your site. Some designers do not 'get' the fact that text and graphics have to be finely balanced on a web page to attract search engines to your site.

We at MCL seek to encourage our customers at the design stage, to incorporate a balanced number of pictures/text/keywords into the design of your website thereafter if you decide to register your site with search engines and directories, the optimisation process becomes faster and more effective.

Search Engine/Directories Optimisation (seo) for UK Search Engine Submission/Registrations

Search engine optimisation is a very important part of the registration process. The work involved will mean we optimise every page of the website (up to six pages for our standard price rate per website) or we can quote you a reasonable price for a larger website, (over six pages) this includes optimising Page Titles, Page Descriptions, (both of which are important) and also Meta Keywords which are hidden in the web page source, invisible to the reader they are lists of specific keywords which help search engines find your site. It is important however, that your site content is also written well to incorporate the different 'keyphrases' that you want to be found under and we will advise you if changes need to be made.

We personally register your website with the top 10/12 UK search engines/directories. Then we check to see if you are appearing after 3 months and if necessary we re-register your website. Once you begin to appear it is advisable to re-register your website at regular intervals to maintain and improve your ranking. (As part of MCL registration service we can register your website with Google Map directory which can enhance your locality rankings, if requested).

'Pay per Click'

A number of search engines have introduced 'pay per click' options, this is completely different from personal registrations.

A deposit of (usually around £50) is made and a bid 'per click' (between 30p and £1 or more) for each click through the link appearing in the page. This can be quite expensive and once you stop paying you stop appearing. If combined with personal registrations however it can be a successful option for those businesses who deal in retail products, mass marketing or where no other form of advertising or marketing is carried out.

The advantages of 'pay per click'
1. You can get quicker results if you're in a hurry.

2. You can set a budget and run a complete campaign with the various search engines.

3. Research shows that it can work quite well for Yahoo and MSN but with Google less than 20% of searches click in a paid   link.

The disadvantages

1. It is not as durable/long lasting as personal registrations.

2. It can cost more and requires more attention.

Who Should Register

It is worthwhile registering your website even if you only have a single page 'business card' site. You are unlikely to appear in directories where personal inspection is normal, but providing your site has useful information web crawlers will index it.

However, where you have a site that is a sub domain (or part of another site) you are unlikely to be indexed separately. This is particularly true if for example, you have an e-commerce site that is part of a mall. If you are serious about marketing your site you should have your own domain separately hosted with at least 2 or 3 key pages. You can always link to any other of your sites even if they're part of a larger site.

Some key reasons why sites may be declined for listing:

1. The opening page does not have suitable text links.
2. The site has broken graphics and images, poor links.
3. The site uses features that slow down functionality and ease of use.
4. The site is a simple business card listing (name, address phone number etc).
5. The site presents inadequate or vague information.
6. The site does not fit the profile required by a particular search engine.
7. The site does not offer unique content.

Summary

In other words if you have a unique product that would be of benefit to many other users you will probably be indexed even if your site is weak. However, if you have a specialised product or service not used by the average customer and an ordinary site you will almost certainly be refused by some directories.

Ultimately, no one can guarantee your appearance in any particular search engine or directory, despite claims to the contrary extra attention to content in your website updating etc and regular registrations will in most cases ensure that you do appear with a good to excellent ranking.

There are a number of companies offering low-cost software registrations which, in our opinion can be ineffective and in many cases you will not be able to determine where you are appearing as only personal checks on important key words can provide this important information.

As we have already pointed out, the various search engines/directories will assess your site in different ways and only true search vehicles (web crawlers) will make use of your carefully planned Meta tags (key words and phrases), your mention of products on various pages, and the page planning itself. In some cases meta-tags are completely ignored and are not the secret of high placement.

Search Engines and Directories Registration. Price Plans for 2009 - 2010

Our price plans are designed for small business websites (on average 6-10 pages). Quotes can be given for customised plans, larger organisations or larger and/or dedicated websites and some e-commerce sites. Our aim is to get customers key phrases in the top ten search terms in Google, Yahoo and approx 8-10 other UK search engines and directories. We are usually successful for multiple search terms and in achieving top ten positions in most instances.

What you have to do:

- Provide us with key phrases (search phrases that someone is likely to enter when looking for a product or service like yours (for example ‘shoe repairer Kent’ or ‘shoe repairer Maidstone’)

What we have to do (varies slightly with different plans):

• Optimise your website pages including editing text as necessary –add meta tags and titles
• Preliminary registration of your site with UK search engines and directories- about 10 or12
• After 2 weeks check inclusion of your name/website address in databases generally
• Re-register as necessary to ensure inclusion of addresses/name
• After a month begin check of search phrases – re-register where no indication
• Monitor gradual appearance of search phrases till 3rd month.

Starter Plan

For those businesses that have never registered their website with search engines previously or for a long period of time (say more than 2 years). Subject to viewing site if not designed by us.

Cost of this plan:  £120+vat (one off payment) OR 3 monthly payments of £42.50p+vat each month

Once this plan is completed customers should consider going onto the monthly plan for optimum results.

Ongoing Monthly plan

This is the standard plan for most businesses in a competitive environment. It ensures continuity and ongoing registrations and checks throughout the year based on a continuous quarterly cycle of registrations, checks, and re-registrations to include new search terms or changes to the customer product or service in any given month.

Cost of this plan: 12 monthly payments of £35+vat OR 4 Qtrly payments of £90.00p+vat per qtr

Note: 12 month agreement required for all staggered payments options. A single annual payment can be made and will cost £330+vat which is a more cost effective option for businesses not requiring a specific budget.

Refresher Plan

This plan is designed for customers who are not in a particularly competitive environment for their goods or services - at least in the area in which they operate. Or for those who wish to decide exactly when to renew their registrations, based on their own experience.

Cost of this plan:  £120+vat (one off payment) OR 3 monthly payments of £42.50p+vat each month

Custom Plans

Some of our customers run special plans because they have more specific objectives, much larger websites, or need to have detailed reports included. We will discuss any requirements and quote accordingly.

(see our 'special offers: search engine packages'). Please contact us for further information: OR : 01255 670 081.

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