Is Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing Important?

Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing are two of the most important aspects of your web presence yet they are the most misunderstood areas of web development there is. I believe they are the same but both are entirely different. Search Engine Optimizing means that a site is built with every line pointing toward the final outcome of development and that is to be on the first page of the search engines. Most companies build a site then think about optimizing it. Search engine marketing is the same but it includes pay per click or banner ads that you have to pay for. What one is best for you is a tough question and should be discussed with your web designer as to what will help you reach your final goal.

My personal preference is optimize a site and depend on the traffic from the search engines for my business. I don't advertise anywhere or even have business cards to give out. The reason for that is if they can't find me on the web then I am not good enough to take care of their business and help them reach their goals.

Several hundred potential customers visit my websites every day and the only way they can get there is by finding me on the web. I am not saying this method is the best for everyone with a web site and looking for a web presence but for me it works and my customers know that I can do the job I am asked to do.

Some things I do not do that others including some of my customers love and that is flash. In fact I do like the effects it will give you but it has several big flaws to it. The first is that it takes too long to download and most buyers will not wait around for it to finish or click the button to go to the main page. You have 20 seconds to impress your potential client because the next site is just a click away and you lost them for good. Another thing is that a search engine can not read flash. What sense does it make to work toward impressing the search engines so they will give you a high ranking and put code in the site that they can not read?

Search engines look at the percent of content compared to code and the higher the better. Most of my sites I do have 50% to 70% content where the average site now has about 20% content. I have seen some sites with as little as 5% content. As you may guess those companies are not found on the first pages of the search engines.

If your goal is to be at the top of the search engines then hire a company that will show you that they can be at the top of the search engines too.

What is the ADA?

The ADA is simply the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Many people think the Americans with Disablilites Act mainly has to do with buildings and stores, and may be some situations in the work place.

The ADA also has to do with the web. One reason many webmasters and the public in general think this, is because they forget that the sight impaired and blind use the internet also.

There will be more information on this subject to come. If you have a comment or question, feel free to ask.