http://www.helixwebdesignnew.com.au/blog.aspx Helix Web Design Rss Feed en-us http://www.helixwebdesignnew.com.au/blog.aspx?id=7 Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) 6/9/2009 1:21:55 PM <p> One of the most important questions you should consider before optimising your website for search engines is whether to just focus on Google or to look at the other search engines too.</p> <p>Each search engine uses their own algorithm (a formula that determines the ranking of your web pages). It is the success of Google’s algorithm that has made them so dominant in the market -Google consistently returns more relevant websites than its competitors, so users find what they're looking for more quickly.</p> <p>Unfortunately because each algorithm is different, web optimisation techniques that work in Google will not necessarily work in other search engines such as Yahoo or MSN (and vice versa.)</p> <p><i>So if Google is the most popular search engine, do I need to worry about the others? </i> The answer is that it depends on the size of your market, and how saturated the Google results are for your particular product or service. Many businesses find that whilst Google controls 70% of the search market, the search results in Yahoo are less competitive and so focusing on Yahoo first can deliver results more quickly. </p> http://www.helixwebdesignnew.com.au/blog.aspx?id=6 Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) 6/9/2009 1:21:49 PM <p>Google recently announced the launch of Local Business Centre - essentially a clever integration of Google Maps and business profile data that allows Google to return targeted truly local search results alongside their regular search results.<p> <p> Google recognise that many of the millions of people who use their site on a daily basis are looking for businesses, and most of the time a business in their local area. </p> <p> Google’s solution is to display a panel that consists of a map of your area, and the locations of nearby businesses that provide the products or services that satisfy your search. You can then click through for more information on any of the businesses. </p> <p> Interestingly, Google’s Local Bbusiness Centre results are considered important enough to steal prime real estate from the regular search results listings – which goes to show you how seriously they’re taking delivering ‘local’ search results. </p> <p> So should you sign up? Absolutely - like most Google services it’s free, so what do you have to lose?</p>