It's a fact, no matter how well designed or how impressive your product, if nobody knows who you are odds are your website might as well not exist.
Things have changed from the days of the brick and mortar marketplace. Where store fronts and marquees were all easily seen and located. Where once a city's growth, was a determining factor for the amount of business's available in any given area, a drive down main street and the local mall were all that was needed to identify and locate any particular business. Now we see a much different marketplace, gone are the good ole days when local shop owners had the security of knowing they had the only game in town. Now the rules have changed the number of business available to the average consumer are almost infinite, as well as the products offered.
Getting your business web site up and running is the first step. The second step is getting your business noticed. One of the best ways to get your new online business up in the public eye is to submit to a business web directory. Finding one is as easy as typing in the search engine "web directory" or "business web directory," and choosing one of the many web directory services available. Each business directory on the web will require submission of your web site for approval and will have certain criteria that must be met on the content and site operation. Making sure that your site meets these requirements before submitting will ensure quick and easy placement in the search rankings.
Three important things to consider:
1. Does your website contain unique and interesting content? Dynamic and informative articles, product displays and interesting content are usually viewed as more appealing to the consumer and will rank higher in the numerous search engines. The more innovative and informative the better.
2. Is your website user-friendly? Make sure your links, pictures and products do not contain broken or incorrect links. This is a sure way to have your submission refused. Check all links and product information for errors thoroughly several times.
3. Check to make sure that your website meets web standards for accepted web content. These standards were developed by business's and organizations within the consortium in order to standardize web applications for the World Wide Web. To find out more visit the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) FAQs page online for a complete list and explanation of the W3C standards.
Once you have made sure that your website meets these criteria you are ready to submit your website to a business web directory. Your diligence and attention to detail will go far in assuring that your website is placed high in the search engine rankings, bringing you one step closer to getting your business off to a fast and profitable start. It could very possibly be the difference between a successful venture into the virtual marketplace and one of failure and frustration.
As with all endeavors, the more effort in the preparation the better the outcome. Whether your business is well established or new, proper search engine ranking is imperative for success in the online marketplace.
