Can New Customers Find Can New Customers Find YOU?YOU?

Findability and Your WebsiteFindability and Your Website

Jean BedordJean Bedord

www.Bedord.comFebruary 17, 2009

Mid-Peninsula Professional Alliance

Why Search MattersWhy Search MattersYellow pages decliningNewspapers decliningGeography may not matterYounger demographicsTech savvy demographicsSearch now a habit

◦Grew 38% year-over-year December, 2008

◦18.7 billion searches◦199 million searchers◦93.7 searches per searcher

Search is Querying Search is Querying IndexesIndexesGoogleYahooASKLIVE (Microsoft Windows Live)Other niche search engines…

Indexing is FREE, but, but, but………

Website vs. WebpagesWebsite vs. Webpages

OnPage FactorsOnPage FactorsMetadata

◦Title Tag◦Description ◦URL

Keywords in copy on webpages◦Match search queries◦Customer language◦Synonyms, synonyms, synonyms

Off Page Factors / LinksOff Page Factors / LinksTypes

◦Outbound –FROM your site◦Inbound – INTO your site◦Internal website navigation

Sources◦Directories◦Reviews◦Press Releases◦Articles◦Blog community comments◦Pay per Click (PPC) Advertising

Keys to SuccessKeys to Success• Define your niche / value proposittion

◦Keyword Research◦Simple messaging

• Client Needs, NOT you◦Words /terminology◦What problem do you solve?

• Establish credibility◦Phone number◦Zipcode, geographic location, physcial

address◦Email visible, though not linked◦Develop inbound links

Action PlanAction PlanAll webPAGES indexed in the

search engines?Appearance on the search results

pageExamine links

◦Internal◦Outbound◦Cultivate inbound links

Consider adding blog technology for tips and/or events

ResourcesResources• Book: I’ve Got a Domain Name – Now What?? A Practical Guide to Building a Website and Your Web Presence by Jean Bedord at www.IveGotADomainName.com and Amazon

• www.JustAskJean.com for recommendations

• www.CorporateNoMore.com – coming• www.FindabilityMatters.com --

repositioning for EContentStrategies.com• Phone: 408-257-9221