Cajunworks - Custom Websites and Software Solutions by Cajun Works

Search Engines FAQ

I just got a new website! Why am I not appearing in (Google/Yahoo!/MSN/etc) when I search for my company name?

Today, almost all Search Engines (like Google or Yahoo!) automatically figure out what pages are out there. A few years ago, to get on a search engine you had to submit your site's info and get it approved. Well, the process has changed because the web has grown so quickly. Computers are able to crawl (or, spider) through the web efficiently to figure out what pages are out there.

Depending on steps you take to prepare your site, it could take a couple months before you start appearing in search engines -- this is how long it takes search engines to find obscure sites. But, you don't want your business site to be obscure! So, there are ways of indicating to search engines that your content is important.

Linking - If other pages put a link on their site to your new site, this will make your site a bit more important. The more links like this to your site, the more easily the search engines are able to find your site. So, be sure to exchange links with your business partners -- you're helping each other grow!
Traffic - If your site is getting a lot of visitors, search engines will notice! By advertising (internet ad space, newspapers, interstate signs, or just passing out a business card with your web address on it), you can draw more people to your site. Also, if a very popular website sets up a link to your new site, your popularity will be noted by the search engines.
Keywords - The actual words on your page tell the search engines what your page is about. There are certain places you can put text that is more important than others -- especially the title bars and the text inside links.

Here at Cajunworks, we optimize your site to make efficient use of Keywords. Also, we will provide some Traffic and Linking by showing your site on our Portfolio pages and other advertisement pages.

Even so, appearing in Search Engines takes time. Getting to the top, or even the first page, of a search for your business name will always take a lot of time and effort. Being on the top of Search Engine results has become a very competitive field! One way people compete is by purchasing advertising space like Google's Adwords. Another method is to get listed in importand directories and site indexes, like the Open Directory Project.