Frequently Asked Questions About SEO - Search Engine Optimization
Paying for a website that is not designed and optimized for customers searching on Google, is like paying for a brochure that has to stay at the print shop. The whole point of having a website is to drive more traffic to your business. SEO puts you out front for all to see.
1. What is SEO and why is it so important?
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the science of improving the
volume or quality of traffic to a website from search engines via
“natural” or “organic” search results. The higher your website ranks on Google (or other search engines)
the greater the likelihood for potential
customers to choose your business when they are ready to buy. A Lumino website, optimized for search engines, can help deliver more targeted traffic & provide
cost-effective leads to your business.
2. Why should I hire Lumino Web Design to perform SEO?
With over 200 factors that influence organic search results, including "pre" and "post" procedures, SEO can be time consuming. At Lumino Web Design, we work through a methodical series of steps to make your site more relevant, popular & trustworthy! We’ll build you a search optimized website, help you choose relevant key phrases, and incorporate SEO best practices to help boost your rankings. We also provide monthly reports, so you can monitor your progress!
3. What are backlinks and why do I need them?
Backlinks, or inbound links, are links that are on an external site that point to your site. These links measure the “popularity” of the site. Not all backlinks are considered equal. These links should come from reputable sites. Search Engines factor in the amount of quality backlinks a site has when determining its relevancy. A site with quality backlinks will be considered more important & appear higher on the search engines when searched by a user.
A big part of the SEO job we do for you is to register your site on nationwide and local search directories such as AT&T, YellowBook etc. By submitting your landing page to relevant directories, we’ll obtain backlinks to help increase your page’s relevancy on all Search Engines.
4. Why does it take time to see results?
Search Engines such as Google, Yahoo! & Bing can take as long as 4-6 weeks to crawl and index a site, let alone rank a site on the first page. We’ll incorporate SEO best practices along with constant updates to your business profile, or landing page, to get you the results you need!
5. What steps are involved in the SEO process?
We begin "pre" Search Engine Optimization on your site the minute we secure a domain name for your website. From there, we carefully program, select and edit your website's information (includes hidden tags, images, text and links) to increase its relevancy on Search Engines.
After your website goes live, we begin "post" search engine optimization. We register your website on more than thirty-five national and local listings and directories. This increases your visibility from other Internet sources and generates backlinks which are crucial to increasing your value to the Search Engines.
Our proven procedure of "pre" and "post" SEO techniques will improve your presence on the web!
5 KEY QUESTIONS to ask before hiring a web design / SEO company:
1. Does the web design firm offer comprehensive services?
A premium web design offering should include the following:
- Elegant, intuitive, fast-loading design – to appeal to users
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – to rank high on Google
- CMS (Content Management System) – to allow easy editing
- Custom in-house programming – for specialty forms, Intranet…
- Upgrades – to allow easy expansion to E-Commerce...
- Social Media Integration – links to Facebook, Twitter, RSS Feed…
2. Does the web design firm write error-free, interesting and succinct copy?
It is wise to study the web design firm’s portfolio. Click on some recent sites and check for spelling mistakes, organization of content and general interest to the reader. You may be surprised to find out that many web design companies do not actually write any web content for you. Professional copywriting can cost as much as $500 per page over and above the web design.
3. Does the web designer understand the needs and constraints of a business owner?
A web design company with staff who have experience building and marketing their own brand will be better able to guide and advise you on current Internet marketing, budget and usability issues.
4. What is included in the SEO service?
The basic tasks of optimizing a website for search engines are:
- Optimizing all pages for fast loading
- Writing clear, informative copy
- Researching keywords for global and local searches
- Using keyword and content matching to name menus, select headlines, write meta-titles, meta-tags and image tags
- Optimize links
A web design firm offering a value-added product will also:
- Offer suggestions for link building
- Create Facebook and Twitter pages for your business
- Register your site on Google/Bing maps and local directories
- Offer suggestions for Internet advertising campaigns
- Explain web marketing options such as Google Products, Google Author…
5. Does the web design firm offer a clear follow-up communication service?
Who will you go to if you have questions? It is optimal to speak to the designer or programmer directly. Intermediary communication is a waste of your precious time.
To sum up, if you’re lucky, you’ll find a web design company, like the one described above, that offers Web Design, Computer Programming, Graphic Design and Internet Marketing Advice - all in one package.
Lumino Web Design & SEO »
We do all that.