Google is a great source for finding information, they are currently the number 1 search engine in the world.  “Google it” has even become a common slang in terms of searching for something online – from directions, to search-engine searches.  Google is popular for one good reason: they obtain content FAST.  Many of my articles here, on FunkyTower, wind up in Google’s database in less than 24 hours!  In fact, the majority of my website’s visitors are directed here by Google.  So, Google is definately a great source for finding information.

So, here are the tips:

1. When you search help or information online, be brief.  Don’t type something like “My iPhone froze and I can’t get it to work, so how do I get it working again so I can download apps and get updates?”  That is way too long.  Instead, type something short, between 3-7 words maximum, like “iPhone froze help.”
2. If you are looking for something specific – don’t be afraid to use quotes, but only use them on necessary words and phrases.  For example, if you can’t find the name or artist of that one song, type in quotes a lyric from the song, and then type lyrics after the quotes.  Try typing this in the Google search box: “break the spell of the typical” lyrics.  You will definately find results leading to lyrics to a song called Typical by MuteMath.  We’ve successfully found answers to our question without going outside of Google!

   If you’re looking for answers on problems with a specific item, put the specific item in quotes.  For example, say you’re having trouble with Dreamweaver MX and Windows Vista.  Put “Dreamweaver MX” in quotes so that all results will have Dreamweaver MX in them, not Dreamweaver CS2 or CS3.  OR, type “Windows Vista” in quotes; this way, all results will be in regaurds to Windows Vista – not Windows XP or Windows ME, etc.

3. Use proper spelling and grammar:  This is important – though Google has a “Did you mean: this” feature that let’s you know that you may have mispelled a word – many times this feature doesn’t react to slang.  Don’t type phrases like “Winxp dont werk fo nuthin.”  Honestly, no one types this way, so why would you find good results by searching this way?
4. If you are looking for results from a specific website, use the “site:” feature.  This will find results from specific websites.  For example:  “site:funkytower.com web design”   This will cause google to look for results from ONLY “funkytower.com” relating to “web design.”
5. Use common phrases, words, and statements.  This relates to tip #3.  Google picks up alot of content from alot of websites made by alot of people.  If you use unique phrases, statements, or words that most people do not use, you probably won’t find results.  When trying to find help on the internet through Google, use phrases that most people would use.  For example, if you want software like photoshop, type “Photoshop Alternatives” or “Software similar to photoshop” - DON’T type “Things that are like photoshop that I don’t have to pay for.”  Again – this not only is way too long, but no one is going to post a phrase like THAT on their website.

There we have it, five simple steps that will have you finding information on Google in no time!

What Do You Think?
What do you think?  What do you do to get the right results using Google?  Do you still have trouble getting results using Google while using these tips?  If so, let me know, I’d be glad to help you out with your problem.  And if you do have more tips on getting the right results out of Google, I want to know and share it with the world!  Send your thoughts to david@funkytower.com!

<meta> tags:  When building a website, include meta tags to host a description and some key words.  Avoid being repetative and using terms like “Click Here!”  Do not use all-caps lettering, most people find it annoying - search engines like Google don’t like it either.  Make sure your description really does describe your website, and your keywords have to do with the content of your website.  Don’t use too many keywords.  Limit yourself to 10 or 12 keywords maximum.

Be Informative:  If you want to drive traffic to your website through search engines, it’s important to be informative and helpful.  When writing information on your website, be clear, detailed, and structural.  This way, when people try to find something through a search engine, your website will be pulled up earlier in the list of websites.

External Linking:  This is huge, and it could be easier than you think.  If you have a Myspace, Facebook, or other public networking account, put a link to your website on your page.  For example when spiders/search engine robots scan Myspace, they will find your link and it will be added to their database.  Also, if you’re a part of a message board, put a link to your website in your signature.  When sending e-mails, make a habit of putting a link to your website at the bottom of your e-mail.

Manual submission:  Submit your website to major search engines and major open directories.  Here are some links to do so:

1. http://www.dmoz.org
2. https://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/submit

Yes I know, that’s not very many places to submit your site, but Dmoz and Yahoo will send your site to various search engines – Yahoo powers alot of search engines.

Webmaster Tools/Sitemaps:  Generate a XML Sitemap and put it in the root of your online content folder (many times this folder is known as “htdocs” – it’s the folder where you store all content viewable on the internet.)  If you don’t know how to generate one, that’s ok!  Go to http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/  This website will generate one for you automatically that you can download.  Save the file as “sitemap.xml”

Now go and sign up to some webmaster tools/developer centers and submit your sitemap.  These services are free and they will help get your website in search engines sooner.  Here are a couple ”centers” that you can use:

1. www.google.com/webmasters/tools
2. http://webmaster.live.com/

There are more out there for different search engines that you can find.  Using these tools allow your website to be put in search engines faster, and having a “sitemap.xml” file on your server helps all your pages get scanned, and shows how often you would like the robots to scan your website as well.  This way, your content is updated regularly in search engines!

There you have it!!  Some good, free, and easy ways to help get your website in search engines.  If you complete all these steps in the span of a few days, don’t expect your website to be in search engines the next day.  All websites need approval before being submited, and it can take weeks, sometimes months, before a website is accepted, even if you take extra measures.  However, with my experience, I’ve never had to wait more than two weeks before my website got in search engines, and I didn’t have to pay a dime.

I do the same thing for my customers and, again, it has never taken more than two weeks before I got the websites in search engines.  So obviously, this works

Now there are measures you can take that guarantee you in the top listings in search engines, but you have to pay individual search engines for that – and it can be expensive.  So, if I were you, I’d suggest sticking with these tips – besides, what have you got to lose?   Try them, and I’m sure you’ll be in search engines in no time

What Do You Think?
How do you drive traffic to your website?  Have questions about web design?  Would you like FunkyTower to build your website?  If you have anything to say, I’m all ears – just send your thoughts to david@funkytower.com, and I’ll do all I can to get back to you

Take it easy,
David Crandall