Google optimisation tips

Google's mission is to dish out relevant websites according to what people type are searching for. They do this by understanding the content of pretty much every web-page in existence, then determining which of these is most relevant to the user according to a number of complex criteria. It's a colossal task which they do very well, but there are certain things you can do to help Google realise your site should be dished out near the top of the list.

Criteria which Google uses to determine site relevance include:

• Meta tags (explained in a sec)
• Page titles
• Text content
• Image content

Google also takes into account a variety of other factors:

• Is the site recommended and linked to by other respected websites?
• Is the site accessible?
• Is the site on a reliable server?
• Is the site updated regularly?
• Does the site conform to global website standards?
• Is the spelling correct and has care been taken?
• Is the site trying to cheat the system?

…and more

Good news - with JG Website Design you will have a site which is Google friendly:

• You have relevant key words and a description in a hidden area that only search engines can access. These 'meta tags' are designed to let search engines know what your site is all about
• A 'site map' has been submitted to Google which alerts them to every page in your site
• Your site conforms to the global website standards put in place by the World Wide Web Consortium which means it's accessible and can be interpreted by all browsers.
• All images have been optimised and the code used behind the scenes is nice and clean, which means the site loads fast
• All pages have been spell checked and corrected where necessary

Things you can do

• Think about the market you are trying to tap into very carefully - for example your location, your unique selling points, and then consider what people would search for to find you - these are your 'key words' so make sure you use them where appropriate in site content and titles, and also links.
• Ensure your link appears on relevant sites. This means business directories and sites with similar content, and anyone else who is respectable. Google counts each link as a sort of electronic vote, but not all votes are equal. Respected pages will provide more impact, so a link on a dodgy 'link farm' will do you no good at all.

  For a list of trusted directories, click here

• Encourage everyone you can to link to you, and provide links back to them if necessary, but go for the big fish if you can - the most well respected and popular sites in your field.
• Ensure you are listed in Google maps and other business directories, and make sure your url appears.

Linking tips

Google examines the phrases used within the link to your site so:

For advice on Google optimisation, click here

... is no way near as effective as...

Click here for advice on Google optimisation

Be patient

Google has over a billion websites under its belt so it can take time for your site to be indexed or for changes to update in their index. Three months is the rule of thumb for updates so try and be patient.
Don't try and cheat!

Google employs some of the top brains in the world and is known for headhunting staff from NASA. They are smarter than almost everyone, and cheating their system is not worth the risk – Google will penalize or even remove sites which are trying to exploit quick methods of artificially increasing their ranking. Don't believe websites promising a quick fix.

If you would like more advice on improving your Google ranking, feel free to get in touch.