How to Boost Your Chances at Having a Successful Web Site Part 4

Web site design (Continued with a real estate site example)-- If you use a picture of a house on the main page of your site, use a picture that has a happy, smiling family in front of the house. The visitors will automatically put themselves into the picture with the happy family, and they'll be more receptive to becoming a potential home buyer. But, just a picture of a home on the main page of your site doesn't evoke those emotions. Keep in mind another thing regarding graphics. The search engines can't "see" the graphics. So, if you have a page that is loaded with graphics, there's no way that the engines can know what the page is about. Therefore, offer a paragraph or two of text above the images that describes what the page is about, which will give your pages a better chance of visibility in the search engines. Build valuable content -- When people come online, they generally aren't looking to buy something. Instead, they are looking for information. Consider your own Web site. What information can you provide that would help attract visitors (and search engines) to your site? Let's say that you have a local store that sells TV's. Could you create content that would be beneficial and possibly provide cost savings to your Web visitors? For example, are there any little tips you could offer to extend the life of a TV? Or, could you write content that focuses on the latest innovations in TV's? The more content you build, the stronger you're making your Web site, and the better chance you have that the visitor will return. Plus, the engines love a content-rich site, so you're boosting your chances at better search engine rankings. Remember that you're also "introducing" your online business to these visitors. You're creating name recognition and credibility. So, when the visitors are in the market for a TV, won't they consider an online business that they can trust? Make it your goal to be that online business! More to come later As you can see, we've just scratched the surface when it comes to having a successful online business. In the next month or so, I'll cover more tips, which I hope will help you turn your Web sites into success stories. In the meantime, consider taking some training that will help boost your chances at achieving online success. Search Engine Workshops offers on location workshops in search engine marketing to both beginners and advanced folks. These workshops are held in various locations across the globe. http://www.searchengineworkshops.com The Academy of Web Specialists offers online courses in search engine marketing, where you can take beginning or advanced classes online in the comfort of your own home. http://www.onlinewebtraining.com/courses.html Robin Nobles conducts live SEO workshops (http://www.searchengineworkshops.com) in locations across North America. She also teaches online SEO training (http://www.onlinewebtraining.com). Localized SEO training is now being offered through the Search Engine Academy. (http://www.searchengineacademy.com) Sign up for SEO tips of the day at mailto:seo-tip@aweber.com.