SEO for Beginners: What is SEO?

You probably hear people tossing the term SEO around a lot. But what is SEO? It's an acronym for "Search Engine Optimization." So what is search engine optimization?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the a set of techniques used to improve the ranking of a website or webpage in search engines through unpaid, natural search results. When someone types something into Google, you want to be found near the top of the results. The top results on the first page are more likely to be clicked then the results the second or third pages. And if you're on the fourth page, you might as well be invisible.

Websites found naturally in search engine results are often referred to as organic or algorithmic results. These are different from paid advertisements that may look like results, but actually have the word "ad" or "advertisement" near them.

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Web coders and internet marketers can increase your website's ranking through various techniques and processes. There are tons of SEO companies out their who specialize in these services. Make sure that whatever company you choose uses ethical practices. Unethical practices (also known as "black hat techniques") could get your website banned from the search engines.

As always, read the terms and small print that your company offers. Also, be sure to read reviews about them online to see what other customers' experiences are. For now, I hope this helps provide the basics about SEO for beginners.

Small Business Website Development Starts with Choosing the Right Domain Name

Small business website development is everything from design, coding, functionality and more. But smart small business website development starts with choosing the right domain name. It doesn't matter how good your website is - it's worthless if no one can remember the name or find it through a search. This is why choosing the right domain name may very well be the most important element when it comes to small business website development.

There are two important factors to consider when choosing the right domain name for your small business website. Much like everything else in business, these two domain name tips are all about style and functionality.

The style is how your domain name is viewed. How do people feel about it? Is it clever? Is it memorable? Does it work for your business? A stylistic domain name has a lot of these qualities. You want to keep your domain name short in length and few in syllables. Examples of stylistic domain names are Yelp, Yahoo, Google, etc.

Generally, if you're wondering how to pick a good domain name from a stylistic view, cap it at three or four syllables. Anything longer starts getting tacky, weird, and hard to remember. Stylistic domain names are all about referrals. You can mention it in person or post a link on Facebook and it will be impressionable. Stylistic domain names are meant to be memorable and easily passed a long.

So what about functionality? Choosing the right domain name from a functional standpoint is just the opposite. The longer the better. Where stylistic domain names are designed to be referred, functional domain names are designed to be found. An example of this might be www.chicagoelectricianservices.com. It's bland, tacky, boring, and not very memorable... but it's geo-specific and industry-unique... it's also the phrase that people are typing into search engines.

Functional domains are designed to be found. I know you were probably stoked when you found out ElectricEddie.com was available, but guess what? ChicagoElectricianServices.com is snagging all your search traffic, because that's what people in Chicago are typing into search engines when they need an electrician. However, ElectricEddie.com is much easier to remember when it comes to radio spots, newspaper ads, fliers, and signs. The name is fun too, so it may do a better job of driving curiosity.

It can be tough figuring out how to pick a good domain name -  choosing the right domain name for your business is a crucial first step. Just make sure these domain name tips are considered at the beginning of your small business website development process.Think about your marketing strategies. Will you be pushing your services online or in person. Are you trying to use your existing customer base to refer and create new business, or are you just trying to capture the curious and expand business .
Small business website development starts with choosing the right domain name based on your marketing strategy. Your web design should be based off of this so that your website acts as the appropriate vehicle for your specific marketing tactics. And once you have a better idea of who you are trying to attract and who your customer is design your website around what they like - not what you like.

If you have your domain name and you're ready to go, click on the link below to check out my blog on choosing the right designers for your specific, small business website development project.
Find the Right Small Business Website Development For You

Jquery For Small Business

Those of you who run small businesses and also simultaneously develop, design, and manage your own websites will find this resource useful. http://jquery.com/ is a great resource for people looking for great java script librarys. It literally changes the way we write Java Script. I highly recommend this resource.

Small business website development is something that I think is becoming more and more a thing of the present and future. As website design becomes easier and faster, the ability for more "regular people" to develop their own websites is becoming more common place. That's why this blog exists really. My goal is to show you how to create your own websites, develop your own apps and codes and give you great resources to web developers who can help you out.

Find the Right Small Business Website Development For You

You've finally made the decision, "I need a small business website." Took you long enough! It's 2012. Better late than never. It's okay; small business website development can be intimidating. Companies like Set My Site, Web.com, GoDaddy, and Homestead are making it a little easier.

For 20 years, all you needed were business cards and phone book listings. Then the internet came along and complicated everything - your competitors gained an edge; business growth became static. Maybe your customer counts are down or expensive employees don't have enough to do. It's not too late to reverse the trend.

Figure out your marketing budget. Wait... you don't have a marketing budget?? Oh yeah, I forgot - you're a small business owner. This means you're the CEO, receptionist, sales guy, janitor, and accountant. If you don't have a marketing budget that may be another reason your business is sputtering - no one knows you exist. Develop a marketing budget! It doesn't have to be much; maybe $100-200 a month. Just be sure to include a website in your budget. 

A website can give your small business a boost; communicate with current customers while attracting new ones. A website gives your prospects more information than a business card. Today's consumers not only expect more than a card - they demand more. You need a website.

According to Google, 45% of all searches are now done by people looking for a local, small business. If you don't have a website, you're missing tons of opportunities.

Can small business website development be expensive? Yes. Can it be complicated? Yes. But small business website development has come a long way. Affordable web design is now more prevalent than it has ever been, and there are tons of options.

Small business website development does not have to be complicated. If you're somewhat adventurous, try using doing it yourself. Companies like Wix and Homestead offer affordable, do-it-yourself web design tools. If computers are not your thing, don't worry. Companies like Web.com or SetMySite.com will handle your small business website development for you. All of these companies offer affordable monthly rates for small business marketing budgets.

Whatever option you choose, you've made the right decision by putting small business website development on your long, hectic entrepreneurial to-do list. Below are some of the companies previously mentioned. Most of them are cheaper than your cell phone bill, and they'll fit in nicely with your $100-200 monthly marketing budget. You do plan on marketing your small business, right? I sure hope so :)


Small Business Website Development Suggestions

• Homestead - build it yourself
• Web.com - build it yourself or they can build it for you 
• Set My Site - they'll build it for you 

I hope the blog and suggestions help. Small business website development is more powerful than you think. Remember how excited you were for your first business cards? You could hand them out; your customers could pass them along. A website is like a business card on steroids. You can push it, pass it, or mention it anywhere - and you don't have to worry about keeping enough on you. Best of all, a website makes "word of mouth" easy on your customers. Good luck! Market hard; Market always!