Search Engine Optimization Does Not Need to be Expensive!

April 16th, 2007

We offer two types of services: consulting and full service.

Consulting Services:
If you are web savy and like to develop your own website, then we have the perfect solution for you. We will walk you through the process of Search Engine Optimization, help you refine your site and give you the tools/knowledge you need. We will perform the more difficult tasks. Our goal is to train you to know how the search engines work and how to get your website optimized.

Full Services:
If you want us to do all the work, you will find that we offer some of the most reasonable search engine optimization services around. We will thoroughly explain the process of search engine optimization. At that point, we will develop a strategy and keep you informed of the progress. You pay a portion to begin, then when we achieve results!

Search Engine Optimization: Best Practices

April 16th, 2007

I recently conversed with a person who asked the following about their website:

“Is it legal if say I had a website to do with Cars for sale, and I used keywords like cars, cheap cars, transport etc. I also want to use keywords with nothing to do with cars for sale like these keywords: “YouTube” and ”Pamela Anderson” Is it legal to do? Will I get banned from Google?

The answer to the above, generally speaking is “No.” YouTube may have some trademark issues with you, but generally there is nothing illegal about optimizing your website for the terms above. Google will not ban a website for the above. Google has been known to take over websites that infringe on their trademarks (e.g., www.gooogle.com).

This question reveals a misconception: Is Search Engine Optimization more important for traffic or for sales?

We believe that Search Engine Optimization’s goal is a Return on Investment and strong profits. It is all about sales. In marketing, the above scenario is called “bait and switch.” If you could rank high for the above terms, you will receive alot of traffic, but it is doubtful any of it would convert into car sales (unless you have a car Pamela Anderson previously owned which has a dash mounted device to view YouTubes:-)

Organic Search Engine Optimization

March 16th, 2007

Perhaps one of the most fulfilling aspects of our business is tracking the progress of our client’s positions in the search engines. Our main emphasis is getting websites to the top organic position of search engines.

Last week, while tracking the position of a website, I noticed a competitor had purchased a paid advertisement on Google. The ad sat right on top of my client’s #1 position in Google. That ad no longer exists. My client’s position still remains in the top position and did not cost him anything.

We do not suggest that paid advertisements do not help or are never to be used. We simply say that organic search engine optimization is more valuable for the following reasons:

  1. Organic search engine placement is long term. It takes time to reach top placement, but once you are there, it is difficult to knock you off.
  2. Organic search engine placement is cost effective. You already paid for your website, you don’t want to continually purchase advertisements.
  3. Organic search engine placement lends credibility to your site. People use search engines to find the most relevant websites. They expect the #1 and #2 positioned websites to have the information/service/product for which they are searching. Studies show that most people click through the organic placements.
  4. The techniques used to gain organic search engine optimization will result in more traffic than you expect. You may aim for one or two keyphrases, but your website will rank in many keywords/phrases. Paid ads are based on single keywords/phrases.

Web Accessibility for the Color Blind

March 11th, 2007

The final post of my Web Accessibility series for now will focus on making your website friendly for those who are color blind.

Most color blind people have red/green deficits. Some have the more rare form (tritanope) which is a blue/yellow deficit. This makes for an interesting challenge given that computer monitors are based on three colors - Red, Green, Blue (RGB).

It almost sounds as if it is impossible to design a website that is accessible for all. That really is not the case. Our graphics design side informs us that high contrast with the right color combinations is very important.

If you are interested in seeing how your website looks to the color blind, visit: www.vischeck.com.

Website Accessibility for the Deaf

March 11th, 2007

For the most part, the deaf/hard of hearing do not have difficulties with website browsing. Yet, there are things many do with their websites that prevent the deaf/hard of hearing from benefitting.

YouTube is an excellent illustration of popular content that has low accessibility for the deaf. A new search engine www.harkle.com provides the deaf/hard of hearing closed captioned content.

Why is this important for websites? When you plan to embed video/audio on your website, also include all of the text or a synopsis that allows the deaf/hard of hearing to gain from the content as well. This practice will make your website more accessible and provide the following benefits:

  • Content is “king” on search engines and your visitors. The more content you have, the more keywords/phrases you will rank well for on the search engines.
  • Not everyone wants to listen to audio. If you provide content, that gives all of your visitors an option to glean from your website.

Website Design: More Than Meets the Eye

March 3rd, 2007

At Evmikna Graphics, we continually work to expand our knowledge as it relates to website design/development and promotion.

We have great appreciation for design and the way fonts match the graphical elements. Not everyone has the ability to appreciate design, namely the hard of seeing and the blind. We work behind the design to create websites that are friendly to our friends who have limited vision. We believe that every website company ought to put forth the same effort. Over time, I am sure they will.

What does this mean for you as one of our clients?

  • Your website is easy to read with machines that the hard of seeing/blind use. In our opinion, this is not simply a preoccupation with technical details, it is the right thing to do.
  • Your website will reach more people. The hard of seeing/blind are a significant part of our society.
  • Search engine experts at Google have created a search page called “Google Accessible.” It gives priority to those sites which are accessible. That means your site will leap ahead of your competitors who have low-accessible sites.

This side of website development does not have wide acceptance. We think this it is primarily due to one of two things: 1) people simply do not know that websites need to be made accessible; 2) it takes extra discipline and knowledge to make websites accessible.

Not only will we continue to provide quality design/promotion for your website needs, we will stay on the “cutting edge” to keep your site visible to all!

Next article topic: Accessibility for the Deaf