Frequently Asked Questions concerning Search Engine Optimisation,
Submission and Maintenance from FirstFound
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Who are FirstFound?
FirstFound are search engine submission specialists. Our only business
is to get websites listed by search engines.
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What are search engines?
Search engines are what people use to find things on the Internet.
You type in what you are looking for and the search engine then lists
a number of websites that it thinks contain what you want. People
may come across search engines by going directly to that search engine's
website, pressing the search button on their browser or by using a
box on their ISP's site. Although nearly everyone who uses the Internet
uses search engines, a lot of people do not realise that they are
doing so.
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Why do I need to be listed by search engines?
A recent study by Forrester Research (May 2000) found that search
engines remain the leading way users in the United Kingdom find websites.
81% of users said that search engines helped them find the websites
they use. This percentage is up from 67% in 1999. If your site is
not listed by search engines then you are missing out on a huge amount
of potential customers. There are probably people using search engines
to find your type of product or service and if you are not listed
they are going elsewhere.
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How many search engines are there?
There are many thousands of search engines in the world with different
degrees of importance. It is obviously pointless being listed on a
search engine in India that lists websites that provide medical equipment
(unless you happen to supply medical equipment in India of course!).
There are approximately 50 search engines that being listed with would
benefit a United Kingdom website. Please visit our search engines
page for more information.
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The firm that designed my website for
me said they will submit my site to the search engines?
A lot of website design firms say they will submit your site to search
engines for you but the reality is that whilst they may do this once
or twice they will not have the time or inclination to monitor your
site's position and re-submit every month as is necessary. Nor will
they have the expertise necessary to obtain and maintain a high listing
for your website. If someone does not know what they are doing then
your site could even end up being blacklisted forever.
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What's this about search engines
blacklisting my site?
Ever since the first search engine appeared, people have tried to
mislead them by trying to get their sites listed under things that
their website is nothing to do with. Because of this search engines
have had to develop software to identify when someone is trying to
mislead them. When some search engines suspect that they may be being
misled they may blacklist that site forever. Over-submission can also
lead to blacklisting.
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I've got some software that submits
my site to search engines. Why shouldn't I use that?
More and more search engines are refusing to accept automated submissions
so you will never get listed by some search engines. In addition,
each search engine is different and requires different information.
Finally most, if not all, of the automated submission software available
is orientated to websites in the US and only cover one or two UK search
engines.
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How do FirstFound get my site listed
by search engines?
Firstly we work hard. Constant monitoring and resubmission are necessary
to obtain and maintain a high listing. Secondly we are dedicated to
search engine submissions and are able to spend time researching and
learning the constantly changing criteria used by search engines to
rank sites.
Will I need to change my site to get it listed?
When we initially take on your site we will run tests and assess your
site. We may make recommendations, such as the insertion of behind
the scenes code, that you could follow to increase your ranking but
we understand that it is your site and you probably like it. It is
up to you whether you want to make any changes or not. We certainly
would not tell you to change the colours of the site or that we do
not like your photographs. We are search engine submission specialists,
not website designers.
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I've heard that there are tricks that
you can use to get high listings with search engines. Is that true?
If you try to mislead a search engine it will not work. Your site
will not get listed and could be blacklisted. Search engines provide
a vital service to Internet users but understand that people will
only continue to use them as long as their results remain accurate.
Attempts to mislead search engines are quickly identified by search
engines. The only trick is to follow each search engine's instructions
and requirements to the letter.
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How can I be sure that FirstFound will
get my site listed?
We guarantee our results. Before we ask you to enter into an agreement
with us or ask you to pay any money to us we will advise you in writing
what we expect to achieve as a minimum. If we fail to achieve that
minimum level of listings for your website with the top search engines
we will refund your money in full.
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How long will it take for my site to
listed?
Some search engines will list your site within a few weeks of our
initial submissions. Most take at least six weeks. Some will not list
you until they have been submitted to several times. Some search engines
will list you for several months and then stop doing so. Some search
engines use each other's data but it can take time to be passed on.
This means that each month more and more search engines will be listing
your site.
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How do I get FirstFound to get my site
listed?
Simply contact FirstFound
by email, or telephone them on 0161-828 8327, and remember to quote
The Golden Birdies Design Group or contact Golden
Birdies
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