Whether you have just built a new website or have an aged one, you should always be sure to submit your site to the top directories on the Web. This is one of the easiest ways to get a little traffic and boost your search engine rankings. The following directories have human editors who actually look at your site when you submit it to determine whether it is worthy enough to be included in their respective directories. If it looks like a spam site it will be rejected. The search engines know this and thus give a little extra weight to a site that is included in these directories since they know it’s probably a decent, non-spam site that has some value. So here are what some believe (including me) to be the top 10 directories. (And bear in mind this list is not gospel and will change over time):
1. DMOZ (free)
2. Yahoo! Directory ($299)
3. Business.com ($199)
4. Lii.org (free)
5. JoeAnt
5. BOTW
6. WebWorldIndex.com
7. GoGuides
8. PR.com
9. Sezza
10. Skaffe
And here are a few decent UK-based directories:
freeindex.co.uk
botw.org.uk
thegoodwebguide.co.uk
Use Google, MSN Search and Yahoo Search to find a list of Web Designers
If a Web vendor shows up in a search in Google, then you at least know that they have a good grasp of search engine optimization. This of course says nothing about their prices, services, work quality, technical skills, design skills and so forth, but they’re at least off to a good start.
Here are a few tips to help you search online more effectively.
1. Never search using one word. And avoid using only two words as well. Try to use 3-7 words. This search rule does follow the law of diminishing returns however. So searching using 25 words will probably get you little or no results. So there is a “sweet spot” you’ll have to discover for any given search.
Example: web site design company in springfield is better than web design.
2. Weed out irrelevant words by using the minus (-) sign next to the word. Since there may be words that appear in your results that are not anything like what you intended, add a minus sign to such words. In the case above, there is a Springfield in numerous states, so you may do this:
Example: web site design company in springfield –ma if a lot of results are yielding companies in Massachusetts and you’re looking for Illinois companies.
3. Use more than one search engine because you’ll end up getting a wider range of results. Pay special attention to the vendors who appear in more than one search engine’s results.
4. Consider perusing Web vendor directories that show up in the results. There are many websites that list Web designers and developers. You can find a wide array of potential vendors and be able to compare services.
5. Here is a list of keyword phrases you may want to use when searching:
• Web design company in Baltimore (replace ‘Baltimore’ with your city)
• Website creation for small business
• Web design and development for high-tech companies (replace ‘high-tech’ with your industry)
• Website building services in Baltimore for high tech companies
• Hire a freelance web designer specializing in high-tech websites (replace ‘high-tech’ with your industry)
• Hire a Web company in Baltimore for high-tech website
• Web development directories
• Web marketing and design company lists
A Timely New Book for the Recession - How to Get a Successful Business Website Built
With a looming worldwide recession, the release of this non-fiction business book is perfect timing since it teaches anyone how to take the first and vital step towards starting a new business or making an extra income; getting a website built. More and more people are starting their own businesses and Jason OConnor’s new book explains to the novice and expert alike how to hire a Web designer and get a money-making business website built properly and inexpensively.
Waltham, MA (PRWEB) November 13, 2008 — Brandon Oak Publishing has published The Ultimate Guide To A Successful Business Website - The Non-Technical Person’s Handbook For Hiring a Web Designer and Managing the Creation, Design & E-Marketing of a Successful Business Website by Jason OConnor, founder and CEO of Oak Web Works, LLC, a Web design, development and e-marketing firm.
The hardcover in the Business and Internet Marketing category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $39.00.
Mr. OConnor’s new book is particularly timely given the current economic crisis that has hit so many Americans and people worldwide. “If you think you’re about to be laid off or already have been, or if the money you make today is just not cutting it, you ought to consider starting an online business,” says Mr. OConnor, “For that, you’ll need a successful website and my new book will teach you exactly how to get it done properly.”
About the Book
The book is divided into three parts, The Fundamentals of Every Website, How to Hire a Web Designer or Web Design Company and The Planning and Implementation of a Successful Business Website.
The book takes the reader on a tour of the basics of websites and the Internet and explains how revenues can be made in many different ways with a variety of websites. It goes on to help the reader in every step of the way when trying to navigate the shark-infested waters of hiring a Web design firm or freelancer. And the book’s final, yet substantial third part explains in detail what the proper process is in going from an idea or an outdated website to a brand new, money making, successful business website. Learn more about this Web business book here.
About the Author
Jason OConnor is the CEO of Oak Web Works, LLC and has also been a webmaster for small, high-tech start-ups and large organizations alike. He has worked as a Web person in some capacity before, during and after the Internet bubble and has done Web work for M.I.T, Intel, and New York Times best-selling authors, among many other clients worldwide. Mr. O’Connor also currently designs, builds and markets many of his own websites today, including ecommerce websites, informational sites and blogs. His periodic online newsletter, The Net Gazette (http://www.thenetgazette.net) and the original articles on the Oak Web Works website are two other areas where people can read his writing.
The Ultimate Guide to a Successful Business Website companion Blog
The Non-Technical Person’s Handbook For Hiring a Web Designer and Managing the Creation, Design and E-marketing of a Business Web Site
Here’s where you’ll be able to ask questions about the book, make comments and learn more. Click on the ‘Comments’ link above to leave a comment or question about the book.
Learn More About this Book
