TOPIC: Search engine recognition

Dominic - No matter what I do, I cannot find my web page on Google.  I really don't think think website building is for me.  It is SO frustrating!
I have a thousand more questions, but don't have the space nor time for it.

Hi Randy,

Google needs to know your site exists before it will list it. It also needs to be around for more than a few weeks. You have to prove to Google to list your site. The most important thing is to be participating in the link exchange on the forums here. There's an article with instructions under Website Tutorials & Tips. You also need to add your website address in your signature here. Google finds your site by crawling it from one site to another.

Randy, I understand where your coming from.

I called Dominic to ask him to build me a website because I didn't know enough about it and I didn't think I had time for it.

He refused, but offered me all the tools and support needed to get things off the ground (free to start).

I didn't pay attention to the first class "how to name your web site" so things got off the ground a little slower than normal for me as well.

Eventually I learned the process and it has been invaluable ever since. Paying someone else to build a website is totally ridiculous when you have the support and tools that Dominic provides.

It does take time, and it is critical to get your website address out there on the other high volume sites to be found by the search engines.

Though I do not have time to fool with my website and improve it better, I still hit pretty close to the top of most searches. I find it's not always the best to be number one for the clients that want to "shop around" a little bit. So #1 is not my priority.

Recently I added energy performance evaluations (blower door/ duct blaster) to my TI services. I made one new page for this service on both of my websites (they were not identical in anyway; "important point") and they both were ranked above my existing sites within five days (less people doing that service).

I got a call from one of those companies that guarantees you placement on Google (next to the map). They wanted $200 for the service but they're offering it to me for $95. After talking with them, I got a few ideas and went home and found the correct words to trigger a Google map to appear next to my site listing. The company wanted six weeks to get my site up, I accomplish the same goal in six hours!

Dominic has told me time and time again to be patient. Sometimes it is hard but like all the other advice he gives, it's right on the money.

Once you achieve recognition by search engine's, life will be on easy street. It's just a matter of getting to that point. My website jumps over the top of other people that have better sites than mine very frequently when I have made no changes to my site (except what automatically occurs from things like news aggregators; another one of those Dominic tasks I was reluctant to pursue)!

Internet site marketers call and tell me I'm not on page one, but in actuality I may be on eight out of ten hits on page 1 through other people's sites! I am actually at a point that I'm pushing myself off of page 1 because of site links from other sources. Listen to what Dominic is saying.

Just hang in there!
After all, you're writing an article to be viewed by the entire world! I have people looking at my websites from countries that I never knew existed! Not that I want to do a home inspection there!

Thanks for the encouragement, David.  I know you're right about this. At times, I just don't have the patience. I've been a little stressed in trying to get my business started, putting out money I don't have for equipment (I've been out of work for a year and finally my dream is coming true) preparing for a home show, making sure I have all my ducks in a row and trying desperately to make my website effective.  There doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day to get all this accomplished.  I just need to take the time to do what Dominic, you and others have said and read the tutorials.  Thanks again

As for the Home Show etc. use your web site as a "landing zone" for biz cards, flyers, brochures etc...

Now that I think about it, that is what I did at first.
Actually that is all I wanted a web site for to start with.
I just wanted to put a little on my Biz Card and fill in the rest of the info on the web site.

Boy how things have changed.

I get a huge amount of Biz from my sites.
It took time though...

Dominic - No matter what I do, I cannot find my web page on Google.  I really don't think think website building is for me.  It is SO frustrating!
I have a thousand more questions, but don't have the space nor time for it.

Randy, what in particular are you having trouble with? Start with one troubling issue and we can go from there to get your site up and running.