South African Tech News
Search Engine Optimisation SEO
Whats up with Google Search
May 21st
Everyone should have noticed by now that Google Search recently got a facelift. It seems reactions to this are mixed, some folk are really unhappy with the new look and feel while others think it’s a welcome enhancement. Personally this writer thinks the old Google search was much better and faster, this may of course be because Google has introduced many new features which have not quite rolled out as expected and are taking time to fine tune things. Having been on the Internet since search engines were invented, I can say the lighter the better when it comes to Search Engines. Those who’ve been on the Internet for many years will know how other Search Engines fell by the way side when they got too fancy, complicated and tangled up in corporate red tape. Lets hope Google does not fall into this same trap, although perhaps it is time for the Mighty “do no wrong G” to make some blunders.
The biggest problem however since Google introduced these changes is that search results on certain search terms seem incredibly mixed up. I’m permanently searching for information due to the nature of my work and in particular when it comes to technical information Google has been yielding very old results 2006, 2007 and nothing from this year or last year seem to feature anywhere. This is probably due to the new time feature on the left of the page and for certain search terms it’s been a frustration the last 2 weeks getting any up to date search results. I’m sure Google’s guys are working on it and hopefully the next Google update will fix things.
I really hope Google does not get tangled up in adding bloatware to the fastest and most powerful search engine in existence, they have had a perfect recipe for years now, why they chose to change it now is interesting and whether it works in their favour or not only time will reveal that.
SEO – Self Appointed Experts Abound
Oct 5th
It’s amazing to see these days that any Tom, Dick or Harry who has managed to get his site to page 1 on Google is suddenly a self-appointed Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) expert. Just Google “SEO” and you’ll see how many results Google returns, the really good companies who know what they are doing seem to be well placed but there are also lots of dicey characters showing up all over the place “promising” that they can take you to number 1 on Google.
First off lets get something straight, with Google or any search engine for that matter, there is quite simply no guarantee that you will be placed anywhere and anyone making such guarantees or promises should be avoided at all costs because they will do more harm than good to your web site. Too many web site operators have been penalised by Google for using non-approved optimisation techniques and by the time you find out you have been penalised the company who did your SEO for you is long gone, with your money. Once Google has penalised you it will cost you even more to make it right than had you chosen a reputable company in the first place.
Like they say “If you think hiring a Pro is expensive, wait until you hire an amateur”
You’ll know you are in good hands when you do not hear the word “guarantee”, then it’s time to actually ask the company you intend dealing with to show you proof of their results and to also ask to speak to customers of theirs who can tell you first hand what their experience has been like. Don’t take anything at face value and ask lots of questions, the more the better. You’ll quickly know if you’re dealing with a pro or amateur purely on how quickly they can answer you without stumbling over their words.
Everybody wants to see their site on page 1 of Google but few are willing to actually make it happen. Simply designing a pretty web site laden with keywords and meta tags is not going to get you there, and if it does it will not keep you there. Fresh valuable content is key and your content needs to be written for your visitors not just for Google. This takes time and dedication and those people who are religiously pushing new content into their sites have great results with search engines.
Google is constantly changing their game and keeping ahead is a full time job but as long as you are providing valuable content to cyberspace Google will continue to be your friend.
