Web Search Optimization on the Cheap

I'm finally getting ready to set up the website for my PC shop, plus I have a friend who does specialized tool and die work for the oil industry who wants me to set up a separate website for him.

What are the least expensive (preferably free) ways to get a site near the top of the results when someone Googles, Bings or Yahoo's "PC Repair Houston TX" or "Large Gear Rework".

I've looked at online offers from companies such as 1and1 (where I have my domain names registered) and Yext. For both sites, the ad budgets are limited - I do not want to have to "pay per click" or pay for a sponsored search result at the top of the page.

Are there any shareware/freeware programs and/or legitimate web sites that offer advice on tips and tricks to increase search engine rankings at no cost? (I'll be using 1and1's quickie "do-it-yourself" layout to build them, since I'm not an expert at HTML.)

One final search optimization issue is distance: Although I want to focus my site hits to only about ten zip codes within SW Houston, my friend's tool and die work is Worldwide - as such, he wants his business to appear as high as possible with no "penalty" based on distance if a potential client in another state or country searches his keywords.

Thanks in advance for any leads or tips.

 

Pay a boatload of money to them.

 

Hi Gman863


We have been through the same thing recently, we decided to use Justhost

and built our site using their on-line tools namely RV-Sitebuilder.

When we were finished we checked our site with crawlers and got a Zero

ranking on Google :cry

That's when we realised there is a hell of a lot more to this than meets the eye!

Part of it lies in the building and you will have to learn some HTML for this

When Google crawls your site it looks at how it is built, does it have correct

usage of Tags and headings along with relevant content words listed,

Proper headings for images, not too many images as the crawlers also gauge

how fast a page loads.

Correct use of all these headings is also important for how software for the

blind will read your site to them.

Do all this correctly and you may obtain a reasonable ranking, keeping your

ranking is also a full time job, Post new content regularly, maybe build your

site with up to date news of your business and industry you could link your

news page to other news sites, posting their content on your page to help

promote their site!! ask first.... and vice versa

Incoming links to your site from other domains are important too, the crawlers

like to see that your site is "connected" so to speak, not just a random blog

It can be a little confusing My friend so make time to study up a little on these things before your build so that you build right.

We are building again using Dreamweaver to build our new site
Its a little hard going but its fun.

One last thing. If you can afford it i'd consider getting help at least for the first year if not then GOOD LUCK FROM

thelaptopguru