What search engines should I submit to?

Search engine or director?

What's a spider?

Explain top ten guarantees?

What are the submission criteria?

What are "pay-for-hits" sties?

What Is There To Know About Submitting To Search Engines?

Companies will claim that they will submit your website to hundreds or even thousands of search engines, but what does that really mean?

Companies can submit your website to any number of thousands of search engines, but most who surf the Internet use only a few major search engines, and those are the ones you want your website submitted to.

The most popular search engines include Yahoo, Google, Lycos, AOL, Excite, GO network, Mamma, Dog Pile, and a few others you have probably heard of.  CSS submits to these sites, and hundreds more both nationally and internationally.

What is the difference between a search engine and a directory?

Not all "search engines" are really search engines.  In fact, some are actually directories.  A true search engine "reads" through sites in search of words and/or topics related to the search criteria.  Directories are a compilation of key words placed in a data base.  Directories search only within their own database for related terms.  Directories and search engines work differently.  It is important to understand the difference when submitting to sites.

What is a spider?

A spider is a program that searches through the html text of a website searching for the particular word or word groups one uses in searches.  Not all search engines use spiders.

When a company guarantees a top ten "hit," what does that mean?

Quite frankly, it means very little.  "Hits" are dependent upon the words people use when conducting a search.  There are certainly some logical words one would use when conducting a search, but that doesn't guarantee those words will be used.  Likewise, the frequency of a word or word group often determines placement of a site within the search engine.  A company can guarantee your site a "top ten hit" provided certain words are used by the person searching.  In other cases, a company can guarantee your website top placement if you purchase the placement spot.  In other words, you are purchasing ad space.  Ultimately, it is the experience of the script designer and knowledge of the individual submitting the sites that are most important.

CSS does not guarantee placement because we feel this is misleading; however, because of our knowledge of of this subject, and our understanding of research methods, our clients have been quite pleased with the results their website have had with search engine hits.  Our research specialists work with our technical staff to create the most productive search scripting possible.   Further, we will routinely resubmit your site to update any changes that might be pertinent to search engines.

Are the criteria for various search engines different?

Each search engine is different.  Some require only the submission of the URL.  A spider is often used to read the script within the site.  In other cases, every page of the site must be submitted individually.  Still, some search engines limit the website descriptive text to only a few words.  If one does not adhere to the restrictions and rules of a given site, his/her site will not appear in the search engine, and may even be restricted from being submitted at a later date.

What are pay-for-hit sites?

Some companies offer "pay-for-hit" sites.  In these cases, when someone visits your site after conducting a search, you are charged for the hit.  This can range from about 1 - 5 cents per hit.  Idealistically, the site will drive business to your website, and the cost will be recouped; however, this may not always be the case.  You must decide if this type of site fits your needs. 

Your website is an investment.  Make the most of if.  Let CSS's professional staff submit your site.