Tuesday, February 22, 2011

When Organic SEO is not really Organic

Normally, Organic SEO refers to search engine optimization efforts that result in traffic from search engine results i.e. non-sponsored results. But there are some finer distinctions to be made when the methodologies to achieve these results are taken in to account. Many SEO companies take help of black hat techniques to achieve higher search engine rankings. Black hat are those techniques which are aimed at exploiting loopholes in search engine algorithms and trying to game them. These techniques almost always violate guidelines given by search engines. Results achieved by black hat SEO techniques do not last long as search engines wise up to the fact that some SEO consultants are trying to game the search algorithms. Many times, sites indulging in black hat SEO are penalized and are banned from search results altogether. This can be a serious blow to a website. Today we will discuss what separates “Real Organic SEO” from “Fake Organic SEO”

A SEO company which believes in real organic SEO will place very high premium on creating a site that is useful for users and visitors. Such sites without exception are placed at the top of search results. Whereas, sites which have been propped up by SEO techniques aimed at gaming an algorithm though successful in shorter run, find them in internet black hole whenever search engines update their algorithms. Search engines frequently update their algorithms so that their search results are genuine and helpful to searchers. The search results should be most relevant and authentic. Black hat SEO practitioner spam search results for the benefit of their websites, however, during these updates such sites are weeded out.

Real organic SEO consultants know that for a website to be truly popular, it needs to be informative and be a valuable resource for its user. Wikipedia, Facebook and twitter are testimony to this fact. These sites serve very valuable function and hence are extremely popular without need of any SEO. Now, you will ask how this can be relevant to small websites such as a site for plumbing company. A website for a plumbing company can have informative articles about Do it yourself, common symptoms, tips and maintenance advices etc. Visitors as well as search engines will see this website as a resource and hence its chances of good search results is much high. Not only this several blogs and website will link to this website as this is a website with valuable information. This will mean free highly relevant inbound links which are so crucial for higher rankings. Such sites will always be on top regardless of algorithm updates.

On the opposite spectrum a SEO company may plan campaign which only involves getting reciprocal links through links exchange, one way links through paid links, keyword stuffing. There is no arguing the fact that they will get results but come the next Google update, these SEO consultants will be biting their nails in anticipation. Only if they are even concentrated half their efforts on improving the content of their website.

In short, a website with good and relevant content will attract inbound links. Such website are viewed as an authority and a resource and hence do not have to resort to black hat SEO tactics for short term gains.

Enovabiz Solutions is a leading Website Design India Firm specializing in Web Development, ASP.Net development, Cloud Computing, Multimedia, Brochure Design and Logo Design. Our SEO Company India also offers affordable SEO Services

Monday, February 21, 2011

How to evaluate your website design cost?

Every website and client is different. Each has their own specifications and budget constraint. So how do you know how much a website should cost? To compound the confusion, each web designer employs different methods to evaluate the cost of designing a website. Industry uses few ways of determining the price of a website. These are as below:

1) Hourly rates: A way very commonly used freelance web designers. Hourly charges vary a great deal depending upon the country, experience and skills. Whatever be the rates, it is very essential to find out how many hours your website will take and the capabilities of the web designer. A web designer who charges less may not have adequate experience or skills. Check out their past works and evaluate if what they are charging is justified or not.

2) Per project rates: Many web design companies quote per project rates after evaluating your requirements. They will quote for all sections of the website individually with list of features and specifications for each. Before hiring a web design firm, make sure all requirements and deliverables have been agreed upon by both parties.

3) Package rates: Many web designers have different packages which cater to different complexity of websites. For people who need a basic web design, a basic package is suggested. Different packages have different features and cater to clients with varied requirements and budgets. If the client needs any specific features not in the list, s/he may order it for an additional price. If you veer to go for a package, just make sure that you do not get a non-unique pre-made website. A website should have a different look and feel from the rest and represent your business values.

4) Per page rates: This kind of pricing is generally used by novice designers and in cases where just basic website has to be developed.

If you want to get a website designed and do not have much clue on how to figure how much your website will cost, you can send your request for proposal to various web design firms. After assessing their quotes and abilities, you can select the web design firm best suited to you. Another way is to submit your project to freelancing sites. The main drawback is that many freelancers may quote absurdly low to grab a project. A client may be tempted to hire the cheapest designer who will then cut corner to keep his costs low. In the end your website may not turn out as promised. Always remember the adage “you get what you pay for”. Don’t get lured by low prices and always judge a designer by his past track record.

Enovabiz Solutions is a leading Website Design India Firm specializing in Web Development, ASP.Net development, Cloud Computing, Multimedia, Brochure Design and Logo Design. Our SEO Company India also offers affordable SEO Services.

5 Goals a Web Design Should Accomplish

A website is the doorway to your business on internet. Its importance in today’s world cannot be over emphasized. A website is perhaps the most accessible way for a customer to find your business. While designing a website a lot of things have to be factored in to make sure that the final website is able to fulfill functions that it is meant to. Almost all website design process involves same steps and lifecycle. Most of the sites follow same patterns and designs. But each website has to be designed with specific goals in mind. And here they differentiate form each other. Two websites may have structure but may radically differ in use of colors, font and images. A web designer has to have some goals in mind irrespective of the theme of the website and stick to them to deliver a website that works! Some of these goals are as follows:

1) Beautiful + User Friendly Site: A myth has creeped-in web designing world. Many web designers are of opinion that a functional site cannot be beautiful and vice versa. In their quest for a pretty site they sacrifice functionality and vice versa. I am of the opinion that this is a lazy approach and a website can be user friendly as well beautiful. A little bit more thought and planned approach can help in fulfilling both needs. An aesthetic site can be user friendly.

2) Design for site’s audience: A gaming website been developed for kids will be different from a website for senior citizens. Pretty obvious? It is not that quite obvious when we see lot of sites which have been designed without considering the target audience. A funky themed site may not sit well with a big corporation. A site for a wooden furniture company should reflect the company’s products and also make an impression on customers who have come to the website to buy wooden furniture. The ambience of the site should match the product or services and the customer should feel the same.

3) Easy navigation: Navigation is perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle. A user friendly site that makes it easy for user to navigate a site is much better than a site with mystery meat navigation. Yes, mystery meat navigation may look cool for you but will fox a user and s/he will beat a hasty retreat. Not exactly what you wanted from your website. Eh? Make navigation such that you make the user go to areas that you want to. If you know a user will need particular information before buying a product then make it easy for him to locate that information. A clutter free navigation with links to major parts of the website is desirable. Assist the user in achieving their goals in least possible number of clicks.

4) Incorporate useful features: If possible try to add features that increase the functionality or usability of the website. A search feature is one of them. Suppose your site sells electronic gadgets. When a user is viewing description of a gadget “A” then a feature which shows the list of products which other buyers bought along with the product “A”. Show accessories that can be bought with the product and so on.

5) Deliver to web design client what they want (& what they need!): Customer is always right! After all, not only is he paying you for designing his website but also knows his business better than you do. Before going to the drawing board, have a detailed discussion about their business, industry, targeted audience, services/products and their preferences. If they would like to have a particular type of design or features then try to incorporate them. If client’s preferences are not advisable then guide him why those should be discarded. Educating your client through entire process and taking his views is always a good idea.

Enovabiz Solutions is a leading Website Design India Firm specializing in Web Development, ASP.Net development, Cloud Computing, Multimedia, Brochure Design and Logo Design. Our SEO Company India also offers affordable SEO Services.