“Website analysis” – sounds complicated doesn’t it? Even though it is an on-going, and sometimes in-depth process, you don’t have to be an expert to make a BIG difference in your site’s search engine rankings. Here are some tips to make your site search engine friendly.

The first thing to find out is if your site has been indexed or not. Is it in a search engine or directory?

The most important place to check is Google. Simply go to www.google.com and type your domain into the search box. Google will return the home page for your site if they are aware of it. Make sure all your pages are indexed and not just the home page.

If nothing is returned for search results—don’t panic! Double check spelling and typing to make sure you’ve entered your domain name properly. If there are still no results, Goggle doesn’t know about your website.

Repeat this process for any other search engine that you want to make sure has your site indexed. The three other key search systems important to check are: The Open Directory Project, Yahoo and MSN.

Next, you have to decide if you want to pay for registering your site in the Yahoo Directory or not. This is a personal choice. Do your own research and make up your own mind. The only way to get in the Yahoo Directory is to pay.

The Open Directory Project is free but usually takes some perseverance and patience in order to get registered. Go to www.dmoz.org and follow the directions. Wait six to eight weeks and if your site doesn’t appear, try again.

There are usually three reasons why your site is not being indexed by a search engine. First, they simply may not have found your site yet. Second, your site may be almost invisible to the “bots” (a.k.a. search engine robots). Third, they may be able to find your site, but when they get there, they can’t read it.

Questions to get answered if you think your site is invisible are: 1) Are my keywords relevant? 2) Is the site created “on the go” when a browser requests it? (Some call this a dynamic site). 3) Am I using frames? This is a no no! 4) Are my title and descriptions tags aligned with the content? 5) Was my site created using Java Script? (The search engines ignore Java Script) 6) Does my site have really relevant content, especially on the first page?

Don’t be overwhelmed if this sounds like a lot of work and a little complicated, it really isn’t. But it is a good place to start. In future articles I will detail each of these areas more specifically. For now you have enough homework to get started. Go find out if your site is indexed and if it isn’t start with registering in the Open Directory Project and the Yahoo Directory (if you want to pay).

Other major ones engines like Google may not be so easy. Asking the search engines to come to your site probably won’t work and the problem with paying is that you are paying. I will also address these issues in the future.

Remember, Organic Marketing takes more time and a little more effort but your site earns its relevancy naturally and your wallet stays in your pocket.