Michigan Craft Shows and the Official Web Site
of Michigan's Arts and Crafts Business - michigancraftshows.com
About Testimonials 2005 Michigan Craft Shows The Artisans Marketplace Links Contact Newsletters & Releases Order The Crafter Magazines!
Submit your Event to the Michigan Crafter Magazine! Web Site Design and Ranking
Web Site Design and Ranking Facts
Regarding Web Site Design and Ranking: last year this time (January of 2004), my web site was down. At one point in the spring I decided to take matters into my own hands, get it up and running again and learn all I could learn about the process.
I have learned a lot. Over the course of the last several months, particularly when my knowledge of the internet has increased dramatically, I started feeling very bad for many of you that have invested in websites. I feel this way because there are certain facts you don't know about making your business visible on the internet. It appears a number of the website designers that many of you have hired to set up your website may not know these facts either. I will explain these facts to you as best I can.
Fact #1: By itself, your website is like a 2005 Hummer H2 out of sight behind the picture above at Isle Royale National Park. It may be the most awesome looking vehicle on the planet that the whole world may wish to buy. But before someone will buy a product or service, they first must be exposed to it. If your potential customer can't find your product or service, they can't possibly know about it or buy it. The first step in the process in addition to creating your web site is is to make your site visible on the web.
Fact #2: To make your business visible on the web, first of all your website has to be introduced to the hundreds of search engines across the country and the world. Just like the real world and staying in touch with your flesh and blood customers, after your site is first introduced, you have to continuously reconnect with those engines to show them you are still in business. You also have to make frequent changes to it so it stays current, dynamic, and up to date. This is accomplished by submitting your website to as many search engines as possible on a regular basis.
Fact #3: Before you sell your products to future customers on the internet, your website first has to sell itself to the electronic spiders and robots that browse the web looking at all the websites. There are certain coding, formats, and contents that will put you at or near the top if you know someone with the skills and tools to help you get there.
Fact #4: Just like you are competing against dozens if not hundreds of other vendors at craft shows, you are in competition with every other vendor who has your type of merchandise and a website in the world. This may seem to be an overwhelming task to you, but with the help and advise of all of you in the past, I am now at the top of the rankings in many of the search engines. The task is difficult one, but it can be accomplished. Your best friend for doing this is a webmaster who knows the ropes and understands the process.
More Web Site Design and Ranking Facts Questions to Ask before Hiring a Web Site Designer
Website Design and Ranking Services