A Word About Search Engines

Search engines can be very important to the success of your web site. Although a well promoted site will receive visitors from sources such as localized directories, links on related web sites, etc., search engines will still account for a very significant number of visitors. There are literally hundreds, perhaps thousands, of search engines. However, only a few of them will ever have an impact on the number of visitors that will find your site. These are the major search engines:

Most of the major search engines will still list your site for free. However, many of them now charge a one-time fee for adding your listing rapidly. Several of the major search engines utilize databases from other major search engines, so if you are listed in one, you may find your listing duplicated in others.

Our experience indicates that better than 94% of the visitors, that used a search engine to find the web sites that we developed, used Yahoo. It is the oldest and largest major web site search directory and it is compiled by humans. Yahoo will no longer list your site for free: they charge $199 (one-time charge) to list a commercial site. Even after paying this charge, if their editors do not feel that your site is worth including, Yahoo will not list your site and will keep the $199. In spite of this charge, we feel that no serious commercial web site can afford to ignore Yahoo.

As part of Riddle Data Systems' web development services, we will submit your site to the major search engines. In the case of search engines that charge, we will only register your site with them with your prior approval and agreement to pay their fees.

Copyright © 1994 Riddle Data Systems. All rights reserved.