Now, lets talk about how to capture your target market in the search engines.

One of the most important things in marketing is to know who your target market is. Then once you know your target market, ask yourself some questions.

What keywords and keyword phrases does my niche type in when searching for what I sell or what I do?

Most search engines have keyword tools that enable the web site owner to generate keywords and keyword phrases that are typed in by the search engine user. Some keywords get millions of hits per day and others get hundreds.

When I do SEO for a site like Ktichen & Bath Werks who is a General Contractor located in Chino California, I target their remodeling products and services to Internet users located in their target cities.

Let me show you an example. Click on the the following link to see kitchenbathwerks.com in Google. The keyword is Bathroom Remodeling Inland Empire. My customer is #1.

Do I want to provide my products or services regionally, nationally or internationally?

When I provide SEO to a business I generally consult with them about their target market. A company such as a construction company will want to target a niche that is regional. Some corporate companies and home based businesses that either already offer products or services nationally or want to establish an online store want to focus on targeting a national niche.

Some of these businesses should offer their products or services internationally. Now, for those companies that sell a web based services or hosted application, they should target an international market.

Does my site look appealing?

Most people are looking for a site that has a diescent look to it. Now, it is not good to make a web site too graphically intense. Many of the top search engines will not rank your site as high as a site that looks good, yet is less graphically intense.

Even though a flash buttons and java script drop down boxes look good, the search engines can't follow the links. Now I suggest text links because the search engines can follow them and they are user friendly. Make sure to use your keywords in your links. If you want a rollover it is easily done through CSS. Most web design programs such as dreamweaver will automatically create CSS text rollovers. Also, put your page on a diet. Put a link in your header to your CSS and Java Script.

Is my web site user friendly?

have you ever been to a large corporate web site that seemed to be built by a super computer geek that forgot what it was like the day he turned on his first computer? After clicking 10 levels into the web site you still can't find what you are looking for. When I build a site I generally don't let the user click more than three times. Also, most search engines won't crawl more than three levels deep into your site. A way to make the site more user and search engine friendly would be to add an XML and an HTML site map. The XML site map will enable the search engines to find every page on your site. The HTML site map will make it easier for your users.