Why isn't my website at the top of the Google search results?

Fair question, but with a complex answer.

When the internet first began to be more used, the main type of Search was through a Directory, rather like the Yellow Pages. You would type in your phrases, and the search engine would look through its listings for relevant links. Google changed the landscape of searching with content-specific searching, based on what your page was about, and what others thought of it.

If you are searching for an Italian Restaurant and two are listed in the Yellow Pages, which do you choose? The one which other friends have heard of, and has been around for a while, or the new restaurant, which is harder to find and has not been reviewed yet? The same process occurs with websites. If your website on 'Cream Cheese' went straight to the top of the Google searches as soon as your website had been created, it would only be up there as long as no-one else made a similar website after you! The sites that sit at the top of the searches have several things in common.

They are either established sites, or are 'hot' sites (mentioned in recent weblog posts or internet news pages).
They are carefully constructed and written, answering the question the searcher is asking.
They are recognised by other websites.

As a simple test, list all the terms that you think someone would find your site. Now look through that list and check it against your actual website content. If any of the search terms you listed isn't on your site, how on earth is the search engine going to make the connection?!

Making Soup can help with the following:

Website Optimisation Assessment
This is where your site is analysed under four key categories:

Usability - can your site be read and understood by at least 96% of users (with different computers & computer abilities)
Speed - How fast does your site load?
Keywords - are all your premium key words in your content
Navigation - is there an ICAN (Interest, Capture, Action Narrative) structure for users

We can provide an Optimisation report based on your site size & hit-rate, or we can operate on a consulting hourly rate.

Website Improvement Testing
Can changing one image improve success rates of your site by more than 30%? Absolutely, and we have proof that it does.

We can adjust certain aspects of your site (images or text)and see which make a difference in your conversions - all in a very safe and controlled manner.

Website Promotion
It isn't just enough to hope that your site will be uploaded and customers will beat down your door with sales or enquiries! We can assist in offline and online sales promotions, whether it is creating a 'buzz' for your new product, helping with content to build a new audience, or even using social networking sites such as Facebook to promote a key event.

Website Advertising
We can organise and run your advertising online with various companies, and are happy to advise you if you would rather run campaigns independently.

Please do get in touch and let us help you find the visitors for your site - the easy way!