Search engines and on-line directories are used by increasing numbers of people online when they are looking for a company or a set of services. In fact, it is reported that some 85% of new sites are located using search engines. It is therefore imperative to have your website registered with the principal search engines and directories if you are going to ensure that you can be found by this large group of potential customers.

What is Search Engine submission?

Search engine submission refers to the action of getting your website listed with search engines. However, getting listed does not mean that you will necessarily rank well for particular terms, it simply means that the search engine knows your pages exist. If we compare the process to the Lottery, then search engine submission is like buying a ticket - while it doesn't mean you will win, you must nevertheless have a ticket to have any chance at all. To improve your chances of winning on the internet, you would be advised to look at a Search Engine Optimization programs.

The other general type of information source on the internet are Directories which are often described as search engines powered by human beings. Whereas Search Engines use automated programs to compile their lists, human editors compile all the listings within the directories. Getting listed with the internet's key directories is very important for two principal reasons:

• their listings are searched directly by many people
• In addition, if you are listed with them, then crawler-based search engines are more likely to find your site and add it to their own results for free.

Options

When you are looking to ensure that your website can be found by the search engines and is listed by them then all you really need to do is ensure that you have links coming into your site. You should then ensure that your website is submitted to relevant directories.

You can take on the challenge of submitting your website yourself but in general the best and most cost efficient method (in terms of time spent and results) is to use a company offering a specialist service. In the case of Rosetta Alba, we submit sites not only to the key Global and UK Directories, but also to many sector specific and potentially valuable sites that we have built up through experience.