People occasionally ask me about getting their web page on Google so I put together this page to share what I know. This page assumes you know html or how to use an html editor.

The first and most important thing you need to do is think about what 'key words' a searcher will use to locate the information you are providing.

I will use my Grout family genealogy page as an example. If you just type 'Grout', you are more likely to end up at Home Depot than a family Ancestry site. I know, (because servers track) that most people type 'Grout family history'. Other words like ancestry, genealogy, etc. are also used. Occasionally, someone may type a specific name as well. If you type Grout family history on Google, my web site shows up at the top. Also, if you type the 2 spellings: Grout Groutte my site shows up on top.

Appropriate key words are vital. Google prioritizes web pages in several ways and one way is; how many times a searched for word shows up on the page. Therefore, as you type the context of the page, you should type those key words you identify as often as possible. Keep in mind that if you use a Banner image, the words on it are not searchable. Use the ALT command and type the same words as in the Banner.

CAUTION! One more thing about key words, check out the Google ads above, they are probably for something related to tile grout. Why? Because I've used my last name a whole lot here as an example. Google ads (and Google) sees the word Grout a lot and assumes tile grout is what the page is about. Keep this in mind since there are many words that have 2 or more meanings!

Chose your address, and web site host, carefully, but wherever you host your web site, be sure its where you want to be long term and use those key words in the address. If you have to change your address someday, you will have to start all over getting listed on the search engines.

Use a title. The title appears in the blue bar at the very top of Internet Explorer. (If you look right now it should say 'Submit your web site to Search Engines') Many people don`t use a title and many don`t pay attention to a page`s title, but Google does! Again, use those key words in your title.

And... keep in mind that the title will also become the reference used on the Favorites List. Ever notice how many of your Favorites start out with a lot of irrelevant words (like 'Welcome to...') making it hard to locate on your Favorites List? You can make the title as long as you like, but start it out straightforward like 'Grout Family History'.

Make your Home page your home page! This sounds obvious, but many people have some fancy 'intro page' not good for Google searches! You want people to be directed to your home page.

Use lots of hot links. Google wants to prioritize web pages by relevant content, but typically, no Google staff member will ever visit your page (sorry). They do it with 'Spiders' that crawl your site. They like to see lots of hot links; that indicates your site has content.

Use meta tags. Meta tags are important in helping people find your web site. They use the keywords I`ve been talking about but are embedded in the html code. Meta tags go in the 'head' section of your code and those 'Spiders' look for them. Here's an example of meta tag coding.

Meta tags are not as critical as they used to be in getting your page properly listed on search engines. However, they should still be used. The best way to take advantage of them is to place 'related' keywords that you think someone might use while searching but that you dont actually use in the text of your home page. For example; on my family genealogy page I could add meta keywords such as 'colonists, pilgrims' and so on, although these words dont appear in my text.

For more detailed information on meta tags, check out this web site.

Get lots of links from other web sites to yours. This one is very important but also the hardest to accomplish, unless you know a lot of people who have web sites! Google became the leading search engine due to this very process. They figured that any web page that had a lot of links to it from other web pages, must be good. But how to do this when you have a brand new page?

Use reciprocal links. A reciprocal link is one where you have a link to someone elses web site and they have one from their home page, to yours. When I first launched my family web site, I Emailed all sorts of people I had searched deep in the internet to find. I offered to put a link to their page if they provided me with one. I included a brief explanation as to why. This led to several reciprocal links, and locating some long-lost relatives! Before you submit your site make sure youve heard back from people that they have placed a reciprocal link on their page. This might take a couple weeks but its worth the wait. Then, just before you submit your site, check all your links to make sure they are all active.

It is possible to create your own reciprocal links to your web site. Many Blog sites allow you to place a web address in their posts. Just place several posts in relevant Blogs then create a link on your site to the Blog.

Add a BLOG to your site. Google looks for 'movement' (as opposed to stagnation). Blogging regularly will keep your web site 'fresh'.

Submit your site to other search engines, theres lots. Yahoo Search, Lycos, BING. Also smaller search engines that specialize, say in genealogy. Also, most web hosts have internal member lists. Be sure to get on them, other people may link to your site without you ever knowing about it.

When you are ready, here`s the Google submit site. They will ask you for the address, be sure it is exact (best to copy and paste). They also allow you to add comment. Be sure to use your key words.

Submit to Google here

While you're at it, submit your site to Yahoo as well.

To be listed on AOL, submit your site here.

Good luck, and let me know how you fare!

This web site is provided free, however, there are costs I incur. If you found this web site helpful, consider making a small donation. Just $6.95 will pay for this site to be maintained for a month! Thank You.