TECHNOLOGY

I could give you a list of links where you can go to submit your site to search engines, and I will, but the reason you need these companies is that you do not have time to submit your site yourself. So, you need to find a reputable site submission company within your price range and let them do it for you. My goal is to help you make good decisions about choosing a search engine submission company by giving you some questions to ask. If the answer is no—or is vague in any way—move on to the next company on your list. Also you will fare best if you resubmit on a schedule. Every quarter is a good idea. Submitting too often will not help your standings.

1. Do you submit to each engine or directory manually?
2. Will you give me a list of the search engines you intend
   to submit to?
3. Will you notify me of success or failure in submitting.
4. Do you offer an optimization service?
5. What is your track record.
6. How often do your resubmit?

One thing you can do yourself that will give you some insight into the submission process is to submit to DMOZ, and Google. These are the two most important submissions you can make.

Search engines feed each other. All search engines take listings from The Open Directory Project (DMOZ). DMOZ is the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory on the Web. It is constructed and maintained by volunteer editors. You will want to pay close attention to the instructions when you submit here. They are not difficult; you just need to follow them. Be sure that when you hire a search engine submission company that they submit to DMOZ.

DMOZ is a directory which is subtly different from a search engine. The main difference is that directories are powered by human beings who actually physically and mentally assess your submissions. This is why it takes so long to see results—up to 6 months. This is the main way to get listed for free in all major search engines. Search engines are powered by crawlers that consist of robots and spiders which are automated and make their assessment based on selected criteria set up by each individual search engine.

One of the best tools for seeing how search engines and directories interact is with Bruce Clay's Chart. Download it here or go to the Bruce Clay site for the flash version. (We have no affiliation with Bruce Clay, I just find their information accessible and easy to understand.) OneUpWeb is also an excellent company with a fabulous track record and prices to match, but they have a lot of really useful White Papers and information available for free on their site.

Direct Links to Add URL forms for free submissions

• DMOZ
• Google
• Yahoo
• AlltheWeb
• AltaVista
• ScrubtheWeb
• Splat

Please direct any questions you have to
rebecca@erealestateexec.com.