A search engine is an outline database of websites that allows Internet users to search for information contained on websites contained in the database by "keywords". Keywords are words that Internet searches are likely to use when looking for information on a specific topic. For example, the words "new car" would be used when looking for information on purchasing a new car.

A directory is a search tool much like a search engine but with a few major differences. Directories tend to employ human editors to review and rank websites submitted to their database. Yahoo! is the most well known example of a directory. Most directories catalog websites based on a variety of topic categories such as Business and Economics, or Arts and Culture. Most directories demand payment before assigning a website review to one of their editors. Whichever package you choose does not include directory fees; Yahoo and Looksmart are two such directories.

Each search tool has its own unique characteristics. As businesses, each search tool has found ways to make its service slightly different from other search tools.

Search Engine rankings fluctuate frequently, however, if your site is properly maintained from month to month then it is likely it stay in the top ten. Please see our services section for our monthly maintenance plan.

Search Engine listings are not guaranteed to everyone who posts a website to the Internet. Search Engines are for profit businesses and have the right to refuse to list any site for virtually any reason. For example, Yahoo charges a fee just to apply - But they offer no guarantee that even if you do pay the fee, they will post your website.

It can take between 2 - 12 weeks to see results, depending on each search engine.

There are two ways a search engine can find a website to add to its database. The first and most direct method is to accept submissions from website designers and optimizers. Most search engines have a “submit your URL” section inviting submissions from Internet users.

Search Engine Optimization is the process of making websites search engine friendly. The process often involves minor modifications to, or additions of, several standard elements of a website. Because the search engine criteria changes often, it is likely that your web master may not have built in marketability. All but our basic submission package includes fundamental optimization.

We use this term to describe a website that has specific elements added or modified to attract and please search engine spiders or live directory editors.

A search engine spider is an automated program that electronically probes every URL submitted to its database. As the spider is a computer program, it is designed to look for and rank very specific items on each page it probes. If those elements are present, the spider computes a higher ranking than it would if those elements were not present.