How, why, where do I start?

How do I do everything / anything?

[blenty]

Hi folks,

Yes, I'm a newbie! You can laugh as much as you like at my stupid questions, so long as you offer some help! In fact, you can laugh anyway - there's nothing I can do about it.

I have a website, but as everything is new to me, including the computer itself, I don't really know the finer points of indexing that I feel I need to know. I've submitted my site to many search engines, including Google, but nothing seems to be happening. All my tags are in place!
The site is findable on Google by entering the domain name, but not through it's keywords! I wonder what I'm doing wrong - or missing?!

I read everywhere that you should have links to your site from elsewhere, but how do I go about this - do I just join other sites and put a link in my posts (is that spamming?) or what? Obviously Google knows that my site exists as it's findable on their search engine, but only if you put the complete domain name in!

I know I haven't been too specific here, but I don't really know what to ask or say. If anyone is feeling particularly generous and wants to help a real newbie, I'd be eternally grateful.

[mack]

Hi blenty,

Firstly, welcome to WebmasterWorld. :)

I personaly don't think anyone will be lauging at you, because lets face it we have all been there at some point or another.

Getting your first site listed in the search engines is always the hardest, web development is like life, you learn as you go along. Also there are no "set in stone" rules. Each website requires different types of attention when trying to make it search engine friendly.

Here is a link to a thread I started a while ago, it covers the basics to help you promote your site.
[webmasterworld.com...]

That thread is a little old, but most of the principles still remain effective.

The one thing to really keep in mind is, that in order to rank well in search engines you need to be prepared to wait. Even getting a site into search engines can take quite a while.

You also need to get as many links pointing to your website as possible. Links help the search engines find your content. I suggest adding your site to as many web directories as possible, but be very carefull to avoid using places such as FFA (free for all) links pages and link farms. These sites will generaly link to you, in exchange for you linking to them. They really don't help you out, and could actualy do you harm.

Hope this is of some help.

Mack.

[PatrickDeese]

You might want to check Brett's (the founder) post as well:

[webmasterworld.com...]

Instead of leaving links in forums - try to get your site listed in quality web directories (Yahoo and www.Dmoz.org).

Look for quality link partners. Read everything here til your eyes bleed. 8)

best of luck and welcome.

[encyclo]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, blenty. The best place to start is right here! Settle down with a drink and a snack, and start reading - it'll be a long but illuminating night!

Here's a thread to get you started: the ABC of search-engine optimization - a Successful Site in 12 Months with Google Alone [webmasterworld.com].

Beaten to it!

[mack]

Brett's guide to a succesful site in 12 months is a great read. Not just for a newbie, but for anyone interested in promoting their site.

And as encyclo said.

The best place to start is right here!

To right, the sheer amount of information in these forums is awsome. It's a collection of knowledge second to none.

Mack.

[blenty]

Thanks very much indeed to all of you. You've been more than helpful and I am truly grateful.

I will look at everything you've suggested and see what I can do from there.

Thanks again.

blenty