Northern Michigan Web Design Clients

Web designers commonly include a page similar to this on their websites so potential clients can sample their design skills.

What my competitors' examples lack is the second half of successful websites: the art of search engine optimization (SEO). This is the process through which web page, graphics, text and a host of other elements work together in an effort to "charm" the search engines (Google, Yahoo!, etc) into ranking them higher than other websites marketing themselves in the same line of business - or selling a similar product.

Below you'll find links to a few of my clients but, unlike others offering design services, I've also included the key search terms under which my clients want to be found in the search engines.

I invite you to both visit my clients' websites - and use the search terms cited below - entering them into Google, Bing or Yahoo. You'll see that my clients are commonly found on the first pages of search results under their requested search terms.

Use the following link for more information on the importance of search engine optimization (SEO).

Bergmann Marine, Charlevoix, Michigan
www.bergmannmarine.com

Client-requested search terms:

Charlevoix boat sales
Charlevoix boat service
Charlevoix boat storage

Mike McCaslin's Dueling Pianos, Laingsburg, Michigan
www.dueling-pianos.net

Client-requested search terms:

Lansing dueling pianos
Mid-Michigan dueling pianos
Dueling pianos in northern Michigan

Resort Gardens
www.petoskey-lots-for-sale.com

Client-requested search terms:

Lots for sale in Petoskey, Michigan
Craftsman homes in Petoskey
Craftsman style community in Petoskey
Petoskey wedding hosting

Beacon Hats: Sport Hats and Helmets
www.beaconhats.com

Client-requested search terms:

Sports hats with beacons
NHL hats with beacons
NFL hats with beacons

Pelican Development's Flight Operations Center
www.pelicanhangar.com

Client-requested search terms:

Charlevoix airplane storage
Charlevoix aircraft storage
Charlevoix flight crew accommodations

Newly-launched websites experience the "Google Sandbox"

We all know that Google is the king of search engines. Each site we optimize is done so in a way which (hopefully) pleases this online giant. While your website may be up and running, Google likes to take time to evaluate its legitimacy. Google wants to be sure you'll stick around. And that you're not one of the millions of "spammers" out there. It also evaluates other factors including how and when you update your website's pages - and who else on the web decides to link to you.

This evaluation period is referred to as being in the "Google Sandbox". It takes between 4 and 12 months to get your website out of that sandbox and ranked by Google. There's no rushing this process. There are no shortcuts. It's just one of those frustrating situations we have to deal with. For more information on this subject, visit your favorite search engine and enter the term "how long will my website be in the Google sandbox?"