What is S.E.O.? 

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume or quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via "natural" ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results. Typically, the earlier (or higher) a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine. SEO may target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, and industry-specific vertical search engines. This gives a web site web presence.
As an Internet marketing strategy, SEO considers how search engines work and what people search for. Optimizing a website primarily involves editing its content and HTML and associated coding to both increase its relevance to specific keywords and to remove barriers to the indexing activities of search engines.

What is S.E.M.?

Short for search engine marketing, SEM is often used to describe acts associated with researching, submitting and positioning a Web site within search engines to achieve maximum exposure of your Web site. SEM includes things such as search engine optimization, paid listings and other search-engine related services and functions that will increase exposure and traffic to your Web site.

Five Questions to ask your web developer.  by Michael Hudson

The rumored $500 million spin-off of a major small business Web site development and hosting service has called even more attention to the growing need for affordable Web design services. Small companies finally recognize the necessity of building a high quality presence online, but the challenges of a tight economy have reined in Web site development budgets. Many vendors now offer "Web site design in a box" style packages for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, appealing to the frugal nature of business owners.

1. Does the Web Site Design Support Multiple Platforms?

Biztek Websites meet all browser platforms. The days of developing just for Internet Explorer have long passed. Web browser market share has been split up across products from Apple, Mozilla, and Opera, along with Microsoft’s dominant product. When prospective customers experience a website design that cannot be enjoyed on their preferred browser, they tend to move along to a competitor instead of requesting additional information.

2. Does the Web Site Development Process Include Easy Content Management?

Biztek makes it easy to update your website. The most important thing is your SEO and SEM That should be left to the developer. If your web developer cannot or does not offer SEO or SEM then find another company. Avoid expensive Pay Per Click. These products rarely achieve the results you want and drain your advertizing budget. Optimize your site every month to stay ahead of the pack. Biztek offers this with every website we build or transfer.

3. Does the Web Design Emphasize Company Imagery over Stock Photography?

Biztek will take your real photos and use them in your site.
Online communities have sprung up to celebrate "headset hotties," the stock photo models wearing telephone earpieces that seem to crop up in many corporate website design packages. Instead of relying too heavily on photos that can easily show up on multiple companies Web sites, experienced Web site development teams can use actual photos of employees, customers, buildings, and vehicles. This assures prospective customers that real people stand behind a company Web site.

4. Does Every Web Site Design in a Prospective Vendors Portfolio Have its Own Personality?

Studies of Web design usability have shown little need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to corporate Web site effectiveness. However, using a stock Web site design without customization can make a company’s Web presence look generic or cookie-cutter. Simple tweaks to a standard Web design template can make even an inexpensive site memorable.

5. Does the Web Site Design Reflect Both the Company’s Image and Values?

All four of the above questions contribute to this final question, since company owners really want to ensure that their Web site design reflects their company personality. Customer satisfaction issues ensue when a product or service doesn’t hold up to the promises made on a Web site. Likewise, a website design with poor navigation and sloppy graphics can lower customers expectations of an otherwise high quality service provider.
Being able to answer "yes" to all five of these questions indicates a potentially high return on investment for a prospective Web site development vendor. Companies that don’t have the budget for a totally custom website design can still get tremendous value from a more affordable, packaged service that understands the importance of letting a customer’s individuality shine through.

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