When do you think is the best time to announce a website to the search engines (ie. post some links, or submit it)? Right after the domain is registered, or wait until content is developed?
As soon as you have one content page, you can start. But take care not to start if your page(s) display internal links to pages not existing yet or to pages showing no real content (such as "under construction")
I agree with all above. A little tip. Instead of submitting to SE, better submit your new site to a web directory, which a cool list can be found here: http://www.123promotion.co.uk/directorymanager/ Then the search engines will crawl your site soon.
i don't agree. Once you have COMPLETELY finished your website (no 'under construction') you should submit it into search engine. The submission doesn't improve the way the SE will spider your site, but it will bring you more visitors. The submission allows you to appear in the SE directories (dmoz and yahoo). Now, in addition you should submit your site into other directories. While your site is not finished, don't submit it anywhere, the SE bots will automatically spider it.
How does submitting your site to Google or Yahoo's search engines get you in directories? This is news to me. Brandon
It doesn't. And now, some shameless self-promotion based on discovery and experience: http://www.adamwebdesign.ca/articles/when_is_a_website_ready_for_launch?/full_article.html (I made it.)
1:Appearing in DMOZ and Yahoo? This is totally inaccurate and false. DMOZ is very hard to get listed in and Yahoo costs you $299 to get listed. @Webnauts Excellent tool, Thanks for mentioning this.
FOr me I would go straight to google addurl and submit it there. (Make sure your page has just a content to say "Coming soon". This may help your site get PR increase the next update faster. I dont think any directory will accept a site that is totally brandnew without any content BUT robots will spider your site.
For me, it depends on when the site I'm submitting to will approve and post my link. Some directories are notoriously slow, so I'll submit to those as soon as I have the first few pages of content on my site. I always make sure I don't have any broken links on these "under construction pages" and that there's some good, finished content on there before submitting.
You should for sure register the name and setup a single page which you send to Google. Google might put you into their sandbox (6 month to 1 year [personal experience]) until you can score high for good keywords. If you register your website before you really go online can save you some time for sure.
really?? i didn't know that. i always thought your site should be fully functional before you submit to anything or anyone? i have about 10 pages up on my new site. i placed some navigation buttons but alot are just buttons that can be clicked. should i start submitting? where should I submit?
I agree with the ideas in AWD1's article... A good website is never truly 'complete'. Unless you want your site to just die and slip through the cracks you will always be updating it at least once in a while. As trends change on the internet, and new websites pop up, you will need to adjust content and keyword targeting... There is really only one constant... change. 'change is inevitable, except from a vending machine'
michiinjapan >> But if you buy a domain too early, it will cost you some money... What is that sandbox?
Best to build your domain until it is at probably a basic level, then if you cant wait to launch it, you still have something to work with and some value for your customers. This way you can add to your customers requirements aswell Providing a better site for all Brad
For me... 1. Setup your website with minimal content. 2. Use SE to list your website the same day you setup your website with minimal content. 3. Always promote your website to other list/directory My website usually listed on SE within 1 to 2 month with higher rank. Suggested SE (Google, Yahoo, MSN)
So I guess here for submitting to Google is get the sandbox process started as quicly as possible and therefore getting it over as quickly as possible. Is that the idea here? Brandon
Its quite common knowledge, that if you can get linked from other sites, it will get you indexed MUCH faster than if you were to submit url's to SE's. I have also found it less likely to end up int the sandbox by doing this.