There was a period some 10 years ago when the media hype regarding ecommerce had perhaps put the cart before the horse with many businesses jumping on the online shop ecommerce bandwagon only to find that the general public were not ready or confident enough to purchase online. But how things have changed in the space of the last decade!

There are many reports and statistics available on the internet showing how online shopping has grown and its characteristics. One such report into Internet Shopping is that by the Office of Fair Trading in June 2007 – which you can download by selecting this Ecommerce link. It should prove very informative for you.

What then are the reasons why businesses sell online?
1. They are able to target and access more customers and over a wider geographical area in other parts of the UK and even globally.
2. It is possible to sell products automatically via their Ecommerce websites without the normal staffing overheads and can therefore be more competitive and succesful.
3. Online shops can be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days per year all over the world.
4. To combat the competition from their competitors who may have online shops.

What then are the reasons why people buy online?
There are several main reasons which include;

1. Convenience for the purchaser who can save much time and shop at any time of the day and any day of the week.
2. Easy comparison and increased choice of products and prices.
3. Finding cheap, discount prices for products and services.

Some Important Information About Internet Shopping
Based on our research, we have a number of estimated figures that were based on actual research – but please do search the web for yourself to check these out.

1. In 2005 sales to households was in the region of £21 billion – a 30% increase since the previous year and a 400% increase since 2002!
2. Over 20 million UK adults were estimated to have shopped online in 2005.
3. By 2005/6 some 65% of UK households possessed a computer compared with 33% some 7 years earlier.
4. By 2005/6 some 55% of UK households possessed internet access at home compared with only about 10% some 7 years earlier.
5. By 2006 some 40% of GB households possessed broadband internet access compared with 28% just one year earlier.
6. During 2006, 62% of UK adults used the internet in the previous year compared with only 40 per cent some 6 years earlier.
7. In February 2007 the UK had the highest proportion of internet users in Europe.
8. A 2006 OFCOM report found that UK adults used the internet for an average of nearly ten hours a week, approximately two-thirds of them at home.
9. In February 2007, 62% of the UK population used the internet (37.6 million) compared to 61% in Germany, 50% in France and 70% in the US. The world average was 17% or 1.1 billion internet users. [Source: Internet World (2007)].
10. Internet use by UK businesses has increased dramatically – in 2005 some 93% of UK businesses with more than ten employees had computers and 89 per cent had internet access.
11. By 2005 some 70% of businesses had a website.
12. In 2005 internet shopping sales accounted for almost 3% of total UK household spending compared with less than 1% in 2002 – nearly a 400% increase.
13. The Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) estimated the number of online transactions in 2005 at 372 million.
14. 38% of online shoppers had been doing so for two years or less; and 70% had been shopping online for four years or less.
15. 44% of UK adults (over 20 million people) have purchased something via the internet thus representing a significant change in consumer purchasing patterns which is now some 3% of UK household expenditure.
16. 44% of internet shoppers are in the 25 to 44 years age-group, but there is a recent rapid growth in the over-55s!
17. 49% of online shoppers bought at least monthly.
18. A large proportion of online shoppers spend large amounts of money – averaging over £500 per year!

Otherwise, it is critical that you are on the first two pages and optimally on the first page for your required main search terms – but there is a reality check here…. there are only 10 places on the first page and your search term result on such as Google may show hundreds of thousands of even millions of websites being listed…. and there will be more than 10 using the services of a search engine optimisation company.

We used to find it sadly amusing, but certainly frustrating when we looked at so-called SEO companies guaranteeing page one or position one rankings on specific search engines! First of all remember that search engines make their own decisions about rankings, that there are only 10 positions on a page one, yet there could be scores of different companies making such claims!!!!…. please do the sums for yourself! A more recent sales initiative of a number of companies is to try and sell you inbound links…. but if some search engines identify ’spam’ attempts at trying to fool the search engine algorithms, then you can drop out of the rankings and be placed in limbo in such as in the mythical Google sandbox! Have a browse around the internet and read some articles on this subject and make your own mind up on this matter by the evidence out there. So remember, please do not judge a book by its cover. the contents may very well tell a different story!

Therefore it is important that you find a successful SEO company or consultant that can prove results, verify evidence and offer testimonials or references as further proof. We at SEO Page Rankings can do just that…. and at very reasonable costs.

There is no one universal panacea to the trials and tribulations of striving for high page rankings – rather there are a combination of 20 to 30 major elements and actions that should be very carefully undertaken and installed in your website and behind it! These skills, practices and expertise are highly confidential as they are the bread and butter of our professional services and are the product of a decade of practical experience.

We liken SEO and the quest for the Holy Grail of high search engine rankings to either baking a cake or building a house! To have the complete perfect product, all the ingredients and materials must be present, but used in the correct order and at the right time…. or it is virtually impossible to get the perfect required result rather than just some improvement. This is why we prefer to provide SEO services to websites that we have designed and host for clients…. everything works in harmony and the results speak for themselves.

If you have a website that isn’t performing for you, then please do send us an email or drop us a call and we will be able to discuss the options with you without obligation.

However, there is one good piece of news…. if you are reading this page then please feel confident that you have found one of the very best search engine optimisation and professional website design operations around today. We have two website design sectors to our web development business and these are specifically featured in their own particular internet websites which are hyperlinked in the below paragraph.

Firstly, we design bespoke websites and ecommerce solutions for a wide variety business types and sizes. To find out more, please select this link to Discovery Design – Professional Web Site Design and Hosting.

Secondly, we also cater for starter businesses with our unique low-cost modular system that avoids obsolescence and allows easy and cost-effective evolution of a client’s website as a business grows over the years. For more information, please visit The Web Centre – Providers of Cheap, Discount, Bargain Starter Websites.

Our websites target W3C DDA Accessibility compliancy and high levels of search engine optimisation… after all it is in our interests that your business can grow!

Having a new website presence on the Internet or World Wide Web can bring enormous benefits to you, but only if you integrate it fully into your business marketing strategy. Otherwise it will be like buying a shiny new car and leaving it in the garage where no-one can see it and you can not benefit from it. So what can you do to help reap the rewards of your investment? There are two marketing categories for you to consider; Offline and Online Marketing.

Offline marketing is mainly the promotion of your web address on letterheads, business cards, compliments slips, invoices and your promotional leaflets and brochures. In addition you should consider adding the web address boldly to the front, back and sides of your company vehicles…. just think how many people will see it every single day!

Online marketing can be very varied and intensive in functionality. Included are;
1. High rankings on the main and secondary search engines and directories.
2. Reciprocal or one-way inbound links from other websites to your own – particularly trade, local authority and government websites.
3. Small free or low cost adverts on highly ranked websites associated with your category of business – with a direct hyperlink to your website.
4. Email marketing campaigns and email database development of actual and potential customers.

We will be pleased to advise and assist you on these matters within our range of services.

Some Benefits and Opportunities of the Internet

Increase Your Sales
With countless millions using the Internet to source and/or purchase products and services, it is absolutely essential that you do not fall behind in these changes in purchasing patterns. Ensure you do not lose market share or turnover………….by having your own bespoke website targeting Niche or Mass Markets and Local, Regional, National or Global Scales.

Enhance Your Corporate Image To Attract More Customers
Be seen to be modern, progressive and forward thinking – give your customers confidence in your business with a virtual showroom.

Consolidate Your Business Position
Ensure that your competition does not use the web to increase its market share at your expense.

Create A 24 Hour Virtual Showroom For Your Products And Services
Display products and services 24 hours a day. Serve a global market – as one side of the world is going to sleep the other half is rising. Such a showroom should encourage Off-Line Sales through your normal channels and provide the potential of new On-Line Sales.

Benefit From A Virtual Catalogue – Save Money!
Incredibly cheap to produce and even less-costly to maintain compared to traditionally-printed colour brochures. A number of our clients have reduced their catalogue printing budget by printing less and putting a downloadable catalogue online.

An Enormous Growth In Market Access Throughout The UK + World
Current statistics show a large and ever increasing number of UK households have access to the Internet. Global access is enormous. Don’t fall behind – step on board now.

E-Mail Marketing – Target More Sales At Virtually No Cost
An extremely cost-effective way of communicating with existing and potential customers. Save on postage, stationery, envelopes – as well as time!

Build a Highly Relevant Database For Effective Email Marketing
Store all email enquiries to your web site. Strategically design email response forms within your site to encourage such responses.

E-Commerce – On-Line Purchasing
Progressively significantly increase your sales as consumers become increasingly confident in purchasing and paying online. Most households now buy online!

Efficient Information Transfer
Enjoy immediate, efficient and cost-effective transfer of both text and images to customers or individuals or departments within your own organisation – wherever they are in the world. This could significantly improve speed and efficiency of both internal and external communication.

Immediate Proofing Or Visual Presentations On-Line
Time-critical projects in world-wide locations could be facilitated and enhanced by using the web nd email.

Improved Quality Of Customer Services Can Be Easily Achieved
Achieved by using the speed of E-Mail facilities associated with your site. Such an enhancement of public relations may be extremely advantageous for certain businesses.

Keeping An Eye On The Competition
An extremely critical aspect of modern business. Using the Internet may keep you better and earlier informed about the actions of your competitors and allow you to respond quickly via the web.

An Enormous Global Research And Resource Library For Your Business
Available at your fingertips on a global scale. It can assist in many ways whether it be searching for suppliers, component specifications, costs, technical data or potential new customers.

Video-Conferencing And On-Line Discussions Across The World
Can also be facilitated via the web and normally quite cost-effectively.

The Ease Of Interactivity
The key to the success of the web. Your potential customers don’t have to be programmers or computer wizards as it is so simple to use.

Some Elements of a Successful Websites

The Excellence Of Web Site Design
This is critical as the visual impression gained from the website is the impression that visitors to the site will have about you and your business.

Have Your Website Designed With Optimisation And Search Engine Rankings In Mind
It is optimal and the very best practice to have your web developer/SEO consultant to construct your internet presence from its very foundations with good search engine optimisation practice at the forefront so there is integration of design, programming and SEO at every stage.

On-Line Marketing Of Your Website By Regular Search Engine Optimisation
To obtain the best return from your website, it is essential that you have good search engine rankings and links from other websites. Regular analysis, reporting, optimisation of the website and re-submissions to search engines is critical for success.

Easy Navigation And User-Friendly Functionality
Your website must have an easy to identify navigation system for ease of use by visitors.

Your Website Hosted On A Fast Server
Speed and reliability are essential for visitors.

Regular Updating Is Essential
It is critical that you keep your website up-to-date so visitors will want to come back and also to help with search engine rankings.

Rapid Response To E-Mails Is Essential
It is important to respond to your email enquiries to avoid potential customers becoming impatient and going to your competitors!

Off-Line Marketing And Promotion Of Your Website
You must integrate your website within your full marketing strategy to drive visitors to it.

E-Commerce And Credit Card Payments
Some businesses can benefit enormously from an online shop with payments made by credit card.

Standard Website Hosting Package

Normally charged separately at £180+vat per annum.

General Features:
15 gigabyte bandwidth per month for web traffic and email in total.
4 Search Engine Submissions per year of up to 20 key search terms for each of up to 100 English language websites around the world including the most important such as Google. Yahoo, MSN and others.
Up to 10 POP3 email boxes.
Includes Bronze & Silver Search Engine Promotion Packages detailed below.
Providing advice on the content preparation of the website for submission to search engines and its processing regarding;
Key Search-term Words/Phrases/Metatags.
Meta Description Tag..
Meta Title Description for each page – at the top of the browser window.
Text Content for each page.
Main Heading on each page.
Menu Button descriptions.
Short Description.
Normal Description.
Long Description.
Search Engine Submission.

Advanced Website Hosting Package
Normally charged separately at £250+vat per annum.

General Features:
20 gigabyte bandwidth per month for web traffic and email in total.
12 x monthly Search Engine Submissions per year of up to 20 key search terms for each of up to 100 English language websites around the world including the most important such as Google. Yahoo, MSN and others.
Up to 20 POP3 email boxes.
Includes Bronze & Silver Search Engine Promotion Packages detailed below.
Providing advice on the content preparation of the website for submission to search engines and its processing regarding;
Key Search-term Words/Phrases/Metatags.
Meta Description Tag..
Meta Title Description for each page – at the top of the browser window.
Text Content for each page.
Main Heading on each page.
Menu Button descriptions.
Short Description.
Normal Description.
Long Description.
Search Engine Submission.

There is a current annual charge for this facility of currently only £50+vat per year.

The results of the Analytical Reports, specifically the ‘Top Ten Websites Inbound Link Analysis Report’, may lead to such detailed Link Generation Optimisation work being undertaken on a Client’s website at the client’s specific request. This work will be subject to a separate charge that will be agreed with the client before the commencement of any work.

A word of warning! All that glitters isn’t gold…. so beware of the current trend of email and telephone marketing campaigns that claim to sell an Inbound Links solution… some could actually cause you a drop in rankings!

Featuring submissions made for your website to each of up to 100 English language websites around the world.

Discount cost to existing Website Design and Hosting Services Clients: £10+vat each.
Cost to non Website Design and Hosting Services Clients: £40+vat each.

Search Engine Ranking Report
Featuring each of up to 20 key search terms for each of up to 100 English language websites around the world.
Discount cost to our existing Website Design and Hosting Services Clients: £40+vat each.
Cost to non Website Design and Hosting Services Clients: £80+vat each.

Top Ten Websites Optimisation Analysis Report
For one chosen search term for one selected search engine. This compares your website with the Top 10 websites for that particular search term for that particular search engine and makes recommendations for the adjustment of your website.
Discount cost to our existing Website Design and Hosting Services Clients: £50+vat each.
Cost to non Website Design and Hosting Services Clients: £150+vat each.

Top Ten Websites Inbound Link Analysis Report
For one chosen search term for one selected search engine. This compares your website with the Top 10 websites for that particular search term for that particular search engine and makes recommendations for the adjustment of your website.
Discount cost to our existing Website Design and Hosting Services Clients: £50+vat each.
Cost to non Website Design and Hosting Services Clients: £150+vat each.

The results of these reports may lead to detailed Optimisation work being undertaken on a Client’s website at the client’s specific request – and will be undertaken under the Gold or Platinum Search Engine Promotion Packages and/or the Inbound Link Generation Services…. all detailed in their appropriate sections of this website.

Bronze Search Engine Promotion Package
Already costed into our Standard and Advanced Website Hosting Packages.

Providing advice on the content preparation of the website and its processing regarding;
Key Search-term Words/Phrases/Metatags.
Meta Description Tag.
Meta Title Description for each page – the web page description at the top of the browser window.
Text Content for each text page.
Main Heading on each text page.
Menu Button/URL descriptions.

Silver Search Engine Promotion Package
Already costed into our Standard and Advanced Website Hosting Packages.

Includes the above Bronze Search Engine promotion Package.
Providing advice on the preparation and processing of the following for submission to search engines;
Short Description.
Normal Description.
Long Description.
Search Engine Submission.

Gold Search Engine Promotion Package
Normally charged separately at £250+vat per annum or £25+vat per month for a one year contract on Direct Debit.

In addition to the above Bronze and Silver Search Engine Promotion Packages.

Includes a Quarterly ‘Search Engine Ranking Report‘ featuring each of up to 20 key search terms for each of up to 100 English language websites around the world including the most important such as Google. Yahoo, MSN and others.

Includes a Bi-Annual ‘Top Ten Websites Optimisation Analysis Report’ for one chosen search term for one selected search engine. This compares your website with the Top 10 websites for that particular search term for that particular search engine and makes recommendations for the adjustment of your website – then up to two hours any agreed modification of your Website content prior to re-submission to search engines in response to these findings and changing search engine functionality criteria.

Platinum Search Engine Promotion Package
Normally charged separately at £500+vat per annum or £50+vat per month for a one year contract on Direct Debit.

In addition to the above Bronze and Silver Search Engine Promotion Packages.

Includes a Monthly ‘Search Engine Ranking Report’ featuring each of up to 20 key search terms for each of up to 100 English language websites around the world including the most important such as Google. Yahoo, MSN and others.

Includes a Quarterly ‘Top Ten Websites Optimisation Analysis Report’ for one chosen search term for one selected search engine. This compares your website with the Top 10 websites for that particular search term for that particular search engine and makes recommendations for the adjustment of your website – then up to two hours for any agreed modification of your Website content prior to re-submission to search engines in response to these findings and changing search engine functionality criteria.

Diamond Search Engine Promotion Package
The results of the Analytical Reports, specifically the ‘Search Engine Ranking Report’ and the ‘Top Ten Websites Optimisation Analysis Report’, may lead to detailed Optimisation work being undertaken on a Client’s website at the client’s specific request – and may be undertaken in addition to the specifications of the Gold or Platinum Search Engine Promotion Packages. This work will be subject to a separate charge that will be agreed with the client before the commencement of any work.

However, we at SEO Website Rankings will be pleased to provide current examples of our outstanding search engine optimisation services successes and with some excellent website client testimonials to verify the outstanding search engine marketing and search engine rankings that we can achieve for our clients. Furthermore, we provide cheap SEO, affordable SEO, effective internet marketing SEO and one of the very best SEO services available in the UK. Simply give us a call or send us an email for more information.

For clarity and your ease of understanding, we have detailed our search engine optimisation / optimization services in five main sections which are briefly outlined below – but also described in detail in the following five main menu button sections. These can be purchased separately or in combinations – so it is worth carefully studying each in turn.

Please remember that some of our services are only available for websites that we design and solely host and manage so that Search Engine Optimisation can be achieved more effectively whilst protecting our confidential expertise and practices. But other services are still available to external third party websites. For details on website design, just follow this link or select the ‘Website Design Services’ main menu button.We will be happy to discuss the transfer of clients’ domain names and websites to our professional care, optimisation and management.

Our Main SEO Promotion and Marketing Services:

1. Optimisation Packages
We have five Optimisation Packages for websites we design and host. Two of these, the Bronze and Silver SEO Packages, are included free of charge in our Standard and Advanced Website Hosting Options for our clients. Indeed, many of our clients obtain exceptional results from these two options…. and all for free!! To find out full details of our Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond search engine optimisation packages, simply follow these links or select the ‘Optimisation Packages’ main menu button.

2. Analytical Reports
We provide four main analysis reports that assist evaluation for SEO purposes. These are our Search Engine Submission Report, Search Engine Ranking Report, Top Ten Websites Optimisation Analysis Report, and Top Ten Websites Inbound Link Analysis Report. To find out full details, simply follow these links or select the ‘Analytical Reports’ main menu button.

3. Inbound Link Generation
Inbound or Back Links are critical in search engine optimisation to help achieve highly ranked websites and are much sought after by any professional SEO company and SEO consultant. Currently there are numerous telephone and email campaigns advocating a ‘magic bullet’ solution to obtaining essential inbound links – but please be careful, some bullets could kill your search engine positions and some could actually cause you a severe drop in rankings!!! To find out more details, simply follow this link for Inbound Links or select the ‘Inbound Link Generation’ main menu button.

4. Web Traffic Statistics
If you wish to monitor the number of visitors to your website, when they visited and how many pages are viewed, we can provide you with an easy security and confidential login facility that you can access via the internet using a specific username and password. To find out more details, simply follow this link for Website Statistics or select the ‘Web Traffic Statistics’ main menu button.

5. Web Site Hosting
Our website hosting packages include Website Hosting, Domain Name Hosting, POP3 Email Box Provision, some Search Engine Optimisation and Search Engine Submissions. We have two web site hosting options available; our Standard Hosting Package and our Advanced Hosting Package. To find out more details, simply follow this link for Website Hosting Options or select the ‘Web Site Hosting’ main menu button.