Gordon Eberhardt of Sherlock Homes Inspection LLC, an Illinois Real Estate Inspector, recently contacted me to give his Illinois Real Estate Inspection Service website a total and complete Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

The Search Engine Optimization process required extensive re-authoring and editing of the existing text that was on the website. After small business website design and maintenance specialist Tom Rumish Website Development did the in-depth Keyword and Keyword-Phrases research, the text authoring was initiated by Mr. Eberhardt. Every draft of the revised text for each page of the web site was reviewed, analyzed and often re-edited before the final draft of the text was arrived at for each individual web page.

As the text editing portion of the Search Engine Optimization was underway by Mr. Eberhardt, new page layouts were designed by Tom Rumish which would further enhance the website for better Search Engine Results Position (SERP). Two different graphic layout concepts were designed which were perceived to be optimal as far as SEO is concerned. Mr. Eberhardt made his choice of the two designs and work was then started on the actual re-construction of the website.

Some new pages were added to the new Sherlock Homes Illinois Real Estate Inspection Service website that had not existed in the older version of the website. After all of the new web site pages were finished and the SEO was complete the website was again analyzed for a final time before was it was put online to replace the old website.

After the new, optimized website was online, a search engine submission of the website was done to over 50 search engines.

The Search Engine Optimization of the Sherlock Homes Illinois Real Estate Inspection Service website was a huge success. In less than a week, http://www.sherlockhomesinspection-illinois.com/ was on page one of Google search results for three different broad search terms which had been the primary targets of the optimization process. Search results also yielded position #20 (bottom of 2nd page) for a fourth broad search term that had been a secondary target of the optimization process. I’m not talking about specific search terms that include the name, location or other things specific to the company. I’m talking about competitive, broad search terms showing amazing results.

There are other aspects of the Search Engine Optimization which are still being worked on which will further increase the Search Engine Results Position (SERP) of the Sherlock Home Inspection website and should in all probability help with some of the other search terms which had been less targeted during the SEO process.

The techniques and procedure used in the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) process used on the Sherlock Homes Inspection were recently learned in a SEO continuing education course which was taken by Tom Rumish earlier this year.

I almost continually take college level and continuing education courses to either learn new aspects of our profession or to stay abreast of changes that take place in this ever evolving business. Because the success of small business web site design and maintenance specialist Tom Rumish Website Development depends totally on the success of you, your business and your small business website we relentlessly look for and take courses which we feel will help us in our profession and ultimately help you and your business succeed.

A large portion of the business that small business web site designer Tom Rumish does is the remodeling and revamping of existing small business websites. Many people have existing website which are outdated and for one reason or another are not effective marketing tools for their businesses. If you own such a site or if your website is doing poorly in Search Engine Results Position (SERP) don’t hesitate to contact Tom Rumish Website Development for a no obligation consultation by visiting the Tom Rumish Website Development website or by calling (815) 786-8573.

"I'm a small company and all of my cutomers are local so I don't need a website. I just use the Yellow Pages."

Does this sound like your train of thought? Are the majority of your customers from your local or immediate area? If so, you may question why your company needs a website. The answer is simple.

Your customers are more and more often searching for businesses like yours on the Internet. Studies show that these customers have a serious buying intent. As a local business you need to figure out how to cost effectively reach out to these customers and start the business relationship.

The Internet has changed the way that customers are looking for your business. The days of pulling out 10 pounds of phone books are coming to an end. People are still letting their fingers do the walking but it's on a computer keyboard. The Kelsey research group published these statistics and trends.

► over 80% of households use the Internet as an information source when shopping locally.
► Approximately 45% of local searches had a buying intent.
► The percentage of respondents who used yellow page directories decreased from 74% to under 50%. (If you have a yellow page ad, it is time to consider buying a smaller ad and shifting your marketing dollars to the Internet.)

GAIN AND RETAIN CUSTOMERS
In order to keep your existing customers, and gain new customers you need to be found where past and potential customers are searching. If your company does not have a website I strongly suggest that you allocate a portion of your marketing budget towards establishing a web site so that your’ business can be found where people are searching for local businesses like yours.

Due to the way that potential customers are searching for businesses like yours a website is a mandatory marketing tool. Having a company website is no longer just “something nice” to have. Having a website should be considered just as important as having business cards and should be included in your advertising budget.

Though the yellow pages may have worked years ago, it’s time to use what works today. Maximize the use of your marketing dollars by using marketing and advertising techniques what work today.

GET STARTED IN ESTABLISHING A COMPANY WEBSITE
Tom Rumish Website Development offers free consultations and estimates for small business web site design and maintenance.

We will be glad to meet with you and answer any questions that you may have regarding establishing a small business website. In addition to answering your questions we will help you determine what you should include in your website and give you a written estimate of the costs involved in establishing a web site for your company.

To schedule a free consultation contact us by email at sales@tomrum.com or by phone at (815) 786-8573. You can also schedule a no obligation web site design and maintenance consultation by using the online form that is on the Contact Us page of our website. You are under no obligation to get the consultation and estimate.

Please feel free to visit our website at www.tomrum.com to see the services that we offer. On our website you will also be able to read testimonials from past small business web site design clients and learn more about the process involved in establishing a website for your company.