The google effect
Search engines are the signposts to your website. That’s why Google is so important … It’s the biggest signpost.
There is a whole load of talk about how you can get to the top of the search ranking in google* most of which is misleading or downright wrong.
The truth is that no one outside the company really knows the details of how Google ranks you. It is their most closely guarded secret and it changes all the time.
There are, however, really significant things that you can do yourself that will improve your site dramatically in google’s eyes.
This is true of the most important factor by far – backlinks. (Links from someone else’s site to yours) Even Google will confirm that this is the number one thing they look for. This is what gives your site relevance and authority
If you never do anything else to bring visitors to your site this is what you need to do. Other websites must link to your site… And not just any site. It has to be relevant, a site with google “rank” . The Arts Council would be great, for example ( they won’t- I tried!)
There are few easy ways of getting links but it is well worth the effort. Avoid link farms (directory companies that sell you links) Google can tell that these sites have no real content and may even downgrade your site for using them.
isendyouthis is an interesting exception – register your site and get a high quality link to it. This is because isendyouthis has plenty of relevant content – including properly written articles and exhibition reviews so it has Google “rank”. Not only will you get recognition, but (because you show a sample portfolio) you get real life visitors too. Register your portfolio
Where else can you look for these most important links? Maybe your old art school, a representing gallery or art group – these would all be good
An Art magazine or publication would be fantastic because these sites have lots and lots of relevant content. Articles, reviews and features about art and the art world. Links from them really really work.
At isendyouthis our technicians monitor where visitors come from and we see huge spikes when an artist gets a mention in an online magazine. (the most extreme case we witnessed was an artist getting 17,000 visits in a single afternoon – this artist is now a top seller and has dozens of collectors)
