FAQ SECTION

Most Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Web Development?

When you add something online, anything, you're effectively developing another little piece of the world wide web - hence you're a web developer.

Well, actually no. While the above statement might be true to a degree, true web development is a complex system of checks and balances and an in-depth understanding of how the internet actually works.

Yes, web development, in a nutshell, is the process of turning fantastic ideas into great online businesses through the clever application of websites, videos, Social Media, and SEO, all with the goal of building your brand into something truly special.

However good Web Dev, Web Dev that actually works, is knowing how to connect all of these online platforms in such a way that it connects you with a target audience - your customer base.

Back to Top.

Can I Build My Own Website?

Yes of course, and there are a few different ways to do it.

While all have their pros and cons, getting yourself online by building your own website really isn't all that difficult.

You can use WordPress which is a click-and-go setup. Once you've installed it on your hosting plan you can log in to your new WordPress site and begin making changes.

Although there is a slight learning curve, it requires no special skills and there are literally millions of articles and videos online to help you out if you do hit a bump in the road.

The other popular method is to use a website builder like Wix, or similar, but you really have no control over the backend (the part that really counts) with these types of sites so we don't recommend this method.

If you're serious about your business and really want to build a strong, lasting, online brand, then we fully recommend learning HTML and CSS.

Yes, it takes a bit of learning but the internet is awash with free tutorials and it will give you absolute control of not only your code but also, the bulletproof security that comes with hardcoding a website from scratch.

Back to Top.

What Is SEO?

The art of SEO, or Search Engine Optimisation, is not only having a deep and meaningful understanding of how search engines work and how to optimise your web presence so you're favoured by them, but it's also the science behind finding new and, sometimes very complex, ways of finding a boost in the unlikeliest of places.

And there is only one type of SEO out there too - good SEO - as in, done correctly. Bad SEO doesn't exist.

In fact, if bad SEO was a book, it would be titled, simply, "one million ways to crash a website by doing stupid things". Nothing optimal about that.

Regardless, the golden rule is, whatever you do to your website, always adhere to Google's Webmaster Guidelines.

SEO is knowledge, and knowledge is power, and the better your SEO, the stronger you are in Google search.

The end.

Back to Top.

Can I Learn How To Do SEO?

Not a single person alive today was born with an extensive understanding of SEO so yes, you too can learn SEO. But where to start?

Well, you start at the start. Google "learn SEO" and you'll be flooded with countless FREE videos and articles on the topic. Choose one and begin absorbing information. Join some Facebook groups and ask questions. Learn, learn, and keep learning.

Be warned though, SEO is an ever-evolving science. Techniques that may have applied 6 months ago may now be obsolete and techniques that didn't work a year ago might, today, be one of the strongest signals you can use.

It's like shifting sands, SEO is a constant learning curve and Google loves to move the goal posts, often, but hey, that's all part of the fun.

When learning SEO, make sure anything you do adheres to Google's Webmaster Guidelines. Once you're on the Google naughty step, you can't get back off.

Back to Top.

I Have A Website, Should I Do My Own SEO?

Having a website and knowing even basic SEO are 2 completely different concepts so, like so much else in the Web Dev world, the answer is, it depends.

If you're simply dipping your toes into the SEO world without much of an understanding of how search even works then I would say no. You can destroy your site, your brand, and your online presence, in an instant by doing something, odd.

If, however, you've spent time learning, testing, and analysing, and are comfortable with Google's Webmaster Guidelines, then yes, go for it. This is how you develop not only the understanding you already have, but new skills in the future.

Always remember the Goldilocks principle though. Not too hot, not too cold, but just right. SEO is one of the few things in life that really gives meaning to the term, less is more.

Back to Top.

Why Do Some Websites Succeed When Others Don't?

Your website has one job, to efficiently funnel customers from enquiry to sale.

But why do some websites have more success than others? Well, Web Dev is so complex that it would be silly to assume that there is a single cause for why some websites do better than others.

Here are some reasons why a website might not be performing as well as you think it should.

  1. It might have weak SEO and so be unable to perform well on the search engines.
  2. It might have a poor design that people have trouble navigating.
  3. It might be slow/sluggish and people are simply clicking back.
  4. It might contain poorly written/uninspiring content and people simply lose interest quickly.

There might be hundreds of reasons why this could be an issue for you. If you feel like your website isn't doing quite as well as others in your niche, a good starting point would be to check out your competition, see what's working for them and simply adopt their strategy.

Back to Top.

How Long Does It Take For A New Website To Get Onto Google?

How long does a website take to get onto Google? The answer is less than a day, but I'm sure that's not really the question you meant to ask.

What you really want to know is, how long does it take for me to rank on Google well enough to begin seeing meaningful results?

Ahh, now we're talking. Unfortunately, though, there isn't a single definitive answer to that question. It depends on things like:

  1. What niche are you competing in?
  2. Who is your competition?
  3. How much time/energy/money have you invested in your SEO?
  4. How well is your site converting enquiries into customers?

The sheer amount of variables is overwhelming but here is a short explanation of what to expect with Google.

If you're a small local business, such as a plumber, then you can rank well on Google within a couple of months armed only with a good website and some basic SEO.

If you're an online retailer who is competing against Amazon, eBay, or any other major brand, then it'll be slightly more challenging.

That said, anything can be done, but no 2 deals are the same on Google. You have to adapt to suit the project in front of you.

Back to Top.

How Do I Make Money From Day 1 With My Website?

There is only one real way for a brand new website, fresh out of the box, to make money online from day 1 and that is by using PPC, or pay-per-click advertising.

The Google ads you see at the top of Google when you search for something is where you too can be within just a few hours of setting up your own advertising campaign.

If someone clicks on your ad and lands on your website, Google will charge you a fee for the click but at least you will have a shopper on-site who is willing to spend money.

If you can funnel that customer from click to sale, then you've just taken your first step into the lucrative world of PPC advertising.

You could also consider running ads on one of the many Social Media platforms but these are way less effective in generating immediate revenue. The reason being? People click Google ads because, at that moment, they're shoppers, and people use Social Media because, at that moment, they're not shopping.

Back to Top.

What's The Difference Between SEO & Google Ads (PPC)?

So, what's the difference between SEO and PPC? Although both SEO & PPC are designed solely to connect you with your customers, they both go about it in very different ways. Let's have a look.

SEO

Quite simply, SEO, or search engine optimisation, is knowing how to optimise and engineer an online presence to make it rank high in Google's search results.

Website traffic from SEO is free and, as long you remain within Google's Webmaster Guidelines, runs almost indefinitely.

SEO takes time and effort to see meaningful results, however. But once you're in a strong, top-tier, position on Google and continue to adhere to Google's Webmaster Guidelines, there are only a few tweaks required here and there from then on as Google periodically shifts the goalposts.

PPC

PPC, on the other hand, requires almost no time to implement. You can be up and running within a few hours of going online and as long as people are searching for what you're offering, Google will absolutely send enquiries your way.

All you need to do is open a PPC account and write your first ad. Select how much you're willing to pay, per click, and Google will pretty much take care of the rest. This is, of course, a simplified example but it gives you an idea of how it works.

Unlike SEO, with PPC, Google will charge a fee for every click they send your way and your ads will stop showing when either you reach your daily budget or pause your ad.

Back to Top.

Is SEO Better Than Google Ads (PPC)?

Is SEO better than PPC? In the Web Dev world, one utterly irritating answer you'll hear often is, "it depends", but truly, a lot of the time, it's the only honest answer.

For instance, while there are times PPC makes perfect sense, there are times when PPC makes absolutely no business sense at all.

Let's Consider A T-Shirt Business.

A t-shirt retailer might make £5 per t-shirt sold, but it might cost £6 in PPC clicks to actually sell one. Not only is that a loss of £1, but it's also lost time you can't buy back.

For this retailer, free Google traffic from a hard-earned SEO campaign would be essential. PPC need not apply.

Now Let's Look At A Roofing Company.

It might cost a roofing company £250 to make a single sale, but if their profit margin is in the region of £5,000 per job, then, you can see why PPC is a lucrative option.

So, is SEO better than PPC? For some, SEO is their only option while for others, SEO and PPC go hand in hand.

Back to Top.

Why Is Video Important On My Website?

The simple answer is, people are better listeners than they are readers. On one hand, video not only allows you to communicate with your customers on an almost personal 1-to-1 basis but on the other, it allows you to visually showcase any product you're trying to sell, rather than just offering a boring, generic, block of text.

Although video and web media should never replace the text on your website, it should certainly be included to support it.

No matter who your target customer base is, video is the future and can market your services in ways text content alone never will. With such a powerful tool available to you to help attract and retain new customers, the question is, why wouldn't you want to include a web media format on your site?

Back to Top.

Do I Need Social Media?

There was a time before Social Media when businesses could rank on Google, and they would enjoy a steady flow of visitors to their website without ever having to think about like buttons, social shares, or how many followers they had.

And it all worked just fine.

But now, in , do you really need Social Media to succeed online?

Well, no, and yes, but mostly yes, sometimes...

Your website is a stand-alone platform, your business hub that connects you to the rest of the web and your main point of contact between you and anyone interacting with you online. And while it's true that to have your website rank well on Google you really don't need Social Media at all, to have your website rank amongst the strongest competitors in your niche, then yes, you most likely do.

Particularly if they also have a strong social presence.

How Does Social Media Help Me?

Google looks for online signals from all across the web to give it an idea of how people are reacting to your brand, and Social Media is one of many things it looks at. If you've built your social presence up to the point where it's creating a bit of a buzz around your brand, then it absolutely will reflect on that while it decides where you should be in their search results.

That aside, with such amazing free tools available today, and in particular, Facebook, why wouldn't you want to utilise anything that will take your business to another level?

Not only can Social Media connect you with new customers, but it makes it easy to stay connected with previous ones. Everyone is a winner.

Back to Top.

Can I Just Use A Facebook Page Instead Of A Website?

Although the idea is sound and you would think that, while just about everyone has Facebook, you'd be able to connect with a multitude of people through Social Media, bypassing the need for a website at all.

But the truth is when people are looking for a product or service, or just looking for some informative content, they use Google to search. And when was the last time you ever saw a Facebook business page at the top of Google?

So no, while Facebook does generate some enquiries and is great for staying connected with previous customers, it's in absolutely no way a substitute for an actual website.

Back to Top.

Is It Possible To Get Banned From Google?

Holy macaroni yes, yes, and YES. You can absolutely get your website kicked off the search engine and blacklisted into eternal time-out.

But how do you go about getting stung by a Google wasp? Well, by not adhering to Google's Webmaster Guidelines, of which there are a few.

Google, like everything else, has rules and these rules are to protect itself and its users from any form of online malice.

Adhering strictly to their guidelines will keep your website in good standing, but step out of line, even once, there's a good chance you'll be dropped from their search results - forever.

Back to Top.

Why Does My Content Need To Be Totally Original?

When you search for something on Google, Google has one goal in mind. To return the best possible result for any given search query.

Basically, it simply tries to return the best solution it can find in its database to solve a particular problem or answer a particular question you may have - which is fine.

But what happens if every result available to Google is identical, or at least so similar that they all might as well be identical?

Well, Google relies on other signals to determine which of these results are most likely the best of the bunch. These include:

  • Social signals
  • Links to the content
  • Mentions or upvotes
  • Domain authority
  • Domain reputation
  • Site structure

It decides what it thinks the best result is and demotes most of the other results in its search index so rarely, if ever, are they presented to a user.

The Solution

Original content is one of the strongest signals you can send to Google to let them know you offer quality content which is worthy of a top spot in their search results.

If users land on your page and you have absolutely satisfied someone's query, Google will uptick that page and push you further up the search index for that search query.

Quality and original content is the most valuable asset you have on a website. Whatever content you put on your site, find a way to make it 100% unique to you.

Back to Top.

I Want To Get Online, How Do I Compete With Bigger Websites?

There are 2 surefire ways of competing with bigger, more established websites.

Firstly, if it makes good business sense, as in, it's profitable for you to do so, then starting off with a PPC campaign will get you off the ground.

Secondly, if you want to compete in the search results then you absolutely will need to invest in a professional SEO campaign.

Using PPC To Match The Big Guns

Setting up a pay-per-click or Google Ads campaign is simple, reliable, and as long as people are actively searching for what you offer, can have you in business in less than a day.

As the name suggests, however, pay-per-click isn't free and if you find yourself competing against big players, there's a good chance that they'll also be using PPC.

This level of competition should really only be managed by experienced developers well versed in PPC campaigns. Not only will this minimise your cost-per-click but maximise your exposure to the www.

Using SEO To Take On Major Players

SEO has the power to generate vast amounts of money from your niche.

An SEO campaign of this magnitude, however, should only be undertaken by top-tier professionals who not only know the search system inside and out but are innovative enough to spot new and often missed opportunities.

How SEO Can Turn You Into An Online Juggernaut

SEO takes time, there's absolutely no getting around that and this has been true for everyone who, at one time, took their first step into the online world.

To compete with even the largest names in your field, we have just 2 pieces of advice to give.

  1. Start your journey with a properly managed PPC campaign to get you into the game.
  2. Go full on with a hard-hitting SEO campaign to get you to the top of the game.

If your competition consists mostly of major brand names that are seemingly dominating the search engines, you absolutely need a professional agency to manage your online presence for you.

There is no reason why you can't compete in your own space. One thing we've always found is that no matter how big a brand is or how much Google space they've planted a flag on, there are always things you can do to out-match them.

If you can spot where their SEO is weakest, then their weakness instantly becomes your strength.

Back to Top.

So, there we have it. 16 of our most frequently asked questions about SEO, Web Development, Google, Content, and PPC.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a message. We might even include it here.

The 9 Laws Of Online Dominance

Place Holder

Principles Of Power - 9 Solid Tactics Your Website MUST Adhere To Utterly Dominate Your Niche.

You can burst onto the internet like a fireball or you can fizzle out like a damp match and the first 12 months of your online experience will be the telling period as to whether or not you really have what it takes to make it in the online world.

We've compiled a list of the 9 most critical factors you absolutely should follow to make sure you not only stand the test of time, but become a credible authority in your own respective niche.

You can read that article by clicking here. We really recommend you do.

Outrun Web Development

We've spent years developing websites for tradesmen, bloggers, online stores, and small businesses, so we know a thing or two about how visitors not only use search, but how they interact with the websites they land on. And how we design a website around that is based on what is swiftly becoming an online science.

Business type, search intent, and visitor behavior, all play a pivotal role in how, ultimately, we get that customer to spend money with you.

The internet is the future and we believe that anyone can make it online. If you have an idea and commit to developing your idea, with 5.3 billion people online every day, there is a target audience out there for you.

The Saltire - Scotland Flag © Outrun Web Development
Home Web Design SEO PPC Social Marketing Content Creation Video & Media Contact

☰