It is generally accepted that the Internet can be used to give a business an edge over its competitors. All businesses know this, but often struggle to find ways to leverage the Internet to their advantage.

Search Engine Optimisation

One such way to is through what is know as Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). SEO is a term you may or may not have heard of but is definitely something that you will be hearing more and more of in the next couple of years.

Basically search engine optimisation is the art and science of ensuring your web sites content ranks highly for targeted, relevant keywords that your customers will be searching for. So when Josephine Bloggs types in "creche sandton" or "quick healthy meals" that your site comes up on the first page of results.

Develop your search skills for competitive advantage

I initially thought I would provide more detail on the techniques and tricks of SEO but realised it would be better to use this as an opportunity to demonstrate another of the Internet's great advantages, finding information.

If you type "search engine optimisation" in google you will get a lot of results, mostly companies offering you their services, but what you really want is an information.

To use the Internet effectively you need to know how to find relevant information quickly. You could refine your keyword search to improve the resutls you are looking for but its much easier these days to just use Wikipedia. So without much further ado a good explanation of search engine optimisation can be found here.

Search Engine Optimisation - SA Trends and Early Adopter Advantage

Search engine optimisation is already a well established tactic overseas but is still in its infancy in South Africa. This provides companies with a unique window of opportunity to get in now, develop and hone your skills, and to grab the top search engine spots while it is still relatively uncontested.

Strategically it is much easier to defend a position than to try and take one from an entrenched and determined opponent. So start thinking now how you can gain the commanding height in the search engine rankings.

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