There are three types of search engines listings, organic listings, paid listings (also known as a sponsored link) and directory listings. To rank well on the search engines you must consider all factors and optimise your web site accordingly. For maximum effect, all should be used.

If you would like to know the difference, and how each one can benefit you, click 'read More' below. 

1. Organic Search Engines

These Search Engines list their search results down a page on the middle or left with a list of links and descriptions. They use spiders (web robots) to review or crawl through websites to index the contents, determine the relevance of the website's content to it's keywords and to then give a score.

Other factors are included in the score such as how many links to a website appear, the density and frequency of keywords and other factors that appear on pages in a website. One of the problems with SEO is that Search Engines regularly change their scoring algorithms and placement factors and what is one day a factor that enhances score, could at another day, detract from the score. This can become complicated and is one reason the services of an SEO Specialist is so helpful.

2 . Paid Listings
Ads are shown in webpages that are bid on by advertisers that pay a small fee each time that ad is clicked on. The higher the bid on that keyword or phrase, the higher thead will appear on the webpage. Google Adwords is one such pay-per-click program. Adwords is a great way to drive traffic to your small business website immediately. One feature is that you can set a daily budget and that ad will no longer appear when your budget amount is reached each day. Pay per click advertising can be tricky to manage so it is helpful to have the support of trained professionals.

3. Directory Listings
These are listings such as Yellow Pages Online, True Local and other online buyers’ directories. Many are well known, though some other market-specific directories are less common. Some require a fee, whilst others are free, or offer tiered levels of coverage and exposure. Each alternative should be evaluated on the merits of cost and value.