O/T website advice

[Cadiz Seagull]

I'm setting up a new website and it will be absolutely critical that it will easily be found by search engines, especially Google. I've seen a number of sites and had numerous emails from companies who claim they can guarantee a top ten listing but has anybody had any experience of these companies? Can they do what they say they can, and can anyone recommend one?
Or maybe you or someone you know can help - I'll pay!
I can build the website myself but is there anyone around who wants to earn some part time cash as an adviser/solver of problems/consultant etc?
Thanks in advance

 

[Marc]

you dont need companies claiming to get you hits if you just want in on google, just make sure the metaname headers relate to what the websites about (and lots of words too) and you'll be fine. If its a big corporate thing then maybe hunt around these companies but if its small dont bother.

 

[beorhthelm]

no-one can guarantee high listings on a search engine, especially google, as no-one out side thecompanies actually *knows* how the search engines compile/sort thier listings.

As Crabtree says, use relevant metatags on the page and simple things like including a relevent page title will help, as will having a site map. having your site linked to by other related sites helps alot, but link farms are seriously frowned upon (pages full of links but no actual content.) Also, to ensure that the search engines will know your out there, submit your url to them - for google use http://www.google.co.uk/addurl.html (and .com version too). This is all most of the pay for services will do anyway.