Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
Search Engines or Directories? Two Sides of the Same Coin
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 by Bryan Anderson
Google set a new bar for search engine performance recently with
the release of Google Instant, which provides real-time search
capabilities for the astronomical amount of users that visit their
site daily. The search results change with each letter you type,
which can lead to a feeling of information overload. What other
options are there? Many web surfers prefer to stay in the
"human-curated" web of directory sites like Yelp that allow you to
read reviews by real people. A recent startup called FindTheBest
puts a spin on this idea by allowing users to compare and contrast
just about everything.
The site allows users control over their search without
suggesting a plethora of alternatives as you type.
FindTheBest lets you pick a topic, compare the results, and decide
what suits you best. If you are looking for information on
colleges, FindTheBest provides you with compare and contrast data
in a clean spreadsheet layout. Ever gotten in a dispute over
the highest grossing film of all time? Skip the dispute; you
now have access to accurate data within a matter of seconds.
You may wonder if you should use a search engine or a directory
site. Both search engines and the human-curated web are here to
stay. Knowing how to use them, and how they can best help your
business, is an important part of establishing an online presence.
Keep in mind, an organic search like Google uses an algorithm to
provide you with results. A directory site and its content are
edited and updated by humans, presenting a very different kind of
bias.
If you are a small business, it may help your search engine
results by registering with directory sites like FindTheBest.
Most are free to register and are a great way to build an online
presence. If you offer a solid business with great customer
service, your clients want to share, comment, and add to the
information of your company online. Directory sites empower
you to have more control over being found on the web beyond your
own website.
The way people do research and make decisions is always
changing, but the effort to stay current with trends can really
help you and your business. If you run a small business, know
what tools are out there to help your company get the recognition
it deserves. Having your company listed in directory sites
and updating your social media pages are great ways to link back to
your company site (and a great way for you to climb the rank in
search engines). Utilize the power at your fingertips, and be
proactive with your site. Get out there and let your audience
find you. They are looking.
Until next time -
Bryan Anderson
Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support &
Consulting
Rochester IT Support &
Consulting
Outsourced Marketing
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