Search engine optimisation (SEO) could be difficult to understand for those without an internal knowledge of the discipline. Here we have attempted to answer this short list of questions about SEO that are generally asked by people who work outside of the SEO industry.

1. What is a search engine optimisation specialist London consultant?

Many people know little about what search engine optimization actually means or entails. Essentially search engine optimisation is an umbrella term for several different processes that can help a site rank higher in the results pages delivered by search engine listings.

2. What is the point?

It has been estimated that as much as 90% of all web traffic that passes through google clicks through to a result delivered to the first page. Other estimates are not quite so excessive but it is certainly true that quite a lot of traffic ends up at a site that may be featured on the first page - ranking in the very first position will earn your web site the greatest number of visitors. As anyone with a functioning knowledge of marketing will know, visitors = potential customers = sales.

3. Is it possible for you to rank well for everything?

In a expression, no (unless you are Wikipedia!). The results pages delivered by search engines are different per search query and the processes that improve rankings are attached to specific queries. In other words, ranking well for one thing will not ensure you rank well to get another.

4. How long does it acquire?

How long is a piece of stringed? The answer will depend on a wide variety of factors, including the level of competition for any key terms (or search queries) you might be fighting for. In some cases, results may be noticeable after little more than a month - but in others, it might take a sustained campaign spanning a year or simply longer. Once a web site achieves a good ranking, regular maintenance work is often important to keep it in a prime position.

5. How much does it cost?

Prices will vary greatly according to the amount and quality of work required. To get a locally focused web site in an uncompetitive sector, aiming to rank for a few much time tail terms (but no head terms) - unconcerned together with the ethical standpoint of their chosen Search Engine Optimisation specialist London company - costs could be extremely low. On the other hand, for any international web site in a competitive sector, aiming to rank for lots of head terms in a short period of time and who insists on ethical, sustainable train, costs could be extremely high.

Although this post cannot provide a definitive FAQ (that document will be much, much longer), it should provide some quick answers to the most fundamental questions facing a learner encountered the term "search engine optimisation" for the very first time. Further resources can be found at comprehensive web pages such as SEOmoz (where there is a superb 'Beginner's Guide to SEO' for readers with higher than a passing interest).