introduction

<entry-title>Introduction to Microformats</entry-title>

Tips for Selecting a Search Engine Marketing Company

Perhaps you have just launched a website or you have been working for some time trying to perfect the art of search engine optimization (SEO) but you have decided that you would like some professional help. If you are wondering how to choose a Search Engine Optimization Company, you have come to the right place. SEO is a powerful tool in improving the visibility of your site and ultimately your business or yourself. SEO can be a time consuming process, which is why a qualified SEO company can be a valuable resource. But beware! Not all Search Engine Optimization Companies are equal, so here are some tips about how to choose right one.

There are a massive number of Search Engine Optimization Companies that can be found by simply conducting an internet search. Of course, this does not necessarily help you when it comes to choosing a company that is right for you. More importantly, there are a number of firms that promise services they cannot provide. Nevertheless, if you know what to look for, you will find an effective Search Engine Optimization Company.

Tip # 1: No SEO Company can Guarantee a #1 Ranking.

Many Search Engine Optimization companies will promise you top ranking on Google or other search provider searches. It is impossible to guarantee a #1 ranking and you would have good reason to doubt the qualifications of any SEO firm that makes such a promise.

Tip #2: Get Recommendations.

Nothing beats word of mouth recommendations when it comes to finding qualified professionals that provide valuable services. Speak to friends, colleagues, and even other business owners about their experiences with different companies.

Tip #3: Research the Company.

Make sure to do your research on the history and successes of any potential Search Engine Optimization Company before you decide to do business with them. A simple online search can provide a wealth of information about SEO companies, including comments in forums from past clients.

Tip #4: Ask for a Proof.

If you plan to hire a company to optimize your site, it only makes sense to have a look at other sites they have worked on. If a SEO company is not willing to share other sites that they have worked on, this should be a warning to you. Websites are not confidential, so you should be able to ask for a few examples of past work.

Tip #5: Check their Own Site.

If a SEO company has done a poor job of optimizing their own site, this is an indication that they will not be able to help you. Alternatively, if their site ranks well in searches and is optimized for keywords, you know they know their business.

Tip #6: Consider the Cost.

Obviously, every business has a budget so you need to make sure the SEO company you choose fits into y our budget. Still, a high price does not necessarily guarantee quality and a cheap price may also indicate poor quality. While your budget needs to be a consideration, you should put more weight on the qualifications and success record of a particular SEO company. In addition, you should not expect to get a professional SEO company for pennies. A qualified SEO professional should quote a realistic price.

For more information, please visit http://www.vnwebsolutions.ca/services/search-engine-optimization.html

Why Microformats

Why did we come up with microformats?

In short, microformats are the convergence of a number of trends:

1. a logical next step in the evolution of web design and information architecture
2. a way for people and organisations to publish richer information themselves, without having to rely upon centralized services
3. an acknowledgement that (outside of specialist areas) "traditional" metadata efforts have either failed or taken so long to garner any adoption, that a new approach was necessary
4. a way to use (X)HTML for data.

The Appeal to Simplicity

• Microformats are a simple effort which has appealed to many frustrated with previous complex efforts. One parallel that can be drawn is to REST in the web services world - for more on REST see suggested reading on REST.
• See: Web Services and the Innovators Dilemma by Justin Leavesley

See also

• A list of some notable users.
• Recent press interviews and articles are also a good introduction.
• See microformat presentations for more background and introductory material on microformats.
• Listen to podcasts about microformats.
• Read the FAQs for general microformat queries.
• More suggested reading
• So you want to implement microformats?
• presentations
• podcasts
• testimonials

external

• Sitepoint has a nice introductory tutorial: Microformats - Plugging the Gaps in HTML
• Premasagar has written up some nice microformats examples with source.

Translations

• introduction-pt-br (see also introduction-pt-br-2)
• ...