We have all seen SERPs, or Search Engine Results Page, but how many people really know what they are looking at. Maybe you are not even sure what a SERP is and are almost certain that you have never encountered one as that is not what you are into regardless.

A SERP is the page that Google, and other search engine, serves up after a searcher submits a query. The results page is the reason people use search sites to begin with, its how searchers find the resources they visit.

Whether you are a company owner with a presence on the internet or a heavy internet user knowing about Search Engine Result Pages and what they mean is important. A company owners understanding of how to secure a presence on the SERPs of popular keywords can be useful to grow your business and gain customers. As a surfer understanding what the search listings are can help you make improved decisions concerning which websites to visit.

There are many different search portals in use today and many have unique design features however the majority have similar essential elements. Every one returns web listings in response to keyword searches.

The returned websites are normally websites however in increasing numbers search portals are returning videos, podcasts, and other kinds of online resources. When looking at a SERP the returned listings are usually be grouped into 2 main groups; sponsored listings and organic listings.

Depending on the search portals the listings may or may not look different, however their fundamental characteristic is the way the are ordered. Paid listings are ranked mostly by how much is being paid to the engine, organic results are listed in the order of relevance as decided by the search engines without any payments.

To put it simply the paid listings can be secured for websites willing to pay the search portals and getting ranked along with the organic listings requires being found organically by the search portal listing algorithm.

For marketers are anyone looking to grow an online business a full understanding of search engines is essential. Both types of listings, paid and organic, can serve different functions and both are required to run a profitable business online.

The writer is an expert in internet marketing and web technologies and has helped many start ups make money online. Find additional pieces about online business ideas including search engine marketing, email, hosting and lead generation.

Tags: Google, Internet Business, Internet Marketing, lead generation, online business, online marketing, Search Engine, Search Engine Results, SERP, work from home

This entry was posted on November 20, 2009 at 3:03 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in Internet Marketing by Arthur Ales No Comments Yet