Today, I interviewed another “guide” for my trip into the cyberspace. (aka: “Website developer.”) I started interviewing these gurus of technology a few weeks back. I learned early on that techies speak a different language. It sounds like English. They use English words. But it’s interspersed with so many alphabet-soup terms it’s gibberish at first.

Really, though, is that any different than novelists saying POV for point of view? No. It sounds intimidating to those who aren’t “in the know,” but it’s just short hand. I hope to demystify some of the techie lingo and make it less intimidating.

Here’s the first term I had to learn in this strange new language: SEO, Search Engine Optimization.

In layman’s terms this means: Making Google love you!

Right now, Google doesn’t love me at all. Why?

1) My site isn’t in WordPress, yet. (It will be, soon!)
2) I don’t have a blog on my Website. (This one doesn’t count, because it’s out here all on its own, not connected to anything.)
3) I opened a Twitter account and a Facebook account right before I started this quest, but my site isn’t hooked to them either.

Because of all of this, my site is static. Google doesn’t like that at all.

So, why, you ask, haven’t I changed all that? I will. But the kind of changes I’m planning don’t happen overnight. They take a lot of planning. The first step is hiring a good Web developer to plan your strategy.

Notice I said Web DEVELOPER, not Web designer. That will be the subject of my next dispatch, but for now, I’m just glad I don’t frown in confusion when one of these gurus of the Internet says “SEO.” (I hate feeling like an idiot.) Here’s the best news, though. I can relax, knowing I don’t have to be fluent in the language yet. Whichever Web developer I hire won’t just be my cyberspace guide. They’ll be my translator!

Since you get what you pay for, I’m planning to hire the best one I can afford. Wish me luck!