Does is cost a fortune to get on the first page of Goggle?

[enworb]

Hi All,

I've not been around these forums for a while.

I have a domain name that I redirect to a website.

My domain is a shorter version of the website, which is a branded name.mydomainname.co.uk

The website has only just launched in the UK (some of you may twig what it is) so I really need to be on the first page. If nothing else, I believe my domain name is catchier than the couple of others that have joined the UK market.

So is it essential to have a website and not just a forwarding domain to add key words and whatever else is required to get on Google.

The only success I seem to have on Google is via this website

Thanks in advance.

I am very new to this. I own a hundred or so domains but have only ever parked them and sold 1!

Gary

Edit: Google even. Trying to post before I start work!

 

[monaghan]

You ask a very long question.

A simple response would be

No, you can get on page 1 of Google for free, I have several sites on page 1 for my chosen target

Yes, to get to page 1 on Google can be very expensive / impossible, I have many that are nowhere near the top and would probably not get anywhere near the top without major effort.

I guess the main issue is the competition, if there's little competition, then you will more or less land up on page 1 with no effort and just a bit of common sense, if the target audience is bigger, then there will be more people trying to get your spot.

There are pages & pages of info on SEO techniques, so I'd take a look at the competition and target and go and start reading and then decide whether you want to DIY or employ someone.

 

[enworb]

Thanks very much. I tried to reply a few days before but I kept getting logged out automatically.

I'll have a read up on SEO.

 

[tafuta]

The key is two things.
Content and Links. Start with Small Biz SEO articles...

 

[afx]

Monaghan has nailed it.

Pick the right niche and you can get not only on page one but result one on page one (behind wikipedia) -- which is only beaten if all of previously stated is true and you select UK results only.

Caveat emptor -- terms such as : loans, car insurance etc -- no chance without a killler name / brand, SEO, Adwords and offline marketing spend.

 

[philiporchard]

I knocked up a mini site for my business partner, who do 'web database development', so you can guess the domain I bought. Doing well instantly in Google due to a fairly well optimised page and some links. No.3 in Google for the term in 2 weeks.

So yes, depending on the niche, it can be fairly easy or outrageously difficult!