Search and statistics

So you've created your site. Now how do you make sure that visitors find the information that they need?

Search engines

Search rankings

Most people will use a search engine such as Google to find what they are looking for on the web. Both our internal search and public search engines will automatically include your pages in their listings, but this does not necessarily mean that people will be able to find your pages.

See improving search rankings for help on how to make sure your site can be found from search engines.

Usage statistics

Google Analytics

Usage statistics can tell you who is looking at your site, and what content is most popular.

We provide Google Analytics and log file analysis. As well as showing you which pages receive the most visits, Google Analytics can also show you how visitors found your content, how long they spent looking at it and even where they are from.

Publicising your pages

  • Make sure that other sites link to yours, where relevant.
  • Make sure to include your website address in any printed materials that you produce. This includes newsletters, business cards, headed stationery, etc.
  • Good, old fashioned, word of mouth is still an effective way of promoting your site. If you've added content that would be of use to your colleagues, tell them about it.
  • The York Extra news system can be used to publicise your site internally to specific audiences.

Short website addresses

Shorter website addresses are easier to remember and less likely to be mistyped. Under certain circumstances it is possible to set up a shortcut name to point to high-profile key resources which would otherwise have a long address. Contact us for more information - web-office@york.ac.uk.

Who to contact