One easy method of seeing what search engines can read on your site is to check your Google cache. This is a stored record that Google holds of each of the pages on your website that it can read.

To check the cache of your homepage first of all, load your Internet browser of choice and go to www.google.com. Once there type your company name and look for your sites listing. If you do not appear, then retype your company name in speech marks or type the URL of your site.

Once you have the listing for your site you will be able to see a link underneath the listing that reads ‘Cached’. Click on this link – this will show you what Google has stored for your homepage.

Once your browser has loaded this view you will be able to see a body of text above your homepage that has been placed there by Google. Look for the link ‘cached text’ and click on this. This will show you what text is visible to Google on your site. This is a very valuable view – if you can read all the text on your home page then the basic format of your site is ok, and Google can list your for its content. If you can only view some of the text or even none of the text then the format of your site may be at fault.

This is a very imprecise test, and only shows the basic compatibility of your site in relation to Google, however if your site cannot be viewed, or is only partially legible, it is a clear indication that your site must be optimised for search engine compatibility, to gain the listings your content deserves.

If your sites text is completely visible in the text cache on Google, and is an up-to-date representation of your homepage, then you have ensured that some of the most common barriers to high search engine results are not present on your site.

This does not mean that you have no options for ensuring compatibility, there are many elements to a website that can be improved to achieve the results you desire – in simplistic terms, this test only makes sure you have the correct type of engine powering the vehicle, there are still many ways you must tune the engine for optimum performance.