Question about web site optimization strategies.

[Bojangles69]

My main question is this:
I'm creating a website for my brothers business. I've realized the MUCH MORE important aspect is a website that gets traffic than one that falls into the sandbox.

ie. THIS SITE.
You type "steroids" into google, this site is always on the first page.

WHY and HOW does that happen?
I'm using bluehost in combination with Adobe Photoshop for the graphics. I've uploaded a graphic here.

BECAUSE adobe has such more capabilites graphic wise, I want to make a whole bunch of merged text/graphic images to build the site.

But than I'm realizing "wait, am I screwing myself because the code for my site is going to be more graphics than text (because even the text will be image files) and this will wind up working AGAINST me *I think*.

I know about keyword tags, but I also know 2 sites with the same keywords can have 2 completely different ranks in the search.

Can someone, anyone, let me know if I'm doing something stupid?
I'm not paying to become a sponsored link because I notice theres a lot of places that don't pay, and somehow finagle their ways up the search rank.

How the hell do sites do that?
I don't know why this is so confusing..

edit: For the record I did take a class on programming java scripts and html, so I know that, just not the search rank aspects and what not.

[bd50]

look into google adwords,, its a "pay per click" program that helps get the site into the first few pages.

just search "adwords by google"

[Bojangles69]

Honestly I was trying to figure out how the hell adword and adsense compete with each other.I spent about 1 1/2 hours trying to understand the logistics and couldn't figure out shit.
But I do hear a lot about the adword thing..

[Bojangles69]

Anyone know about the text vs graphic for optimization?

If I drop my html/java code, by merging multiple texts/graphics/images into ONE graphic (jpg) and use relevant html over that graphic (for contact forms, links and what not) is this going to reduce traffic when the site is up?

I'm prob asking this in the wrong forum lol.. or wrong site actually.

[Psychotron]

Well, Bojangles, if you really want to know how it does its ranking you can read this http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~bryan/go...rsionFixed.pdf However, it is not for the faint of heart.

Bottomline, if people search for say "Derek Sanders" and click on my website, my website will be moved up in the ranks. Though, I don't have a high page ranking, infact i dont think i even show up there. Yahoo has me #2

[StoneGRMI]

Google search how to use meta tags

[kirk3624]

Anyone know about the text vs graphic for optimization?

If I drop my html/java code, by merging multiple texts/graphics/images into ONE graphic (jpg) and use relevant html over that graphic (for contact forms, links and what not) is this going to reduce traffic when the site is up?

I'm prob asking this in the wrong forum lol.. or wrong site actually.

johnchow dot com is a great site to learn how to monetize your website. he has write-ups and a free ebook on all aspects of creation, marketing etc.