Submitting a website to search engines for index inclusion isn't absolutely necessary anymore. If you have good content, outgoing links, and links pointing back to your site (also known as "backlinks") then your site is most likely being indexed by search engine spiders. However, in SEO, every little bit counts, and formal search engine submission can't hurt. Here's how you can submit your website to search engines for free.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Depends on individual search engine site submittal processes; average less than 5 minutes

Here's How

Note: The following links are to individual search engine website submission pages. Each site submission process is different, but for the most part, you are required to simply type in your website's URL address along with a verification code.

Google

The first search engine that most people think of when they want to submit their website is Google. You can add your website to Google for free using their free site submission tool. Google's search engine submission couldn't be easier; just enter your URL, a quick verification, and you're done.

Bing

Next up is Bing. You can submit your site to Bing for free. Just like Google, Bing's search engine submission process is as easy as pie. Type in your URL, a quick verification, and you're all done.

The Open Directory

Submitting your site to the Open Directory, also known as DMOZ, is a bit more complicated than what we've looked at so far, but still doable. Follow the directions VERY carefully.The Open Directory, or DMOZ, is a search directory that helps populate many search engine indexes. If you want to submit your site to the Open Directory, expect a significant wait until you see results. DMOZ has a somewhat more complicated site submission process than other search directories or search engines.

Yahoo

Yahoo has a simple site submission process; simply add your URL and you're done. You will need to sign up for a Yahoo account first if you don't already have one (it's free). After you submit your site, you'll need to either upload a verification file to your site's directory or add specific meta tags to your HTML code (Yahoo walks you through both of these processes).

Ask

Ask makes site submission a tad more complicated. You'll need to create a sitemap first, then submit it through a ping URL. Clear as mud? No worries, Ask gives you all the information you need.

Alexa

Alexa, an information search directory on specifically indexed sites, has an easy site submission process. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, input your URL, wait 6-8 weeks, and you're in.

Tips

Follow each search engine's specific site submission directions exactly. Failing to do so will result in your site not being submitted.

Remember, it's not site submission that will make or break your website; building good content, targeting appropriate key phrases, and developing practical navigation are much more helpful in the long run. Search engine submission - submitting a site's URL to a search engine or Web directory in the hopes that it will be indexed more quickly - is no longer absolutely necessary, since search engine spiders usually will find a well-developed site on their own. However, it certainly doesn't hurt to submit your site to search engines and Web directories, and best of all, it's free.