The very first step in conducting a search starts with the selection of your words or terms. The words you type into the search box have the most influence on the results you will get. You want to be very direct here, use words that are specific and to the point. Choose your words carefully. You will want to exclude common words, unless that common word is critical to your search. For example: typing +The Common Ground might end up at an establishment’s web page. When a common word is essential to getting the results you are looking for, add a + sign in front of the common word and add a space between the + sign and the previous word if applicable.

Secondly, a good return on your search will result when the selection of your words or terms is typed with the proper spacing. This may seem unimportant but the results can and will be very different. An example of this would be to enter the search word as "playground" and hit on commercial playground equipment sites. Entering the same word with a space between (play ground) sends the user to several other types of sites including Amazon.com for a look at toys and games, to Play Ground Theater where you can read about creative drama programs and workshops.

The third step suggests that the correct order of the term be used. Try this. Using your favorite search engine (I used Yahoo.com) type in the words doghouse. You should pull up sites leading you to information about purchasing a doghouse. Now type in housedog and see the results you get. Same two words; just different order.

The fourth suggestion to implement is refining your results by either retyping your word into a refine search text box or depending on the search engine you are working with, this refined search is done for you by placing your word or term into specific categories.

Next you will want to take note as to whether of not the search engine you are using includes search categories. Radio buttons are small buttons located near the search box and are great to use when you are looking for a specific kind of result. Typing in the word pictures or images will send you to sights specializing in providing that very thing for you. Search categories are a great way to get exactly what you are looking for.

Finally, to really increase the accuracy of your search, you can utilize the advance search program if your search engine has one. Most engines offer this service to the user. Usually this accuracy in your search will throw out all the unnecessary hits and narrow the search. You may be able to search using proper names or phases. Capitalization is essential for conducting a search for people, companies, products, etc…

Be mindful that typing the words" shopping for homes" into the text box will give you millions of hits to surf which are related to shopping at home because "for " is a very common word and will not be included in the search. Thus your search becomes very broad and generalized. To narrow your shopping for homes down, your query should be more precise. Use words like real-estate, planned communities, and properties for sale.