How to search on the internet… WHAT? OK, it may seem silly to some but clearly Billions of people have a hard time finding what they are looking for and put full trust in search engines to find it.

That is fine as Search Engines (Google.com, Yahoo.com etc.) are made for helping people find what they are looking for but Billions are searching for what they already know! Feel like there are not enough hours in a day? Well, maybe you do not understand how to search on the internet very well… Here is some info to help you save some time and find what you are looking for.

First things first:

You have your internet service provider (ISP). This is the company that allows you to tap into the world wide web. Road Runner, Comcast, AT&T, Netzero, AOL etc. You may have Dial up or High speed broadband.

Now to get "on to" the net once you have the service, you have or need to download on to you your computer a web browser. A web browser is a "software".

Internet Browser aka Web Browser. When you turn your computer on and if it’s a PC it is likely you click on the big E symobol (icon) and it brings you to the internet if you click on it. Well, that big blue E is called an Internet Browser. Forms of internet browsers are Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari (mac) & Opera for a few examples.

Browser’s are owned by companies. Browsers are Brands. Internet Explorer is likely the most "popular" as it comes installed on most Windows® computers.

Many web browsers have what are called Tool Bars as well. These are again often times downloads and a tool bar is often attached to your web browser already. This is where I think many people start getting lost when it comes to surfing the internet.

Your web browser is likely to have Two open boxes that allows you to type into. The main "big" box located near the very top is an "address bar" which will have http:// in it. This is also referred to as the URL bar or Location bar. The second "little" box is a search box that was likely added with a tool bar and will likely show the Google.com logo or Yahoo.com’s Y! logo etc. That search box is basically attached to the specific Search Engine website.

If you happen to know the site (Domain Name) you are already interested in visiting, you can simply type the domain name into the Address Bar.  9 times out of 10 you do not have to type http://www. you can simply type Domain.com or Domain.net or Domain.org etc. There is NO reason to type a domain name into a search box. That is what the Address Bar is for.

Example: You are watching TV and an ad that interests you comes on and they say visit www.ProductName.com . When you go to your computer and open your web browser, type the www.ProductName.com (domain name) into the Address Bar, NOT the search bar box. Why? You already know what you are looking for! No reason to "search for it" and waste any time.

So what searches are best for the search box? First, you do not "have" to use the search box if you do not want, as you can use the Address Bar again and directly go to Google.com or whatever "search engine" you like to use. This brings you to the actual Search Engine (website).

You should use Search Engines for searches like:

• How to tie a tie
• What is a domain name
• Best download site
• Your City Plumber
• "Product Name" reviews

You should NOT use a search engine for terms that you already know the answer for. In your address bar, simply type: BankOfAmerica.com if you are looking for the company Bank Of America’s website. If you are looking for Yahoo’s email login, simply type in your Address Bar: Yahoo.com . Once at Yahoo.com, it’s right on the upper Right side of the site. If you still can not find exactly what you are looking for, most actual sites you are looking for offers a search function for there site,  which is a better place to search, other then using a search engine. Looking for a product that Home Depot carries and you are looking for that. Visit HomeDepot.com directly and use the search function on it’s site.

If you are at a Search Engine, you should not be "searching" for www.SiteName.com . Why? Because you already know where you want to go!!!! Use the Address Bar in your Web Browser and simply type www.SiteName.com or http://www.sitename.com or http://SiteName.com or simply SiteName.com . All four of those domain examples "should" take you to the exact site you know you already want to visit.

Think of it as going from Point A to Point B! You are Point A using your web browser and the site (domain name) you want to visit is Point B.

If you are not sure exactly what you are looking for, you have a 3 step process. You are Point A with your web browser, Point B can be a search engine like Google.com. You do a search at Point B and hope the search engine provides you with Point C, which is what you are looking for. Using search engines can make you use C, D, E and F sometimes but if you know what you are already looking for, stick with Point A to Point B!

Using the Address Bar and typing directly the domain name will not only bring you directly to what you are already looking for, but save you time! This is also referred to as Direct Navigation.

Keep in mind that it is 2009 and companies are very likely to own the matching domain name to it’s company name and or product name ending in .com .

So the next time you want to find Ticket Master for some concert tickest, simply type into your Address Bar: www.TicketMaster.com and do not go to a search engine or use your "search box" and type ticket master or ticketmaster. Not only will you save time, it will also likely be Safer, as you will be going directly to the "offical site"!

Just watched American Idol and want to see more? There is a reason during the show they keep telling you to go to AmericanIdol.com ! Not only do they want you to visit, they want you to use your Address Bar in your Web Browser and simply type AmericanIdol.com so you go directly to the official site. Doing a "search" via your search box or using a search engine looking for American Idol is silly. They already told you where you can find them! Now just use your address bar and enjoy all your spare time you are saving knowing better how to search on the internet