It’s a big Web out there. When you want to search it quickly and effectively, follow these tips:

If you are short on time, consider using a multiple search engine to "grab" results from the leading search engines. Try multiple search engines like Mamma – The Mother of All Search Engines or Dogpile.com to get fast results.

Don’t go back and forth. Instead of using your browser and the “back” button, consider opening a new window to view your results. You’ll be sure not to lose your search connection this way. Don’t you hate it when that happens?

Research shows that most search engines will only cover about 35% of the Web. That’s a lot of ground you are missing! If you have a specific topic to search, consider using a more focused search. To find a list of search engines catering to a specific industry, try beaucoup.com.

Finally, if you have to dash out to an appointment, bookmark your search results so you can continue your research when you get back. If you want to add your search results to a collection or if you want to benefit from others’ searches, go to PowerSearch.com.

If you have more questions and some time on your hands (this tutorial is huge), take a look at WebTool’s tutorial, A Guide To Effective Searching of the Internet.