Meta tags are nearly irrelevant these days, most search engines, including Google, simply ignore them.
The best way to get into Google is having other sites which are indexed well link to your own site. The more links to your site, the better you´ll get listed. Second most important thing for Google is a proper title tag. Be sure to have your two main keywords in the page title, but don´t do keyword stuffing - Keep the title short and significant.
Regards,
Thomas

I agree that Meta Tags do not do much for either getting listed or determining your placement. Have a good title, not something like "Homepage". Make it descriptive. There are a number of submitters who will place your web page with second tier search engines.

Submit your site to Google yourself. They have a number of pages describing how best to structure your site and submit it. When Google picks it up, Yahoo will also. You have to have patience because it takes weeks before you will actually see your site on thier listing.

A good newletter is provided by ineedhits. You can get a free subscription just by asking.

Check out the list of engines at RegisterSuccess.com . Do-it-yourself with a number of engine submissions automated. Follow the advice there. Watch out for FFA (free-for-all) submission sites...mainly collect your email for spam. Other good replies to you here. Good luck.