Let’s explain what SEO is and why it is important for businesses.
SEO stands for search engine optimization. But what does that mean? Major search engines like Google have an algorithm that goes through every link and backlink and scans for specific information and keywords regarding particular topics. The algorithm then ranks websites based on how relevant the content is and if it is what the consumer would be searching for.
The primary purpose of SEO is to help a business become more visible in a sea of search results, driving up website traffic and, hopefully, increasing conversions, boosting customer retention and revenue. In addition, SEO helps businesses gain organic search results and grow their online footprint. Organic search results are those that are not paid for. Organic traffic is one of the main traffic sources markets focus on because once it is successful, it can become a long-term solution.
Now that we have covered the basics, we know SEO is essential when gaining traction online. Here are a few ways to help incorporate it into your marketing strategy.
Check to see where your site lands when searched.
Focus on content.
Research your competitors.
Initial Site Search
First, you must know if your site is already in the Google index. Search for your website by typing “site:(insert your site).com” and submit on Google. This will show the rank of your website in terms of similar ones. Additionally, always search for other ways your site may be pulled up if a consumer may not know your website name or a specific topic your website covers.
For example, if you are a small boutique that sells embroidered custom sweaters, search for handmade embroidered sweater or boutique with sweater or custom sweater. This will help show you if google recognizes your site as a top contender based on your content and keywords, depending on where your site ranks in the results. Finally, try to keep your URLs short; search engines don’t like reading long and complex strings of words, but remember to include your keyword.
Focus on Content
Content is the number one driving force of the digital marketing age, and there is no way to get around it, even with SEO. Most of the time, when people search on Google, they are looking for an answer to a question or they are looking for something specific. So, make sure your content is clear and relevant, and keep things simple. Your content can be anything you wish as long it is related to the keywords you want to optimize. It can be a video, a gif, blog, graphic, or a post that answers a specific question - you name it.
For example, you could have a blog post that explains the best way to carve a pumpkin. The keywords in this example would be pumpkin, carve, and halloween. Keywords help search engines rank your content because it can link it to multiple search topics. In the end, when search engines are concerned, content is content as long as it is valuable to consumers.
Search Your Competitors
Another way you can check to see where you rank in terms of the competition is by searching for the competition. In doing so, you can start understanding their SEO strategy, which can help you make changes to grow yours. Look at your competitors’ best-performing pages and try to visualize where their organic traffic is coming from. You can gain more ideas about content, keywords, and link options by analyzing other pages. This will hopefully allow you to improve your existing content and capitalize on key search results.
SEO can be a bit tedious and overwhelming, especially for those just starting out. But we are here for you if you need help! So drop us a line, and let's connect!