For many small business owners, it might seem hard to stay relevant online. There is a lot that goes into successful web presence online, but one of the primary ingredients is quality SEO. What is SEO, and how can it be channeled towards your success?
What is SEO?
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is an essential part of a good website. Basically, SEO helps the systems used by Google, Bing, and other search engines find you easier. There are a number of aspects that make up your website’s SEO. Having a quality website is important, but without good SEO practices, it won’t get you very far. Aspects such as site speed, keyword density, and alt text are what make up your SEO, and affect how search engines rank you. Simply put, the stronger your SEO, the more likely you are to come up first in a search.
The Importance of SEO for Small Business
But why is SEO so important for your small business? SEO helps you come up higher than competitors on search engines. Most people will not scroll past the first few links, let alone check the second page. When you appear higher up on the rankings, people are more likely to click on your page. While you may not be able to breach the top searches of chains, franchises, and big corporations with virtually unlimited pocked for advertising; you can still make quite a splash.
SEO for Small Business Growth
Online presence is absolutely vital for any small business in the modern world. Quality SEO allows your business to reach more potential customers, and grow over the long-term. SEO can help you take your business to the next level, in a number of ways. A strong SEO plan helps generate leads, and can help increase web traffic. The organic lead generation that comes from a proper Search Engine Optimization plan makes it a great ROI. Websites with strong SEO are also seen as more reputable by search engines; and therefore, by the consumers that use them.
Small Business Tips for SEO
Start with a Strong Website
The first step to having a quality SEO plan is having a quality website with good hosting. A great website, with meaningful content and clean architecture will put you at a higher regard from the start. Quality hosting means that your website will have good speed and caching that SEO bots rank highly.
Integrate your Social Media
Linking your website to your social media pages, and vice versa, will help search engines find your site easier. It also helps them develop a stronger site map for your company. You want site visitors to be able to follow you on social media, so that they can be updated and reminded of the new things that you are doing. Use your social media platforms to link back to new blog posts on your site.
Update your Google My Business Page
If you haven’t made one, they might have auto-generated one for your company. Claim it as the owner and update it with the proper information. Post some relevant pictures, and make sure the business hours are correct. Be sure to add your website to it, which will help SEO bots and consumers find you easier.
Research your Keywords
For many small businesses, the difference between ranking first and ranking 12th can be your use of keywords. Keywords are words commonly used to find businesses such as yours. It is important to balance the density of your keywords, and to find the ones that work best for you. This can be a process that is ever-changing. Because SEO practices always change, the right keywords this month may not be best in the next. Blog articles can keep your ranking up by focusing on more relevant keywords and fresh content.
Keep Content Fresh
Quality content that comes out frequently is important to keeping your website ahead of the curve. Strong blog articles that are relevant to your field and customer base offer a strong read for SEO bots. It is important for any small business to actively produce content for their site.
BetterBizWorks, LLC Web Design and Internet Marketing is always here to help you with your web design and online marketing needs. We specialize in using these and other web design trends to help build your business a website that works. So contact us, or give us a call to discuss your online goals, at 212-904-0020.
