If you read my last blog, you know SEO helps increase traffic to your website and expand your visibility on the web. SEO stands for “search engine optimization” and is the science of increasing your online audience by moving your website up closer to the top of the results page within search engines, like Google. SEO can be tricky because there are so many ways to optimize, but here are our top five recommendations to get you started.
1. Research keywords
Once you understand your target audience, you want to narrow down a list of keywords they might use to search for a business like yours. Of course, it’s also important to make your keywords specific to ensure that your website appears to the right audience at all times. But how do you know which keywords to use when it comes to optimizing? An easy way to do this is to use your Google Analytics account or Google AdWords. These tools are free, and they can help you narrow down a list of words to use in your content.
2. Use your keywords in your content
The more opportunities you have to work in your keywords to your website copy and other content, the higher your site will rank among search engines. Take a look at your existing content and add in your keywords where they seem most relevant. This audit is an excellent place to start when integrating your keywords and phrases, and you should keep them in mind when producing all future content. It’s also important to use these keywords in titles, subtitles, headers, subheaders, and image and title tags. However, be sure not to pad your copy too much! This can take away from the meaning and readability of your website and will ultimately deter your audience from staying on your page long enough for them to inquire or invest in your services. And even worse, search engines recognize when content is padded, so your website will be listed lower on the search.
3. don’t forget to tag your images
So many business owners forget this step when optimizing their website. Be sure to alt attribute your images so that a search engine can “see” your images. Rather than actually viewing what the pictures on your website are of, a search engine will read your images. If you don’t alt attribute your images, it will be impossible for a search engine to know what your images are. Use your keywords within these image descriptions to optimize them for SEO.
4. Regularly update and publish quality content
I cannot stress enough how important it is to regularly update content for your website. Refreshing the content on your website on a scheduled basis is a good way for your website to remain relevant. If you don’t do this sort of “audit” regularly, your website will run the risk of getting stale. In addition, adding regular blog posts is a way for your website to remain relevant within search engines. Adding your keywords and phrases to blog posts can sometimes be more straightforward than changing the copy on your website, and it is something we highly recommend. Publishing uniquely titled, highly engaging content is the best way to grab your audience’s attention and keep them returning to your website.
5. don’t forget to update your keywords and phrases
Forgetting to update your keywords or phrases is a rookie mistake many business owners make. You want to be sure to keep an eye on the analytics, and as your business grows and evolves, your keywords might too. Occasionally, I see clients who have gone through the SEO process, but their words and phrases have since become outdated. Or the market is flooded with websites using the same keywords and phrases that were once unique. Make it a part of your practice to return to the words you are optimizing and change them as necessary.
If you are looking for advice on optimizing your SEO, reach out today for a free discovery phone call!
Hi, I'm Jaime.
I'm the CEO of Weatherby Media and LOVE working with incredible entrepreneurs like you every single day to build the business of their dreams. The key to success is an effective digital marketing strategy. Schedule a call to discuss your business goals and how we can help.