SEO, Search Engine Optimization, refers to your ability to rank on search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. There are many factors to consider when creating your SEO strategy including your website, social media, and other websites linking back to your website.
Key Factors of SEO
In order of importance, I’ve listed out the main parts of an SEO strategy.
- A Secure and Accessible Website
- Have an SSL certificate
- Make it user friendly for those who use screen readers
- Page Speed (including Mobile Page Speed)
- Mobile Friendliness
- Domain Age, URL, and Authority
- Optimized Content
- Keywords should be logically placed throughout the website
- Technical SEO
- Alt Tags on images, titles on links
- User Experience
- Links
- Social Media
- Real Business Information
- Make sure all the information is correct around the internet
Interesting Statistics about SEO
- 72% of consumers who perform a local search visit a store within 5 miles of their current location. (Google My Business Cards are key!)
- 90% of people never scroll past the first page of search engines.
- 75% of people only click on the top 3 results.
- 50% of search queries are four words or longer.
SEO : Content Optimization
There are five key parts to content optimization. You need to cover all five parts to have an effective strategy.
The first part is Keywords. Keywords are how search engines know when to show your content. I suggest having a running list of keywords and phrases that pertain to your business, industry, and customers. Add keywords and phrases as they come to mind so that you have a full bank when blogging or doing other content marketing.
The second part is being unique. This doesn’t mean that you need a unique topic every time that you post, but that you need to not plagiarize others. Make sure that you’re using your own opinions, and examples.
Part three is generating quality content. You want to make sure that what you’re posting is helpful and worth the time it takes to read.
Quantity is the fourth part of content optimization. You want to meet certain quantitative standards with your content. Blog posts should be at least 500 words. You should have a picture every 150 words or so.
Frequency is the final part. You want to post regularly, as often as you can. I say to strive for biweekly blog posts, and weekly social media posts when you are just starting out. You need to keep it consistent as well, with minimum lapses.
Technical SEO
This part of SEO is best to have a professional do. This involve adding backend code for the site descriptions, titles, sitemaps, and accessible features. This also includes things like alt tags on images (short descriptions of the image), titles on the links (to say where it’s going), and nofollow tags on external links.
Google My Business
Google My Business is an amazing way to boost local SEO. You create a profile for your business, and it will show up on Google Maps. You link it to your website, phone number, address, email, and can include your hours of operation and pictures!
Still need help with SEO? Check out our Search Engine Optimization packages. We’d love to help boost your rankings with SEO.
