Your website is gorgeous—striking graphics, dazzling pictures, and your full catalog and price list. So why aren’t you getting any traffic?
It’s probably because your prospects can’t find you.
People use search engines (mostly Google) to find the products and services they want. If your website doesn’t show up in the search results, it’s like you don’t exist.
Being found online requires search engine optimization (SEO).
SEO is one of the most cost-effective and productive digital marketing techniques available. But it can also be a complex process—made more so every time Google updates its search algorithms.
The most recent updates have shifted the focus of SEO marketing from simple keyword placement to user experience (UX). To rank high on the search engine results page (SERP), you need a credible website with helpful information that answers the user’s query.
Your website may be stunning, but is it optimized for today’s Google search? Here’s how to tweak it, so your customers find you online.
Six Essential SEO Marketing Tips
Google has shifted its focus to content interpretation and user intent. That means old search engine optimization techniques like keyword stuffing and paid backlink services are no longer effective. They can even hurt your SERP ranking. Here’s what to do instead:
Website Performance Audit
Understanding where you are right now is critical to determining what you need to do to get the results you’re after. Fortunately, Google has created some free tools to help you out.
With Google Search Console, you can check indexing status and measure your site’s search traffic and performance.
Google Analytics lets you determine how visitors find and use your website. It reports metrics like how long each user remained on your website per session, pages per session, bounce rate, and the type of device used to visit your website, among others.
Keywords Still Count — Do Your Research
Keyword research is more important to SEO marketing now than ever. Relevant keywords, especially long-tail keywords, help point Google to your website.
Long-tail keywords (three or more words strung together) better reflect the user’s search intent. That allows Google to find websites that better align with the user’s query.
Optimize User Experiences (UX)
Anticipated user experience (UX) has become an essential metric for Google’s search algorithm. UX covers everything from site performance to how easily users can find information.
Your website needs to be fast and efficient across every channel. That includes being mobile responsive to ensure users on any device have a good “page experience.”
Create High Quality, Authoritative Content
High-quality content is essential to ranking highly in Google searches. It also helps position your company as an industry authority.
But it needs to be relevant to your specific business and answer your ideal customer’s questions. Your keyword research can help you develop topics that work for search engine optimization.
Authoritative Backlinks and Internal Links
Backlinks are the original basis for Google search, and they are still highly relevant today. But quality counts more now than ever. Getting links from companies you already have relationships with is a good place to start. Creative, authoritative content targeted to potential customers and the media covering your industry is another.
Also, include an internal link if your blog post refers to a subject you’ve already written about. Internal links help Google better understand your website and industry authority. That can help you rank higher.
Use Google My Business
Ever search for a business or product “near me?” Most of us have. If your customers are local, Google My Business is a critical component of managing your online presence in Google Search and Maps.
Digital Marketing Beyond SEO
Search engine optimization can help your customers, and potential customers find you online. But to really grow your online market, you need more than a few SEO marketing tips.
You need a digital marketing strategy that can help you get noticed in the busy digital world. A critical part of that marketing strategy should be creating quality content that offers something of value to your target audience, establishes your industry expertise, and sets your brand apart.
That’s where Main Street Media Creations can help. We’re your SEO content experts. Contact us today, and get ready to take your online marketing to the next level.
