Having a great idea is only one part of having a successful business. Whether you have a shop to sell your wares, or operate entirely online, the strength of your digital presence can make or break that success.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is an essential tool you can use to harness the power of the internet and use it to drive website traffic, increase your credibility and attract your ideal customers.
Keep reading to find out why SEO is vital for your business and how it can propel you towards success.
Why bother with SEO?
Being optimised for search engines doens’t just mean increased website traffic. Getting the SEO flow can also help with:
- Improving your brand reputation: Higher search rankings can lead to a perception of being a more established and credible business.
- Cost-Effective Marketing: SEO is a long-term strategy that delivers organic traffic, unlike paid advertising that requires ongoing costs.
- Targeted Audience Reach: SEO allows you to target your ideal customers by focusing on the relevant keywords they’re using when searching for info.
- 24/7 Promotion: Your website works for you around the clock, attracting potential customers even when you’re not actively promoting your business.
The power of SEO for your local business
No matter what your business is, a strong online presence is important. Search engines like Google are one of our first points of call to find information about products, services and relevant local businesses. If you don’t appear in the search results, you don’t get in front of your ideal customer.
If your business is facing challenges such as limited online visibility, inconsistent or declining sales, or high bounce rates on your website, a customised SEO strategy can be a strategic solution. When executed effectively, this strategy aims to improve your search engine rankings, allowing your business to appear more prominently in search results for relevant keywords. The ultimate goal is to generate a substantial increase in organic traffic to your website.
Maximise your Local SEO impact
Local SEO is essential to small businesses who service a specific geographical area. It helps potential customers, who are actively searching for local products or services, find your business when they need it. This is especially important if your business has a shop that relies on foot traffic.
Boosting your local SEO with a Google Business Profile means increasing your chances of being included in Google’s “Local Pack”: three businesses that Google believes are the best match based on the locality of the searcher. They appear at the top of the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) and are more likely to catch your customers’ attention.
Regularly maintain your GBP so your local customers can find you easily and are kept up-to-date with your latest goings on.
Get your SEO strategy right from the start
Make sure you’re reaping all the benefits with an SEO strategy and avoiding these common mistakes.
Don’t neglect your keyword research
Failing to conduct thorough keyword research can result in targeting the wrong keywords, leaving your website in the digital shadows.
Keyword research isn’t about choosing a few words that you think fits with your business. It’s understanding user intent, analysing competitors, evaluating keyword search volume and competition, and considering long-tail keywords and variations.
Online tools such as Semrush and Moz can help you get started with your research.
Don’t forget about On-Page Optimisation
Ignoring on-page SEO elements like meta tags, headers, and image alt text means ignoring vital parts of your website that contribute to user experience and search rankings.
Once you’ve identified your keywords, make sure you use them across these areas for maximum effect. Just don’t over use them, no one likes keyword stuffing, especially Google.
Don’t be inconsistent with updating your content
Failing to update your website with fresh and relevant content can lead to stagnation and outdated information. Search engines won’t want to rank your website if they find it to be irrelevant to the search query. Readers will quickly bounce off your site if the out-dated content isn’t what they’re looking for. This leads to a decrease in your site’s authority and organic traffic will disappear.
Creating E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness) focused copy that seamlessly incorporates your chosen keywords, aligns with your overarching content strategy, and resonates with your target audience combines some of the key elements of SEO.
The end result should not only enhance your search rankings but also establish your business as a reliable source of information in your industry and build trust among your potential customers.
Don’t fear SEO, embrace it
SEO can seem technical, but you don’t need to be an expert to benefit from its power. An SEO Copywriter can help you navigate the SEO process and guide you to the success your business deserves.
For your own SEO focused web copy or blog packages, check out my copywriting services and let’s unlock those SEO secrets for your business together.