SEO is a fundamental part of website building. It’s the part that gets you found online. Google rank your SEO and will place your content where they see fit.
Getting your online business found on Google is crucial for attracting new customers and driving sales. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the key to making your website more visible in search engine results, which helps you reach your target audience. This article will guide you through the basics of SEO and provide actionable steps to improve your online presence.
What is SEO?
SEO, or Search Engine Optimisation, is the practice of optimising your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). The better your SEO, the more likely your business is to appear at the top of Google’s search results, therefore, driving more organic traffic.
SEO involves a combination of on-page and off-page techniques that help search engines understand your website’s content and value. It’s important for your business overall, as it will help your content be reached by potential audiences.
Why is SEO important for your online business?
SEO is one of the most effective ways to increase your website’s visibility without paying for ads. When potential customers search for products or services you offer, showing up on the first page of Google can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed and chosen over competitors.
Key benefits include:
- Increased organic traffic: Higher rankings lead to more clicks and visits to your site.
- Brand credibility: Websites that appear at the top of search results are often perceived as more trustworthy and credible.
- Cost-effective marketing: Unlike paid advertising, organic SEO doesn’t require ongoing financial investment. Making it a sustainable strategy.
SEO basics to get your online business found on Google
Conduct keyword research
Keywords are the words and phrases that people type into search engines. Identifying the right keywords is the foundation of SEO. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find keywords relevant to your business. Focus on a mix of short-tail (one or two words) and long-tail keywords (three or more words) that reflect what your potential customers are searching for.
- Tip: Look for keywords with a good balance of high search volume and low competition to increase your chances of ranking.
Optimise your website content
Once you’ve identified your keywords, incorporate them naturally into your website content, including your homepage, product pages, blog posts, and service descriptions. Each page should have a specific target keyword that reflects its content.
- Title tags and meta descriptions: Ensure each page has a unique title tag and meta description that includes your target keyword. These elements appear in search results and help improve click-through rates.
- Headers and subheaders: Use keywords in your H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content and make it easier for search engines to understand.
- Create high-quality, relevant content: Content is king when it comes to SEO. Regularly publishing high-quality content that answers your audience’s questions or solves their problems can help establish your site as an authority in your industry.
- Blog posts: Write blog posts that address common questions, provide how-to guides, or offer insights related to your products or services.
- Product descriptions: Avoid using manufacturer descriptions. Write unique descriptions that highlight the benefits and features of your products while incorporating keywords.
Optimise your website’s technical SEO
Technical SEO refers to the backend elements of your site that affect its performance in search engines. Google favours websites that are fast, secure, and mobile-friendly.
- Site speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your website’s loading speed and get recommendations for improvement.
- Mobile optimisation: Ensure your website is responsive and works well on mobile devices, as Google uses mobile-first indexing.
- SSL certificate: A secure website (https://) is favoured by Google and reassures visitors that their data is safe.
- Build backlinks: Backlinks are links from other websites to your site and are one of the most important factors for SEO. High-quality backlinks from reputable sites act as votes of confidence and help improve your search engine ranking.
- Strategies to build backlinks: Write guest posts, and collaborate with influencers. Or create shareable content like infographics or videos that other sites will want to link to.
Use Google my business
If you have a local business component, set up and optimise your Google My Business (GMB) profile. This free tool helps your business appear in local search results and Google Maps, which can drive traffic from people searching nearby.
- Include accurate information: Ensure your GMB profile has up-to-date information. Including your address, phone number, business hours, and services offered.
- Collect reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, as they can boost your local SEO.
Monitor your SEO performance
SEO isn’t a one-time task. It requires ongoing monitoring and adjustments. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website traffic, keyword rankings, and overall performance.
- Adjust your strategy: Regularly analyse which keywords and pages are performing well. Make adjustments to improve the ones that aren’t.
Mastering the basics of SEO is essential for getting your online business found on Google. By conducting keyword research, optimising your content, improving technical SEO, building backlinks, and continuously monitoring your efforts, you can increase your website’s visibility and attract more customers. Remember, SEO is a long-term investment that requires patience.
