By this time you surely recognize the importance of digital marketing, but if you have not done so already you need to take it a step further by understanding and employing the benefits of SEO. There is no better way to attract attention to your business than search engine optimization; Forbes stresses that SEO is the “foundation of all online marketing.” Billions of searches are initiated on Google each day, and without this essential step it probably doesn’t even make sense to have a website.
SEO For Your Business
Keywords are the building blocks of a successful digital marketing plan, and keyword research is how you find and connect with potential customers. People input inquiries into search engines like Google, and keyword tools help you find which phrases are popular, the monetary value of phrases and the specific wording that users input. To begin, you can make a list of keywords and phrases that accurately represent your brand. So if you are selling artwork, you might include things like “contemporary,” “today’s newest artists” or “authentic reproductions of classic art.”
Once your list of “seed” keywords is completed, you can see how they rank for your competitors - to do this, enter them into your search engine, hit enter and see how the list is populated. According to Ahrefs.com, if you don’t see top-ranking websites that are similar to your own, you need to refine your list. Or if you see too many, you might want to eliminate some of the more common words. For help with this process, you can use keywords tools; some are free and others cost money. Backlinko lists their favorites, which include Soovle, Jaaxy, Google Search Console and SECockpit.
Content Must Relate to SEO
Content complements the keyword process, with the main goal of attracting attention. Remember, search engines collect data about websites and businesses, and in the best case scenarios they find your keywords. The actual content has to optimize those words and phrases, so you don’t want the keywords to just be dropped into the content randomly.
Your keywords can form the framework of your content, and they should not be overused and take too much attention away from your readers. Bruce Clay posts that there must be clear subject relevance, and the content has to be about things that people are actually searching for. Otherwise, the pages will not rank in the search engine results pages (SERPs). The phrases have to flow evenly and naturally throughout the pages.
Content should directly address your target audience’s needs, and the wording should be straight to the point without a bunch of fluff that will cause them to click elsewhere. The technical side of SEO is about a website’s physical structure. Keywords can be positioned in sitemaps, which are navigation tools used by visits as well as search engines. The keywords should also be added into headlines and tags, anchor links and URLs. The right kinds of URLS are almost like ad slogans; instead of something like “/531K4UT%,” think “/amazing-artwork-for-homes-and-businesses.”
The Benefits of SEO
As mentioned earlier every website needs to utilize SEO, but what are the tangible benefits from using it? Besides higher-ranking webpages, optimized content lets companies educate consumers about their brands. According to Firestarter SEO, quality content familiarizes audiences with companies, their services and business journeys. This source also claims that SEO-generated leads have, on average, a 14.6% conversion rate. When the content is informative and easy to read, users will spend more time on pages and be more likely to make purchases.
SEO also promotes brand awareness, which is especially beneficial for new companies, those that are trying to rebrand themselves and local businesses. If a user needs to find something that is close to their home they frequently enter a keyword and a geographic reference (art gallery in St. Louis). This is where local SEO comes in – it makes your website more visible for people who enter these kinds of searches. A survey by GE Capital Retail Bank showed that over 80% of shoppers go online to scout out stores before heading out their door. Why would anyone want to miss out on that kind of opportunity?
Don’t forget that websites also have to be optimized for mobile use, since website designs do not necessarily function across other devices like cell phones and tablets. Close to 60% of all online searches are done with mobile devices, so you will need to consider your site’s design, overall speed and page structure. A prospective buyer doing a search on their cellphone will probably not want to sit and read an extensive article on your website. If it is optimized for mobile use, your business will gain even more SEO benefits.
Contact Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing today for help with all of your SEO needs.
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