As a small business owner, it’s essential to make sure your business website is easily found by potential customers online. One way to achieve this is through search engine optimization, or SEO. By following best practices for SEO, you can increase the chances of your website appearing on the front page of Google search results. At Thencan Designs, I understand the importance of visibility for small businesses, which is why I’ve put together some tips for getting your small business to the front page of Google using SEO.
1. Choose the right keywords
Keywords are the words and phrases that people use when searching for products or services online. Choosing the right keywords for your business is crucial for SEO success. Start by identifying the keywords that are most relevant to your business and products or services. You can use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or SEMrush to research and identify relevant keywords. Once you have identified your keywords, make sure to incorporate them into your website’s content, page titles, and meta descriptions. Check out my article where I deep dive on keywords for a comprehensive understanding of keywords and a breakdown of related technical terms.
2. Optimize your website’s content
In addition to incorporating relevant keywords, it’s important to have high-quality, informative content on your website. Google favors websites that provide value to users and gives preference to websites with longer, in-depth articles. Make sure to create content that is relevant to your business and engages your target audience. Regularly updating your website with fresh, relevant content can also help with SEO.
3. Use header tags correctly
Header tags, also known as H1, H2, and H3 tags, help organize and structure your website’s content. These tags help search engines understand the hierarchy and importance of your content. Make sure to use header tags correctly by using your primary keywords in your H1 tags and secondary keywords in your H2 and H3 tags.
4. Improve your website’s loading speed
Google favors websites that load quickly, as this provides a better user experience. Make sure to optimize your images and minimize the use of large files to improve your website’s loading speed. You can use tools like GTMetrix or Google’s PageSpeed Insights to test your website’s loading speed and get recommendations for improvement. Thencan Designs offers FREE website evaluations and includes a site speed test in this eval.
5. Use alt tags for images
Alt tags, or alternative text, provide a text description of an image on your website. These tags help search engines understand the content of your images and can improve your website’s visibility in search results. Make sure to use descriptive, keyword-rich alt tags for all images on your website. (This is easy, so be sure to follow this blog because I will post how to do this soon.)
6. Use internal and external links
Internal and external links help improve the credibility and authority of your website. Internal links, or links to other pages on your website, help visitors navigate your website and improve its usability. External links, or links to other websites, show that you are a credible source and can help improve your website’s ranking in search results. Make sure to use relevant and high-quality links when adding them to your website. The gold standard, however, is a “back link,” which is when someone else links to your site. This goes back to posting high-quality content. Keep putting out good stuff and Google will reward you!
7. Utilize social media
I’m not a big fan of social media myself, but let’s be real: it is everywhere. This means that incorporating social media into your SEO strategy can help improve your website’s visibility in search results. Google takes into account the activity and engagement on your social media profiles when ranking your website in search results. Make sure to regularly update your social media profiles and share relevant content to improve your social media presence.
In conclusion, getting to the front page of Google requires a combination of keyword optimization, high-quality content, proper use of header tags, fast loading speed, image alt tags, internal and external links, and a strong social media presence. By following best practices for SEO, you can increase the chances of your website appearing on the front page of Google search results and attract more potential customers to your small business.
Buuuuuuut that’s a lot of work, right? Well, I’ve realized this and that is why, at Thencan Designs, when I build a custom website for you, I am constantly thinking about SEO from the first brainstorming session. Also, I offer a solid SEO boost package where we will come up with a long-term plan to keep your site rising the ranks of Google – hopefully to the front page! And be sure to check out my post on those shady practices that are out there.
Follow these tips to get your small business in Central Oregon – or wherever you are – a better spot in the Google line. And if you need a little help, feel free to drop a line and I’ll see how I can help.
Good luck growing your business!
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