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Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and your website

Everyday, websites spring up all over the world. Many of these websites are not correctly optimized for the search engines. Search engine optimization is the process of making your website correctly display your information so that the search engines can read through your website content and deem it relative to an online searchers query.

Many small businesses today are just starting to realize the potential that search engine optimization can have on their businesses. Everyday more and more people are turning to search engines to conduct research on local and national topics, and the searches are very user specific. This is the main reason why the search engines are getting as much publicity as they are. It is almost impossible to pick up a publication and not read an article that mentions blogs, websites or search engines.

It is important to make sure that your investment in a website is used to its fullest. Investing in a company that offers search engine optimization can return many times over what was actually paid initially, and this is why optimization services are so popular. Our advice to all of our clients is to invest in their websites. Leave the optimizing to the professionals and have the tool work for you.



Does Your Business Need Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Search Engine Optimization

Now more than ever, business owners trying to find ways to make money to stay in business. A website that is built with the search engines in mind can definitely help in a business trying to build their bottom line. So, when we hear the question, “Does my business need search engine optimization?”, then we like to ask the question, “What is your website trying to accomplish for your business?”.

If the business owner says, “Our website is just to portray an image.”, then search engine optimization is usually not a big concern to them. However, if you are the business owner that says, “I would like to use our website to generate business.”, we would highly recommend search engine optimization for your website.

What are the benefits of search engine optimization?

There are many benefits to search engine optimization.

  • Higher rankings in the search engines
  • Website easier to navigate for users
  • Easy to scan and read text
  • Website images optimized for faster web page load times

Obviously higher rankings in the search engines is one benefit, but also websites built with search engine optimization in mind are usually easier to navigate because of a more structured website navigation hierarchy. Text on each page of a website with search engine optimization is structured in a way that is easier to read, with headlines and html “H” tags (H1, H2, H3 etc.). Images on the website are optimized for faster viewing and enhanced with html “alt tags” that help with ranking in some regards and image searches that online users may use.

Ultimately, search engines and your online visitors make a decision about your website and where to rank your website or whether or not to do business with you.

When should I start with search engine optimization?

As soon as possible. Of course we are going to say that, right? We are in the business! We all know that it will require a decision to spend some money. We recommend that you talk search engine optimization over with your business partners or decision makers and come up with some questions that you may have. As we all know, it is better to make an educated decision than to jump right on the bandwagon.

However, finding out information as soon as possible so you can make a decision is highly recommended. The faster a business makes a decision to implement search engine optimization the better. It can have a drastic effect on generating leads and ultimately more business.

So if your business has been hearing more and more about:

  • online advertising and being found out on the search engines
  • increasing conversions from online visitors to customers
  • having your website being more effective for your business

Get in touch with us today!



Local Web Design Hints & Tips

Local Web Design

If you own a business in a specific geographical area, we have some tips for your website. These hints and tips are focused to help your website in the search engines and make it easier for online visitors to find out more about the products or services you have to offer.

Place a Google Map on your website

It is a well known fact how helpful Google can be. Their Google Map program isn’t any different. It can help online visitors get directions to your business and show them where you are located. Just a word of caution, make sure that when you type in your address, that it is in the correct location. We have had instances of the map data not being up to date!

List the names of the cities where you conduct business

This can be good information if you drive as part of your service and drive only to certain areas within a 30 mile radius. Naming the cities you conduct business in is also good information that Google likes to see. You may rank high in the search engines by just naming a small city you can do work in!

Link to other local businesses that compliment your specific business

This is a great way to build some trust with online visitors. Listing other businesses that compliment your business gives the user a little more information about other services you work with. When that user contacts you, they know they are dealing with a company that is experienced in the industry.

Write an article about how you helped a local business or consumer

This is great information to show your online visitors and it looks good to the search engines. Not to mention, customers that are featured somewhere like to brag that they are featured and it may drive traffic to your website.

List testimonials of your work on your website

This is great information for online visitors to see. Consumers like to see that the company they are dealing with has a good reputation to work with.

List your business address on each page of your website

Having your website address on each page is great information for online visitors and for the search engines. When your contact information is listed on each page, an online visitor has instant information. This can be a critical component for your website. It is also a great way to help your website appear in local search engine results.

Place pictures of your work online or of local businesses or consumers that you’ve completed work for

As stated before, online search engines like to see instances of city names somewhere in your web page. Having a picture and a description not only shows online visitors where you’ve conducted work, but also is another instance of a local city name where you conduct business.

Now get out there are let your customers know where you are so they can do business with with you!



Search Engine Optimization: Let your business stand out!

Search Engine Optimization

Stand out from the competition

Everyone today uses the search engines to find what they are looking for. Search engine optimization helps the pages on your website rank higher, closer to the first position for some desired keywords. This allows your website content to be found by online visitors who will then get in contact with you for the services you provide. The key factor is being able to show close to the top, if not at the top. This will set your business apart from your competition and give you a competitive edge. Search engine optimizing your website will also make the code cleaner and give your visitors a more consistent look throughout the website. This is important when the visitor comes to the website and is trying to gather information in order to find out if you are a trustworthy business. Online, it is important to fit all these pieces together to help stand out from the competition.

Showcase all of the services/products that you offer

Over the years, we have seen many businesses that do not place all of their products or services they offer on their website. This is a huge mistake. Many of today’s online searchers use a variety of keywords to help them locate information. We have had experience with businesses who put product ID numbers on their websites and then get found when a searcher types in the information because they need to repair that specific product. Just for having that information listed on their website! We have other clients who place terms of other services they provide on their websites and get business for that service a couple of days after they post it to the web. Now, this does not mean that you should stuff all sorts of keywords on your website page and then you will rank #1 for all of them. Google is a little smarter than that, but placing references to other services you provide with as much relevant information is a great way to get higher placement. Placing more information about all of the services your business offers is a great way to let your business stand out from your competitors.

Use targeted keywords that online searchers may use

It is possible to conduct some research to find out which keywords people are using to search. Binding this information with some creative thinking can open up keyword possibilities that searchers may use to find your services. For example, if you are in the business of landscaping and you would like to use more targeted keywords to help increase business, you may choose to include the name of a city close to where you do business. So maybe you will setup a web page for “landscaping Fort Lauderdale Fl” and fill it with relevant content. This should give you some decent ranking for this particular term if there is not a surplus of competition for that particular term. Then it is a matter of checking your analytics package and seeing if traffic is being generated for that particular term.

Analyze traffic with a website analytics package

Analyzing traffic is a great way to generate ideas about future content to write about and try to optimize your website for. Generate content and then look at your analytics package to see what keywords searchers are typing in to see your page. This can also be used to write separate content for the same main topic and keep the user on your website. Website analytics packages contain a wealth of information and can also tell you where users are coming from, how long they stay on specific pages, and what page they left your website. This can help you to see the visitor’s path and place more relevant content to where your visitors are gravitating on your website.

Search engine optimization can help your business stand out from the competition and help online visitors get the information they are looking for. This can then have a positive effect on your bottom line and help your business increase sales. For more information about how search engine optimization can help increase your business, give us a call at 1-877-977-9327.



Local SEO | Is your website being found in the local search results?

SEO For Local Search Results

Is your website being found in the local search results?

Local Search Results
It should be. Many online searchers today will search for keywords along with the city they live in to find local results. This can be a huge benefit to your business. Many people, us included, would prefer to do business locally. It is very convenient to be able to drop by and get to know the people you are working with. Having your website properly optimized can help Google locate your address and phone number and be found locally. There is also an option to add your business listing with Google and they will place it in their results as well.

Importance of having a website that is properly optimized

Show up before competitors

The search results and SEO is similar to the real state motto “Location, location, location!” There are few people who go past the third search result page when they are searching for certain information. Listing on the top, or close to the top of the first page is the ideal location for customers to click and find the information they are looking for. The faster the customer gets in contact with you by being at the top of the search engines, the faster you can let them know what you have to offer.

Conversions

Along with the optimizing for the search engines, it is also very important to have the website optimized for usability. Make sure there are no broken links, broken images, and spelling or grammar errors. Make sure the navigation is clear to the user and that the text and font are easy to read. Make sure you have calls to action, contact information on every page (preferably at the top of the page) and that the graphics are crisp and clear. All of these factors play a role in increasing the conversions on your website and turning visitors into customers.

Relevant information for visitors and search engine optimization (SEO)

Keeping the information on your website relevant to the topic of the page is important also. If you specialize in selling dog houses, place relevant information about dog houses on the first page. This will answer any questions that the visitor has about your dog houses and entice them to contact you and ask some questions, or finalize the sale. I’d be careful about also placing information about real estate houses on the same page, the user is on your website and found your website looking for dog houses. Give them the information they are looking for. Keeping the content information “tight” around a particular subject or topic increases the power of your website to show closer to the top of the search engines for particular related phrases.