In an increasingly digital world, it is shocking that only 30% of small businesses report that they have an SEO, or search engine optimization, strategy in place. This fact is even more troubling when you add that only 25% of Google users will look past the first page of results, making it increasingly critical for small businesses to develop and utilize SEO.
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization, commonly shortened to SEO, is the use of specific tactics and best practices to increase the quantity and quality of your website traffic that results from organic search engine results.
The world of SEO is constantly shifting and evolving. It can be challenging for a small or localized brand to manage when they have other high-priority aspects of their business that need their attention. This is why it is so beneficial to have a 3rd party specializing in search engine optimization manage your online presence.
If you do decide to take on search engine optimization implementation on your own, it may seem like a daunting task. But not to worry – we are here to help! Here are a few tips to get your business moving on up the list of results:
1. Leverage Google Reviews
6/10 customers report using Google’s My Business tab to look for reviews on local businesses. Use this to your advantage! By claiming your business on the My Business page, you will be able to accept, manage, and respond to reviews left on your page by customers. The more high-scoring reviews you receive, your business will appear reputable and trustworthy. Also, responding to reviews (even the bad ones) goes a long way as prospective customers are vetting your business.
Bonus: Google prioritizes businesses with over four stars, so strive for that!
2. Optimize Voice Search
With the use of Siri, Alexa, and Google Home on continual rise, customers are utilizing voice search more than ever. To improve the chance that these AI’s will respond with your business as a suggestion, focus on completely and accurately filling out your Google My Business profile, and use conversational keywords in your page content. When using voice search, consumers are more likely to ask a full question such as “Where is the best salon within 5 miles of me that is open on Saturdays?” so having information such as address and hours updated is vital!
3. Take Advantage of Google’s Answer Box
You’ve probably seen the large text box that opens up at the top of your search page with a quick answer to your Google question. While you can’t ensure it will choose your content, there are a few key things you can do to increase those chances tremendously. Be intentional and specific with your content, keywords. Put a frequently searched question as the header and answer the question directly underneath in two to three clear and concise sentences.
Bonus: Search for questions in your industry that don’t have a clear answer or answer box. It will be easy for you to fill that gap!
4. Uses Images in Your Content
Studio One discovered that when you add an infographic or a relevant image to your content, you can increase total page views by 94%! Images can help bring life, context, and personality to your brand. While it is vital to keep up with your written content, a picture speaks a thousand words and makes a great visual complement to your work.
Bonus: Always include descriptive Alt tags with keywords for your images. This way, it not only improves the accessibility of your site but also helps them populate for image searches.
It’s time to set your business apart from the rest and increase your visibility online. Don’t have a current SEO strategy? You are not alone. 70% of small businesses admitting to no SEO strategy. Let Vivial help you implement SEO best practices and give you a competitive edge. Contact a Digital Marketing Representative today!
