What is SEO and why does it help you?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a great way to enhance your business virtually. Nowadays people go straight to Google when looking for something, so a business's online presence is even more important than its shopfront appeal. Local SEO is exactly the same thing as normal SEO, just scaled down and focused on a more immediate location.
Why should I use it?
The benefit of using local SEO means that your business can directly reach people within your proximity, and you can focus your brand on a more suitable demographic, factoring in things such as location/ population density/ average age/ financial positions etc.
Local SEO is a great way for small businesses to start building credibility. Having an attractive website that shows up at the top of Google, or within Google's top 3 recommendations, or other social media outlets such as YouTube videos that rank at #1, are quick and easy ways that different local SEO services can help you.
What are some local SEO services and how do they work?
There are so many ways that local SEO can help you, and potentially each SEO agent you approach for help will have a different variation of tools to use. So to keep it simple, I'm only going to focus on a handful.
Although, feel free to research around and see what is the best match for you and your business!
Does my SEO look good in this?
•The first thing to consider when trying to boost business is how does your website come across? First impressions are everything. If your site is complicated to use, looks messy, has irrelevant information, people will be quick to hit that back button!
(side note- is your website mobile friendly? Mobile searches have increased significantly within the last couple of years and have now become the popular choice over searching on computers or laptops, and I think yellow pages went extinct with the introduction of electricity).
It's easy to create a good looking website through websites like wordpress or wix. Alternatively, agencies can offer full website creation as part of their SEO services. You shouldn’t get too caught up in styles or appearance (although if you have more time it wouldn’t hurt to circle back to it). As long as your information is relevant and the page is easy to follow, then you’ve taken the first step in improving your business.
Where do you list on Google???
I once overheard a young boy tell his friend very delicately “you’re as popular as page 2 on Google”. Now page 2 might not seem so far away, but be honest, how many times have you actually visited this far off land? You’re not going to be seen if you’re not appearing in the top half, let alone 1st page on Google.
There are a handful of tips and tricks to optimise your position on Google and these will all be covered by your SEO agent. Although I can divulge a couple to you now.
How can I list on Google?
Firstly, what is it you want to be found for? How many times is this, or variations of this phrase included in your website?
I’ll give you an example. You have a painting and decorating business. On your website, you include all the fancy lingo like "crown moulding", "wainscotting", the various shades and angles of brushes you use, everything and anything about painting and decorating apart from, or sparsely the actual phrases ‘painting’ and/ or ‘decorating’. Think about what people are going to search for and what you want to appear for. Keywords are integral and should be used throughout your website. When someone searches for a local painter, Google will read this phrase on your site and recognise it as a match! This alone won’t get you to number 1 on Google, but I doubt you’ll even make it to page 2 without.
SEO target link building services.
Targeted link building is another popular SEO service. Let’s break it down.
Using the painting business example again. Before and after pictures of an immaculately painted room are uploaded into a well-known blog about home renovations and your business is referenced, fans of this blog looking for a painter know the first place to go. Equally, a homewares shop having a sale on paintbrushes mentions this is the exact type you use for painting kitchens. Again, you’re a credible business and if you use these brushes then they must be good enough for the simple home DIY.
Targeted link building is the same thing as getting a reference. The more relevant websites that have an association to your business and website, the more Google will recognise you having strong references, the higher up googles page you move. It’s a trickle effect.
I stress the importance of relevancy. Being referenced by pages that have 0 connection to you is not going to help! Your SEO agent will help build your targeted links by connecting you to pages and other businesses with a like-mind.
SEO services wrapped up
These are some of the easiest services local SEO agents employ to help your business. SEO services all come down to knowing what search engines want to see and optimising it. Its possible to teach yourself about SEO and the different services by following step by step guides online. But if you'd rather save yourself some time, there are plenty of SEO agents out there happy to help.
