When I first started doing SEO, I became aware that most small business owners never use SEO to grow their company websites. They invest in promotional materials like posters and flyers or maybe open a Facebook Business Page. But a large number of them skip on the simple search engine optimization tactics that, if implemented, will bring them true benefits.
I’ve thought up a small list of 5 SEO basics any small business owner needs to implement. (And it does not matter if you have a designated online marketing person, or it’s just you doing the work, these things are really quite easy to do). So here it goes:
- Think modern, think responsive! – with technologies changing from day to day now, it’s easy remain behind. But a presentation website made with html & Flash animation should be a thing of the past. Use a CMS like WordPress to stat off your website structure. Continue with a nice responsive layout and a clean design and you are set to go! Also, use plugins like Yoast to get all your pages optimized.
- Do your keyword research – don’t fill your texts with any keywords and then expect results. Think about your business from the outside (What would you search on Google to get to a company that provides your services?). Analyse your keyword lists (use Google Keyword Planner) and pick just the ones with the golden ration – low competition and high searchability.
- Blog all the time! – this is a must for a small business, especially if your website is full of what I like to call “static content”. If you have 5 or 6 pages in full, they will get old really fast. And since there is no new content present, why should Google serve you as a result? So use the blog (or recent news) area to announce your participation to events, new projects you’ve completed or just office-fun pics. This will not only help from a SEO standpoint, but also from a branding one.
- Learn how to use CTA – call to actions elements are the key to website interaction. In order to build or maintain a good website, you should ask people to follow, buy or read about the products or services you offer. Even on news or blog posts you can use a CTA to make readers go to the next article.
- Go with a diversified marketing plan – Today, all marketing and PR activities are linked. You have to think about the bigger picture and how all of your promotional efforts speak with one voice. Try on-site and off-site SEO, but link them with a newsletter campaign, some social media activity, guest posting and maybe even PR efforts.
There are many other ways to get your website in the front lines, but starting with these 5 points you at least have a place to begin.
Do you still think it’s hard? Or maybe you have something else to add to my list. Comment and let me know what you think.
