It doesn't take a lot of money to get to the first page of Google like most people think. See what tips you can start using now.
Where is one place you will never be found? On the second page of Google, “0.78% of Google searchers click on results from the 2nd page” ( Backlinko). Showing up on the first page of Google is crucial for your marketing strategy so your business does not stay hidden forever. Ideally, you want to be #1 on Google. You do this through search engine optimization. Search engine optimization (SEO) is performed to make a website show up higher in search engine results but also to increase the number of visitors to your website. As more people visit your website, your sales will increase. Here are a few things you need to know about SEO:
Before you start ranking on Google, you need to decide what you want to rank for. The term for that is called keywords. Keywords are what people are going to search and then hopefully, your business will appear. For example, one of b digital’s keywords is “BYUH digital agency”. That keyword is what you or others may type into Google when searching for our business. Another example of a keyword is “nail salon Oahu”. If you have a physical service area, your keywords should always include a location. “76% of people who search on their smartphones for something nearby visit a business within a day. (Think With Google)”. Start by defining your keywords with a marketing team and then create a strategy.
Why does SEO exist? Google wants to promote sites that actually have the answer or businesses that can perform the service well. This is so everyone keeps using Google and sees Google as a helpful resource. Therefore, Google prioritizes the businesses and websites they think have the most authority on a subject/service. Google determines this through content, reviews, user experience, and a few other key factors. In fact, “Google’s search algorithm uses more than 200 factors to rank websites (impactplus.com)”.
The easiest way to start implementing SEO is content creation. Content creation can vary drastically ranging from a social media post to words on your website. Content should be based around your keywords. When Google scans your site or your business on other platforms, Google will see your keywords linked to information from you. The more information you have on the keywords, the more Google thinks your business is an expert. For example, a restaurant should have a regularly updated social media, comprehensive website explaining about the food & venue, youtube videos and a Google maps listing. If this all seems overwhelming, start with bulking up your website content, having a social media presence and creating a Google maps listing,and a Google My Business account. The more your business shows up, the more credible it seems, and the more credible you seem, the more authority you have.
SEO strategies are carried out through a variety of methods. Together all of the SEO efforts form the big picture. It is important to note that SEO is not a quick and easy process. Instead, it is an ongoing task that will vary from month to month as search engines’ algorithms change.