The term SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, appears in nearly every corner of the creative service industry. It is a favorite among marketing buzzwords, but what is it? SEO is the process of improving a website’s appearance and positioning of web pages in organic search results.
That was a mouthful, but luckily today we are giving you five basic elements of SEO. These elements will get you started optimizing content to increase traffic to your website.
Content:
While the algorithm that Google uses is a mystery to most, we do know one thing: Google is pinning high quality and relevant information to the searcher’s inquiry. So what is the solution to ensuring your website is on that first result page? Providing good quality content that consumers will want to be (or are already) seeking out.
Keywords:
Next, make sure that you are aware of what your target market is searching to find your site or services you offer. These “terms” or keywords, push you forward in SEO by connecting the consumer’s thoughts to your product or service. For example, if you sell running shoes the most searched-for terms might be “best running shoes near me” or “running shoes for women.”
Backlinks:
Backlinks are links between one website and another. They are important to SEO because linking between two or more websites essentially represents those two sites “vouching” for the other. In other words, the content that is linked is worth looking into.
Another effective tactic is utilizing internal links to a page on your website that provides relevant information towards the topic. For instance, if you are posting a blog related to keeping a balanced diet, you would link to a page where you talk about superfoods or “fad” diets.
User Experience:
Be sure that content on your website is information heavy but clear of “fluff” (the extra words used to make a piece of content seem longer, but that have little-to-no value). Your platform should be clear and easy to navigate. Be sure that your website is mobile friendly and serves quality content so that viewers will want to stay on your page longer.
Social Media:
Last but certainly not least, utilizing social media is major for optimizing your website. Your social media strategy should constantly link back to your website. This is important because it generates leads and boosts credibility through Google. More importantly, social media platforms act as search engines as well, so it is not uncommon for a company’s social media page to rank higher than its website.
Overall, SEO is an intricate process. Even a basic understanding of the concepts listed above will push your business forward in Google rankings.
Located in Columbus, Ohio, Creative Spot has helped organizations with search engine optimization for over 20 years. If you would like to learn more about SEO marketing or have questions about Creative Spot’s capabilities, please contact us.