[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As Google continues to update their algorithms, the rules change for local SEO. Goodbye to the days when you could manipulate search engines to get a good ranking, and hello to the days where quality content is the utmost importance.
The good news is that you don’t have to be an SEO expert to generate more traffic. Just follow our top 10 tips to get the most out of your website.
1. Develop Great Content
When it comes to creating content, you always should emphasize quality over quantity. Ask yourself, “Would I take time out of my day to read this?” If not, then rethink what you are writing. Find content already on the Internet in your niche that inspires or interest you. Use that information for inspiration, but make it better and more targeted to your market. Create a blog on your website, as this is one of the best ways to generate content and traffic. Develop posts that your potential clients might be searching for in order to create new leads.
2. Social Media
Creating good content is the first step, but you can’t just assume your audience will stumble on to it. Let users know it’s out there with the use of social media – especially through popular outlets like Twitter, FaceBook, Linkedin, and Google+. Every time you create a new blog post, consistently spread the word through social media.
3. Link Building
One great way to create visibility is by link building. Ask vendors, partners, media, and clients to embed your website in hyperlinked keywords. The higher ranked the referring source is, the better ranked your website will become. You can also create internal links by referring users to other web pages within your site. This can lead to visitors clicking through your website, which in turn improves your rankings. But be aware that there are ethical (and unethical) ways to do this, so proceed with caution and proper procedures.
4. Meta Descriptions
A meta description is used to describe what your webpage is about, and helps bring in visitors from the search results page. Include one to two keyword phrases to describe your page and keep your description under 160 characters. If you can, make your meta descriptions unique for each web page rather than reusing the same one.
5. Keywords
Use keywords within your content that someone would use to find a business like yours. Develop keywords within your niche and create content around those. If you are not sure what keywords to utilize, try using Google’s Keyword Tool.
6. Great Design
As mentioned before, quality matters – and this applies not only to your content, but to your website design as well. Google’s Panda penalizes low quality websites, so don’t become a victim. Create a website that is visually appealing and easy to use.
7. Video Optimization
Developing videos is another great way to generate traffic. In fact, video snippets capture more traffic than any other type of snippet. Try creating “how to” videos that reach your target market.
8. Increase Site Speed
Google has disclosed a majority of their ranking factors, and they have confirmed that site speed does influence rankings. Site speed also improves user satisfaction. Think of the last time you had to wait for a website to load … doesn’t it make you just want to move on to something else? Increasing your speed can improve the user experience and keep them on your site rather than sending them away to a competitor.
9. Smartphone Accessibility
So many people rely on their smart devices on a daily basis and expect them to work like a computer. Therefore, when searching a website on their phone, they expect it to be fast and efficient. Make sure your website is configured to properly work on a smartphone in order to increase user satisfaction and increase rankings.
10. Update
You worked so hard to develop a quality website, so don’t let it just sit there feeling abandoned. Make sure old content is up-to-date, and add new content on a regular basis. Try setting a goal of adding one blog a month at minimum, and filtering through your website every few months. Stay on top of any comments, inquiries or suggestions, and consider hiring help if you simply can’t keep up.
Even though it’s tempting, trying to outsmart Google is a temporary fix. Use these SEO tips to generate long-term traffic in an ethical and organic way.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Still looking for SEO advice?” el_width=”lg” add_button=”right” btn_title=”Contact Us” btn_color=”blue” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fproofdigital.wpengine.com%2Fcontact%2F||target:%20_blank|”]Let us help you generate more traffic! Contact us now![/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]
