To generate more traffic to their website, it should be the goal of every small business to have SEO implemented, usually with the assistance of SEO experts. Whilst SEO agencies will charge a fee, the return on that investment is usually multiplied several times once the search engine traffic starts flowing due to higher rankings, and that traffic converts to paying customers.
However, not all small businesses have the funds available to employ an SEO agency, so what are they to do? First, we suggest they speak to an SEO agency regardless, as many of them have payment options that are affordable for most small businesses. Second, if paying instalments is still not an option for you, you can carry out several core SEO tasks by following this simple 7-step checklist.
Set Up Your Goggle Analytics And Google Search Console Accounts: Many in SEO regard Google as “the enemy” but it is not, and in truth, Google does offer some fantastic SEO tools for businesses, which you should sign up for. The first is Google Analytics, which gives you information and data on how visitors interact with your website. The second, Google Search Console, lets you troubleshoot your presence and rankings on Google’s search engine.
Claim Your Google My Business Listing: For local businesses, especially those with a physical location, it is essential that you claim your Google My Business listing. This is a tool that enhances your profile on Google allowing you to provide details and information about your business such as an address, telephone number, opening times, and your location on a local map.
Carry Out An SEO Audit Of Your Website: If you feel poorly you likely ask your doctor to examine you to establish what is wrong. Likewise, if your rankings on Google are poor, then you need to establish why, and this starts with an SEO audit of your website. Here you check content, metadata, structure, internal linking, and page load speeds, for example.
Optimise Your Website’s Metadata, Internal Linking, And Structure: Having established what some of the problems are, it is now time to correct them. The core principles of on-site SEO require metadata to be present and accurate such as page title tags and meta descriptions. Additionally, the structure of your website including the navigation should optimal and internal links fixed if any are broken.
Research High Intent Keywords With Low Competition: Ranking high on Google is based upon keywords, and unless you know what keywords you want to rank for, it is akin to firing an arrow at a target with a blindfold on. By discovering and optimising for high value, low competition keywords you can soon rank on Google’s first page, and benefit from the traffic this generates.
Create Unique High-Quality Content Based On Your Keyword Research: Now it is time to create the content which is going to help you rank for your keywords. This content must be high quality and also be content that you know will appeal to your target audience. Mix up content formats, ensure it is keyword optimised, and is interesting enough to keep visitors on your website.
Research And Contact High Authority Websites For Backlinks: Google regards backlinks as a ranking factor so you want to generate some. Ideally, seek high authority websites as the backlinks from these have the most positive effect. Also, add backlinks at a believable rate rather than adding dozens one day and then none for the next six days.