93% of online experiences begin with a search engine, and Google hold over 90% of the search engine market share..
Paid adverts appear at the top of Google, however, it’s the organic search results that don’t have that word ‘Sponsored’ above, that usually achieve the higher click through rate.
One of the first things you should do when optimising for search yourself is to set up your Google business profile. It’s easy and will allow you to appear in the map searches.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO):
Is about optimizing your site to get the best search results. You can use an agency, but if you do want to take a DIY approach here are some tips:
- Keywords – Think like a customer, research the keywords through sample searches and see what comes up. If it’s your competitors, this is a good place to start.
- Keyword Phrases – Known as long-tail keywords. Customers use a combination of words such as: ‘Garage’ ‘Door’ ‘Maintenance’. So be sure to include these in “speakable” phrases. Over 95% of Google searches are four or more words.
- Plugins – Find a good SEO plugin, make sure you read up on it and use all it’s available tools. There are too many to recommend, so search the top 5 for your website platform you’re using and ask for recommendations.
- Metadata – (The title and description displayed in your search results). Complete and optimise the title to a maximum of 60 characters. Add Schema: (Code recognised by search) you can find all schema language references at https://schema.org/.
- Social optimisation – (Defines how your shared content and links should be displayed on Facebook).You can do this yourself, or ask for help from linku2hibiscuscoast.co.nz or www.stokedigital.co.nz
- Google ads – This is a paid service and, at a cost, will increase the chances your site being higher up the Google rankings. Remember, organic search gets a higher click through rate.
- Images – Use key words in your image names.
- Long copy – Another way to appear in searches is to add a blog to your site and write articles that include your keywords. This can earn your site over 50% more traffic.
- Inbound and internal links – Partner to get other websites to link back to your site and link internally between your own site pages. If you have no external backlinks, you run the risk of being classified in the over 65% of sites that will get no Google organic traffic.
- Update – Keep your website updated and make your text fresh and relevant.
- And finally – Submit your page to Google for indexing by logging in to your Google account and submitting your URL
Now test your page with tools such as Google Rich Results test, Structured Data testing tool and Mobile friendly test, website speed and performance optimisation (a good tool is GTMetrix) and check for keyword density (a good tool is https://www.seoreviewtools.com/keyword-density-checker/).
Now keep working on your site as the internet is always changing.
WRITTEN BY sarah carr of linku2HIBISCUSCOAST.co.nz. edited by CHRIS NORRIS.
Get in touch: Chris@allbrand.co.nz
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