The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Optimizing Your Website for SEO
So, you've just built a website for your business - congratulations! But now what? Don’t let your website get lost in the vast abyss of the internet-make a plan for your SEO.
Even if you’ve had a site for awhile-it can stop performing for you. It’s super frustrating when your website isn't showing up in search results as high as it once was and you're not getting the traffic you need to boot.
But never fear! You don't have to be an SEO expert to optimize your website for search engines. In this beginner's guide, we'll cover the basics of SEO and how you can start optimizing your website today.
Why does all this SEO stuff matter anyway? Well, how do you make sure people find YOU when they search for the exact products or services you offer? That's where SEO comes in.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the basics of optimizing your website for SEO, step-by-step. And if you decide this is NOT for you, we’re always here to help-whether it’s an SEO audit to see what’s going on, or doing the fixes for you–we can do ALL the work so you don’t have to. Let’s dive in!
What is SEO?
Search engine optimization, or SEO for short, is the practice of optimizing your website in order to improve its ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). The goal is to increase the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search engine results.
SEO involves many tactics and strategies, including keyword research, content optimization, link building, and technical optimization, all aimed at improving your website's relevance and authority in the eyes of search engines like Google.
Why is SEO important?
Simply put, if your website isn't optimized for search engines, it's unlikely that potential customers will find you. In today's digital age, consumers rely heavily on search engines to find products, services, and information, so having a strong online presence is crucial to the success of your business. How many times do you use Google a day? Well, according to them it’s essentially non-stop:
Google processes over 3.5 billion searches per day, which translates to over 1.2 trillion searches per year globally.
The benefits of SEO go beyond just increasing traffic to your website. By ranking higher on search engine results pages, you also build credibility and authority in your industry. A higher ranking can also lead to more backlinks to your website, which can further boost your authority and drive even more traffic to your site. Ultimately, a well-optimized website can lead to increased brand awareness, higher conversion rates, and more revenue for your business-all good things that we want, right? Right!
Understanding Keywords and How to Use Them
Ah, keywords. The backbone of SEO, and the key to unlocking the elusive first page of Google search results. Keywords are the words and phrases that people use to look for information on search engines like Google. To get the most out of your SEO efforts, you need to identify the right keywords for your business and optimize your website for those keywords. But let's be real, figuring out which keywords to use can feel like a guessing game. Not to worry though-we’ve got a plan of action.
The first step in using keywords is to conduct keyword research to find the most relevant and high-traffic keywords for your business. Keyword research involves using tools to analyze and find the most popular keywords used by your target audience. Once you have identified the best keywords, you can use them throughout your website's content, including in your website copy, page titles, meta descriptions, and image alt tags.
A word of warning: Using keywords on your website is not just about stuffing them into your content as many times as possible. That can spell disaster and actually work AGAINST you in the eyes of the Google Gods. It's about using them strategically and naturally to provide value to your audience while also signaling to search engines what your website is about. Remember to use keywords in a way that makes sense and flows naturally within your content. By doing this, you'll be more likely to rank higher in search results and be well on your way to more high-quality traffic.
Creating High-Quality Content
Creating standout content is key to dominating search engine rankings. High-quality content builds trust with your audience, establishes your authority, and encourages other websites to link back to you. When you’re crafting content for your website or quarterly marketing calendar, make sure it's well-researched, engaging, and most importantly: super valuable to your readers. Use language that speaks to your target audience and aligns with your brand's message. The biggest thing you can do to improve your business TODAY is to take a dive into creating consistently amazing content.
When optimizing your content for SEO, it's important to strike the right balance between using keywords and providing valuable content to your audience. This means including relevant keywords in your headings, subheadings, and body text while also creating high-quality content that answers their questions and provides solutions. Remember, avoid the pull of throwing in all the keywords you can think of in there: no keyword stuffing! That’ s a big no-no.
Off-page optimization
Off-page optimization is a critical component of a successful SEO strategy. It mainly involves improving your website's authority and credibility through external links and social media.
Building backlinks to your website is an effective way to improve your off-page optimization. But another word to the wise: there are ethical and UNethical ways to do this. Stick to the high road and your site will be rewarded.
Some main ways to do this are through guest blogging and by having other businesses link to you where it makes sense.
Social media can be a boost here to and helps to promote your content and build more links from friends. By creating shareable content that resonates with your audience and engaging with them on social media platforms, you can build a strong online presence and attract more traffic to your website-night and day-through good backlinks and shares.
Local SEO
Local SEO is like a magic wand for businesses that want to dominate their local market. We all want to be on page one right? Landing first in search is like having a spotlight on your business, making it so easy for your customers to find you when they're searching for businesses like yours online. To optimize your website for local search queries, you need to focus on location-specific keywords, such as city names, and make sure that your address and phone number are prominently displayed on your website-a contact page or a footer is great for this!
The first step in local SEO is claiming and optimizing your Google My Business listing. This free tool from Google allows you to create a profile that shows up in Google Maps and search results. You can add important information such as your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and even photos of your business. Make sure that your listing is accurate and up-to-date, as this can impact your visibility in search results. I know it’s ONE MORE THING to keep updated, but it really does help. Google loves it’s own products-no surprise there.
But that's not all – building local citations is another key aspect of local SEO. Local citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites, like directories, review sites, and local blogs. The more high-quality citations you have, the more likely you are to rank higher in local search results. Make sure you’re listed in all the relevant and complimentary local publications.
And last but not least, don't forget about customer reviews! Getting reviews from your customers can significantly boost your local SEO efforts. Reviews can build credibility and trust with potential customers, and they can also impact your rankings in local search results. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business profile, in ADDITION to giving you feedback directly to use on your site. Sure, you might get some duds on that public profile-but we all have them and responding to them-both good and bad-shows even more credibility and your commitment to your clients. Win-win.
DIY vs hiring a professional
When it comes to SEO, it can be tempting to try to do it all yourself. However, keep in mind that SEO is not a one-and-done task. It requires ongoing effort and strategy to stay competitive in search rankings. While DIY SEO can save you money, it can also be time-consuming and frustrating if you're not seeing results-and spoiler alert: it takes TIME, which many of us don’t want to hear.
On the other hand, hiring a professional can give you peace of mind knowing that your website is being optimized by experts. A professional can take a comprehensive approach to your SEO strategy and help you stay ahead of the curve with the latest techniques and updates. Plus, it frees up your time to focus on other aspects of your business-something we’re always preaching here at ALC.
At Anchorlight Creative, we understand the importance of SEO for your website and overall online presence. Our website design and branding services include SEO optimization to ensure that your website is search engine-friendly and easy to find for your target audience. We also offer SEO audits and implementation services to help you improve your existing website's search rankings. Let us take care of your website's SEO so you can get the results you need with minimal effort.
What’s Next?
Mastering SEO can feel like a daunting task, but it's 100% essential for your online success. With the right strategies and tools, you can boost your website's visibility, attract more customers, and grow your business. So whether you're a DIY enthusiast or prefer to leave it to the pros, remember the importance of conducting keyword research, creating high-quality content, and optimizing your off-page and local SEO-let our handy guide help you get going!
And if you're ready to take your website to the next level, don't hesitate to reach out for professional help. At Anchorlight Creative, we're passionate about crafting beautiful, high-performing websites that are optimized for search engines.
Our expert team can help you with everything from SEO audits to full website design and branding services. Let us be your partner in success. Contact us today or take the next steps and schedule a free chat and see how we can help you reach your online goals!
