So, you want to be found on Google? Tips on optimisation
The internet has come a long way since it was first conceived in the early 90's. Indeed, its development has been stellar, through the driving and innovative momentum of key players such as Google, which is now the dominant web browser, with an estimated share of over 90% of searches worldwide.
Hand in hand with this, those on the web need to consider how to improve the chances of being found through SEO or Search Engine Optimisation which is all about optimising a website so it will rank higher on Search engine results pages (SERPS) and increase the chances of more visitor traffic and business development.
This article is all about how to get you started.
How to optimise your site?
Google needs to understand the value of your site, so it can then rank better versus competitor websites. So, it is common sense that you need to provide the information you believe your target market is seeking, and essentially Google is the gatekeeper in this endeavour.
This is where SEO comes into its own and the following tips should make logical sense
Your content has to be relevant, and helpful: your visitors need to appreciate what you have published and can learn from what has been written
It is important to keep this content up-to-date and fresh. Updating your content regularly will be recognised by Google positively
On each website page, you will have the opportunity to insert metadata, which, is hidden from the visitor, yet tells Google what the page is about.It is designed to help Google index the page correctly to accurately provide results on browser searches. This is where you can include keywords (words or short phrases visitors may use to find your type of services) and also within the web page, headings and subheadings.
Having links to your site from other websites is good, as Google will see this worthy of being noted. The better the credibility of the source site the better according to Google.
Use of Alt tags: Google recognises where websites have made efforts to enhance the user experience. A great example is describing images through Alt text functionality, as it helps Google understand. And it helps visitors who use screen readers (because of impaired vision) or text-only browsers
Is SEO Difficult?
It is possible for the smaller business to do this all yourself. Yet if you are believers in ‘sticking to the knitting’ and focusing on your business, there are plenty of specialists out there. And if you need any advice, just get in contact with Itseeze Watford, and we can advise.
How does Google work?
You may have heard of the Google Algorithm. It analyses your site, records it, and rates it by page.
Technically, the terminology used is referred to as ‘crawling’ and understanding what the content is all about on each page. It then ranks using an extensive range of factors, which are designed to help the visitor.
What does Crawling mean?
Whilst these ‘crawlers’, affectionately known as ‘Google bots’, are highly sophisticated and can read text, they cannot interpret images as you and I would when we are browsing.
So, they need a bit of help from the website owner. This is where the ‘alt text’ becomes important. This is where one can add a helpful short description of the images. Google loves this and stores the relevant information as part of the indexing process for future use.
An explanation of indexing
Essentially this is the equivalent of the local library, where all web pages that have been ever crawled are stored and can be accessed (as long the website URL address is live).
Delving deeper, the indexing is not only recording the content, but also the titles/headings, subheadings, links, and tags.
Just as in a library, all the information is organised, to sponsor quick results following visitor searches.
Ranking
When a page is crawled and indexed, Google assesses the page’s authority, usefulness to potential visitors, and lots of other ranking factors (estimated at over 200). These are employed to produce the SERPS following searches.
The highly regarded factors are (all designed to fully satisfy the visitor experience):
Auto reconfiguration on smartphones and other mobile devices
Great quality and relevant content
Backlinks – links from other reputable websites
Website loading speed – desktop and mobile
Keyword optimisation – using words or phrases which visitors might use in search, and written naturally
Website Structure – headings and navigation
DIY SEO
There are many SEO tools available. Here are the key ones Google supplies.
Google Keyword Planner
Google Search Console
Google Trends
Google Analytics: Understand how your site is performing
How to improve your position in the search engine results page- SERP’S
BLOG: An easy way to add fresh, authoritative content to your website, which Google will recognise and should reward by improving ranking over time
RESEARCH: always useful to use the freely available SEO tools, e.g researching keywords, with the objective of driving traffic
BACKLINKS: Reciprocal links are good practice and show Google that the site is trustworthy
COMPETITON: Be aware of what your closest competition is up to particular keyword rankings. A good source is Ubersuggest.
At the end of the day, patience is important. This is not a fast-moving process, but a strategy over the long term. You need to be in it for the long haul. As the experts do state, SEO is worth it!
You are helping people to find you
When you have increased the quantity and quality of traffic through organic search, you have to remember it is all free
Increasing your visibility through search results will result in more credible leads
Following these SEO tips and you’ll stand a great chance of improving your website for potential customers, improving your company’s local search listings, all helping to grow your business.
Want a professionally designed site with an easy-to-use editor system so you can manage your onsite SEO, then contact Itseeze Watford.
Tagged as: Local SEO
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