In today’s digital economy, every business, big or small, needs to maximise their online presence in order to remain competitive. With around 95% of New Zealand’s population having access to the internet and the ability to search for products and services, search engine optimisation (SEO) is a must. Below are 5 quick tips to help you stand out in a competitive landscape.
Tip #1: Keywords and Content
It’s no secret that keywords play a crucial role in search engine optimisation, but how to use keywords successfully still challenges a number of businesses. The first key to success with keywords is to research which words and phrases are actually relevant for your business. You might be surprised to learn some of them! Ensure you write quality content that is easy for a reader to understand, but that also contains the keywords you have identified wherever possible. Make use of these words in all your content, but particularly in your headings. Don’t keyword stuff though – there’s nothing the search engines dislike more, and it makes it impossible for a visitor to read. Content is king in search engine optimisation, so make sure you are regularly updating it. A blog can help with this.
Tip #2: Title Tags and Meta Data
The title tags are the first place search engines look to see what your page is all about. Short, clear, keyword rich tags are vital for success. Your meta description, while not as important as the title tags, should also be keyword rich. Meta descriptions provide a concise summary of the page and show in search to the user, so make them enticing and engaging to encourage clicks. It’s important to make the most of every ‘tag’ opportunity to rank better in search - this includes ensuring the ‘alt tag’ for your images is also keyword rich, as well as the tags for every page.
Tip #3: Leverage Google Properties
Google offer several tools to help small businesses rank in search. Google Analytics and Google Search Console help you gain insights into your website’s performance and track visitor behaviour. Create a Google My Business listing and ensure it is up to date. You can also post to Google My Business in much the same way as social media. Having an active Google My Business account tells Google that you are an active online business and will help you to rank higher in search. A Google My Business account will also help you to show up in local search on Google Maps.
Tip #4: Keep the back end of your website tidy
Ensure you delete old pages, keep file sizes small and that the structure of your website makes it easy to quickly navigate to any page. Regularly monitor your website for broken links and optimise the size of your images. A healthy website, with a clear structure and fast loading speeds will perform better in search, as well as contributing to a positive user experience. Short but descriptive URL’s also help search engines to understand what is on your page.
Tip #5: Backlinks from quality websites
Backlinks are links from external websites that point to your website. They are an important ranking factor for search engines, indicating the credibility and authority of your website. You can easily obtain some free good quality backlinks by registering with Yellow & White Pages, Neighbourly and Yelp. Acquire additional high-quality backlinks from reputable and relevant sources within your industry. Consider a local press release or industry relevant press release. Avoid link-building practices that create low-quality or toxic backlinks as these can harm your SEO efforts.
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