We’ve all been brain-boggled at some point by just how deep and technical the SEO rabbit-hole can go…
So here we’ve created a summary of simplified SEO terms and applications for established small businesses to up their digital presence game - presented in alphabetical order for clarity:
Algorithms Updates:
Stay informed about major search engine algorithm updates, as they can significantly impact your website's rankings. Be prepared to adapt your strategy accordingly. However, Google has released around 30 all on its own this year alone, so follow the gurus to know which are the most important!
Analytics and Monitoring:
Using tools like Google Analytics to track your website's performance is not as scary as it sounds! You may need a little bit of (Google) guidance on how to attach your Google Analytics Tag to your website, but most things are intuitive these days and will do the heavy lifting(coding) for you!
Monitor your organic search traffic, keyword rankings, and user behaviour to identify areas for improvement and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly.
Backlinks (Link building):
Backlinks are links from one web page to another. When a webpage links to another, it's referencing the linked page. Backlinks are a really important factor in SEO because search engines like Google consider them as a vote of confidence and trust in what you're talking about. Make sure you place them naturally in relevant places in your text and blogs and remember that quality is better than quantity!
Also, you can reach out to other people in your industry, networks, etc. and ask them to contribute guest blogs or shareable content which will be good for you and for them!
Competitor Analysis:
Analysing your competitors' SEO strategies can provide insights and help you identify opportunities to improve your own SEO efforts. There are many sites that will help you do this. UberSuggest and Semrush are two well-respected sites that assist with competitor analysis, for UK as well!
Content Promotion:
In addition to creating high-quality content, actively promote it through social media, email marketing, and other channels to increase its visibility and attract organic backlinks.
Content Updates:
Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and relevant. We suggest having a read through and updating blogs, etc. at least every 6 weeks! (A good outsourcing job!) Outdated content can negatively impact your rankings. Adding to your blog section regularly will do wonders for your SEO over time!
Keywords:
Search engines use keywords to understand what your website is about. Start by researching and identifying relevant keywords that people might use when searching for gardening information. These can be phrases like "how to grow roses" or "best gardening tools." We love UberSuggest and AnswerthePublic by Neil Patel's company. They've gone out of their way to make SEO, keyword research, etc. accessible to the 'average Jo'. Thanks, Neil!
Local Citations:
If you trade locally, it's vital that you make sure your physical location, as well as consistent and accurate business information (name, address, phone number) is present and updated across online directories and platforms! This is SUPER important for local SEO and will be really valuable for people looking for your expertise in their area!
Local SEO:
If your business or website targets a specific geographical area, implementing local SEO includes optimising for location-based keywords and ensuring your business is listed accurately in online directories such as Google for Business, Bing Business and local Chambers of Commerce, Business Networking Groups, etc.!
Long-tail Keywords:
Long-tail keywords are specific and detailed search phrases that users enter into search engines when they are looking for very particular information, products, or services. Unlike short and generic keywords, long-tail keywords are longer, and more descriptive. They typically consist of three or more words and are tailored to address specific user intent or queries. Long-tail keywords are valuable for website optimisation and content creation because they attract highly targeted organic search traffic, and help businesses connect with an audience that is more likely to convert into customers (coz they show that you know the user's needs!).
Meta Tags:
Meta tags provide information about your website to search engines...a bit like Alt Text for robots... The most important ones are the meta title and meta description. If you built your own website on a well-developed platform, like Wix ;-), there should be excellent guides that will walk you through where and how to add meta tags to your site. Don't forget your pictures! Craft compelling and concise meta tags that include relevant keywords and entice users to click on your website in the search results.
Mobile-First Indexing:
Make sure your website set up works well on mobile too! Most website development platforms say that their templates do this automatically, but do check (!)as Google primarily uses the mobile version of websites for indexing and ranking.
Mobile-Friendly Design:
Similarly, with the majority of searches now happening on people's phones, it's crucial to have a website that is mobile-friendly and responsive. Search engines prioritise mobile-friendly sites, so make sure your website looks and functions well on smartphones and tablets.
On-page Optimisation:
Once you have your keywords, you need to optimise your website's pages accordingly. Include your chosen keywords in page titles, headings, and throughout the content - naturally. However, avoid 'overstuffing' keywords, as it can harm your rankings. 🤪
Quality Content:
Create high-quality, engaging content that gives value to your visitors. Write informative articles, blog posts, or guides related to your core topics and, where necessary, link your sources to other sites. Likewise, by building authority and attention, others may start linking their websites and information to yours, which boosts your SEO.
Schema Markup:
While schema markup itself is not a direct ranking factor, it can indirectly improve your website's SEO by providing search engines with more context about your content. This can lead to higher visibility and more targeted traffic. Maybe leave this one to the Developers! (I do!)
Security (HTTPS):
Ensure that your website is secure by using HTTPS - having a valid SSL certificate! Google gives preference to secure websites in search rankings. Also, a lot of anti-virus and firewall software will direct users away from sites without!
Sitemaps:
Did you know that you can create and submit a sitemap to search engines to help them crawl and index your website more efficiently?? It really helps with SEO and is relatively straightforward with a guide (ta-da!). Otherwise, mention it to your website development person and see if they made it happen already!
Social Media:
Utilise social media platforms to promote your content and engage with your audience. Sharing your articles and interacting with users can increase your website's visibility and attract more visitors - just make sure it all works!
Technical SEO:
Technical SEO involves optimising technical aspects of your website, such as crawlability, site speed, and structured data, to improve search engine rankings.
Yep! You may want leave this to your Techy Website Dev Team too...but there are tools online that will guide you through how to speed up your site... if you're brave enough!
User Experience (UX):
A positive user experience is crucial for SEO. Ensure that your website is user-friendly, loads quickly, and is easy to navigate. Google considers factors like bounce rate and time spent on a page as indicators of user satisfaction.
Voice Search Optimization:
As voice search becomes more prevalent, optimising your text sections for voice queries and long-tail keywords is increasingly important.
Website Structure:
Ensure your website has a clear and logical structure and don't bulk it up with unnecessary clutter! Organise your content into categories and use a user-friendly navigation menu. This helps search engines understand your site's hierarchy and makes it easier for users to find what they're looking for.
Let us know if this has helped!
Something missing?
Please reach out and let us know so that we can update this break down for others!
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