Search Engine Optimization.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO), in a nutshell, is the act of getting your website to show up in the search engines when someone is looking for the services that your business provides. By having a strong, trustworthy website, your business earns the trust of Google. And when Google trusts your business, they reward you by putting your business at the top of the listings and ahead of the competing businesses. See Figure 1.
That’s important because when you’re at the top of the search engines, it means that your business is the one who gets the calls. SEO is a form of internet marketing that when done correctly, can have MASSIVE payoffs for your business. In comparison to Television, Radio, and other forms advertising, a good Sarasota SEO company can generate leads for your business for just pennies on the dollar. And what’s even better? You will always see a direct ROI of the money you spend because unlike other forms of marketing, SEO allows you to see, in real time, metrics like website traffic, conversions, call tracking reports, and much more. See Figure 2.
Clearly, if you’re a local business, SEO is becoming more and more important in this day and age. When it comes to Search Engine Optimization in Sarasota if you ain’t first you’re last. Meaning, 90% of people who use the internet don’t scroll past page 2 in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Page). And what’s more alarming is that over 80% of people start with a local online search to find local service providers (dentists, plumbers, pool cleaners, etc…).
So… That’s all great and dandy but if you’re anything like me, you’re probably thinking “so how the heck do you get your website to show up in the search engines?” 1) Citations
(Name Address and Phone Listings, aka NAP) If you wanna show up in the maps (local listings) you gotta have citations. A citation is anywhere online that your name, address, and phone number (NAP) of your business are listed. Without citations, you ain’t got trust. And if you ain’t got trust, you ain’t got calls. There are over 300 websites that you list your website on and each one is important. These are websites like Yelp, Facebook, Yellowpages, and much more. 2) Content
(Pictures, Amount of Words, Keywords, Key Phrases) As the old adage goes, content is king. And this is still true today. According to MOZ, an agency that helps keep track of SEO data for people like us, on page optimization accounts for roughly 27% of your rankings in the search engines. This includes things like keywords, how many pictures you have on your site, title tag optimization, and wayyyyyy more… but in a nutshell, Google likes them’ some good, relevant information. Think of it this way, you ever wonder why Wikipedia shows up for EVERYTHING? It’s because they have hella content. They have pictures, strong title tags, relevant meta-descriptions and a whole boatload of other goodies. Think of each of these things as the chocolate chips that Google can’t get enough of. 3) Backlinks
(Links From Other Websites That Link To Yours) Let me put it to you straight. Backlinks are the single most powerful influencer of how strong your website is and where it will show up in the search engines when someone is looking for the services you provide. Think of it as the flour in the cookie dough. You’re not gonna get very far with Grandma’s Recipe if you don’t have the flour. Same thing with backlinks. You gotta have other websites that link to yours. 4) Love and Diligence
Keeping up with your webpage helps quite a bit. Add content from time to time. Change the images from time to time. The search engines know when you make those changes, and they appreciate your appreciation. And all of that taks extra effort, work, love, and diligence. |
Find your customers in your area and where you want to grow your business, not halfway across the state or across the country.
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Make the phone ring with qualified customers. Don't be a national brand, or a logo, be a quality, profitable service provider.
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