Are you a business owner looking to improve your website traffic so that you are able to grow your company? Our team can help. We work with business owners to create an SEO strategy that allows for them to enhance the user experience on the business website while also dominating local Google searches. We do this by targeting the most important search terms and keyword phrases in your industry and applying these to each web page within your site.
Read below to learn about the 5 SEO mistakes your business is making according to Forbes:
SEO Mistake #1: Lack Of Clear Goals
Just like with any other business activity, you need clear goals for SEO. However, small businesses can fall into the trap of thinking that simply doing any SEO at all will be enough to improve their results. After all, more SEO equals more traffic, which equals more revenue, right? Well, actually, it’s not always that simple.
In order for SEO to actually improve your small business, you need clear goals in mind. Do you want to increase the quality of leads, the number of subscribers or the total revenue? Each outcome will require a different strategy. For instance, let’s say you want to increase the quality of leads (defined as people who are more likely to purchase your flagship product). Well, if you end up driving 10,000 additional visitors per month but they aren’t qualified, then it doesn’t bring you any closer to your goal. You’re left with vanity metrics—and these empty stats don’t pay the bills.
SEO Mistake #2: Ignoring The Long-Tail Keyword
One of the biggest mistakes that small businesses make with their SEO is avoiding the long tail. To clarify, the opposite of a long-tail keyword is a short-tail keyword, which will have tons of search traffic—for example, the keyword “manicures.” A long-tail keyword, on the other hand, might be “all-natural animal-product-free manicures near me.” See the difference? One is very vague, while the other is incredibly specific. The mistake is to assume that you only want to target the higher volume keywords thinking that they’ll bring you legions of great traffic.
In reality, the shorter and more general the keyword, the more difficult (expensive and time-consuming) it will be to pull traffic from it. As a small business, you want to niche down and focus on specific keywords that you can compete on without trying to win a race against a Fortune 500 company.
SEO Mistake #3: Ignoring Mobile Traffic
One of the deadliest mistakes a small business can make is to ignore mobile traffic in favor of desktop traffic.
If you have a B2B company, watch out. You could be lulled into thinking that your prospects browse the web exclusively from their high-powered laptops or workstation PCs. But the reality of modern times is that 58% of traffic comes from mobile devices. Your prospects are statistically more likely to pull up your website to research you on their phone during their lunch break or in their Uber, as they are to do it from a computer.
This means your website needs to be mobile-friendly and responsive. It should display professionally and be functional on every screen size imaginable. The last thing you want is to miss out on a sale just because your site wasn’t up to mobile standards.
SEO Mistake #4: Using Old-School Tactics
It’s so tempting to think that SEO is easy, especially when you hear of outdated tactics that sound effective on the surface. For instance, the act of “keyword stuffing” is a tactic that can be alluring. You simply insert your keyword as many times as possible in your content, in the hopes that Google views your page as the most relevant one for that search query.
Another related tactic is keyword cloaking—placing instances of your keyword in tiny fonts, or fonts with the same color as the background, to fill your content with the target keyword without giving off a spammy vibe to your visitors. The problem with these tactics, like many of their outdated cousins, is that Google caught on a long time ago.
These tricks simply don’t work anymore. And that’s a good thing—it means that small businesses that focus on what their users actually want will eventually win.
SEO Mistake #5: Thinking All Content Must Be Text
SEO means writing a bunch of blog posts, right? Well, yes and no. Written content is excellent—it’s easy for Google to understand the nature of what your website is about. That way, your small-business site can rank higher over time.
However, engagement is also a factor in SEO. Google considers “dwell time” (the amount of time a user spends on your site before clicking away) to be representative of the value of your page compared to others. This means you need to appeal to different preferences for content—video, audio and images, for instance. And don’t just use static content. Use dynamic, interactive content like quizzes and check boxes.
With today’s web technology, you can easily make your site more interesting than the competition by utilizing free tools and plug-ins. After all, your goal isn’t just to generate traffic. You want your visitors to stay around, engage with your site and ultimately become loyal customers or fans.
Work with our team to put an end to these 5 SEO mistakes your business is making.
SEO Marketing For Businesses in Houston, TX
Your website is more than an extension of your business, it is often your first chance to make a lasting impression on potential customers. Our team helps you to optimize your website so that you do not fall behind your competitors. As the gap increases between the amount of effort your competition puts into their online marketing and how little work you put into your website, the more difficult it will become to engage with customers online.
The Houston Small Business Marketing team works hard to help your business stay relevant in this online-focused world by tracking the latest strategies in online marketing for businesses. If you are tired of giving away potential customers to your competition, we can help you.
We dedicate ourselves to working closely with business owners to come up with a marketing plan that helps them succeed. We provide each customer with a free consultation for your website and social media to let you know how you can improve your ranking and reach your goals.
Houston Small Business Marketing
713-492-0025
1415 North Loop West #950
Houston, TX 77008
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When small and medium-sized businesses embark on their journey to establish an online presence, they often place a high priority on finding cost-effective ways to attract customers through internet marketing. This involves a mix of various online strategies, such as local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Maps marketing, pay-per-click (PPC) management, reputation management, content marketing, social media marketing, and web design. However, the implementation of these strategies can be both expensive and time-consuming. Small and medium-sized businesses frequently grapple with common challenges, including cash flow problems, the need for significant capital expenditures, and a lack of in-depth knowledge in the field of internet marketing. These challenges are part of their daily operations. For these businesses, finding a viable and affordable alternative for internet marketing in the specific locale of Houston can be quite challenging. This is where Houston Small Business Marketing steps in. As a company specializing in internet marketing services tailored for small and medium-sized businesses in the Houston area, we offer solutions to help mitigate the costs associated with online marketing. Our primary focus is on assisting smaller businesses in Houston, and we excel at collaborating closely with them to develop customized internet marketing strategies. By partnering with us, you can benefit from reduced costs for your Houston-based internet marketing efforts. If you are seeking personalized strategies to enhance your online presence and attract more customers in the Houston area, do not hesitate to get in touch with our office. We are here to help you achieve your internet marketing goals affordably and effectively.
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Whether you aim to increase website traffic, enable clients to book appointments through an online portal, improve local search result rankings, or enhance your social media presence, we have the solutions you need. At Houston Small Business Marketing, we understand that a robust marketing plan begins with a well-designed and mobile-responsive website that attracts customers. The design of your website also significantly influences SEO and overall online ranking. We can assess your website to identify factors that may hinder higher online rankings. A poorly designed website can discourage potential customers and hinder your online visibility. When you collaborate with our meticulous web developers, you can be sure your website makes a strong first impression online. For businesses in competitive industries, focusing on online visibility can provide solutions for success. Developing a successful and enduring brand requires various elements, but without visibility, building a customer base becomes a challenge. Online marketing enhances your businesses visibility, connecting you with real-world customers who genuinely need the services your brand offers. Online marketing allows you to target a specific audience with the intent of engaging with a business in your industry. At Houston Small Business Marketing, we work with your brand to showcase your services and highlight what makes your company unique compared to competitors. A broad spectrum of businesses can benefit from our services, whether you are a service-based company, a top attorney at a legal firm, or a medical group looking to attract more patients. Our online marketing services are designed to help your business achieve its goals. If you are eager to expand your business, our team can create a customized digital strategy that aligns with your specific requirements. Whether you want to dominate local areas on Google Maps, generate more appointments through your website, or gain an edge over your online competitors, we have the expertise to assist you. Houston Small Business Marketing employs digital marketing specialists with hands-on experience in online marketing, including those who have launched their own businesses. This means we can develop a Houston internet marketing plan tailored to your specific industry and needs.
In the realm of local SEO, businesses can pursue a variety of objectives that significantly shape their strategic approach. Among the primary aims for many businesses is the quest to enhance their visibility, a feat often achieved by optimizing their Google Map Listing. The importance of achieving high visibility on Google Map Listings in local search and business directories cannot be overstated, as it translates to more direct customer contact and increased foot traffic, complementing the benefits of website visits. Our dedicated team collaborates closely with your company to facilitate your inclusion in the coveted Google local pack or 3-pack. This refers to the first three business listings that prominently feature within the Google Map section when users search for businesses in their vicinity. Local businesses, upon securing a spot in this select group, experience a surge in website traffic, heightened phone inquiries, and a substantial increase in the conversion rate, effectively turning online users into real-world customers. To paint a comprehensive picture, it is crucial to acknowledge that individuals employ various search engines when scouting for local businesses. Platforms like Google, Bing, Yelp, and Apple Maps come into play. To assemble the data required for local search results, search engines rely on a diverse range of signals. These include local blog content, social profile pages, internal links, and accurate and up-to-date citations. By incorporating these elements, search engines can provide users with the most pertinent and relevant local search results. If you are eager to delve deeper into the intricacies of Houston Local SEO, we invite you to reach out to our team today. We are here to demystify the world of local search optimization and help your business thrive in the digital landscape.
