When it comes to running a small business, visibility and brand awareness are critical components to your success. Working with an experienced SEO firm can help you to reach your goals and grow your business organically. Our team not only helps you with the initial design of your website, but also with maintenance and your overall online presence. We are a comprehensive online marketing firm with services targeted to your specific needs. Below is an article from Forbes that highlights the importance of SEO for your small business:
Business owners are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of the internet and using search engine optimization (SEO) to increase revenue for their business. Climbing to the top of Google’s search engine is something almost every business owner should want since it can exponentially increase revenue.
Have you ever been frustrated with your competitors showing up higher on search? Ever wondered what your business can do to get more customers? If so then, make sure to keep reading this article since it will cover all you need to know about small business SEO, the emerging trends in 2021, and how local and online businesses can improve their rankings on Google.
What Is SEO And Why Do I Need to Know About it?
Search engine optimization is the process of improving your online presence in a manner that can grant more exposure, increased user traffic, and better-qualified clients. To help you understand more about this topic and improve your business’s SEO, we have compiled thoughts from three search engine optimization experts.
SEO Is Different For Online and Offline Businesses
When people with offline businesses hear about SEO, they might immediately think, “why do I even need to worry about my presence on search engines?” Although this train of thought may seem logical, those with local businesses such as dentists, mechanics, and so on can benefit significantly from some basic knowledge of SEO.
However, you will not be using the same strategies as those with online businesses if your business depends on local customers. An online e-commerce business will have a much different focus and strategy than a dentist looking for customers within a 30-mile radius.
Clayton Johnson, an SEO expert from The HOTH, asserts further, saying that “For example, if you are a construction company, you’ll want to make a separate page on your website for Chicago kitchen remodeling, Chicago bathroom remodeling, Chicago roofing repair, etc.”
SEO Is Not Just for Google
If you want to get into SEO, you don’t need to focus on Google. Amazon, Reddit, Yahoo, YouTube, Bing, and others all have standards for SEO and require different strategies. Keep in mind that you may need to optimize your business on multiple platforms.
SEO Has Been Evolving in 2021: New Trends to Consider
SEO is constantly changing, and the top experts are on the pulse to see what is fact or fiction and provide evergreen advice that any entrepreneur can implement today.
More Prominent Sites Get More Views
One thing that continues to remain constant with Google is that they give preference to sites with more rapport. Typically, this is built with time, building backlinks, and the amount of content that you have. Matt Diggity from Diggity Marketing explains it perfectly by saying that “Google is continuing to reward the biggest sites on the internet (in terms of age, content, and backlinks) and is often leaving smaller sites with much better content on page two or worse.” To succeed in SEO, you need to be excelling in all of these areas and doing it with solid consistency.
Core Web Vitals: Recently, Google started giving preference to sites that load faster. As Tim Soulo from Ahrefs concludes, “there has been a lot of attention to Google’s “Page experience” update and the so-called Core Web Vitals. In other words, Google wants to serve people pages with good usability, that load fast and look great on mobile.” Diggity agrees, saying that “when you make life easy for Google, they make life easy for you. Google wants to recommend fast websites to its users, so make your website fast.”
Upgrades For Search Intentions: Google is also starting to improve on determining what the searcher’s intention is and what kind of content will best answer their questions. As Johnson states: “The best way to understand how to rank for a keyword is to search it in Google and take note of what TYPES of content are coming up – are they sales pages? In-depth guides? Best-of lists? You’ll want to make sure you understand the search intent of the keywords you’re trying to rank for and model your content after what’s ranking in Google.”
Localization Is Improving: Google usually has access to your exact location. Accordingly, they are getting better at giving search results that are most relevant for your area. Clayton Johnson explains it further, saying that “if you search just “sushi” you won’t get the best sushi spots in the US. You’ll likely get the best sushi spots in your city… That brings a big opportunity for local businesses to really optimize their website by including their location in the title tags and content of the site.”
Imagine that you have a sushi restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts. Johnson might recommend that you put tags such as “sushi restaurant in Boston,” “best sushi restaurants in Boston,” and so on, on various locations in your site such as the title tags and the blogs.
Improving SEO As An Online Business
When building an online business, such as an e-commerce site or affiliate site, there is a recipe for success that experts would advise you to follow. For starters, Soulo recommends that you “Do a thorough competitor research. This will help you understand which pages of your competitors are bringing them the most search traffic and which pages of your competitors are attracting links from other websites in your industry.”
Furthermore, Soulo advises you to take things even further and to “do an SEO site audit. There are plenty of online tools which will scan your website for hundreds of common SEO issues and will give you actionable recommendations in regards to fixing them.
The process of putting keywords to use on your website is typically done through blogs. As said by Johnson, “investing in blog content is huge. There are thousands of keywords apart from what you actually sell that can help you attract your target customer, and blog content can not only help you rank for these keywords but also convey your expertise and authority, pushing your visitors down the sales funnel.”
Finally, Diggity reminds us of the importance of backlinks. “Google’s algorithm is founded on the concept of backlinks. It’s no surprise that the websites with the most SEO exposure have an incredible amount of backlinks. Don’t ignore this foundational step to the SEO process.”
In summary, experts advise online businesses to do keyword research, competitor research, investing in regular blog content, improving site speed, and generating backlinks.
SEO Marketing in Houston, TX
If you are not making efforts to optimize your website, you are falling behind because your competitors already have begun implementing SEO design strategies to their websites. As the gap grows between how much 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.
Houston Small Business Marketing
713-492-0025
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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.
