Search Ranking Tips for Small Businesses
In keeping with the website optimization theme we’ve had this week, here’s Alex McArthur, Vice President of Search Strategies at OrangeSoda, with some simple yet effective tips to get your business ranking better in the search engines.
Search Ranking Tips for Small Businesses
Another energy drink breakfast after a late night of paper work. The new hire didn’t show up and you’ve got to put off an important meeting to run the store. Oh, and you can’t seem to get over how much you spent on your website that doesn’t generate business. Sound familiar? With all of the things that must be juggled to keep a business profitable you deserve some free advice that will help out your online marketing campaign. We’ve put together a few simple tips to help out any small business with search marketing.
1) Revisit Keywords
So a few years ago when online advertising was getting big you learned about the whole keyword thing, setup your paid search campaign and crammed all your focus keywords on to your homepage. You’re done with keywords, right? The truth is that you should review them often. Trends change and search is continually evolving. For a small business it’s important to review keywords at least monthly with the Google’s keyword tool or another keyword tool of your choice. It’s vital that you know what people are looking for online in regards to your industry.
2) Get in the 10-Pack
No, I’m not advising the consumption of alcohol on the job. The 10-pack is how many refer to Google Maps listings that show up in the normal Google Results (see image below). If you run a business that has a storefront this is the first place to promote your business online. Local search has some of the highest converting traffic and could get your phone ringing in no time.
3) Revisit your dying blog
I know. It’s hard to keep up with your blog. The only way to make your blog successful is to put thought into it and stick to routine. Here are a few blogging tips that will provide the most search engine value:
a) Write good, compelling copy and publish it on your blog. Don’t forget to include a clear call to action.
b) Cross link any related content you mention in your post that may reside on another page of your site. Make sure to use keywords in your anchor text, not “click here” or “read more”.
c) Promote your post through social media (facebook, relevant industry news sites, etc.)
d) Research a new topic for you next post based off of your keyword research or hot industry news. And schedule a time to write it on your calendar.
About Alex McArthur
Alex McArthur is the Vice President of Search Strategies at OrangeSoda, an online marketing company that serves small businesses. OrangeSoda is a leading Internet Marketing company specializing in SEO and pay per click management.
Photo Credit: dullhunk
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