There is no doubt this is a tough time for UK businesses which is why – whether you are
Maurice’s Pet Shop, or a global tech business - having an up-to-date,
Google-grabbing website is essential for attracting new business and raising
all important revenue. But in these bleak business times is your website
working hard enough?
With peoples’
attention spans shorter than a gnat’s whisker it is no good appearing on page
four of Google’s search results, by then your buyer has opened the first two
links, spied what they want, bagged it and run.
To give your website
the edge on Google, it is important that each page is given the full SEO
(Search Engine Optimisation) treatment, which is basically making sure that Google
understands exactly what it is you do.
Here are 9
tips to make your website work harder for you:
1. Keywords - The first step to website wonderment is to identify
the relevant keywords for your business. This is relatively simple; all you
have to do is concentrate on the words that people type into a search engine to
find the services you offer.
For example, if you sell
fishing tackle, users might type in ‘fishing tackle’, ‘fishing rods’ or
‘fishing equipment.’ You also want to identify location-based keywords, as
people often type in what they are looking for, followed by the location. For
example, ‘fishing tackle High Wycombe’.
Much better than the
power of guesswork, however, is to employ some nifty tools to find relevant
keywords for you, such as, Google Analytics or the Google Adwords keywords
function.
2. Once you have identified
your relevant keywords try to use them in your website domain name. For example,
calling your website www.billybass.co.uk doesn’t include information
about what you do, where as ‘billsfishingtackleinwycombe.co.uk’ does.
3. As well as including a
selection of carefully chosen keywords in your META description - the short description
of your business below your Google listing - also use your
keywords in each of your page URLs. For example: www.billsfishingtackle.co.uk/fly-fishing-tackle
4. Another way to improve
your ranking is to make sure you include your main keyword in your page headings
and subheading tags.
5. Pepper your keywords throughout the text on all of your
web pages. You shouldn't over stuff your content with keywords as it will read oddly;
instead use them in the natural flow of the text. Also underline or bold keywords
where you mention them to reinforce what your site is about.
6. If you link to another page on your site, use your keywords in the link as this will help improve your site ranking too. For example, if on page one you are talking about fishing rods and you mention fishing bait, you may want to include a link to another page selling fishing bait. Never use ‘click here’ to take your reader to another page, instead make the keyword the link. For example: ‘find out more about fishing bait’
7. Meaningful, well-written
content is a must for a successful website. Google prioritises sites with
quality, authoritative content about a subject, so although it may take time
(or a little investment if you hire a professional copywriter to do it) it will boost
your website ranking.
9.
As soon as you have completed your site, submit it
to Google. Don’t expect things to happen overnight, it can take several weeks for Google to index a new site. In
the meantime, work on making some worthwhile back-links from other quality sites that operate in your field.
These are just the basics and
there are several more techniques you can use to improve your Google ranking.
If you’re launching, or already have an
online business, it is important to make sure your website has the right ingredients Google loves, this may take a little time but the reward of fresh, hungry custom will be well worth it.
For more free friendly advice, pop over to www.melissablamey.com or reach me on Twitter @melissa blamey
Stay Classy San Diego.
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