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Search Engine Optimization—or SEO—is a term that may sound scary at first, but is simple when you break it down. It’s the process of optimizing your online content (website, blog, or otherwise) for search engine algorithms like Google’s. Search engine algorithms are what look at all the content on the web, and lay it out on the search engine results pages. This is where your business will get found, or be lost in the world of “second page and beyond.” Your business’s SEO efforts are what determines your SERP (search engine results page) ranking, and consequently, determines how “findable” you are online to your customers.
Still Confused?
Ever wondered why some websites seem to magically appear at the top of your search results? It's not magic – it's SEO! Basically, SEO is the process of tweaking your website, blog, and other online content so that Google, Bing, and other search engines will put you at the top of the search results page when customers start searching for various words and phrases that connect to your business.
BASIC SEO TERMS
SERP
Stands for Search Engine Results Page. The list of results that search engines formulate and present to the user after a search is made. Your SERP ranking is where your website/content appears on the list of results.
Backlink
When one webpage hyperlinks to another website; very popular in blogging and creative writing. The more backlinks your website gets, the better your SERP rank!
Keyword
A word or phrase that a consumer enters in search. Your website and content should be optimized to draw in the consumers who are searching for specific keywords, like “best hairdresser Texas”
Metadata
Data that tells the search engines what your web page/content is about. This helps the search engine algorithms know if your content is relevant to what the consumer is looking for.
WHY DOES SEO MATTER TO MY BUSINESS?
If you believe that these practices don't apply to your business, think again! Optimizing your website and blog content with the right keywords, metadata, and other SEO factors will be hugely beneficial to your business.
If you play your SEO cards right, your business can appear in search engine results when potential customers search for related topics to your services. If you’re a Texan hairdresser, SEO can ensure your visibility whether local Texans are searching for your website, “best hairdresser Texas,” or even “where should I get my hair cut?”!
Here are the four biggest reasons you should care about SEO, no matter what your business is:
1.) Traffic
If one person types in “best hairdresser in Texas” into Google, and your business is at the top, then they’re likely going to click on your name. But there isn’t just one person Googling that term—there are thousands. Each person who clicks on your name from Google is another boost to your website traffic and more potential business and sales for you! Hello SEO, hello more traffic, hello higher revenue!
2.) Offering helpful solutions for customers
Optimizing your content for specific keywords like “hairstyle tips” or “best hair for my face shape” means that when a customer goes to Google to find answers to their questions, they’ll find you. Creating a name for yourself in your industry as a helpful, informative brand will improve your reputation, and get more customers flocking your way!
3.) SEO makes marketing easier (and cheaper)
If a customer can find you at the top of Google by typing in “best hairdresser Dallas,” then why would you need to pay for ad space at the top of the page? SEO is what determines where your business appears on Google, so optimizing your content for the search engines just makes sense when it comes to where you spend your marketing bucks.
4.) Don’t give business to your competitors
Still not sure why you should use SEO? Well here’s a big one—if you don’t implement SEO tactics for your business, then it’s your competitors who will be found when local customers go looking. Someone has to be at the top page of Google, right? If you’re not employing SEO tactics for your business, then it will be your competitors who show up when your potential customer turns to Google for advice and answers.
Search Engine Optimization is important to consider when creating and publishing any kind of online content—whether it’s your business website, blog, or otherwise. The better your business gets at optimizing your content for SEO, the more likely you are to be seen online, and the more business you’ll get to your storefront!
Ready to maximize your SEO? Two17 is ready to get you connected! Contact us today!
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