When it comes to finding your products and services online, through a Google search, the quicker and easier it is for your customers to locate you, the better results you’ll inevitably see. Most people searching online for something won’t look beyond the first few results – and they’re highly unlikely to search past the first page.
For this reason, you’ve got to work hard and smart to make your way to the top of those search results. Not only that, but organic searches are totally free, costing you zero advertising dollars, so you want to make the most of this free opportunity. Here are just a few of the ways you can help optimize your organic search results using SEO, and get yourself listed higher.
Optimizing your keywords
You should be using the right keywords in the right proportions to trigger better search engine results for yourself. Keyword research is your first step towards figuring out exactly what words are going to provide the best results. Customers may be searching for your product using words that you aren’t generally using to describe it. What you ideally want to find are those keywords and phrases that have high levels of searches, but less competition.
Chances are, if you’re adding ‘t-shirts’ or ‘band t-shirts’ to your keywords, there will be plenty of competition out there and you won’t have a chance at ranking at the top of the results. But, if you identify the exact keywords your customers are likely to use, like ‘vintage Nirvana t-shirts,’ suddenly you’ve got a phrase that is specific enough to differentiate your product and make it easier for customers to find you. Integrating your keywords throughout your content is essential, and the expert writers found through Australian Reviewer are experienced in this type of content writing.
On-page SEO optimization
It’s important to strategically inject these keywords and phrases throughout your site, in a number of different locations. There may be some places you didn’t think had an impact on SEO, such as image file names, the page title, meta descriptions and URLs.
Sometimes these components are overlooked because they don’t visibly appear on a page, like the content itself. But search engines see everything, and adding these to anywhere possible will definitely help boost your rankings and your organic search results. As an expert on the topic of SEO, Neil Patel has written at length about this topic, detailing the many nuances and intricacies involved.
Integrating social media
It’s been shown that a strong and active social media presence has a direct impact on search engine rankings. You’ll help build your brand awareness, while creating more inbound links to your site and connecting with prospective customers. Social media outlets also make it easier for your followers to share information you’re giving them, drawing in more customers and broadening your reach.
Optimizing yourself for mobile viewing
Mobile devices are becoming a more and more popular way to search the web and interact online. In fact, a recent study by StatCounter showed that mobile devices have surpassed desktop computers as the most popular way to access the internet.
Because of this growing trend, Google now gives a higher ranking to those websites who are designed to be mobile-friendly. But there’s more to optimizing than just fitting everything onto a smaller screen.
Fast load times are essential, because nearly ¾ of searchers will abandon a site if it doesn’t load within just five seconds. Abandonment means less visitors, which not only means less sales but also means a lower ranking.
The design of your overall site can also impact its reception by mobile viewers. Intrusive popups affect the ease at which a user can move through your site, ultimately lowering the time they spend on there and your organic search results. Flash is not mobile friendly, so instead you should be using HTML5 for any special effects elements.
Adding your local business information
For those business that have a physical location that customers can contact and visit, you should be sure to make all of the necessary information readily available. Name, address and phone number should appear on your website, but should also be listed in Google My Business.
When someone local searches for something related to what you offer, your location, contact information and available directions will appear for them.
Become a blogger
One thing that Google can’t get enough of is fresh, relevant content. Posting frequently to a blog shows that you are active and continually providing new content for your readers. And linking your blog to your page increases the external links moving into your website. It’s also much easier to add those long-tail keywords into your blog writing, rather than trying to fit them all into the content of your website.
But, you can just post any content and assume it’s good enough to boost your rankings. The content has to be relevant and engaging for your readers, so they will actually want to read it, click on the links to your site and return to read more at a later date.
It’s also got to be completely original content, because Google does not like to see duplicated content. Online writing services found through Revieweal can help you create original and engaging content, if you don’t have the time to do it yourself.
And, just because you want to add in the keywords you’ve found to be highly effective, doesn’t mean you should be stuffing your content with those keywords. Not only will it sound unnatural, but Google will red flag you for it.
Maximize the potential of your organic search results through the effective use of SEO. You’ll find yourself ranking higher, getting more clicks and as a result, more customers.