SEO or Search Engine Optimization is no longer just about keyword search. The reality is that the internet has gotten much more complicated and the algorithms that google search used last year was changed over 600 times to adjust it to fix workarounds that programmers used to beat the system. This means that there are even more rules as to how a keyword search is handled and the algorithm they use includes many other elements than just how your website pages perform. Here are a few elements to SEO today:
- Page Quality. Does your website contain the keywords that lead the reader to your page? And is the page relevant enough to keep readers on that page for that search? Or does the reader leave the page and go back to search for a more relevant solution? If so, your page is dinged and will not likely get that search again.
- Social Media pages. Social media adds a timely element to the search in that the posts are typically recent and therefore, more relevant than content that has sat on a website page that has not be edited in years. That is why sometimes social media pages of companies rank higher than their website pages. Use your social media to enhance your SEO.
- Sitemap. If your website has a sitemap, and more importantly, multiple pages for your content to be better ranked, your website will perform better and due to the number of pages that you can use to improve different keyword results, you have a better opportunity to optimize your pages for different keywords and do better in search for each page.
- Email Marketing. By using this tool to bring more people to your website on a regular basis, your website traffic will support that your website is relevant today. Also you can use Email Marketing to draw traffic to other pages of your website and show that your website is being used and is relevant to your target market. That traffic brings more credibility to your page.
- Newsfeeds like making your blog integrated into your website allows you to keyword tag and categorize different topics right there on your website. Not only can you invite website visitors to your blog to subscribe to your newsfeed, but you can also add other’s newsfeeds to your content, which can help your website become relevant for different content.
- Ranking (where you come up in search) is dependent on all the elements shown in the image above. However your Organic search ranking can be enhanced by using paid advertising to get more new visitors to your website content that is relevant to that keyword search. Once your website has quality pages, you can run Pay Per Click or Impressions ads to bring more people to those pages that have the keywords and relevant content on them. That will increase your ranking for that keyword. Online Pay Per Click (PPC ads) are always less expensive if you have already used steps 1-5 to help your SEO. Remember your paid keyword ads will cost more if you do not have quality pages or content that others come to the page to read.
- Link Building. Whether you are building an email list or adding a resource that visitors to your website can use to get more information more quickly, your website should be a resource that visitors find helpful if you want them to think well of your company and come back. So make sure you provide resources with links to helpful content.
For more information on improving your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) or improving your website performance, contact Tailor-Made Advertising to review and improve your efforts. Liz Harsch has been helping business owners maximize their marketing budget since 1988. For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com. Liz Harsch is a valued Marketing speaker and trainer for SCORE, SBDC, Constant Contact, Chambers of Commerce and Small Business Groups on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call us at 310-791-6300.
