Build A Brand: SEO Guide for Local Businesses

What is S.E.O? What does it mean for local businesses?

Most of us know by now that S.E.O. stands for Search Engine Optimization, but not a lot of people know exactly what it means — including business owners. 

If you have a business or a product to provide for your customers, it’s common practice to have an online website. That’s why search results matter. We’re not referring to giant companies like Apple, Walmart, or Amazon. For small players like local boutiques, restaurants, and other mom and pop businesses, it matters a lot. You want to be on that first search results page or else your business gets lost in the internet shuffle. Because let’s be honest, how many times have you gone past the first page of a google search?

Wikipedia Says…

Search Engine Optimization is the process of increasing the quality and quantity of website traffic by increasing the visibility of a website to users of a web search engine.

So, here are five things you can do to increase visitors to your site.

1. Make It Mobile-Friendly Loads of people search for businesses on their phones, so make sure your website translates to a mobile screen. More eyes = better search engine rankings.
2. Speed Counts
   You want to make sure your website is user-friendly, otherwise, people will avoid it. One of the ways to do this is making sure that your site is fast enough for users to navigate comfortably.
3. Register As A Business
   This helps increase exposure on Google. And believe it or not, there are other popular search engines besides Google. Register on Yelp and Citysearch, too.
4. Reviews Help
   Authentic reviews of your business will garner more attention from the algorithm Gods at Google. Ask anyone and everyone to write a review. In fact, offer customers an incentive to write a review. It’s a great marketing and customer retention tactic.
5. Incorporate Search Terms
   Research relevant and highly-ranked keywords, then weave them into the copy on your web pages. There are many paid and free services that generate keywords based on your business and industry.