AKA - How do I improve my SEO, Search Engine Optimisation?
Oh my, if I had £1 for every time I was asked that question I would be lying on a beach in Barbados, sipping Mai-Tais and planning my next swim.
There are many SEO experts out there who will analyse your keywords and check your search terms, but if your website is not built with good SEO principles at the heart of it – then all the keywords in the world wont help.
So what does Google like?
Short answer – we don’t REALLY know, they keep that close to their conglomerate -sized chest, but we do have a few good ideas.
The good news? Most of what Google likes, also makes your website a much better experience for your visitors, because there is no point in getting your ideal client actually to your website , and then they cant find what they need, or like what they see.
Speed
Google likes a nippy website . We talk about things like ” First meaningful paint” but what it boils down to is your web page loads quickly and your visitor can see the content quickly.
So how do we do this?
- If you have a WordPress website – don’t overload your site with plugins, and make sure any plugins you use are the right ones – similar to avoiding that bloated app on your phone
- Make sure images are optimised for a website, and not just uploaded full resolution from you phone 800-1000px wide is usually suitable for most images on your site.
- Avoid those jumpy swoosh effects . Use them sparingly if you must – but overload your page and it slows it down and makes a bad experience for your visitor
- Avoid video as background unless you have the hosting to cope with it – it looks fab, but on the wrong hosting will slow your site way down
Visitors Who Hang around and move about
Make it easy to understand what you do
Google likes it when lots of visitors stay on your site, and move around it . It shows you have authority on your subject and Google likes that.
We do this with great content that resonates with your target audience. Forget the
“I’ve ben doing this for 37 years and I am awesome!”
Think
- I see your problem
- These are my services that will help
- This is why you should work with me.
Take a look at my home page – I identify the problem, offer solutions, and then suggest why me.
Add links within your pages to help people move about. The more people move around and stay on your site the better!
Good Relavant Content
If you have great content – your visitors will hang around. Think of a phone call you might have with a client . Use the same language. Its easy to read and will connect with your client
And what makes great content ?
Anything that will interest your ideal client – see above.
- Add that blog post
- Create a useful resources section – and make sure it is actual useful
- Give them tips on your expert area
Content that Changes
Content that changes shows that your site is active, another tick in the google box. Don’t just set up your website and forget about it, check in, change things up – revisit your services
Let's get Techy
Page Titles & Meta Descriptions
Although this blog isn’t focussed on the nitty gritty – there is no doubt that setting your page meta descriptions will help.
Don’t title your home page “Home Page” , call it “Website help for Small businesses”.
Change your home page meta-description to include contact details. That’s what comes up in the search list when people search for you – make it easy to see what you do , and how to get In Touch. If you don’t set it, then google does its best from the page content
Headings
Websites have a hierachy of headings
H1,H2,H3,H4 etc
Make sur you have only one H1 per page and that it is relevant. If you have a heading in your content – use a heading, don’t just make the text bigger. Its better for SEO, and makes the site look more professional.
Images
We talked about file sizes above – but don’t forget those alt tags – much easier for google to index, and good for accessibility too.
What else Can I do?
Google Search Console
Top of the list – set up Google search Console – this will be the focus of another blog post .
If you already have one , then tell it to go re-index your site.
Also add a search map – you can do this easily using the Yoast plugin on a wordpress site
Google My Business
Set up a Google My Business profile – it makes you look more professional, and makes it easier for people to find you
Blog
This is the big one, because it ticks so many of the boxes above
- Good interesting content
- Link them together and you get people moving around your site
- Content that changes
- Individual articles get indexed by google – more changes to get a hit on a search
- Shows people you are an exper and know what you are talking about
This has been a whistle-stop tour of the basics. If you want to know more about how to make your website SEO friendly – or maybe add that blog , then please get in touch