What is SEO

SEO is basically ensuring that your website is found by search engines to drive traffic to your site from users searching the internet for your genre of business.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not only an option, it is an essential tool that when utilized properly can bring in more business than you, yourself can do from your physical location. SEO for your website is something that a local web designer or web design agency can help you with and thankfully, you do not have to pay £500+ per month to have your website SEO services for small businesses performed perfectly. 

Getting & keeping the top spot on Google

Competition is fierce in business and even more so on the internet. Locally, your business might be the only game in town with no localized competition. Even though your local status may seem cemented, you can only go so far in business by simply relying on local marketing.

You may not be targeting global domination but you do need to think about reaching a wider audience than your physical location can attract. But you have to be willing to obtain and maintain that coveted top spot on organic searches.

Generally, you want to ensure that your business remains on the first page of any search related to your company. Any customer searching for your products or services is not likely to venture past the first 2 or 3 pages, normally they won’t venture past the first page. So, ideally, you want to appear on the first page and good SEO strategies and tactics for your business will ensure your website remains at the top of organic searches. 



Content Creation

One of the main areas where SEO can drive traffic is bringing it in from various areas on the internet. Some clients may not be searching for your individual products or services, but might read an article or watch a video that leads them back to your site. Providing a continual stream of new content to customers on mailing lists, on social media accounts, and the general blog page on your site can bring clients back again and again.

Search engines tend to give top priority to sites that maintain a blog and provide continually updated content to customers. Additionally, creating captivating content that provides essential information can eventually make your business an authority figure in your individual business genre which will bring in even more revenue and legitimize your business further.  You can read more about the importance of blogging on my previous blog on this subject.

Content isn't just about getting more traffic for your website, it has a second purpose which is just as important - converting those visitors into leads and sales.  Specifically convincing people visiting your website to either get in touch or buy from you.

Read more about how good content can be convert more visitors into sales leads .

Keywords

Keywords are an essential aspect of content.  Simply put they are the words and phrases that your potential customers type in to Google when they need your products or services.  Incorporating these terms and phrases n your website will help Google match your website to that query and place you in the search results.

You can read more about keywords in my recent blog on how to improve your rankings with keywords & content 

SEO will increase your local business as well

On the surface, maintaining proper website SEO is just about bringing in business from a wider audience or customer base, but there is far more to it than that. True, your business should invest in affordable websites and an affordable SEO company to help keep your website and SEO up to date for your customers that are further afield, but SEO can have a positive impact on your local business as well.

For instance, if a customer is visiting your town on holiday and you own a restaurant. That customer has to eat at some point and naturally, they will reach for their phone and type in something like, “Restaurants in Christchurch.” Or Where to Eat in The New Forest.” Or “what are the best restaurants in Bournemouth” If you have yet to invest in localized SEO including your location and specific keywords that lead locally to your business, your business may not even show up in search results.

Engaging with a Local SEO agency will ensure your business remains at the top of the search results, so you can effectively pull in those out of town visitors and generate more revenue, locally for the business. 

SEO for Free

It doesn't always have to cost hundreds of pounds to drive traffic to your website.  There is actually a lot you can do for little or no cost and without any technical expertise.  Simple things like ensuring you have a links to your website on your email signature and corporate literature, being active on social media, listing in local directories etc.

Here are 10 ways to get free (or very cheap) traffic to your website.

Conclusion

Whilst optimising your website is not a quick process, make no mistake about it. SEO is here to stay and businesses that invest in optimizing their website with good search engine optimisation will reap the rewards.  Make no mistake Search Engine Optimisation doesn’t have to cost the earth and the benefits it will bring to your business will be significant. 

However, partnering with the right web designer or SEO agency is essential for success. If possible engage with a local agency or consultant who will work with you to understand your business and goals. If you get it right a website correctly optimized can bring in far more business than you ever thought possible. No matter what type of business you own, SEO is the key to ensuring its success.

Have you invested in your business by optimizing your website to ensure that it appears on the front page of Google?

About Overt Digital Media

Overt Digital Media are a digital marketing agency located in Christchurch on the edge of The New Forest.  We specialise in building affordable websites for small businesses and ensuring that they get more leads and sales from their website by helping them to rank highly in Google search results.



Need help with search engine optimisation that doesn't cost the earth?

Then get in touch with the team at Overt digital Media

Contact us on

01425 543322



info@overtdigitalmedia.com