As a small business owner in the 21st century, being able to utilise the power of the internet is vital in building an enterprise. Whether your company focuses on providing products or services, knowing how to run a business in the vast world wide web gives you an edge against your competitors.
That said, it is essential that your business has a website! However, simply having a website is not enough to maximise your brand’s reach and impact. As a solopreneur, you should also be utilising one of digital marketing’s most powerful tools: search engine optimisation (SEO).
What is SEO?
SEO is a popular method of reaching a wider audience organically and improving the brand’s visibility through the use of algorithms. It’s also the most abundant channel to achieve qualified visits and conversions. A business enterprise with better search engine rankings will appear first among the search results presented by sites such as Google and Bing.
Benefits of SEO
The use of search engine optimisation for local businesses has a plethora of benefits:
- Local SEO application increases the traffic and leads for your brand. And since most of the traffic is produced through the optimisation of the search engine, your business website will be able to attract more potential customers.
- When you employ SEO techniques regularly, it also helps your business build a good and solid reputation for your brand. Having a reputable brand name means that more potential customers will demand your products or services.
- The internet is vast, and its dynamic nature makes it expand even further. Using SEO tools effectively can help your business keep up, both online and offline.
- Maintaining an effective SEO strategy promotes better brand awareness in the long run. The logo, the brand name, the products, services, and any offers provided will be better heard by your target audience. Investing in quality SEO mirrors a profitable return on investment.
As a local enterprise, hiring an SEO consultant helps widen the brand reach across your city to help make your brand number one.
Tips for Utilising SEO Effectively
To make sure that your website practices proper SEO, here are some tips that you need to keep in mind:
Utilise keywords –
Whenever a user tries to search for keywords related to your business, your website should pop-up on the first page. Studies show that 67.5% of all clicks go to the first five websites provided by the search engine. Through the use of keyword research tools, you’ll know which keywords will attract traffic to your site and convert these leads into customers.
Focus on content –
Audiences, regardless of the demographic, love brands that produce quality content that’s regularly posted. Invest in original and eye-catching graphics (photos, videos, infographics, etc.). You can also promote your content through blogs, articles, and events online. Great content can lead to higher customer conversion. Remember it comes down to the quality of what you produce and being consistent.
Develop a user-friendly website –
Your website represents your brand online, making it a digital representation of the vision you have for your business. Since not everyone is tech-savvy, make sure that your website is both interactive and easy-to-navigate. As solopreneurs, you can hire web designers to make sure that you have well-optimised websites.
In addition to that, ensure efficient website loading time. Using images with lower file size helps make your pages load faster. Also, don’t forget to ask for advice on the right server for your local business site.
Check your competitors –
When it comes to expanding your presence online, being aware of what the competition is up to is vital. You can do a competitor analysis to check what keywords they use, the strategies that they implement, and the online platforms that they usually penetrate. This technique can help you improve and adjust your goals accordingly based on the current state of business competition in your locale.
Improve social media presence –
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are great spaces to conquer the online realm. Why? Because most of the internet scape revolves around these platforms. Take advantage of having personal connections with your potential customers. Pro-tip for you: Make special announcements, offer discounts, and announce promotions online to stir a conversation for your growing brand.
Conclusion
SEO is a great way to strengthen your small business as a leading brand. By following the above tips, you can begin to add or improve this in your marketing mix.
Need some extra help or support? Join Doreen Brown at the Let’s Get Visible Academy and learn SEO at your own pace!