SEO, or search engine optimised content is the secret key to unlocking Google. It attracting more viewers to a website or web page through a search engine’s “natural” unpaid search results.
We know that figuring out the technical aspects to optimisation can be overwhelming sometimes, especially if you’re not sure what you’re doing, so we wanted to share some of our secret SEO tips with you which will help increase your Google ranking:
- Keywords
- Headings
- Image optimisation
- Linking
- Content audits
Keywords
These are key terms and phrases your target audience is searching for. To find these terms, you must first understand:
- Who your audience is (single mums, busy tradies, etc)
- What kind of information they need (drycleaner’s hours, pick up service options)
- Why they need that information (time poor)
- Which keywords they’re using to find it (dry cleaning pick up service Geelong, Geelong dry cleaners delivery service)
Locating keywords for your specific target audience
When you type something into Google, autocomplete will make some predictions. These predictions are possible search terms related to what you are looking for and what other people have already searched for.
For instance we tried “Geelong photographer” and autocomplete gave us:
If you guessed these search terms are in order of their popularity, you would be right.
Checking Google for a list of autocomplete terms for possible keywords your audience may use is a good point to start from. But, keep in mind it’s not is not exhaustive.
An important thing to note is that your target audience may search for a general term or name for a product or service which you may use the lengthier or more traditional name for. Which is why it’s important to have a mix of content sprinkled throughout your web pages.
Think like your customers and use search terms they would use. Or better yet, have a friend or family member suggest terms they would use to search your business. From here, you can then use Google autofill to flush out those terms, or if you know what you’re doing, a paid keyword ranking tool like Semrush. And if it’s all feeling a little too much, then utilise the SEO services of Viewpoint Digital Media. We can do the heavy lifting for you by researching and creating keyword rich content that’s going to help get your website seen on searches.
Headings
Headlines or titles should be between 2 and 22 words and include an important keyword in the beginning. Also use subheadings in the body of your content! This helps to break it up while providing a visual cue to the reader what the content is about. They’re also a great way to incorporate additional keywords.
Images
Cliched yet true – a picture is worth a thousand words. According to research from Skyword, articles containing images relevant to the content received 94% more views than articles without images!
Use images that tell your story. Make sure you use the ALT text to describe the image and have a caption that not only describes the image but sums up part of your article – and don’t forget to include your keyword here too!
Add links
Here you want to include both internal and external links. When it comes to internal ones, link to other pages on your website that are relevant to what you’re talking about. Take our dry cleaner from earlier for example, on their about page they may talk about the various services they offer which they can create internal links to the relevant services pages.
In terms of external sites, use ones that are trusted sources like government agencies, organisations that are experts in your field of work, and organisations you trust or work with. Again make sure they’re relevant – don’t include a link just for the sake of it!
Content Audit
Most content creators are focused on creating new content that they forget to audit their existing content. And this is a mistake.
Auditing your existing content is crucial because it helps you:
- Evaluate whether your existing content is achieving its goals and gaining ROI.
- Identify whether the information in your content is still accurate or has become stale (or even outdated).
- Determine what types of content are working for you.
Content audits can greatly help your SEO strategy and they should be done on a regular basis.
As technology continues to evolve, SEOs will constantly deal with new ways of searching; new devices to search on, and new types of searches (like voice search, or searches done by my oven) but the one thing that will remain constant is why people search. The verbs aren’t going away.
One day we might be overrun by AI or upload our consciousness into the singularity – but until then we’ll still need to solve problems and accomplish tasks – and some form of search will always be involved in that.
Contact a digital marketing agency
If you don’t currently have an SEO strategy, then chances are your business is missing out on potential leads, sales, conversions and future customers. Reach out to the team at Viewpoint Digital Media who can help you with an SEO strategy as well as monthly SEO management to help get your business seen.
