Recently Regan, our now Client Service Manager who continues to be one of our super-duper copywriters extraordinaire gave a presentation for the Melbourne Innovation Centre about where to start with SEO. (First step should be not to write such a long-drawn-out sentences!)
Whilst at VDM she’s busy whipping our clients into SEO shape, she also likes to give back helping those small businesses across Victoria SEO their website.
Why SEO is important?
Well obviously, everyone wants to get found on page 1 of Google without paying and that’s where Regan comes in. We all know people are searching for products and services online before they pop into your shop or go online to book your services. So, you need to be not only visible online you need to get to the top of those search results to be ‘top of mind’.
How do you do that without paying for Google ads you may wonder? Read on and let Regan tell you.
What is ‘organic’ SEO?
Organic search engine optimisation (aka organic SEO) improves where you site appears in search results. Those ‘sponsored’ results you often see when you google ‘best digital marketing agency in Geelong’ are people paying to get found for that search result. But paying to be number 1 on google is not cheap (or easy) so why don’t you try all the free things available to you first?
Tip 1: Optimize Your Content Like a Pro
Creating quality content is a no-brainer, but optimising it for search engines? Now, that’s where the magic happens. Think of search engines as matchmakers – they want to pair users with the most relevant content. To make your website irresistible to search engines, sprinkle those keywords throughout your content. Don’t overdo it, though; a dash of SEO-friendly keywords here and there is the secret sauce.
Imagine you’re a local bakery in Geelong. If someone is searching for “delicious pastries in Geelong,” ensure your website shouts about your scrumptious offerings in a way that the search engine understands. Simple, right?
Tip 2: Master the Art of Meta Tags
Meta tags might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but they’re your website’s backstage pass to search engines. When you create a webpage, don’t forget to craft a killer meta title and description. These are the snippets users see on the search results page, so make them catchy, informative, and – you guessed it – laden with those essential keywords.
For instance, if you’re a fitness centre in Geelong, your meta title could be something like “Geelong’s Fitness Hub – Get Fit with Fun Workouts.” A meta description might tease, “Discover a healthier you at our Geelong fitness centre, offering a variety of enjoyable workouts for all fitness levels.”
Tip 3: Build Backlinks (the Right Way)
Think of backlinks as the digital thumbs-up your website receives from others. The more reputable websites that link back to yours, the more search engines see your site as a trustworthy authority. But here’s the catch – not all backlinks are created equal. Aim for quality over quantity. Reach out to local businesses, community partners, or satisfied customers, and politely ask if they’d mind linking to your site. It’s a win-win – they get to support a local gem, and you boost your SEO.
And there you have it – three easy and free ways to give your website’s SEO a little boost. Remember, the digital landscape is ever-evolving, so don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best for your unique business. Regan’s got your back on this SEO journey – let the organic search adventure begin!
