SEO – How to Get Started

Tom Blubaugh

by Tamy Bond

You have a website and it is getting traffic, but you would like to increase the traffic to your website and improve it’s performance. The simplest way to accomplish this is to begin an SEO (search engine optimization) campaign for your website. Search engine optimization is where you apply simple, focused techniques to help search engines know what is important on your website. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by all that can be done in the search engine optimization process, but let’s keep it simple.  

There are 3 key elements in search engine optimization:

  • Keywords,

  • Meta tags, and

  • Content.

Keywords:

Keywords are the main words people use to find your products or services in a browser or search engine. Knowing what keywords to use on your website or in your social media posts is crucial in learning to drive more traffic to your website. What terms or words do people use to search for the products or services you have? Good question. You can start by looking at the analytics for your website. These can be supplied by your web host or another software like Google Analytics.

Once you know the main keywords used to find your site:

  • Structure your website so that each page has relevant, valid, and specific content.

  • Make sure each page of your website has one primary keyword and a few secondary keywords targeted. Be sure to use a different primary keyword for each page.

  • Use variations of the root word throughout your site in key phrases and descriptions.

  • Avoid optimizing one page for too many keywords. It can confuse your visitors and the search engines.

Meta Data:

Meta Data is specific words found in the code behind your web page that helps tell an Internet browser how to display your web page and a search engine more details about your web page. Using meta data to help with SEO has become much easier.  Since most of the world doesn’t know code, there are several websites that can create the meta data code needed. Simply type in your content, the code is generated, then copy the code and add it to your web page code. Here is one that might be helpful: http://www.metatags.org/.

There are 3 basic meta data tags to know: title, description and keywords

TITLE: Eagles Wing Web Services – 417.812.6007 – Branson Website Design 

Your title tag should include your main business name with a short description of what users can expect when they click through to your website. In my case, I included my phone number so viewers don’t have to click through to find it. If you don’t have a business name, include the most pertinent information first.

  • Avoid using too many keywords in your title tag. Use your primary keyword once, then add relevant information about your website or page.

  • Keep your title tag under 55 characters. Google may truncate your title if it is longer.

DESCRIPTION: Since 1998, we create and update websites with WordPress, DIY coaching, social media marketing, and more. We specialize in small to medium businesses.

Make sure each page of your website has its own meta description. This description can make a big difference in your organic searches and the click-through rate.

  • Use your keywords in your meta description, but don’t over do it. Search engines can tell when a word is over-used and may penalize you for doing so.

  • Focus on selling your website to the viewer. Encourage them to click through. Use a call-to-action or reason to find more information, but make it valid to your viewers.

KEYWORDS: Are not displayed by search engines.

Keywords are used by search engines, but not displayed. Keywords should be used throughout your website to create valid content for your viewers.

Content:

Take an innovative approach to creating and displaying consistent content that is both valuable and relevant to your viewers. The objective is to attract and acquire a clearly defined audience and drive profitable customer action. In place of pitching your product or service, deliver valuable information that can help your buyers make an informed decision and want to interact with you and your business. The potential is for them to be loyal customers that return over and over.

  • Make sure your content is focused and has a clear goal in mind. What do you want the user to do?

  • Use content to add value! What information does your viewer need?

  • Content is more than just words. Add images, videos, links and more to deliver your content consistently in several different ways.

One item to note is that SEO is never done. Continual research will help your website stay on top of the rankings. The simplest way to accomplish this is to set aside a few hours each week to work on your keywords, meta tags, and content to make sure your website is optimized for search engine delivery. Using these simple techniques will get you started down a path of better rankings for search engines.