Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a term that is often thrown around without actually being fully understood. Blue Blaze’s services include helping companies with Search Engine Optimization, but if one doesn’t have a full understanding of what SEO is, then how will you know if you need our help with it? First, we will offer a concise, simplistic definition of SEO and then break it down into the most important parts. Then, talk about an available tool to help anyone get started with SEO.
Defining Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization is the art and science of creating a webpage that will receive a high search engine ranking. This means generating a high amount of organic, or non-paid, search results. It is important to pay attention to SEO because it provides a key way to generate attention on the internet.
Essentially, SEO revolves around creating the best-designed website that Google and other search engines will pick-up promote to the top of search results. Typically people do not look past the first page or so of Google results, so it is important to do everything possible to get on that first page. Search engines are trying to generate the most helpful search results for people, so they try to understand websites and how they relate to one another.
There are many different aspects of a search engine’s system that contribute to SEO, so below is a list of some of the key aspects that are most important for companies to consider.
Key Aspects of SEO YOU Can Control
Title and Meta Description
The title tag or page title is a very important element of your site’s SEO. The title of your page will help search engines figure out what your content is about and is returned in search results. Page titles should include the primary keyword(s) for that page and your sites branding.
The Meta Description is a short, concise blurb describing your page’s content, it’s seen directly under the title on most search results.
Content
The content of your site is also a strong consideration in SEO. Each page of your site, when possible, should focus on a single topic with use of your primary and secondary keywords throughout. This doesn’t mean you should “stuff” your content with nonsense. Page content should be useful, high quality, and unique.
Focus on a Niche
Search engines do not want to see a bunch of “popular” keywords thrown onto a website for no reason. They would rather see a very in-depth and thorough page on one topic. If the website is for a Marketing company who offers services in SEO, they are not just going to talk about marketing, marketing, marketing, but they’ll also go in-depth on topics like SEO.
Alt Tags on Images
Providing images on your site with alternative text is not only a part of making your website accessible to visually impaired users who may use screen readers, alt tags also provide a description to search engines to properly index images. Alt text also appears in the browser window if your images don’t load. Alt text should be descriptive and provide context and are a great place to use keywords.
For example, <img src= “winola.jpg” alt= “granola with yogurt”> is okay but a better alternative would be <img src= “winola.jpg” alt= “House-made granola with yogurt and fresh fruit from our breakfast menu.”> It’s more descriptive, includes a possible keyword “breakfast,” and gives some context.
Links
When one webpage links to another page, this is usually a recommendation, telling the search engine that a website is popular and credible. Search engines also take into account how trustworthy the websites providing the links are. The more trustworthy a site that provides a link is, the more weight it receives in a search engine algorithm.
An example of good quality linking is to feature links from your site to news articles about your business. Quality in-bound links could come from being listed in business directories, “best of” lists, or even social media sites like Linkedin and Yelp.
The Role of Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a very simple and helpful tool that can be a good starting place for someone who is new to paying attention to SEO. Most websites have the capability to link up to Google Analytics but don’t. Google Analytics allows people to check the traffic to their website and then adjust their SEO strategy accordingly. They’ll provide information on how many visitors a site is getting from month to month, what keywords bring people there, and the different referrals that bring in traffic to your website.
SEO can be overwhelming at first, but luckily by just addressing the basics, it is possible to make major progress on a site’s strategy. There are experienced people everywhere to help develop SEO plans. To hear how Blue Blaze can help you do that click here.