What is Small Business SEO?

If you’re a small business, SEO is key in terms of digital marketing and getting your website traffic to where you want it to be. In this article, we’ll discuss what small business SEO looks like, how it can benefit your small business by improving user experience and the factors you need to consider when implementing small business SEO.

We’ll also touch upon why it’s best to use expert advice when implementing small business SEO, and where to go for assistance from industry experts.

 

SEO for Small Businesses

Small businesses or local businesses use small business SEO much in the same way larger businesses do. It’s a strategy using keyword research and specific search ranking techniques to direct customers searching their desired product or service to your business.

By capturing the phrases used by your potential customers and using them in your web content, Google and other search engines automatically start to help you rank higher, thereby directing more organic traffic your way and helping improve your desired sales turnover.

And once you’ve got your potential customers on your website, you can invite them to connect with you, your brands, and encourage them to subscribe to your content, all while promoting your relevant products and services.

By analysing the data and other quality information you receive through SEO statistics, you are able to not only develop a better small business profile, but obtain a better idea of your target audience and the profile of your ideal and potential customer base.

There are a number of factors you should consider when implementing small business SEO that works. These are:

Technical SEO

When we talk about technical SEO for small businesses like yours, the things we are referring to are:

• Registering with the Google Search Console (and Bing Webmaster Tools) – This will assist to ensure your website is only connected with good backlinks from sites with authority, rather than negative or incorrect information that could inadvertently harm your business and its practices. This tool, when used in conjunction with analytics provided by your SEO consultant, can help you unlock the secrets to increasing web traffic to your site, and (by extension), increase sales turnover or connection with customers.
• Avoiding or removing duplicate content – While it’s great to share your knowledge with potential customers of your chosen demographic, if the content is too similar, or you’ve accidentally posted duplicate content, it may impact negatively on your search rankings.
• Having up-to-date security measures – With cyber crime on the rise, customers like yours want to know that when they shop online, or engage with a new service, their data and personal information will be protected. In order to do this, you need to make sure your domain is secure and equipped with the applicable security certificates to keep both them (and yourself) as safe as possible.

 

On Page SEO v Off Page SEO

Now I know what you’re thinking. “I thought we were talking about small business SEO and search rankings”. We are. But on page and off page SEO factors are just some of the things you need to factor in when developing your effective small business SEO.

On page SEO includes things like:

• Performing keyword research as it relates to your chosen ranking factors and what your potential customers are looking for in their organic search.
• Ensuring you have relevant content or blogs that your users will find informative when searching for your products and services. This may include using SEO keywords to enhance content and improve organic search ranking.
• Checking your meta descriptions and title tags in links (including domain) for keywords and potential search terms.
• Having contact details/phone number available on your business website.
• Formatting your web pages correctly for improved user experience. This is all about readability and making sure that the information your users were searching for when clicking on your link can be easily found.
• Improving image optimisation by ensuring you use the best quality pictures and graphics available to showcase your services and products at their full potential. For example, there’s no point in including an image of your product if it’s out of focus or grainy.
• Fixing broken links and removing negative marketing content or words your customer would not expect to see from you online.

Off page SEO looks at things such as:

• Posting frequently or at least regularly on social media or networking websites. This will foster a reliable connection and develop potential customer relationships. The more active and present you are in posting content to these social media sites, the better your marketing skills will become as your communication develops.
• Developing a cache of reliable backlinks – this comes down to featuring authorative sharable content or tips on your blog and in other places so those in similar fields will refer to you and your company as a reliable service. Once you have those links to your site, it will passively help your marketing strategy, while you continue to grow using other tools and schemes that will improve your business’ active marketing tactics.
• Featuring guest posts and unpaid or free blog posts on your online site to improve your related content

Responsive Design

Responsive design is also something you could consider to be part of technical SEO factors, but given its importance, it’s worth mentioning separately for reinforcement, and the purpose of this article.

One of the best ways small business owners can improve their search engine optimisation (SEO) and search rankings is by making sure they have responsive web design. These days, it’s not enough to have your website listed on Google. You need to make sure that it’s accessible on all devices.

How You Share Expertise

This kind of comes into writing content that is shareable, but is worth mentioning as its own point. Sharing your expertise and referring to your local business or website frequently is a way to gain exposure.

By gaining this exposure, you are letting potential customers know you exist and are ready to work with them on all the relevant products and services you need. Once you’ve established this and directed people to your website as a source of authority, they’ll know where to go. This in time will improve the search results potential customers receive when using keywords and assist in proving you’re an industry expert.

eCommerce SEO and Small Business SEO

If you have an eCommerce website with the intention of selling or promoting your online products and services, just how important is it to ensure you have the right eCommerce SEO that will integrate with your current small business strategies?

Well, we’re here to tell you that it’s extremely important to have good, solid eCommerce SEO tactics. This includes things such as:

• Optimising content by using SEO techniques such as keyword research
• Using markup to enable rich snippets on search engines like Google (i.e. providing product previews and pricing info to Google and other search engines so they show your product when customers search for something like it).
• Optimising site search by including relevant keywords in headings (just as we have done in this article, and others on our blog and web pages)
• Developing category pages and relevant product descriptions (ideally featuring keywords) will allow customers to find the information, product or service they are searching for when using your website and improve user experience overall.
• Customer reviews and testimonials – In our opinion, there’s no better way to promote your quality products and services organically than by gaining the approval of others. Word of mouth is a special thing and is still effective in the online sphere. That’s why authentic testimonials and customer reviews or feedback can go a long way to helping your business achieve the success you’re ultimately looking for.

Think about it. When looking for something on the internet, are you likely to go with the business with a dozen positive reviews, or the one with a dozen bad reviews. We certainly know which one we’d prefer.

 

Can Local or Small Businesses Do Their Own Small Business SEO?

Technically, it is possible for small business owners or local business to do their own SEO. However, it is a very specific task requiring dedication and skills the average business owner just might not have. Not to mention the time involved in implementing successful small business SEO.

Search engine optimisation is often a fluid process and needs to change over time. As much as you are committed to improving the marketing of your company, not every small business owner has the time to do this.

That’s where industry professionals and search engine optimisation professionals (such as those we have on our team at Rise SEO) come into their own.

Social Media Optimisation and How it Affects SEO?

Social media optimisation – or using your social media profiles as a way to promote your business – is a good way to help improve your SEO rankings. This is because social media is increasingly becoming a fantastic way to share your expertise, link to authoritative content (which in turn lets customers know you are professional and authentic), and share behind-the-scenes information about your team and your business as a whole. I

It can even be used as a tool in improving your backlink profile, the importance of which we’ve referred to in this article.

 

Other Ways to Improve Your Industry Search Rankings

This is an extension of letting potential customers know you exist, both locally and beyond. Register your business with Google and allow it access to your location. This will help you capture local prospects as well as those beyond your usual range by increasing your organic traffic.

How to find the right SEO Service for Your Small Business & Increase Organic Traffic

If you need assistance with professional small business SEO, you need to work with the experts. At Rise SEO we have decades of experience and knowledge on SEO tips and tricks you can use to improve your website traffic and target professional customers.

At Rise SEO, we pride ourselves on our ability to develop a reliable, quality relationship you can trust. When you approach us for guidance with small business SEO, we’ll get to know you and your company, what you need and specifically how your clients or customers use your business.

By tapping into this information, we’ll provide you with the organic search tools you need to increase your website traffic with customised small business SEO that will work for you and your company.

If you’re ready to get started with quality small business SEO, contact our experienced industry experts today.

 

Small Business Search Engine Optimisation Frequently Asked Questions – Tips and Tricks for Improving Your Google Search Results & Improving Website Traffic Flow

How to Determine if SEO is Right for You?

When trying to decide if SEO is right for you and your business, you need to consider your budget, the time frame in which you need to improve your ranking through search engines like Google, your competition (i.e. how other local businesses and small business owners like yourself are adapting their digital marketing strategy and attracting potential customers with techniques like pay-per-click), the keywords you’ve chosen and how they will fair in website search rankings, and if you’re a new business website (or have a new product or service to promote)

These are all things a search engine optimisation (SEO) business like ours can help you assess and guide you in the right direction in terms of data, quality, brands, and online techniques or tools you should be making use of (particularly if you’re looking to provide authoritative links to your website or improve search rankings).

What is Your SEO Company Going to Do For You?

Search engine optimisation is an investment for your business website so you need to make sure that you’re working with a company that will do the work for you.

As a reputable business equipped with experts with tools to help you get ahead of the competition, we are always working to help you improve your search rankings by providing you with relevant content (containing current keywords and links to your website), we’re adaptable to the industry and all its changes.

Is Search Engine Optimisation Set & Forget?

It’s a common misconception that SEO is set and forget. Once it’s implemented, you’re good to go. In fact, that’s not the case at all. As Google Analytics and parameters change, so too do your SEO strategies.

As a small business owner – especially if your local business is just starting out – that’s not always something you have time to focus on. That’s where our SEO and digital marketing professionals come into their own. We’ll monitor the changes, figure out what needs to change, how it can be change and the techniques that need to be used for links to your website to direct organic traffic your way.

With constant adaptation by professionals who know the digital marketing sphere inside and out, you don’t have to worry about content and search results. You just have to consult with a qualified content writer on staff, approve specially designed content and you’re good to go.

What is a Google Penalty and Why is it Important to Ensure Content is Original?

A Google penalty is issued when Google thinks you are doing something wrong, or making a direct copy of someone else’s business website. This means that Google provides you with a penalty and no longer features you in search rankings; you no longer have links to your website essentially if no one knows you exist or you aren’t promoted with a high search ranking.

The best way to avoid a Google penalty is to ensure your content is wholly original, which is where specialised content writers familiar with SEO tips and ranking factors comes in handy.

What is a meta-description and how is it important for SEO strategy?

A meta description is the words you use as an intro to your business website or blog. They are the first words users read when your business site appears on Google. Generally, you want to make sure this data is enhanced by using carefully chosen words and terms featured in your SEO keywords.

There is a word limit for your meta description so you may want to search for examples you can use regarding this, and make sure what you’re putting online is direct, quality and to the point.

Is SEO more cost effective than PPC (pay per click)?

It can be more cost effective in the long run to implement business SEO over PPC strategies, however it does depend on your objective in implementing SEO and a number of the small business factors we have discussed in this article.

If you’re unsure whether SEO is right for you and your small business, the best advice we can offer is to contact our SEO specialists for a confidential, obligation free discussion regarding your business website and how you would like it to function.

Can I implement SEO with my current PPC strategy for small business?

Technically, you can implement both PPC and SEO strategies separately and still have a fairly successful online business. But, if you implement SEO with PPC, you are tapping into more of your target market as well as increasing your chances of being found by search engines. And, the more organic traffic you have directed towards your site, the better.

How many keywords do you target when building a business website or writing copy?

Technically, we can target as many keywords when building a business website or writing copy as you want. The only thing you need to be aware of is that you want to avoid keyword stuffing and having too many keywords in your copy just for the sake of it.

What is keyword stuffing?

Keyword stuffing is considered part of a practice known as black hat SEO and something generally frowned upon by search engine optimisation experts (including our own). Essentially, it’s a practice of trying to manipulate Google analytics and search rankings by including irrelevant content and keywords.

It may help improve your search rankings temporarily, but it doesn’t help generate organic searches and website traffic. You certainly won’t be seen as a business of authority as it’s a pretty unprofessional practice to promote your quality products and service, and customers won’t be able to find the information they need from you.

What is local SEO?

Local SEO is a technique used by small business SEO experts to capture segments of your demographic that are based in your local area. By including high-ranking terms like “SEO Brisbane” or “digital marketing Brisbane”, you’re tapping into that targeted demographic and the specific search terms local customers are using when researching businesses like yours.

Should I have an SEO audit before instilling SEO tactics?

Yes, it is always a good idea to have a thorough SEO audit conducted on your website before applying SEO strategies. This will give you (and your consultant) a good overview of how you and your online business is situated, and what needs to improve before you begin.

How can my SEO data assist in marketing and search engine visibility?

When you implement SEO for your business, your search engine optimisation data can assist in digital marketing as it provides information and analytical data in regards to your Google search ranking. This includes search engine optimisation ranking factors such as:

• What your competition is doing and other areas of the market you could target through small business SEO techniques.
• Which pages on your business get the most visits (and how this can be improved)
• Which landing pages convert highest and have more ability to capture organic search and website traffic
• The profile of your target audience or demographic in relation to your small business profile

Are there any shortcuts I can take to improve search engine optimisation for my site?

There are probably any number of shortcuts you can take to improve your search ranking and results. However, at Rise SEO, we’re firm believers that if you want a job done, you should do it well and do it right.

That’s where we can assist you.

Do you outsource any of your SEO jobs?

No. All of our SEO work is done in-house by Australian professionals who have been working in the industry for decades. We have access to some of the latest tools and tricks so you have access to the latest techniques available.

Do you only provide services to Brisbane clients?

No. While our professionals are based in Brisbane and very familiar with the latest developments required by Brisbane-based businesses, we do not limit ourselves to the local area.

We have worked with a number of satisfied clients Australia-wide so you can be confident of securing web traffic across the whole nation, if that is the goal of your business site.

Why are professional services potentially better than free DIY tools?

While there’s nothing necessarily wrong with the abundance of free tools available on the internet, there’s something to be said for that personal one-on-one touch consulting with a knowledgeable expert can offer.

Where do I go for online search engine optimisation I know will work?

The best way to get marketing assistance with quality SEO and key words that will attract attention and generate organic traffic is to contact an SEO expert from Rise SEO.

Find out how our Brisbane SEO agency can help your business stand out from the crowd by clicking here or getting in touch today.