SEO

What in the world is SEO?  SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization.  I understand, you are probably wondering ok, so what does that have to do with my website?  Everything.  Having a gorgeous website is only half the battle.  If you don’t incorporate search engine optimization into your website then no one will ever see it, except the people you send directly to your site.  If you are personally sending customers to your site, that means you have already met those customers. 

How do you reach those customers you haven’t met yet?

Here’s an example.  In Google, I encourage you to type your niche (bakery, health food store, antique shop, etc.) near me.  Did your business appear in Google’s map pack or is your website organically ranking on the first page of Google?  If no to either, then let me know, I’d be happy to help you optimize both your Google My Business listing as well as your website. 

If your business did appear in the map pack great!  Now, I want you to type in something else you do.  For example, say you are a bakery but you also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Google restaurants near me.  Did your business show up?

When I ask if your website showed up in the organic listings below the map pack, that means, your website is utilizing keywords that are helping you to rank on the first page of Google.  If you currently have a website and you’re not on the first page of Google, go through all the pages and see what page you appear on.  If you are not on the first page of Google then we need to utilize SEO on your website.

Statistically most people looking for something online won’t click on the ads on Google or look past page 1.  There are a lot of niches in Northern Minnesota that are missing out on online opportunities for customers.  I know, I’ve done the research.

What I’m getting across is your main business might be one thing, but you offer many other things people are looking for.  If your online presence doesn’t tell your customers everything you offer, you are missing out on customers.  You also need to research which keywords carry more strength on your website.  Not all keywords are created equal and the harder the keyword is to rank, the harder it will be for your website to rank for those keywords.

So, if you don’t currently have a website, I strongly encourage you to have one.  A website is your interactive business card.  Except, your paper business cards typically sit somewhere such as your pocket or a bulletin board.  No one has that information unless it is physically handed to them.  A website can be found online by prospective customers looking online for what you have to offer.

A Facebook page is not a website.  Yes, it may have your phone number and business hours.  Unless that customer has a Facebook account or time to scroll through your posts looking for what they need, they won’t.  It is far more convenient for your customer to see you have a website and everything they have questions about is answered.  When they are ready to proceed they will either show up at your business or call.  If you don’t have a website, they may move on to your competition.

I owned a small brick-and-mortar called Smith’s Infusion.  My business was located in downtown Virginia, MN.  Sure, I had a website, a Facebook page, an Instagram account, and I did MailChimp newsletters quite often.  I had an extensive list of customers.  I spent thousands of dollars on print advertising and hundreds on Facebook ads.  I thought I knew then everything there was to know.  Did I know about SEO then?  I’d heard of it, but didn’t really know what it was nor did I understand it.  I would have never spent the money on traditional advertising if I would have known about SEO.

Start outranking your competition today!  Call me or message me!  I’d love to help you grow your small business without breaking the bank!