10 Search Engine Optimization Tips for the Small Business
- Develop keyword phrases that include your location
Develop a list of 10-20 keyword phrases related to your business and content on your website. Be sure to include your location in the phrase. Most single keywords are too broad and won’t reach the local customer.
If you own a restaurant in Lancaster, you will be much more likely to reach your customer if you optimize for restaurant Lancaster, PA than if you optimized for restaurant.
- Research your keyword phrases
There’s no use optimizing for keyword phrases that no one is searching for. You can use Google’s AdWords Keyword Tool to research your keyword phrases. This is a tool offered by Google for potential advertisers, but you can use it for free to see search volume for specific keywords.
- Use keyword phrases in the content of your website
Once you have developed your list of keyword phrases, use them in your website! Pick two to three keyword phrases to use per page. Use the phrases often throughout the page and make sure to be descriptive.
Your keywords are: Lancaster, PA restaurant and Lancaster County organic food. Instead of saying “Our restaurant serves delicious organic food that has been locally sourced” you could say “Our Lancaster, PA restaurant serves Lancaster County delicious organic food that has been locally sourced.”
- Make sure keyword phrases are not graphical images
Search engines cannot read text that is contained within a graphic image. The same goes for text embedded in a Flash presentation. Make sure that your keywords are contained within HTML text.
- Use keyword phrases in the title of your web pages
Instead of having every page of your website titled “Joe Smith’s Restaurant”, use appropriate keywords for each page. For example:
The home page of the website could be: Joe Smith’s Restaurant: Fresh, Organic food located in Lancaster, PA
The contact page could be: Lancaster PA Restaurant: Joe Smith’s Restaurant
The menu page could be: Lancaster County Organic Food: Joe Smith’s RestaurantMake sure your business name comes AFTER the keyword phrase in the title on all pages except the home page.
- Update your site often with fresh content
Search engines love websites that are updated frequently. A blog is a great way to add fresh content to your site. This also provides people visiting your website with original, quality content and will keep them coming back for more.
Tips on writing a good blog post - Submit your website to as many local directories as possible
Having external links pointing to your site is one of the best ways to move up in the rankings. A great way to get links is to submit your website to local business directories. Many of these directories already have a high ranking for the city/state names, so it’s a great way to bring direct traffic to your website. A few local directories to take a look at are:
- Submit topical articles to article directories
Article directories are another great way to get quality links pointing to your site. Write a few articles relating to your business and submit them to some article directories. Not only will you get links pointing to your site, but you will also be creating quality content that will keep people coming back to your site. Make sure to post your articles on your own website as well!
A list of the 50 top-ranking article directories. - Set up a listing with Goggle’s Local Business Center
This is free to do and can seriously boost traffic to your website. When someone searches for a business in a specific location (such as “restaurant Lancaster”), Google will display the top ten business in their local directory that are closest to that locale AND match up with the keywords in the search term. You have the ability to write your own listing, providing a great opportunity to insert some keywords.
- Set up profiles for your business on social networking websites
Not only is this a great way to get links pointing to your site, but it’s also a way to promote your business. More and more people are joining social networks everyday (it’s not just for college students anymore!) and it’s an easy and free way to get the word out about your business. Some to look into:
- Google Webmaster Tools: There is a wealth of information about how Google search engines work and ways that you can improve your rankings in Google.
- Search Engine Watch: A comprehensive site on search engines and search engine optimization with information ranging from beginner to advanced
- Search Marketing Info: An easy-to-understand resource that delves into free and paid online advertising and marketing
These are just a few things a small business owner can do to increase their rankings in the search engines and bring in more local business. If you are interested in learning more about search engine optimization, take a look at some of these resources: