How do I get to the top of the search engine page?
Provide valuable website content is a great start. Taking care of your website is important, provide valuable content and keeping it current and relevant offers search engines sources of new information for search requests. This does not mean your website will be automatically placed at the top of the page but if you offer fresh content, consistently, the web crawlers are more likely to be checking your site for new content. Read more about why you should update your website with fresh content.
SEO? Key Words? First Page on Results?
I’ve heard many business owners voice frustrations about how to get to the top of the search engine results page. They feel they must spend a lot of money and do not have the budget so they are extremely frustrated. They are also confused by all the “internet and website lingo”, such as, webbots, SEO, key words, web spiders, domain name, hosting company, to name a few (but that’s another articles). As their list of questions grow so does their frustration level and their online presence feels out of control.
I offer this advice. You have control of your website and its content. Start by focusing on providing valuable content to website visitors. Let’s begin by looking at your website and assessing it as a visitor.
Visitors are Clients and Clients are People
Search engines provide guides for improving your website. For example Google says “Give visitors the information they’re looking for”. Visitors want unique, relevant, fresh content. Visitors are your clients and clients are people.
Writing valuable content for people (clients) will allow you to naturally use key words and phrases in your industry. This can help propel your website as an authority and gives visitors a reason to return to your website again.
Review your Website
When was the last time you read your website? Really, sit down and read every word on every page? I ask client to take the time, read their site, and think about it as a first time visitor and potential client. Read the content as a present client. Are you finding valuable content? What information is provided? Is it helpful and relevant? Do you have a call to action? What do they do to purchase? Where are you located? Is your contact information easy to find? How easy is it set up an appointment or drop by your store? What are your hours?
How to Provide Valuable Website Content? Make a Plan
You do have control over the content on your website and how often you update it. Make a list of changes than can be made to improve it, articles and content that needs to be updated and make a plan to give your website a face lift. These steps won’t guarantee the first spot on the result page, but it’s a start and it only takes your time.
If you would like a professional assessment of your website or need help updating the content contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss making a plan.