Blog Post

9 Ways to Optimize Your Website to Improving Your Search Engine Ranking

Rick Neuman • May 25, 2021

Boosting your search engine ranking does not have to be an impossible task for small businesses. While you don’t have the budget of larger companies, you can still use many of the same strategies. The great thing about SEO is that it delivers long-term results that don’t require you to pay for every single click like PPC ads would. 


The following are some of the best methods to optimize your small business’ website to boost your search engine ranking: 


1. Research Your Keywords

A crucial part of SEO is using the right keywords. One of the best ways to find the right keywords is to figure out what your potential customers search for. 



Start by typing a few words into Google’s search bar and then look at the suggestions from autocomplete. You should also use keyword research tools to help you. There are both free and paid options available, so you can easily find one that meets your budget. 


2. Consider Long-tail Keywords

As you look for keywords, don’t forget to consider long-tail keywords. These will have a higher chance of conversion as they are more specific. After all, this helps increase the chances of selling the product that the searcher wants to buy. As a bonus, it is easier to rank for long-tail keywords as there is less competition for them due to their specificity. 


3. Optimize SEO on the Page

Your on-page SEO efforts focus on ensuring that all of the headings and titles on your website have been optimized. You essentially want to structure your content to have a better chance of appearing in search results. 

Consider the following tips as starting points: 


● Create catchy titles of about 60 characters

● Use header tags 

● Use meta tags 

● Use keywords in the file names of pictures you use


4. Look at Technical SEO

While you should definitely create great content for your website, you don’t want to do so while neglecting technical SEO. This refers to optimizing your website’s structure to ensure that Google’s crawlers index your site properly. 


Essentially, you want the website to load quickly, be well-organized and secure, and have working links. 


Some of the ways you can incorporate technical SEO include the following: 


● Update encryption and security protocols.

● Optimize the page speed.

● Structure your website data.

● Incorporate schema markup. 

● Create your sitemap and then submit it to Google. 

● Optimize images to include “alt text.”

● Prune down old websites without much traffic. 

● Check for broken or old links and fix them. 

● Ensure the website is optimized for mobile. 



You can likely handle some of these yourself, but you may need to hire someone to take care of some of them. 


5. Prioritize Local SEO

As a small business, you likely don’t have the resources to compete on a national or global level. This is fine as almost a third of mobile searches include the phrase “near me” or something else to make it local. 

By focusing on local searches, you will have less competition and better target the people who are likely to become your clients. 


Use Google My Business

Your first step for local SEO should be to set up your Google My Business profile if you haven’t already done so. You want to fill out as much information as possible and ensure it is accurate. When you get alerts for reviews, respond to start a conversation. You can also fill out the question and answer section ahead of time and then add to it when customers have more questions. 


Look at Other Listings

While Google My Business should be the first local business listing you make sure you have, it should not be the last. You want to get your business information on as many relevant directories as possible. This lets Google know that your information is accurate as it matches on multiple websites. 


Encourage Reviews

Reviews make a big difference when it comes to local SEO, in addition to helping with your overall brand image. Find ways to encourage customers to leave reviews. If necessary, consider offering incentives, like discounts or freebies, for a review.


6. Create More Content

Content marketing is the process of creating content for a blog or something similar to attract people to your page. It is your opportunity to easily incorporate keywords on your website while also helping customers by providing useful content and showing your credibility and authority. 


If the idea of creating enough content is overwhelming, consider creating a template that you could follow. For example, you could do an in-depth look at various products and follow the same format for each. Or you could do a buying guide for products and follow the format. 


Consider Creating Videos

Although not always the case, many small business owners find it quicker and easier to create videos instead of posts. Try to create a combination of the two as this will attract customers with a range of preferences. Even if you don’t think videos are easier than text, you should create at least a few, as consumers love videos. 


7. Create Landing Pages

Landing pages can be a very useful part of an SEO strategy for businesses of any size. You can use them in various ways. You can make a separate landing page for mobile users. More popular options include making landing pages for specific cities or towns in your area or for specific products or product categories. 


As a bonus, these landing pages give you a great opportunity to incorporate keywords, especially geo-focused ones. 


8. Share Your Content 

After you create content, make sure to promote it without being too pushy. Some great options that don’t require any upfront cost include sharing on social media or question and answer forums. 


9. Gain Backlinks

Your SEO strategy should also include getting links back to your website. Google views sites with more backlinks as higher quality. 


Combine this with local SEO and talk to other local companies, bloggers, newspapers, and event pages to see if they will help you with a backlink. One excellent option is to write a guest post on another website. 


Content written for Digital Harvest Marketing

Are you looking for help navigating the ever complicated digital marketing space? We can help!

BOOK A CALL

The Harvest

By Rick Neuman 18 Sep, 2023
In today's digital age, having an online presence isn't merely an option—it's a pivotal driver of success. At Digital Harvest Marketing, we pride ourselves on creating not just websites but immersive digital journeys that fortify brand identity and catalyze growth. Here's why businesses, big or small, trust us with their digital aspirations:
By Rick Neuman 11 Sep, 2023
The home services industry, whether it's landscaping, plumbing, or interior designing, thrives largely on trust and reliability. And in today's digital age, a substantial chunk of that trust is established through an effective online presence. Let's delve into the pivotal elements that make a home services website not just informative but also a powerful tool for conversion.
By Rick Neuman 06 Sep, 2023
The modern culinary world isn't just about delightful dishes and exquisite drinks; it's also about offering a digital experience that matches. With the rise of online ordering, reservations, and digital payments, a strong online presence for the food & beverage industry has become more critical than ever. Let's dive deep into the essential features and benefits of a website tailored for the food & beverage sector.  1. Mouthwatering Design First impressions count. A clean, appetizing design can convey the atmosphere of your restaurant, cafe, or bar. High-quality images of dishes, drinks, and your establishment can instantly attract and entice visitors. 2. Online Ordering Made Easy Today's consumers cherish convenience. Integrating an easy-to-use online ordering system allows your customers to enjoy your culinary offerings from the comfort of their homes. This not only broadens your reach but can significantly boost revenue. 3. Safe & Secure Credit Card Processing In a world increasingly moving towards cashless transactions, offering diverse credit card processing options is crucial. Ensure your website integrates with reliable payment gateways, prioritizing the safety of your customer's data.
By Rick Neuman 01 Sep, 2023
The digital realm is the frontline for any business's first impression. While there are numerous companies offering web development services, it's essential to partner with one that understands your business's unique needs and can translate that into a powerful online presence. Here's why businesses consistently choose Digital Harvest Marketing for their web development projects. 1. Bespoke Designs Tailored to Your Brand At Digital Harvest Marketing, we believe in the power of individuality. We don’t employ cookie-cutter templates; instead, we delve deep into your brand's ethos, ensuring every design choice mirrors your company’s identity and goals. 2. Experience & Expertise Our team comprises seasoned professionals with years of experience across various industry verticals. This expertise allows us to cater to the diverse needs of our clientele, be it e-commerce, B2B, non-profit, or any other niche.
By Rick Neuman 17 Aug, 2023
In the digital age, online reviews can make or break a restaurant's reputation. For restaurant owners and operators, managing Google reviews might feel like a full-time job. Crafting personalized responses to every review, staying on top of new ones, and tactfully addressing any negative feedback can be overwhelming and highly time-consuming. What if there was a solution that could handle all this while you focus on what you do best - creating unforgettable dining experiences? Enter ReviewReplyGPT. Revolutionizing Google Reviews Management ReviewReplyGPT is a groundbreaking AI-powered platform designed to automate the process of managing your Google reviews. Here's what it offers: Automated Review Responses The first, and perhaps the most significant, feature of ReviewReplyGPT is its ability to generate professional, tailored responses to all your reviews. No more spending countless hours figuring out how to respond to each review. Instead, you can let the AI do the heavy lifting and free up your time to focus on other aspects of your restaurant business.
By Rick Neuman 31 Jul, 2023
Discover free digital marketing tools for small businesses. Use Google Analytics to track website activity and demographics. Leverage Canva for eye-catching graphics. Utilize Mailchimp for email marketing and social media coordination.
By Rick Neuman 24 Jul, 2023
Learn how to grow your Instagram following organically. Optimize your profile, create a content calendar, post relevant content, engage your audience, collaborate with influencers, and share your Instagram everywhere.
By Rick Neuman 19 Jul, 2023
Avoid common TikTok marketing mistakes and maximize your business's presence. Create engaging videos, use music effectively, avoid sales-driven approaches, and leverage the platform's editing tools.
By Rick Neuman 13 Apr, 2023
Email marketing is a crucial part of running any business today. Let us help you write that email that achieves a good conversion rate. Here are our most important tips.
By Chet Mitchell 07 Apr, 2023
Link building is still important for SEO in 2023 but there needs to be a change in the way this important SEO initiative is done to extract the maximum value from it.
More Posts
Share by: