Why is SEO for Small Business is so important? Because according to reports from the Small Business Association, there are roughly 33 million small businesses in the US. This shows an overall growth of 12.2 percent from 2017 to 2022.
This increase is something to celebrate for small business. And on the other hand, it means there is more competition than ever, especially if your small business doesn’t have a significant online presence.
Are you looking to build an online presence for your small business? If so, the most important place to begin promoting your website is through SEO for Small Business. Keep reading to find out 3 top tips for optimizing your small business website online.
1. TARGET THE RIGHT KEYWORDS
If you are selling merchandise online, it’s essential that you target the right keywords so that your products show up in search. One of the secrets to competing with larger e-commerce stores and retailers is to look for long-tail keywords that are highly specific.
You also need to balance out search volume metrics with competition when doing keyword research. Another way you can find keywords to help you rank in search is by analyzing what keywords your site is already showing up for and leveraging those further.
Keyword research and optimization is a very important part of SEO for small business, but it can be complex and time-consuming to implement. If you don’t feel confident developing your own keyword strategies then it might be a good idea to invest in SEO services.
2. DON’T FORGET ABOUT LOCAL SEO
Local SEO is one of the most vital strategies to focus on if you are a brick-and-mortar business. Local SEO will help you get found by potential customers in your area.
Some of the basic elements of good local SEO include:
- Targeting location-specific keywords
- Creating a Google Business Profile listing
- Creating listings on other directory sites
- Developing citations and backlinks
- Gathering reviews
Local SEO for small business is relatively simple, but there are some important areas that you don’t want to mess up. For instance, you never want to enter differing contact or location information into directory site listings, because Google will cross-reference these and take it as a sign that you aren’t a legitimate local business.
3. OPTIMIZE FOR MOBILE
Another of the most important tips for website optimization is to optimize for mobile. Thanks to smartphones and tablets, mobile browsing has grown in leaps and bounds and is now responsible for a significant share of e-commerce sales.
Currently, e-commerce sales from mobile account for over 40% of all e-commerce transactions .
If your small business website offers visitors a poor mobile experience, chances are they’re going to click away and take their business elsewhere.
A poor mobile experience can also hurt your brand image. If a visitor can’t click on menu items because they’re too small, can’t see the menu because it’s hidden behind the edge of the screen—or experiences any other browsing issue—this will make your website look cheap and amateur.
Some of the most important mobile optimization steps include:
- Implementing 100% responsive web design
- Increasing site speed
- Test driving navigational elements for ease-of-use
- Simplifying your site’s page layout and design
These are just a handful of the steps you can take to improve mobile visitors’ experience.
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH SEO?
Does your small business need a stronger online presence? Building an online presence is critical for any brick-and-mortar business, and thorough website optimization is the first step. Not only does website optimization attract more customers, but it can also help establish trust and credibility.
If you need help with SEO for small business, you’re in the right place. The Local Marketer specializes in web design and SEO services for local businesses. Book a meeting today to discuss your SEO needs.
