Category: seo

The practice of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has become a strategic priority of any business that deals in products or services. That includes those businesses that sell to other businesses (B2B) or those that provide products and services to the consumer (B2C). The science and creativity of ensuring that SEO effectively uses keywords and phrases can mean the difference between the success or failure of the business.

Thankfully today there are a variety of tools that can be used to both develop the SEO strategy and, through measurement, ensure that the fine-tuning of that strategy and SEO content provides the business with a competitive edge. Here are three of the best.

1. Google Analytics.

Google Analytics is tremendously powerful and should be first on the list when it comes to essential SEO tools. It provides an analysis of what content is the most popular with visitors to a site and even how long visitors to the site have spent on a specific page on the website. It allows for analysis of site visitors and where they have come from – and perhaps most importantly it provides insight into conversion rates. All this information (and much more) can be used to fine-tune SEO content.

2. Ubersuggest.

Ubersuggest is a tool that allows you to access reports on domains including that of your competitors and your own site. The Keyword Planner tool can allow you to address deficiencies in your own keyword usage and exploit weaknesses in your competitor’s use of keywords. It’ll also provide information on cost per click for paid search and the effectiveness of keywords when used for organic search (using search engines like Google). However, that is just scratching the surface – there’s a lot more information available.

3. The Ahrefs Tool.

Plug in a URL using this Ahrefs and you will receive a report with a wealth of information. If you use it on your site it will also provide an itemized listing of the various SEO elements – and show (using helpful icons) information about those areas that you need to tighten up. Keyword analysis is detailed and includes both words and phrases – and for the newbie, to SEO it’s incredibly useful – it also provides pointers and discussion on each of the categories it examines.

Using free tools to analyze the effectiveness of an SEO strategy is key to ensuring competitiveness and feeding that sales funnel. There are a wealth of these tools out there – spend some time finding those that suit your unique requirements.

Let’s imagine a scenario. You have been in a fender bender just outside your home in San Antonio (don’t worry, everyone’s fine) and you need to get your car repaired as soon as possible so that you can attend a meeting that will assure you of that long-anticipated promotion. What do you do?

You go onto the Internet and find a reputable, local repair shop that can get the job done quickly and efficiently. You’re not interested in a repair shop in Los Angeles or for that matter Anchorage. You need a local service provider.

Now the repair company that has optimized its website by using local SEO strategies will be at, or near the top of the search engine results page.

That is why it is important for a company to have a structured and strategic local Search Engine Optimization plan. It’s interesting to note that the latest research indicates that around 46% of searches on Google are for local companies.

So what are the guidelines for attracting local customers and ensuring their loyalty?

The first step is to ensure that those keyword-based phrases are localized. In the above thought exercise that would mean phrases such as ‘Chicago SEO analyst.’

According to Wordstream research, about 50% of those doing a search for a local business would visit that business within 24 hours of going that search – in short, local SEO supercharges a business sales funnel.

One of the most important first steps that any business can taker is to register for a ‘Google my Business listing. This ensures that someone doing a local search by business name, information about products and services, and by relevant keywords and phrases will be exposed to a link directing them to a local company. The link will also appear on Google maps. The more detailed the listing is the more effective it will be so the business should make sure to include hours of operation, customer reviews (these are extremely important), photos of the location, company logos, and types of services/products.

There are also an enormous number of business directories and listings on the internet. The company needs to have a presence on as many of these as possible. Again, the business should make sure that it includes authentic customer reviews, as well as in-depth information on these sites.

The best way to ensure that a business benefits from local SEO efforts is to enlist the help of an expert SEO company. They will assist in developing those all-important SEO keywords and phrases and handle the listings that are required. they will also use specialist tools to ensure that the SEO efforts are successful – and fine-tune those efforts when required.

Any business that serves a specific community and does not have a local SEO strategy in place will be at a significant competitive disadvantage – make sure that your business is not one of these.