What is SEO and how does it apply to my business?

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is making sure your company ‘s website and web presence is optimized for a user’s mobile experience.

With more people than ever using their mobile devices rather than desktop computer for Internet surfing, having a prominent and user-friendly mobile presence is critical.

SEO includes: Making sure your web site looks great on a mobile device. Sure your web site looks great on a desktop computer, but how does it look on your phone or tablet? Try it out.  Is it easy to use? Is it “clunky?” When your customers come to your mobile site are they going to get frustrated and leave for your competitor’s site?

Also, Google’s new algorithm won’t pick up sites that aren’t optimized for mobile on a mobile search. In other words, if a user searches for “pizza delivery” on his or her iPhone, and your pizza business does not have a mobile website they won’t see you.

Also, recent research done by a group of SEO Professionals reports that long form, in depth content is more likely to rank highly in a Google search than short, brief posts. Read more about the study here.

So how do you optimize your site for mobile?

• Responsive design: “Responsive” means that your web site’s size adjusts to fit the screen of the device the viewer is using.

• Your site is registered on search engines including Google, Bing and Yahoo. Let the search engines know your site is there.

•  Create profiles on Yelp, LinkdIn, etc. Did you know you can create a profile for your business on LinkdIn? Some sites like Yelp have your business listed with basic information such as an address, but you need to claim your listing in order to ensure that the information is up to date and accurate. Many online directories also allow you to create a short profile and add photos of your business.  The more places your business is listed online the more chances you have on it being seen by a mobile user doing a search.  Creating these listings are free, but on many you can also purchase online ads.

• In depth content. Don't get carried away focusing on key words. Write for people, not for search engines. Go in depth on your topic and consider taking a little more time to write your content. Making your posts longer does not mean you should fill them with fluff, but by going more in depth on your topic the length and rankability will go up. 

There are many ways to increase your businesses presence online. Try searching for your web site online on a mobile device from the point of view of a customer. Make a list of what doesn’t work, what business directories does it show up on — or doesn’t. It may seem tedious, but taking the time to improve your web site’s online presence is critical for staying ahead in a digital world.

Click here to read about the top 6 SEO factors for 2016.

Want to know how SEO can help your business? Contact Jenny Hopkins at jhopkins@journalnet.com for details.