It is no secret that search engine optimization (SEO) can be challenging:
From the right keyword selection and keyword usage to the quality of the content and the backlinks…
And unfortunately, most startups come into the conversation of SEO with the mindset of “oh, we can do that later,” only leaving them wishing they had started earlier…
But, if you are even somewhat familiar with the practice of SEO, then you know that most search engines prefer major websites with thousands of credible backlinks, a recognizable brand name, and a seemingly unmatched amount of fresh content.
And the value of well-done SEO is exponential—as it is one of the best channels for the growth phase of startups and can lead to a skyrocketing of traffic.
So, now that you’ve realized what you’ve been missing out on this whole time, you are probably ready to jump right in. Am I right?
Woah—hold your horses though…
There are a few things you need to know first:
Build your search results reputation.
If you Google a company and the first thing that pulls up about them is negative, are you likely to continue browsing their site? Probably not.
What about if you Google a company and have to spend a few minutes looking around to figure out what it is that they even do, are you likely to share that site? Probably not.
A user-friendly experience and a positive public image is the lifeline to a successful business. According to 1stonthelist.com, good user experience leads to bigger sales, better customer loyalty, and often direct access (direct traffic) to your website. 74% of interviewed businesses owners believe that the user experience is the key for improving sales.
The idea is to get right to the point so that the user doesn’t get bored and lose interest:
- Clearly explain what it is that you do.
- Show your product or examples of your services.
- Tell your story: What is your mission? Who are you?
Produce quality content.
Back in the late 1990s or so, when search engines were just coming out and SEO was just becoming a thing, keyword density was the big focus.
You had to use the keyword a certain amount of times, you couldn’t use it too many times though, etc., etc.
But now, keyword stuffing is not so much the focus.
Fortunately, and unfortunately—it is great that they are this smart but makes SEO even more work—search engines are now smart enough that they will search for quality content as well. Basically, they don’t want you feeding users a load of crap.
Rather than just slapping some words on a page, invest in or create high-quality content that demonstrates your knowledge on the topic at hand.
Obtain high-quality links.
As mentioned above, one of the major things search engines are searching for as they roam the Internet is quality backlinks. These backlinks should come from credible sources…
But not only from credible sources, credible sources who provide good content, too.
So, before you just go create a personal blog and start cramming links back to your startup in your posts, invest in a link building service to ensure each link to your site truly counts toward achieving your SEO strategies and improving your results.
Monitor your results.
Ah, one of the oldest tips in the book, but yet, still one of the most valuable…
How can you know where to improve if you don’t know the results of each of your efforts?
The answer: you can’t.
Always, always, always monitor your results so you know what to continue doing and what to improve on.
Track your website views and your conversion rates to see which keywords are gaining the most attention, what your best links are, what kind of content your users are responding to, and more.
In Summary
Successful SEO is a major project, but it is also a major asset to a business – especially to a startup trying to gain the attention of new clients.
While it might seem like a huge hassle at first, you won’t regret the decision to spend the time and money on it once you see those new clients rolling in.
Remember, SEO can bring you some of the greatest exposure.
Don’t wait any longer—you could be on your way to being No. 1 on the search engine results!
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