Have you heard that improving your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) improves your chances of being easily found online?
Wendy Piersall, online entrepreneur and author says it best. “Google only loves you, when everyone else loves you first.” Google, with over 70% of the search engine market share organizes online information so that the most easily found rank best in the search engine results.
Below, we answer twelve of the most commonly asked questions about SEO to demystify how it works and show you how to use it.
1. How does SEO improve your business?
SEO strengthens your website’s foundation by making it more appealing to search engines. Once implemented, your website ranks higher online and is more visible to prospective clients using search engines such as Google and Bing.
2. What are SEO keywords or terms?
These are keyphrases or words that people use in their online searches and also the terms that you want to include in your web content to make sure that searchers can find you. The keywords help improve search engine ratings.
3. What is on-page vs off-page SEO?
Any work that’s done on your actual site such as the creation of titles, tags, descriptions, content, website structure, etc., is known as On-Page SEO.
Any work not done directly on your website, such as blog writing, link-building, social sharing, bookmarking, various content and more is known as Off-Page SEO.
4. Should people focus on SEO if they already rank well?
Absolutely! SEO is dynamic. Search rankings and results shift and change. What works today, may not tomorrow. Google is constantly updating and refining it’s algorithms. Also, as competition increases it’s important to stay on top of SEO so your website continues to be relevant.
Maintaining a good website entails doing consistent SEO to maintain and continually improve its rankings. You may rank for your core keywords, but it’s important to rank for secondary and tertiary terms as well.
5. Can anyone guarantee first page rankings?
No one can guarantee exactly where they will rank, but someone’s business is always taking up the first page search engine real estate. By doing SEO work consistently at the correct pace and in the proper manner, your business can achieve great results.
6. What’s the difference between local and national SEO?
For example, a national educational institute that provides online training services would want to rank for ‘online training,” as its clients could reside in different geographical locations. Whereas a local college that serves just Vancouver, BC would want to rank for “colleges Vancouver BC.”
Local SEO is intended to draw customers living in the area to support local business. Therefore a business with local customers would try to rank for the keyword and the geography, while a business seeking national customers would use broader terms without focusing on location.
7. What are long tail keywords?
Long-tail keywords are terms or keyphrases that are more specific and usually longer than more commonly used keywords.
Long-tail keywords get less search traffic, but will usually have a higher conversion value, as they are more specific. For example, “how to stop global warming”uses short-tail keywords and “simple ways for individuals to reduce their impact on global warming,” is a long-tail keyphrase.
8. What’s the connection between Google My Business (GMB) and Local SEO?
Google My Business also known as Google Business Profile is a directory which maintains key business information such as name, address, phone number, hours of operation, map, photos, videos, categories of business, forms of payment, etc.
It’s Important to fully complete and verify this information as it affects where Google ranks your business on both desktop and mobile platforms in Google’s Search Engine Pages (SERP) and Google Maps.
9. Can my business show up on Google Maps?
Yes, if all the relevant details are properly filled out on the Google My Business section and the site has been verified by Google, it can show on Google Maps. Adding in extras like videos, photos, and getting reviews is advantageous to include.
10. How often does Google update it’s algorithms?
Google does not give direct answers to this, but every few months a major algorithm update tends to occur. In between, many small updates consistently appear.
SEO specialists track key terms which allows them to quickly see fluctuations. By seeing this, they can evaluate what’s working best and make adjustments to SEO campaigns.
11. What are backlinks and why are they important?
These are links done offsite that signal search engines to the targeted website. There is a lot that goes into backlinking safely. The days of mass link building and black hat or subversive SEO are over.
When properly done, backlinking strategies ensure that the backlinks come from relevant sites that are true to the business. By doing strong backlink work, your website should rank higher than your competition who may be solely focused on their on-page work.
12. What is guest blogging?
You don’t have to write every blog on your website or blogging platform yourself. Pertinent and interesting content written by a guest blogger is a valuable way to improve your rankings.
The guest blogger can also include the same blog in their line up which provides a backlink to your website, in turn improving your SEO.
Spring Creative Inc. is an award-winning agency specializing in marketing, design, and digital services. We empower brands to communicate effectively and confidently. Based in Nelson, BC, Canada. Reach out to learn more!
If you need help with your brand or would like to learn more about our services Book a Meeting today. Fern Sabo Founder/CEO | Spring Creative Inc.
