Hi Faith,

I created my website with Wix and they have amazing SEO help tailored to my business, with step by step instructions and easy to follow guides to get set up.  Depending how your website is configured this could be an option for you?

Wix also host regular webinars and one recently was about SEO so it might be worth checking to see if you can access the recordings on their site.

I hope this helps!

Thank you so much Chloe this very helpful.  I will check Wix and perhaps attend a few webinars.

This is very helpful!!!

SEO is so important.  I doubled my site's traffic with some basic SEO steps in AIOSEO (All-In-One SEO), which is a plugin I use on my WordPress site.  It's mainly a question of adding search-friendly descriptions, adding both internal and external links, using possible search text in the content and adding info to images.  

My son does this sort of thing as a free-lancer for a living so I have him to ask questions of which is really useful!  His latest suggestion is to use Google Business Profile - adding FAQs, images, search terms and services that push your site up the rankings.  I am also trying to integrate our bookings system with 'Reserve with Google' which with score well with the Google algorithm.

It's an ongoing process but it does work.  From appearing on like, page 8 of results, my company, Funky Bunker, now comes in around no 32 in results.  I reckon I can get it in the top 5 within a few months. It's important to realise that your website is not a thing that you build and just leave there.  The more updates you post, the more images you put online, the more news item you post especially with external links, the higher your site is rated.  Regular additions to your site work in your favour too, so add photos and images every couple of weeks.

AI is being used more and more also.  AIOSEO uses AI to help with text content and image meta data.  What SEO is all about really is making sure your site is 'useful' to both potential customers and to casual browsers.

Hi Ralph 

Thank you so much for the detailed  response.  This is very helpful as I  had never heard of AIOSEO before , I will follow all the steps you mentioned so that I can bring the rankings of our site up.

Regards

Faith  

You're welcome, Faith!

Great answer Ralph, thanks for contributing. Must be great having a son who knows this information. 

It's very useful!

Hi Faith 

Here’s a useful breakdown of SEO terms:

Keywords = Keywords are basically words or phrases that you want to be found for online. We recommend writing a list of keywords and phrases and then asking your audience to see what they would search for.

Organic versus paid = Organic keywords are where you naturally sit in Google, in comparison to paid which is done through paying to have your website at the top of the page through advertising with Google Ads.

SERP = SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page, which is the page that Google shows you once you have typed something in.

CTR = CTR stands for click-through rate. This means the amount of users who have seen the link to your website in the results page and clicked on it.

Dwell time is the length of time that someone spent on a page of your website before clicking away to go somewhere else.

Algorithm = An algorithm is used by Google to rank the quality of a website page and show relevant results to a user.

Rank brain = Rank brain is a key part of Google’s algorithm which looks at how users interact with search results to give users the best possible results, and it is one of the top 3 ranking factors used by Google. It focuses on your CTR and your dwell time to give the searcher the best possible search result for their query.

Hope this helps, if you have any other questions I'd be more than happy to assist. 

Regards

Sarah 

Hi Faith. Learning about SEO can be incredibly beneficial for your small business. SEO is a digital marketing strategy that helps improve your website's visibility in search engines like Google, which can lead to increased organic (non-paid) traffic to your site. Here are some key points to consider as you embark on your SEO journey:

• Increased Online Visibility: SEO can help your business rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). When your website appears on the first page for relevant keywords, it's more likely to be seen by potential customers.
• More Targeted Traffic: SEO allows you to target specific keywords and phrases related to your products or services. This means the traffic you attract is more likely to be interested in what you offer.
• Cost-Effective Marketing: Compared to many other marketing strategies, SEO can be highly cost-effective. Once you've optimized your website, you can continue to attract organic traffic without ongoing advertising expenses.
• Credibility and Trust: Websites that rank well in search results are often perceived as more trustworthy and credible by users. High search engine rankings can enhance your brand's reputation.
• Local SEO: If you have a physical location, optimising for local SEO can help you attract customers in your area. This is particularly valuable for small businesses serving a specific geographic region.
• Analytics and Insights: SEO tools provide valuable data about your website's performance, user behaviour, and the effectiveness of your keywords. This data can inform your marketing decisions and help you refine your strategy.

To get started with SEO, consider the following steps:

• Keyword Research: Identify the keywords and phrases your target audience is likely to use when searching for products or services similar to yours. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can assist with this.
• On-Page Optimisation: Optimize your website's content, meta tags, headings, and images to include your target keywords naturally. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly and loads quickly.
• Quality Content: Create high-quality, valuable content that addresses the needs and questions of your target audience. Regularly updating your blog with relevant articles can also boost your SEO.
• Link Building: Build both internal and external links to your website. High-quality backlinks from authoritative websites can significantly improve your search rankings.
• User Experience: Ensure your website is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and is mobile-responsive. A positive user experience can improve your search rankings.
• Monitoring and Adjusting: Regularly monitor your SEO performance using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Adjust your strategy based on the data and changing search engine algorithms.

Consider getting some professional help if SEO seems overwhelming, you may want to consult with an SEO expert or agency. They can provide guidance and assistance in implementing a successful SEO strategy.

Remember that SEO is a long-term strategy, and it may take some time to see significant results. Consistency and patience are key. As you continue to learn and implement SEO best practices, you'll be well on your way to benefiting your small business by attracting more organic traffic and potential customers.

Best of luck with it.

Regards

Emmet