What is ‘SEO’ and how can it help my business?

If you’re looking into marketing solutions for your business, you’ve probably come across the term ‘SEO’. But what is ‘SEO’ and how can it help your business? In this blog, we will discuss what SEO is, how it works, and how it can help to market your business!

What is Search Engine Optimisation?

Search Engine Optimisation, or SEO, is the process of increasing your website or brand’s visibility in search engine results. The aim when employing SEO techniques is to get your business to the top of the first page of Google.

What is the difference between SEO and Google AdWords?

SEO is getting your website to show up in search engine results organically (without paying for it). Google AdWords is paid Search Engine Marketing (SEM) that can help you get onto the first page of Google, however works best when SEO techniques are being used. If you use Google AdWords to promote your business, searchers will be able to see that is a paid ad. Check out our AdWords blog post to see if your business should be using Google AdWords.

How does SEO work?

When someone searches for something on the web, the search engine they’re using will sort through all the webpages and find which ones are most relevant. If your website contains all the right keywords that were typed into the search bar, and your site is user-friendly and relevant to the person searching, then your website is more likely to show up with a high ranking on Google.

How can SEO help my business?

SEO can help you get more website visits, compete with other similar businesses, gain more new customers, establish your brand, and validate your business’ expertise. It will help to get your business noticed!

When you want to find a product or service, you probably jump on your phone or computer and Google it, right? Well that’s probably what your customers are doing too. And how often do you click on the second page of Google because you can’t find what you’re looking for? Around 95% of people will click through to a page that shows up on the first page of Google. If you’re not showing up on the first page of Google, you’re not likely to get a sale, but your competitors will!

How do you get your website on the first page?

There are several tactics you can use to get your website showing up on the first search page. First, you should make sure any information about your business both on your website and on other business listings across the internet are consistent. This will help search engines recognise your website as relevant. Then:

• Check that your website is user friendly and there are no broken links. Search engines will favour working websites that focus on helping the user. Having a secure website (HTTPS) will also be favoured by search engines.
• Research keywords that are relevant to your business, and then work out how you can incorporate them into your website. Keywords should be included in each page on your website.
• Link your business’ website and insert key information on other recognised business websites such as business directories.
• Post content on your website and stay relevant. We recommend uploading blog posts to your website containing keywords relevant to your business. This will help search engines determine your relevance to search terms being used and recognise your website. Regularly posting updated content will also validate how much you know about your product or service and make your business appear more trustworthy.

Still confused about SEO?

Redsteps can help! We offer SEO packages that include content creation, website updating and optimisation and social media sharing. We understand that SEO tasks can be time consuming for business owners to implement, monitor and regularly assess, so let us do it for you! Check out our SEO packages here, or contact us and let us talk you through it.