Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a huge component of every company’s online marketing. With so much hype about website design, many companies are uninformed that even though their site looks sexy and marketable, it still hasn’t left the parking lot. Between online directories and SEO savvy competitors, it is becoming increasingly difficult reach that “Page 1” status on Google.
Having your website rank on Google (and other search engines) is important, especially for online marketing conversion ratios – when you’re found on Google, it’s because your target market is actually searching for you. ‘Getting found’ online takes time and requires clearly written web content focusing on relevant keywords, weekly research on industry trends and visitor search queries, and regularly reviewing your Google Analytics.
When we introduce SEO to a company, we bring to their attention 5 DYI SEO Tools to use so they, at the very least, can get started on generating targeted search traffic to their website.
1. Website Submission
If your company hasn’t submitted your website to be indexed on Google and Bing, then this is an important first step. If you haven’t notified Search Engines, then your website is floating aimlessly around in cyberspace waiting to be found. Take a moment and submit your site to Google Website Submission and Bing Website Submission.
2. Google Analytics
How can a company quantify their online marketing strategies without a way to track website activity? Google Analytics does this for you and it is such an important tool to have as a business. With Google Analytics, you can find out what content is most interesting to visitors, what devices they’re using, what queries the use to find you and what websites are referring visitors to your site.
Do you have Google Analytics installed on your website? Here is a quick way to find out.
Type in your website address. Right click anywhere on the screen. Select View Source. Hit Ctrl-F to type in the word “Analytics”. You should see a Google Analytics site tag tracking code within the code that looks something like this:
<!– Global site tag (gtag.js) – Google Analytics –><script async src=”https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-XXXXXXXX-1″></script><script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}gtag(‘js’, new Date());gtag(‘config’, ‘UA-XXXXXXXX-1’);</script>
If you do not see this code (or a Google Tag Manager code), then it’s time to contact your web designer to guide you on creating a Google Analytics account. Web designers come and go, so it’s very important to have your Google Analytics and web tools registered through a general Gmail account. Also, be sure to set up Google Search Console and link to your Google Analytics to track all search queries.
3. Google Keyword Planner
We love Google Keyword Planner. With Keyword Planner, you can research the most popular keyword phrases universally and locally based on the keyword relevant to your company that you submit. We tend to focus on low competition, (which means that not many of my competitors will show up) with a high search rate. You may be surprised that many “typical” keyword phrases within your industry are not what your consumer is searching for.
Utilize this tool to create informative blog posts and to revise old website pages. With this simple tool, we guarantee that you will see your search engine rankings climb. Getting to #1 is a challenge but Keyword Planner helps. Use the same Gmail account as you’ve set up for Google Analytics to sign in to Keyword Planner.
4. Google Trends
Google Trends allows you to take the keyword phrases that you have selected and compare trends with other keyword phrases. Your company will want to pick keywords that are higher up on Google trends and are showing an increasing trend (or at least not a decreasing trend).
5. Google Ads
You would be amazed how much information can be found by launching a simple $100 Google Ads campaign. Keyword Planner assists you in selecting keyword phrases to use when setting up your ads. The information gained at the end of an Ads campaign gives you real numbers on the keywords that your target is searching. It’s worth the investment because now you’ll be able to really refine the keywords on your website.
Having a good SEO strategy is critical to getting found online. Not sure where to start? We can help. Our team of digital marketing specialists will work with you to develop an SEO strategy to get the search ranking you need.
