Have you ever dreamt of your website being the Beyonce of the search results – flawless and constantly attracting a crowd? Well, SEO can be your Sasha Fierce in achieving that dream!
Confused by the pop culture references and SEO lingo? Don't worry, I'm here to break it down for you. In this blog post (and accompanying video!), I'll set about my mission in translating the mysteries of SEO into easy-to-understand magic (hopefully!).
For ease, I’ve posted a video below which is basically me explaining everything I speak about in this article! So, if you prefer learning through video – here you go:
Firstly, what is SEO?
No, it's not some fancy dance move (although that might be fun at a conference). SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, and in a nutshell, it's like a behind-the-scenes conversation you have with Google. You're making sure Google understands what your website is all about, so it can categorise it properly and show it to the right people – your ideal customers & clients!
But here’s the problem - SEO is often an afterthought. Or worse, not thought of at all! It should be central to everything your website does. Think of SEO as the engine room of your website. A beautiful website without SEO is like a brand-new Ferrari without an engine – stunning to look at but stuck in the garage. SEO fuels everything: design, development, marketing, and even PR – the whole shebang!
E-E-A-T: Your Website's Secret Weapon Against the Competition!
We all know the feeling – you've got a fantastic website, but where are the customers? Enter E-E-A-T, SEO's secret weapon!
But What on Earth IS E-E-A-T?
It stands for: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Think of it as your website's reputation booster, showing potential customers why they should choose you over the competition. It's basically Google's way of saying, "Hey, this website knows its stuff, people trust them, and they're the real deal!"
On-Page vs. Off-Page SEO: The Inside and Outside Story of Website Success!
We've talked about how to make your website look amazing and ooze SEO power. But an incredibly powerful website needs both a solid foundation and a vibrant reputation. That's where on-page SEO and off-page SEO come in, working together like a well-oiled machine (like a website version of Ant and Dec!).
What is On-Page SEO?
Imagine your website as your own home. On-page SEO is like decorating it – you're in complete control! You decide the layout (structure), the content (furniture), and even the landing pages (rooms with a specific purpose). Everything from the blog posts you write to the call-to-action buttons you design falls under on-page SEO. It's all about crafting the perfect user experience within your own four digital walls.
Okay, so what is Off-Page SEO?
Off-page SEO, on the other hand, is more like getting help with your home's reputation. Think of it as hiring a gardener or decorator – you can provide guidance, but the finishing touches aren't entirely in your control. Here's how off-page SEO works its magic:
Links: The Currency of Credibility: Off-page SEO revolves around links pointing to your website from external sources. These links act like votes of confidence, telling search engines, "Hey, this website is trustworthy and valuable!"
Social Media Spotlight: Your social media profiles are a goldmine for off-page SEO – you control these links, so make them count! Link back to your website in your bios and posts to drive traffic and show your online presence. The best part is – this is a side of off-page SEO you do have full control of!
Citation Building: Local directories like Yellow Pages and Yelp are like free advertising for your website. Getting listed in these directories is called citation building, and it’s a quick and uncomplicated way to gain more valuable links pointing to your website and highlights your legitimacy as a business. Tip: I wouldn’t bother listing your website on directories that cost money, just the free versions are fine.
Quality Content: Excellent quality content is the ultimate link magnet! Craft high-quality blog posts and share them on social media and email newsletters and mailouts. If your content is truly informative and engaging, others will naturally share it too, generating valuable backlinks!
Guest Blogging: Collaborate with bloggers in a niche that compliments yours! Exchange guest posts to expand your reach and build links from relevant websites. This is a fantastic way to tap into new audiences and prove yourself as an industry authority.
Digital PR: Public relations can be a game-changer for off-page SEO. Reach out to journalists and online publications that might be interested in your expertise. Scoring a feature in a news article or blog post can land you a powerful, authoritative link that boosts your website's credibility. Websites such as Qwoted and Twitter (okaaaaay, X) are just a couple of places you can find requests from journalists (look for hashtags such as #journorequest.
The SEO Sweet Spot
Remember, both on-page and off-page SEO are crucial for website success. On-page SEO empowers you to create a user-friendly, informative website, while off-page SEO builds your reputation and attracts visitors through valuable backlinks.
Something to be wary of: Don't be tempted by the dark side – buying links is a surefire way to get penalised by Google. Focus on creating high-quality content and building genuine connections, and your website will climb the search engine ranks naturally.
Leveraging the Power of Google
We've talked about SEO basics, but let's talk about Google – how can you harness the power of Google itself to supercharge your website? Here are some free tools you should be using:
Google Business Profile (GBP): Consider GBP your digital storefront! Fill it out completely with photos, videos, opening hours, contact details, and even your menu if you're a restaurant. Think of it as a mini website within Google.
Why it's a must-have: Google loves a well-maintained GBP profile! It shows you're a legitimate business and helps Google match your info across the web. Plus, potential customers might interact directly through your profile, calling or emailing you without ever visiting your website! It’s also where customers and clients can leave you reviews – which you should actively encourage. The more positive reviews you get, the more Google pushes your business further up the search engine rankings – because it shows trust.
Google Search Console (GSC): GSC is your SEO command centre! It offers valuable insights into how your website performs in search results. See which keywords are driving traffic, find areas for improvement, and track your website's health over time.
Google Analytics (GA) Or GA4 as it's now known: Dive deeper into your website's analytics with GA. See where your traffic originates from, which pages are most popular, and how visitors interact with your website. This data is a goldmine for understanding your audience and improving your website for better results.
By mastering these SEO basics and using the free resources offered by Google, you'll be well on your way to building a website that thrives in search results. Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay tuned for more Ladybird SEO tips to keep your website optimised and attracting new customers!
Feeling Overwhelmed by SEO?
Whilst it’s all well and good me offering all the SEO tips and advice that I can throw at you, the truth is SEO can be feel like a minefield!
Don’t you worrk, I completely understand! And that’s where I can swoop in and help. If you’d like a free no obligation chat about your business and your website, then please click on the button below or contact me now.
(P.S) Looking for some actionable tips? Take a look at my SEO & Website Tips Guide (6 Reasons you are getting ZERO Sales or Leads through your website).
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