[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Search engines are actual question answering machines. I wish I had a running tally of how many times someone told me or I told someone to simply “google it.” After all, the average internet user makes 3 to 4 internet searches per day. Add all the google users up and that brings us to a whopping 7 billion searches a day.
That being said, there is obviously a lot of information out there waiting to be found. If you have a website, you might be overwhelmed about how to get your webpage to the top. It’s time to show SEO who’s boss. (You, you’re the boss.)
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So, what is SEO anyway?
SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” Simply put, it’s the process of increasing the quality and quantity of website traffic. These searches can be considered “organic,” or non-paid search engine results that rank high on the list.
Yes, the search engine itself is important but the person searching is what we want to understand best. What are they searching for? What words are they using? What content do they like to consume? If you know the answers to these questions and you apply them to what you offer, the person searching will find you.
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How do I know if a search result is organic?
Remember, organic results are not paid for, meaning they are not advertisements the search engine is making money from. “SERPs” or search engine result pages are loaded with inorganic and organic content. These now come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. Common SERP features include carousels, ask boxes or recommended links.
Exercise: Search for “pizza in Los Angeles (or any city).” Decipher which results are organic or advertisements. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Why should I care about SEO?
Yes, advertisements are important and help generate new traffic. However, the bulk of traffic is driven by search engines. When done correctly, a strong piece of content will excel over time, and traffic will begin to snowball.
There are two main strategies when it comes to SEO: White Hat and Black Hat. Some people would prefer to make some fast money. They would use the Black Hat approach. Let’s break these down.
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Content is optimized for the search engine, not the searcher. This requires breaking the rules to get your site ranked high, resulting in quick revenue. This content is not professional. It will appear like spam and will most likely be banned. When this happens, your chances of ranking high again are little to none. We do not recommend this approach for obvious reasons.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]White Hat
This content is focused on the consumer and gearing it towards them. These sites will appear professional and well-thought-out. If you want to build a long-lasting business, this is the way to go. We do in fact recommend this. For more information on Black and White Hat strategies, click here. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Types of SEO
Let’s compare On-Page and Off-Page SEO.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1588188957145{padding-top: 25px !important;}”]
On-Page SEO
Make your website as great as possible to receive organic traffic. On-Page SEO is focused on the technical details.
- Headings
- Meta tags
- Key Words (click here to find out more on picking keywords)
- Content
- Image optimization
- Size
- Speed
- URL structure
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This is everything you do outside of your website to attract traffic. All resources should backlink to your website.
- Email blasts
- Blog posts
- Social media
- Valuable content people want to share
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Track Your Success
So, you’ve made some changes to better your SEO game. It’s time to see if your efforts are paying off. Google Analytics will help you track your organic traffic and Google Serch Console will help track your ranking, impressions, and keyword clicks.
SEO takes practice and patience. Ranking number one will not happen overnight so don’t get discouraged when you aren’t seeing quick results. Focus on the details to make your page stand out from the rest and gain authority. SEO is everchanging. Keep an eye on it and adjust when you need to. Your efforts will pay off and your business will grow!
Sources:
https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo/why-search-engine-marketing-is-necessary
http://www.inboundmarketinginc.com/blog/black-hat-vs-white-hat-seo/
https://ahrefs.com/blog/seo-basics/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]
