Getting your business “seen” or “heard” is always an ongoing effort. Whether you’re small business or a massive corporation, there are many different ways and strategies you can utilize to get your product or service seen and heard. Does your business know all the ways that it can use to get seen and heard by the customers and clients you want to connect with?

One popular method for businesses of all sizes to help them get seen by potential clients and customers is through search engine optimization.

What Is Search Engine Optimization?

Search engine optimization, also known simply as “SEO,” is the process of optimizing content on your website to rank better on search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo and more. Search engine optimization involves many different methods and strategies to help boost the awareness of your business’ online presence. There are changes you can make directly on your website and factors outside of your direct control that influence how well your online presence is ranked online.

Keywords Are the Key

A fundamental element of search engine optimization is the utilization of “keywords,” which may be a single word or a short phrasing of multiple words. When someone searches for a product, a service or information that is relative to your business offerings, they’ll be provided with a list of websites and resources from both you, your competitors and other related websites.

Using the correct keywords is the key to getting your online presence recognized by potential clients, customers and followers. If you do not have the proper keywords on your website, it’ll never be able to rank on search engines for when people search.

In other words, in order to be seen, the search engines have to be informed that your online presence is all about what people are searching for. And the way to inform the search engines about it is by using relative keywords.

Tips to Optimize Your Online Presence

Optimizing your online presence will take time. Search engines don’t always update information about your website when you do and it can take time for search rankings to change. There are always factors that impact where your website ranks, but there are always ways you can influence your online search ranking in positive ways.

Do keyword research and market analysis.

Search engine optimization specialists can assist with keyword research and help you to analyse the online market for your company and industry. Keyword research is the process of studying online search habits to see what keywords are being searched the most as well as finding related keywords you might not have thought of.

Keywords research is an ongoing process. Make sure to revisit the keyword research and analysis you do on the online market, as it can evolve and change over time.

Use long-tail keywords.

Long-tail keywords are certain keywords or keyword phrases that are not among the most searched phrases, but may be more tailored to your industry, product, service or offering. Long-tail keywords have a lower competition for search rankings. In other words, long-tail keywords can be more effective at getting you “seen” and “heard” without having to pay a lot of time and money to reach the more competitive keywords of your market.

Re-optimize your website.

Re-optimizing your website or online presence can help search engines to better rank your website based on the keywords (or long-tail keywords) that you want to be known for. Changing the written content, optimizing images, and many more on-site strategies can help to improve your search ranking without drastically changing the message or visual appearance of your online presence.

Use your keyword in numerous places.

When developing content, websites and online presences, the keyword you want to be known for needs to be used strategically in numerous places. For example, you’ll want to use the keyword in the following locations as long as it does not ruin the flow of your message:

• Title of the page.
• URL of the website or page.
• In the copy/body of the page.
• As image/file names and in their URL path.
• In anchor text that link back to the page/website.

Search Engine Optimization Is Always Ongoing

Remember that optimizing your website in order to get better search rankings is an ongoing process. Even if you are able to get a satisfactory ranking on popular search engines that does not indicate that you will stay there. As search engines change their ranking algorithms, competitors change their optimizing tactics, and as your audience changes what they search for, it can negatively or positively impact where your ranking stands in the market.

Always review and evaluate the status of your search ranking and look for ways to stay ahead.

Are you looking for ways to get your website listed higher on Google, Bing, Yahoo and other similar search engines? Try search engine optimization (SEO) for your business or website. Properly optimizing your website and online presence is the difference between being “seen,” being an industry leader or not being seen at all. Which one do you want your website to be?