While Search Engine Optimization can seem a little intimidating when you are just getting started, even a novice can get a lot closer to the first page of Google’s search results by following these top 5 SEO tips for inbound marketing. It’s simpler than you might imagine.
1. Your Web Page’s “Page Title”
The first thing Google does when it indexes your website is to look for SEO keywords and keyphrases in your webpage titles.
Your primary SEO keyphrases work in conjunction with the SEO keyphrases in your URL and the lead paragraph of your content. As such, it’s critical to the success of your inbound marketing campaigns to be aware of these Google cues.
The title tag has been – and probably will always be – one of the most important factors in achieving high search engine rankings.
In fact, fixing just the title tags of your pages can often generate quick and appreciable differences to your rankings.
2. Lead (First) paragraph SEO
Begin your article with a statement that repeats the page heading and offers a summary explanation of the content’s title.
By making your opening paragraph as meaningful and as closely related to the page header and keywords as possible, you help Google to rank that page of your website higher in its search results.
3. Image/Photo SEO
Images serve as powerful inbound marketing tools by drawing attention to the visual appeal of your message. But remember, Google can’t actually “see” any pictures or images on your site. You have to help Google by including descriptions or “alt” tags with the image. An alt (alternative) tag tells Google what the image is so it can index the image as part of your website.
4. URL SEO
Your URL of a page or site should tell a lot about the content of the page. The presumption is that if your blog or site is about dogs, you will have “dog”, “dogs”, or “puppy” as part of your page name. Try developing your page’s URL directly from your Page title. That’s a highly effective way to strengthen your ranking while reinforcing the impact of your message.
5. SEO facelifts (Bottom Line…)
Harnessing the potential strength of your inbound marketing SEO is critical to getting your message found by readers and prospects.
However, when all is said and done, Google actually prioritizes the quality of your content over the quantity of your SEO key phrases in determining your rankings.
Just as doing a little cosmetic surgery on a mannequin still won’t give it life, the content on your website and its “share-ability” by those that are interested in your topic will help you improve your search rankings much more than just a bunch of keywords.
Go ahead and write your content (blogs, website text, etc.) as naturally as possible, then go back and judiciously use the SEO tools outlined above.
Providing great content for your readers will encourage them to share your words with others which not only helps your search rankings, but generates more business!
Try these tips out for yourself and let us know how it’s working.
While there are volumes of SEO techniques, there are only a few that truly make a significant difference. What are your essential tips for those just starting down the SEO trail?
Please share your thoughts and suggestions with us. Our readers appreciate your knowledge!
