Improve Your SEO or Search Engine Optimization
Want to improve your SEO to get found more easily by search engines like Google? Well, this is probably one of the easiest DIY digital marketing tips we can teach you or your team to do!
And with so much competition in the outdoor, health, and wellness industry, improving your SEO will increase brand awareness and community engagement. Let’s get started!
What is SEO?
First things first, to improve SEO, you need to understand what it is.
Search Engine Optimization or SEO means designing or optimizing your website to be found easily by search engines through natural, unpaid, or organic means. The goal here is to boost traffic to your website from searches that begin on cell phones, iPads, laptops, and desktop computers. And without paying for it.
Google, Bing, and Yahoo run billions of searches for people each day, often in a matter of milliseconds! So, how can you help these searchers find your products or services? How do land on the first page of Google? Or what about those coveted first few spots?
Of course, you can set up and run Google Ads to try and buy your way into those top spots. And if you have interest in this, check out our DIY Guide to Google Ads!
However, since we’ve managed SEO strategy for several clients without running ads, here are our top 10 tips or SEO Best Practices to get you started down the right track!
Help people find you through search by optimizing your website for SEO!
Top 10 Ways to Improve Your SEO
1. Install an SEO Tool on your website! Our favorite tool to improve SEO for a WordPress website is Yoast SEO. Plus there’s a free version of Yoast that’s super easy to use!
2. Select a Keyword or better a Keyphrase. Determine what you want each page’s keyword or keyphrase to be. More details on this are below!
3. Update the SEO Title tag to include the keyword or keyphrase.
4. Use Headings or Heading tags (H1, H2, H3…) that contain your keyword or keyphrase.
5. Ensure your keyphrase is in the introduction!
6. Update your slug or URL to include that keyword or keyphrase.
7. Add internal and external links to related content that supports your keyword or keyphrase.
8. Update the Meta description to include the keyword or keyphrase.
9. Add ALT tags and image descriptions that contain your keyword or keyphrase.
10. Ensure your keyword or keyphrase is different for each page, product, or blog.
If some of these SEO tips above do not sound familiar, or you are unsure where to find them on your website, drop us a line, and let’s see if we can help. Now let’s dive deeper into keywords and keyphrases below!
How can you build your client base and offer freelance services if you cannot be found easily in search?
Improve your SEO with Focused Keyword Phrases
The biggest way to improve SEO on your website and increase traffic is to identify the best keyword or keyphrase for each page. Whether this is your blog page, services page, product page, or the about us page. How can people find your products or services if you don’t turn up in a search?
Therefore, each page of your website must have a keyword or keyphrase selected, plus all of the items listed in our tips above, in order to help readers find your content through organic search.
Keyphrase Example
Okay great, so you know what SEO is, but you are not sure how to select the right keyword or keyphrase. As an example, let’s say you choose ‘San Diego outdoor activities’ as your keyword phase. This might be something we’d use for our Top 8 Summer Activities in San Diego blog!
But, how then do we weave this keyword phase into our content? Do we just repeat’ San Diego outdoor activities’ through our blog post?
In truth, keyword or keyword phrase density is not the answer. Repeating your keywords dozens of times throughout your blog post or webpage is not the best way to get your content ranked.
My favorite slide from The Agency Guy gives you a hint as to what keyword or keyphrases might be used for a bar.
Keyphrase Ranking in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs)
Google, Bing, and Yahoo are smart, and use topic modeling and semantically relevant terms to return your SERPs (search engine results pages).
SERPs are based upon:
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- variations of words or synonyms
- context of search
- perceived user intent
- location and temporal or time-based patterns
- natural, conversational queries
- long-tail keywords
- the device used, operating system, and installed apps
So back to our keyword or keyphrase example: San Diego outdoor activities. Google knows that the search entries below are all related to San Diego outdoor activities:
- things to do in San Diego
- San Diego adventures
- physical activities in San Diego
- best outdoor activities near me (if you’re in the area)
- unique things to do in San Diego
- San Diego family-friendly activities
- free activities in San Diego
- San Diego Zoo
So, we’ve included all of these terms and more in our Top 8 Summer Activities in San Diego blog! Instead of keyword density, use topic modeling and semantically relevant terms to boost your website content!
While waiting for a friend, I’m searching for a great place to have cocktails with an ocean view…how will I find your bar or restaurant?
SEO Resources
If you are struggling to identify the best keywords or keyphrases for your blog, services, or products, or how to optimize your website to be found in search, there are several SEO tools you can use:
More Help with Improving SEO on Your Website
Want more help when it comes to SEO and website development? We’ve written a few more DIY blogs and case studies to help you increase traffic and create more brand awareness!
- How to Use Your Website to Generate Better Leads
- Easy Website Design + Maintenance
- Case Study: Web Design for Outdoor Outreach
- Case Study: Website Design for Rochelle Ballard, Online Surf Coaching
Until next time, happy searching!
Meredith McConvill, Top Rope Media
Awesome summary. Glad you liked our website workshop!
Thanks,
Monica Moon
Interactive Creative Director | Elevated.com
Thanks so much Monica. Our entire table wished it was longer! You should definitely consider hosting a workshop at Elevated.