To put it simply, if you want to be found online, then you should considering focusing on SEO.
How long does SEO take?
The reality is that SEO is a never-ending process. Staying at the top of search engine results requires ongoing efforts and frequent adjustments to ensure compliance with Google’s evolving algorithms. It may take one business between two to four months to reach certain listing results, while it may take another twice as long based on their industry, competition and website design.
What’s the difference between organic rankings and AdWords?
AdWords and organic SEO are often compared to a hare and a tortoise. AdWords, the hare, is an advertising platform in which businesses pay to run ads for their website. These ads will appear on the top or side bars of a results page. AdWords shouldn’t be dismissed as it is a good tool for targeting niche audiences based on specific keyword searches, and only operates on a pay-per-click basis. In contrast, organic rankings (the tortoise) refers to those generated as a result of natural traffic to your site; in other words, your site generated traffic based on the services it offers, the appeal of its title and meta description, the brand recognition you’ve built, and your implementation of SEO tactics.
Is mobile SEO important? How do I know if my site is mobile friendly?
Given that the number of mobile search queries continue to grow, at a rate where the number of queries conducted on mobile devices is greater than that on personal computers, mobile SEO is now more important than ever. Modern day businesses need to get in tune with mobile audiences by optimising sites and content specifically for them. Creating a responsive site that automatically adapts to mobile settings is a key way to not only improve the experience of your mobile users, but earn Google’s mobile-friendly distinction.
Why is keyword research important?
Keyword research is the foundation of every SEO campaign. While keyword research isn’t the only approach to improving rankings, it’s critical to the overall success of your campaign. SEO campaigns use keyword research to determine what competitors are ranking for and which words or long-tail keyword phrases should be targeted for on-site optimisation. Without keyword research, it’s difficult to know what your target audience is searching for and how to optimise your site according to search results.
Why can’t I just add in ranking keywords to my content?
When sites add high ranking keywords to their content, they’re not focusing on creating meaningful, quality content, which is what Google prioritises above all else when it comes to ranking. Instead, keywords should be incorporated naturally and where appropriate. By simply adding a bunch of ranking keywords to your content you will be penalised. This is considered keyword stuffing, and Google will likely recognise and penalise those who have engaged in this activity.
How should I start a social media campaign for my business?
One of the first steps to starting a social media campaign is writing relevant and engaging posts on a frequent basis. These posts should be highly relevant to your viewers, but should also be fun and contain meaningful links where possible, which in turn will direct traffic back to your website. In addition to regularly posting on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Google Plus, you’ll also want to kick off your social media campaign with ads. Facebook ads and promoted tweets for desktop and mobile users provide nearly 10x the click-through rate that traditional web ads do. Given that number, what are you waiting for?
How can I drive digital traffic to my site immediately?
Leveraging off of social media with posts that include links back to your website is one key way to funnel traffic to your site within a relatively short time frame; not to mention posts that include promotions, contests, giveaways, and other engaging, time-sensitive material can be particularly effective.
How can I avoid Google penalties?
The best way to avoid Google penalties is to practice legitimate SEO techniques or white hat practices. Black hat SEO tactics include things like stuffing pages with keywords rather than quality content, creating duplicate content, featuring irrelevant or poor links, and over linking with direct keywords. If an SEO tactic doesn’t have user experience in mind, it’s likely a black hat practice, and Google will take notice of these actions. Moreover, your website could also be penalised for things like overlooked 404 redirect pages, an outdated XML sitemap, and the overuse of anchor text.
Why should I blog?
There’s incredible value in blogging. Remember, “Content is King”. This means that what really gives a site authority, and what attracts viewership and generates leads, is frequently publishing content that viewers want to read. Blogs still serve as one of the most effective ways to communicate valuable content to viewers, but only if they’re interesting, informative, and engaging.
What are meta tags?
Meta tags refer to meta title tags and meta descriptions, each of which provides Google and viewers with information about the webpage in search results. A meta title tag appears at the top of your browser and serves as the title of your page; title tags should be less than 60 characters and, if space allows, include the name of your business. Meta descriptions should be less than 155 characters, so as to display in-full on a results page, and feature a call to action, such as “Learn more here.” Meta tags should also include a company name and a target keyword that corresponds to the page, as Google crawls meta tags when indexing.
Is video important for SEO?
Of course! Video marketing can create immediate SEO results for a business. In fact, web pages with videos are 53 times more likely to rank on the first page of a Google results page. Videos are seen as more engaging and favourable to users, which is why they often rank extremely well.
What is Local SEO?
To locally optimise your website, you’ll want to conduct keyword research for terms that customers in your local area are searching for. With these keyword terms, which will likely include your store’s location, you can optimise your page titles, meta descriptions, H1s, content, blogs, social media posts and more. If you have more than one targeted local area, it’s a good idea to create separate web pages on your site for each of these locations. Content on these separate pages should be unique, optimised to the specific location, and engaging to customers who live in these areas.
Does web design affect SEO?
The structure and design of a website can dramatically affect its rankings and overall traffic. Web design must provide an intuitive and easily navigable site structure that features a design and content that users are able to understand and interact with. Things like site hierarchy and overall aesthetic can significantly affect your site’s bounce rate and, in turn, the effectiveness of your other SEO efforts. At Surf Pacific, our team of highly-skilled web designers can help your site both attract more traffic and build your brand.
How can Surf Pacifc help improve my website?
Surf Pacific can help your business operate a truly effective website that provides a top-quality, expansive development network that facilitates easy client customisation. Our team of experienced graphic designers can ensure that not only will your website appear engaging and easy to navigate, but that your site will also be optimised for search engines.
Why does adding my business to local directories help my SEO?
Surf Pacific can create over 50 local business profiles to add to local directories. Inclusion of profiles on local sites like Yelp and Google + allows businesses to appear more visibly in search engine results, as these profiles improve their authority. Ultimately, local directories are a proven, effective way to not only build a brand and provide easier access to contact information, but generate site traffic and conversions.
When should I consider reputation management services?
Reputation management is an online strategy that helps clients control what shows up on search engine results pages when users type in a client’s name or keyword associated with their business. At Surf Pacific we can help to significantly improve a client’s online image, reputation management is also a highly-effective strategy for brand preservation.
Why do I need to focus on so many different digital marketing strategies?
It’s important to focus on a variety of strategies simply because opportunities for digital marketing are increasing as target audiences visit more online platforms. Today, a single-minded approach to digital marketing will exclude large portions of an audience, preventing a site from remaining competitive. Digital marketing must be a comprehensive approach that focuses on site optimisation, social media, lead generation, inbound marketing, content creation, and much more.
How much time will need to be invested each month to help my digital marketing efforts or improve my Google rankings?
You’ll need to invest at least two hours a week for each of the digital marketing/SEO strategies that your campaign will focus on, which should include social marketing, blogging, link building, and potentially pay-per-click advertising, amongst other things. The specific number of hours invested per month in a digital marketing campaign will largely depend on your industry competition, and your individual plan.
How can I keep track of the progress Surf Pacific makes with my campaign?
At the end of each monthly campaign, Surf Pacific will produce a report that details the progress of your campaign over the course of the last month. This report will include actions taken and tasks completed, as well as analytic information that displays how your traffic, rankings, social media sites, link building and more are progressing. Clients can also reach out to their assigned strategy director via phone or email throughout the month to discuss tasks and progress.
Have another question about digital marketing or search engine optimisation? We’d love to hear it! Contact Surf Pacific today on 1300 615 330 to speak with one of our experts.
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