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Search Engine Optimization: How to Rank on Google’s Page 1

It might seem impossible to please both customers and Google. But it isn’t. You don’t need an advanced degree in business or marketing to figure it out. You don’t need a huge marketing budget, either.

Author: Jeremy Harrison

September 15, 2021

It’s arguably the most effective, least costly way to increase revenue. And it all starts with search engine optimization (SEO).

At Spire Advertising, our research shows that most businesses—and this includes local businesses with a website presence—fail to do three simple things on their websites that can instantly and dramatically improve search results. In fact, 91 percent of local businesses aren’t taking advantage of these simple steps.

We aren’t keeping these secrets under wraps though. Learn why search engine optimization is critical to your website’s success, and how to go about it.

Why SEO?

Search engine algorithms take into account the words that people use to search for products and services.

Then, they give priority to these terms, or keywords, when the search engine formulates a search page result, trying to give users the best experience possible in order to find what they’re looking for.

Think like a customer

What’s most important to know when developing a keyword strategy for search engine optimization is that you must first get into the minds of your customers. Many businesses fall into the rut of trying to market their products and services using industry terms. However, as much as you want to market your business using industry terms, if your customers don’t also use these industry terms, it won’t help your results.

This is the first step we recommend that businesses take to improve SEO: developing a set of keywords. There are a few free tools available to help you identify the most-searched, relevant keywords like Google Trends, which shows how keywords rank over a long period of time or seasonally, or Google’s Keyword Planner tool, which lets you search for factors like keyword variations, search volume, and related keywords.

It’s also important to think geographically. If you’re a small businesses, target a specific local area with a relevant keyword phrase to improve SEO, then expand your keyword strategy slowly. When Spire Advertising opened its doors, we focused on one geographic area, Ashland, and used the keyword phrase “Ashland Ohio web design.” We quickly improved our results in that area, and then moved on to other local towns like Mansfield and Ontario before targeting larger markets like Cleveland and Columbus.

Give Google what it wants

It might seem impossible to please both customers and Google. But it isn’t. You don’t need an advanced degree in business or marketing to figure it out. You don’t need a huge marketing budget, either. Here’s the secret:

Following just a few SEO rules can quickly boost your rankings without having to spend a dime on paid search. First, you need to know the keywords or keyword phrases to use, and then use these on-page SEO tips:

  • Use keywords in the Page Title.
  • Use keywords in the Body Text (and use related keywords here, too).
  • Use keywords in the Meta Page Title (this is located at the very top of the web page, and it’s the first text listed on the page).

With optimized pages that help you rank in search results, you’re well on your way to increasing traffic, and helping customers find you. But don’t stop there. We recommend a few other SEO tips including:

  • Using keywords in image “alt tags.”
  • Writing blog posts that have keyword-rich titles.
  • Embedding videos with keyword-rich titles.

In just one day, you can implement a few strategic SEO tactics on your website and blog pages. These simple steps will drive lots of new visitors to your site. Are you ready to advance beyond other local businesses who don’t know these insider secrets?

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