You’ve got a memorable business name, an effective website, and a killer USP. But all of that comes to nothing if customers can’t find you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a tiny start-up, an e-commerce site, or a huge company, if you want to succeed, you need to master SEO. This will help you to rank higher in search engines, meaning more potential customers can find you. So how can you improve the rankings for your business? 

First of all, what is SEO? 

SEO is search engine optimization. This means that your site will rank higher in search engines such as Google, so customers looking for a business in your niche have more of a chance of coming across you! Most companies aim to be in the top three for a particular search term since the top three results get almost half of the clicks! Some companies pay to be featured at the very top of the search ranking, while others optimize their web pages. So how can you optimize your website to rank higher in Google? 

Use keywords effectively 

To rank high for your niche, you’ll need to make sure your website is full of the relevant keywords. But first, you’ve got to know what keywords are relevant to your business. That’s why many business owners are going straight to the source and using Google Search Console for keyword research. Once you’ve found the keywords, it’s all about artfully placing them. Do not overstuff your website, as this will create a dreadful user experience that sees potential customers bouncing straight out of there, never to return. This may also see your site marked as spam. 

Update frequently 

Keep your website fresh and relevant by regularly updating content. This relates to your homepage just as much as to your blog. Make sure you’re providing the best user experience, the most effective copy, and clear calls to action. Posting regular blog content will also give visitors a reason to return and reengage with your business. 

Use descriptive links 

Having plenty of links to and within your site can help you to rank higher in Google. But the type of link matters too. When writing links within the text, write out links in a descriptive way that provides value for your reader. For example, avoid links that merely state ‘click here’ or ‘this page’. You’ll rank higher in search engines by using descriptive links that incorporate relevant keywords. 

Optimize for mobile 

Most people consume content on the go nowadays, often on mobile. Your website needs to be mobile-friendly to rank in Google. You need to make sure that your pages load quickly and that navigation is simple. One important thing to consider is the image file size. Unnecessarily large files will take forever to load on mobile, so make sure you use the optimum photo dimensions. 

Use SEO plug-ins

There is a range of plug-ins available to help you achieve better SEO on your site. If your website uses WordPress, you could download the Yoast SEO plug-in. You’ll find this useful, as it guides you through step-by-step and troubleshoots your on-page SEO issues.