SUMMARY: Do you feel like you can’t compete with your bigger competitors’ budgets? Luckily, you can still make your site more visible while boosting your brand with these SEO strategies that aren’t cost-prohibitive.
You’re probably aware of how crucial search engine optimization is to improve your brand’s reach and visibility.
Just one problem: You don’t have the budget that some of your high-profile competitors are working with.
That’s OK – an affordable SEO for small businesses like yours can help you stand out without breaking the bank.
Tip 1: Local Searches are key
These two numbers from Social Media Today should tell you all you need to know about the importance of local searches: 46 percent and 97 percent. The first is the percentage of searches on Google for local information, while the second is the percentage of people who searched for a local business online.
- Google My Business (GMB): This free tool allows you to manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. This ensures your business info is accurate, up-to-date, and visible across all Google platforms.
- Location-specific keywords: These keywords ensure your business appears in local search results. Example: For a dog training business in Thousand Oaks, Calif., you would want to use keywords like “Thousand Oaks dog trainer near me” or “best dog trainer in Thousand Oaks.”
- Reviews: Customer reviews also boost local search results for your business. Feel free to ask satisfied customers for a review in your GMB listing or elsewhere.
Tip 2: Use Long-Tail Keywords
These are longer and more specific keyword phrases.
- Keyword tools: Paid and even free tools can identify relevant long-tail keywords.
- Content: Use them in your website content, blog posts, and even product descriptions, when applicable.
- Avoid keyword stuffing: You’ll be penalized by Google if it thinks you’re overusing any keywords, as this is considered cheating, or, as Google calls it, “keyword stuffing.” Be careful; your page could be demoted in the rankings or even removed.
Tip 3: Create High-Quality Content
Does the content add value to your readers and/or potential customers?
- Focus on your target audience: Address the reader’s needs and interests. This helps establish your business as an authority in your industry.
- Use multimedia: Images, videos, and other multimedia elements make your content more engaging and shareable. Plus, Google loves it.
- Promote your content: Every blog post you write should be accompanied by social media text used to promote the post.
Tip 4: Build Backlinks
These links from other websites direct traffic to your site and are considered an essential ranking factor.
- Influencers: Identify influencers in your industry and ask them if they would be willing to link your website to their content.
- Guest blogs: These are posts you write for other sites that include links to your site, which builds backlinks.
- Broken links: Look for broken links on other sites, then ask the website manager if they would replace them with a link to your website.
Small Fish in a Big Pond? No problem!
You don’t need a six-figure marketing budget to hang with the seven-figure competitors. Instead, digital marketing experts can help you compete with the “big boys” of your industry. The best part? These types of tips are not only highly effective, but they also won’t break the bank.
