Originally Posted 8/29/21

Optimized Website
If you want to have success online, it is essential that your website be well-optimized. But what does an optimized website mean exactly? It simply means that you've created a website (or at least parts of it) with internet users in mind.

What this looks like:

Have your most important pages on the top level, so that internet searchers can easily find what they are looking for when searching online using Google or another search engine. For example, if someone was searching for 'San Diego car detailing' your website should be one of the first to appear.

• Consider how internet users would search and then make it easy for them to find what they are looking for on your site. For example, 'internet marketing strategies' is a more internet user friendly search than 'marketing strategy.'
• Take advantage of your ability to have product pages that are optimized for the specific keywords that you want internet users to see.
• Use relevant user intent keywords on your product pages. For example, if you're selling a camera include the word 'camera' on that page.
• Consider using Google's keyword planner tool to help identify the most relevant keywords that you should be targeting so that your website can rank well for them.
• Make sure that you include an FAQ page where internet users can find answers to the most common questions asked about your business or products.
• Make sure your website is mobile responsive to internet users who are searching, browsing, or shopping from their phone or tablet. This will ensure that internet users have a seamless experience when visiting your website and finding what they need.
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If internet users are unable to easily navigate around on your website, they will simply leave and move onto one of hundreds of other sites competing for their internet time.
 
SEO: Search Engine Optimization
SEO is the process of improving your website's ranking on major search engines such as Google, Yahoo or Bing. This refers to how well you position yourself in internet searches which are then displayed on a list where people can click through to view what's listed under each result.

What this looks like:

• Optimize every page of your website for search engine ranking and internet users alike (using SEO onsite optimization).
• Create internet user friendly titles, descriptions, and headlines that internet users are searching for (SEO onsite optimization).
• Optimize your product pages with relevant keywords so they appear when internet users search online. For example, if you sell a camera include the word 'camera' in one of its product page title tags or headings.
• Use relevant internet user intent keywords (SEO onsite optimization). For example, if someone is searching for 'Austin web development' your website should be one of the first to appear.
• Ensure that you have links between all pages and subpages so that internet users can easily navigate around your site. This reinforces internet users’ ability to find what they are looking for on your site and increases the likelihood of internet user staying on your website (SEO offsite optimization).
• Create a blog that internet users can subscribe to so that you have an additional channel through which internet users will see more content from you over time. This is also another way in which internet users can find the information they are looking for (SEO offsite optimization).
• Use internet user friendly file names, titles, and URLs so internet users will understand how to navigate around your site (SEO onsite optimization). For example, if someone was searching for 'Austin web development' you could have a link called 'Services - Austin Web Development' which internet users can then click on to find what they are looking for.
• Make sure internet users can easily share your content on social media (SEO offsite optimization). This will increase the reach of your website and help internet users discover new information that they wouldn't have otherwise.

Google My Business (Google Maps)
Google has taken over many aspects of internet search which means if you aren't optimizing for it, internet users are likely to find your competitors before you. This is where Google My Business comes in which allows you to claim and optimize how internet users can search for, interact with, and share information about your business online. Nearly 40% of consumers searching for your product or service online choose where to buy from the Google map pack. If you are not listed in the Google maps or not easily seen, you are losing money.

Be sure that the correct category is selected when filling out this information so internet users looking for similar products or services can find you.

• Fill out the appropriate internet user friendly information such as a description of your business.
• Make sure that all photos and videos are optimized for internet users to easily see them when they search online, share this content across social media and more so internet users have the best internet experience possible with your business.
• Make sure you have a phone number clearly displayed online so internet users can contact you. This helps internet users make an informed decision about whether they wish to buy from you and increases the chances of them choosing to do so.
• Ensure internet users can find your business on Google Maps when they search through location-based keywords.
• Optimize your business website for internet users by using keywords in relevant places so internet users can find what they are looking for.
• Get reviews from satisfied customers online which can make internet users trust you more, increasing the likelihood that they will buy from you.

Social Media
A more recent addition to the marketing industry, social media is an excellent way of keeping internet users up to date with either current news or information about new products and services you offer.

Create a social media page for internet users to follow so they are updated with your latest content and business information.

• Use relevant keywords when creating posts on Facebook, Twitter or any other social platform internet users might use to find what you are offering online. For example, if someone was searching for 'Chico seo' you could have a post called 'Seo in Chico - check out our latest blog here: (link)'.
• Ensure internet users can find your social media pages on Google when they search for keywords related to what you offer.
• Post regularly so internet users know that there is always new content available online. This will keep internet users coming back to your social media page for more information and increase the likelihood that they will follow you, share your content or buy from you based on what is posted online.
• Post interesting articles, images, and videos across various platforms so internet users can discover new information which may be of interest to them (Social media optimization).
• Be sure internet users can share your social media content across multiple platforms, so it reaches more internet users. This is a great way of increasing traffic and sales potential for your business as internet user can easily tell their friends, family, or colleagues about what you offer online which will make them more likely to buy from you too.

Internet Advertising
Internet advertising is one of the most expensive marketing methods available, but it can also give internet users a great return on investment (ROI) based on how much internet traffic and leads you get for your budget.

Create internet advertising campaigns with various keywords and phrases so internet users can find you when they search for similar products or services.

• Make sure that internet users can clearly see what your business offers through the internet ads which appear online, including relevant phone numbers if possible.
• Use compelling imagery in internet advertisements so internet users are more likely to click on them and visit your website.
• Use internet advertising so internet users can find you on Google when they search for keywords related to what you offer, including phone numbers in the advertisements if possible (Map pack, location extensions).
• Use relevant keywords when creating ad campaigns to internet users so they are more likely to interact with your ads online, increasing the likelihood internet users will visit your website or buy from you.
• Ensure internet advertising is clearly labelled so internet users know it's an advertisement and not a search result, article, or video. This way they won't be confused as to where the information came from and will trust that what you are offering online is legitimate (paid placement).
• Be sure internet users can easily see the internet advertising which you have created so they are drawn in by relevant keywords and imagery, increasing the chance that internet users will interact with it (remarketing).
• Ensure internet advertisements appear across various platforms including Google Search, YouTube, or social media so internet users will be more likely to see them and interact with your business (display ads).
• Regularly monitor internet advertising campaigns for any poor results or internet user complaints. This way internet users can get the best experience possible when they click on an advertisement online.

The ingredients that make up the recipe for online success are not just one, but five. They include optimized website design, SEO both on-site and off, Google My Business (and other listings), social media and advertising. Each of these plays a critical role in driving traffic to your site as well as leads or sales. These 5 key ingredients can be implemented throughout the marketing process, so you have more control over where they show up and when. If any of this is confusing to you or if it's been a while since you've updated your strategy we're here to help! We offer consultations with our experts who will guide you through every step of developing an effective digital marketing campaign that includes all these elements.

Peterson SEO focuses specifically on the owners of businesses and organizations that need help with their marketing. We will not only develop a plan and strategy for your business, but we'll manage it as well. When you're trying to accomplish everything on your own, time constraints and knowledge gaps will hurt your progress. We fill in these gaps by utilizing our expertise, so you don't have to worry about them. We have helped clients with website design and SEO, as well as social media management. We also offer a variety of affordable services designed to boost your online presence.

If you are missing any one of these ingredients, reach out to Peterson SEO today for your free consultation!