How to Optimize Your New Website for SEO
This is a guest post written by Jade Pruett from HelloSEO. Check her out!
So you have a brand new, beautiful website. But now it's time to actually drive people there. How do you do that?
Of course, there are all sorts of marketing channels under the sun. You can use social media, email marketing, or ads – they will all help bring people back to your website. However, especially with a fresh new website, prioritizing your SEO may be your best option.
That's why I've created this guide where we will cover a few things that you can start doing right now to build a solid SEO foundation for your site. And all without requiring a ton of technical SEO knowledge. In fact, these are the same quick tips I discuss with all of my new SEO clients at HelloSEO.
These steps will help get your website off on the right foot and allow you to continue building your SEO over time. This way, whether you decide to hire someone for your SEO later or you prefer to handle it on your own, you are establishing a strong foundation and developing good habits.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for search engine optimization. It involves a series of tactics and strategies that help your website appear in search results. Typically, when we talk about SEO, we are referring to Google, as it maintains a significant market share in the search world.
However, SEO practices can also be applied on platforms like Bing, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest – essentially, anywhere people are conducting searches. SEO comes into play wherever the possibility of your content showing up exists.
Why is SEO important?
SEO is important because 68% of all internet interactions start with a search, but if your website does not appear in those search results, you miss out on a substantial portion of people seeking the products or services you provide. It is also important because people are often in a buying mindset when they conduct searches.
For instance, if you're looking for a web designer, therapist, or plumber, you wouldn't likely rely on Instagram and hope to stumble upon the right person. Instead, you'd likely turn to Google, search for what you need, and consider the businesses that show up at the top of the results page.
5 Ways to Optimize Your Website for SEO
Set Up Analytics
One of the first steps you should take with a new website is setting up Google Search Console and Google Analytics. These tools enable you to gather valuable data about your potential customers' behaviors and how your site is performing in search results.
Data might seem daunting, which often leads people to neglect it. However, even if you don't plan to look at them, it's still important to set up these tools.
Collecting data from the very start provides a clear picture of your business's growth trajectory. If you ever hire an SEO specialist, marketing expert, or business advisor, they'll be better able to serve you if they have a comprehensive view of your business's digital journey from the start.
2. Find Your "Perfect Keyword"
Keywords play a pivotal role in SEO. Essentially, they represent what people input into search engines when they're trying to locate services like yours. For instance, if you're a web developer, "web developer" might form a part of your ideal keyword. It can really be that simple. I've coined the term "perfect keyword" to describe a keyword that ticks several boxes:
High Search Intent
When someone uses this keyword, they're typically ready to make a purchase, meaning you're likely to see a good ROI once you optimize for this term.
Sufficient Search Volume
Enough people are using this keyword in their searches, making it worth your optimization efforts.
Rankability
The keyword should be one that's relatively easy for you to rank for. Especially if your website is still building its authority in Google, you want to target keywords with low competition to increase your chances of landing on Google's first page as fast as possible.
As cheesy SEO experts like to say, "The best place to hide a dead body is on the second page of Google." Few people will ever click beyond the first page, so ensuring that your "perfect keyword" is one you can rank for within a reasonable timeframe is paramount.
Once you've pinpointed your perfect keyword, you should incorporate it into your website's meta description and homepage copy.
3. Start Building Backlinks
Backlinks are a huge part of SEO but are probably one of the most difficult parts of the process. When other websites reference and link back to your website, we call it a backlink. Google uses them to determine who is an authoritative source on the internet.
Google aims to rank websites at the top that are seen as trustworthy and authoritative in their industry. So, if you have lots of backlinks from authoritative websites like Entrepreneur or The New York Times, it will boost your authority and Google will rank you higher in the search results.
Of course, we can't all start by getting backlinks from Entrepreneur and The New York Times. However, there are still plenty of ways to secure quality backlinks for your website. It's something to consider when you're appearing on podcasts, engaging in press activities, guest blogging and any other instance where people might link back to you.
4. Build Out Content!
Creating a blog not only boosts SEO but also offers other significant benefits. Within the SEO context, consistent blogging and content expansion enhance your website's visibility across various searches, positioning it as an answer hub for your niche's commonly asked questions. This strategy not only attracts traffic but also fosters trust, leading visitors down the path to becoming loyal customers.
It's understandable to feel overwhelmed by all the elements involved in content creation. Instead of getting bogged down, prioritize creating a structured plan. Begin by addressing the most frequently asked questions in your field. Use your unique voice, combined with your expertise and real-life experiences, to produce content that stands out and truly benefits your audience.
Apart from the obvious SEO advantages, well-crafted content serves a dual purpose: it educates and establishes trust. Preemptively building a rapport with potential clients through your content allows you to streamline the sales process, making it easier for them to decide to purchase when they're ready.
5. Get Just a Little Bit of Help!
This might sound like a shameless plug, but if any aspect of SEO seems overwhelming or you're unsure where to begin, consider booking a Power Hour with me. It's an excellent way to pave a strong foundation for your DIY SEO efforts.
During a Power Hour, we dedicate a full 60 minutes to optimizing your SEO from all angles. We'll identify your ideal keyword, position it strategically, discuss your website's layout, brainstorm content and backlink strategies, and even analyze your competitors to ensure you maintain a competitive advantage. we'll even set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console for you so you can start benefiting from them!
If Emily designed your website, you'll be pleased to know that two Power Hours are already included in your package. To get a clearer picture of everything Emily and I consider for your SEO, check out out this blog.
Don’t Let SEO Scare You
I’ll be the first to admit that SEO can be a strange, mysterious marketing strategy. While social media, content, and email marketing often seem straightforward, SEO is off on its own confusing island.
But SEO doesn’t have to be intimidating, and when done well, it can be a game changer for small businesses. All you have to do is invest a little time and attention into your website to start building a strong foundation that will offer you endless benefits. Got questions? Feel free to reach out!
