- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Pay-per-Click Online Advertising (SEM)
- Local Search Optimization
Google accounts for 85% of total searches online making their search engine the major focal point for companies and pretty much anyone who wants people to land on their website. In light of many updates Google has presented, the facts haven’t changed when setting our to improve the volume of traffic to your website: Search engine optimization is the most effective way get your website noticed and ranked in Google’s search results. As a local business owner, use the top three options to maximize the presence of your website in search results related to your service or products.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search engine optimization is a multi dimensional service by which your website is optimized to appear for specific key phrases. The amount of time and effort that goes into developing a website to perform effectively varies but the essentials are consistent for all websites in regards to how the service is performed.
An SEO expert will optimize the content on a website to communicate to search engines specific keywords related to services and products. The development of a site continues by reinforcing optimization through offsite services such as backlinking, directory submissions and building relevant profiles on authority websites related to the industry.
Developing a website in a niche market means creating more instances where the company name and website appear. This is a factor search engines take into account when assessing the relevance of websites in related searches. The more developed a website becomes, the more authority it builds which provides stronger positive signals and a more competitive position in the search results.
Pay-per-Click Advertising
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a service that places an ad for your company within a search result. The ads are commonly placed at the top or to the side of the organic results and contain your contact information. When you create an ad you can customize the options of how the heading reads, the page you want visitors to land on and whether you want to include a phone number with the option for tracking. All Google PPC ads connect with Google Analytics so you can improve the effectiveness of your campaigns each month.
PPC campaigns can vary in results but the average ROI (if done correctly) is about 2$ earned for every $1 spent. These averages can vary dramatically from company to company. A business will incur a charge every time a call, or click is made on their advertisement. The amount spent is the cost-per-click (CPC) The cost-per-click is determined by a bidding process indicating the demand to advertise for the keyword. Companies bid on how much they are willing to spend for one click and the highest bidder will receive the best position.
Local Search Engine Optimization
Local search engine optimization is an effective way for local businesses to increase visitors, phone calls and sales. This aspect of SEO focuses on the listings that are geo targeted to display your website based on distance and location.
Nearly every adult owns a smart phone, which has accounted for a massive surge in the amount of people searching from local devices. The smart phone has eliminated the need for physical phone books and is now the most common way people search for a service or product they need close to wherever they are.
Google My Business displays three permanent spots in their search results for local companies related to the search. There is a correlation seen between ranking in the organic results and local results, but both positions are separate, making the possibility for a website to be listed twice on one page. The trend in local seo has definitely improved the opportunities to get more visitors to your website.