Tips to Get Started with Off-Site SEO for your Small Business Website
Getting your website to organically rank well on Google doesn’t just happen. You have to implement certain, multifaceted Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) tactics on an ongoing basis.
Organic SEO in a nutshell:
- There’s On-Page SEO, which refers to the items you can add to your website yourself (like the right keywords, title tags, unique content,etc.) to assist Google and other Search Engines to classify and rank your page properly.
- There’s also Technical SEO to be aware of, as Search Engines will lower the ranking of any website experiencing technical issues (like poor loading speed, security, mobile-responsiveness, etc.).
- And then there’s the Off-Page SEO.
What is Off-Page SEO?
Off-Page SEO is the use of various assets that can boost the online credibility (and subsequent ranking) of your website on other websites and social platforms. These tactics aim to build your website’s authority in the industry and encourage brand trust. They may iclude, but are not limited to, backlinks on other authoritative sites, branded searches, content sharing, etc.
Basic Off-Page SEO Tactics To Try
Off-Page SEO can become incredibly intricate and involved. That’s why agencies offer this as a specialist service. And because small businesses generally have conservative marketing budgets, getting outside help isn’t always feasible.
So, here are a few things you can try that could help boost off-page SEO indirectly and directly.
1. Create great and relevant content!
Great content (content/inbound marketing) is the key to having anything shareable. Podcasts, videos, blogs, infographics, guest blogs, ebooks, surveys, and white papers. If it is relevant in your industry – create it, because people will share it to others.
Ask: What do I know enough of that I can share with others and that they will find interesting? Maybe you are an artist who specialises in oil. Your fans and followers will enjoy seeing a short videos of a painting’s progress, or tips and tricks of the processes you use. Look at what others in your industry are doing and create original content of your own.
2. Do PR!
What is PR? Public Relations is reputation management. And because off-page SEO is about trust-building, PR is important.
Ideas to get you started:
- Launched something new? Write a Press Release and post it on various relevant platforms.
- Manage the reviews you are getting online by writing responses and acknowledgements.
- Write articles that debunk any myths people are having about your industry or company.
- Create a subscriber base and send out newsletters.
- Join social media platforms and post relevant and interesting content.
- Hold, or attend, events in your industry and be vocal (create content) about them.
- Get involved in community projects and sponsorships.
- Join relevant forums and respond to conversations where appropriate.
- Find an influencer who not only has a following that resembles your ideal audience but also shares your views and values in the industry. Share your content or send your products to this person.
- Encourage brand name searches as your Call to Action in most of what you share.
3. Create a Google My Business Account
Google My Business will help you build local SEO. Make the most of this free platform by adding photos, answer ing questions, and encourag ing your customers to write reviews on it.
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