In a world where consumers increasingly find and research businesses online before spending their money, the need for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can’t be exaggerated. Oklahoma businesses know the competition is as tough as it gets. Harnessing the power of SEO can be the game-changer that allows your business to compete in an ever increasing digital world. We cover tips and strategies for Oklahoma City businesses to leverage SEO to take ownership of online presence and be a key part of their digital marketing strategy.
Understanding SEO and Its Importance
SEO is the practice of making sure a website is functioning well and providing information in a way search engine robots and potential customers can understand. The better visibility your pages have in search results, the more likely you are to get in front of and attract prospective customers to your business.
SEO is especially crucial for local businesses because it helps target local consumers and direct them to your website. By optimizing your website design and content for local searches, you can connect with consumers near your business or in your service area.
SEO Tips and Strategies
Keyword Research: Understanding what your potential customers are searching for and how they search for it is essential. Use tools like keywordtool.io, SEMRush, MOZ or other keyword tools to identify popular search terms relevant to your business. Remember to focus on keywords that include Oklahoma City or other local terms, or have a local search intent. If you aren’t sure the keyword has a local intent, search it in Google and see if the results show local businesses.
On-Page SEO: Any page intended for users on your website should be optimized for search engines. This includes using your chosen keywords in your title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and content. Avoid overusing keywords in your content. If it doesn’t read naturally or match your brand voice, it likely won’t perform well. Ensure that your content is high-quality, relevant, adds value to your audience, and explains why they should choose your business over the competition.
Local SEO: Take advantage of Google My Business, Bing Places, Yelp, and other primary directories to improve your local search visibility. Ensure your listing is complete and accurate, including your business name, address, phone number, and business hours. Encourage customers to leave reviews and always respond to them in a helpful way by either thanking them for their review and business or addressing the concerns of dissatisfied customers by taking the conversation offline, as this can improve your business’s visibility in local search results.
Mobile SEO: With a majority of searches happening on mobile, it’s vital that your website is responsive and adjusts to function well on any screen size. Google’s index is based on a mobile crawler viewing sites from the point of view of a mobile device, so ensuring your site functions well on any device is essential.
Links: Backlinks, or links to your site from others, are a factor in how Google ranks your site. Try to gain high-quality backlinks by building relationships with other local businesses or influencers, and consider sponsoring local events. It’s important to understand search engines evaluate a backlink profile not just on the sheer number of links, but also their relevance to the business, location, and trustworthiness. Links from sites that aren’t either local, industry related, or trustworthy won’t help your site perform.
Content Marketing: High-quality, engaging content can enhance your site’s performance by providing value to your visitors and offering you more opportunities to display your expertise and address relevant topics and questions. Google emphasizes the EAT (expertise, authority, and trust) principle, making it crucial to show that you’re an expert in your field, have authoritative knowledge on the topic, and can be trusted to provide accurate information.
Freestyle Has Your Site Covered
In an ever changing digital world, SEO is a process that requires expertise and attention. At Freestyle, we’re not just service providers; we’re partners in your marketing journey. Whether you’re just starting with SEO or looking to improve your online performance, we’re ready to help.