When you think of optimizing for search, it sounds like an extremely daunting task. However, Wix makes search engine optimization (SEO) very easy by giving you all the tools necessary to properly optimize. If you are looking to boost your search rankings, get more website traffic, and ultimately more revenue, make sure you're checking off the boxes of each step below.
What is SEO?
SEO is a marketing strategy that all businesses must implement in order to appear in any search engine results. You want your customers to find you online. The proper SEO set-up can help get more traffic to your website. Not all businesses have the budget to pay for Google AdWords for Facebook Advertising, so ensuring that your website is properly optimized for search will help increase your organic traffic.
1) Keyword Research
The goal of any search engine is to show users the most relevant results based on their query. To quickly understand exactly what your business does or what your website is about, Google pays attention to your site's keywords. When you're planning your website or blog content, consider your customers' thought process. What specifically is your target customer typing into the search bar?
2) Update Titles & Descriptions
Google will look at your site URL, titles and descriptions. Make sure to include your keywords whenever possible. If you are a local business, you must always include your address or location. Be sure to have contact information easily accessible. Ideally, include your address and contact information on the header or footer of your website. Each page should have a unique title and description.
3) Long-Tail Keywords
The goal of your website is to attract the right customer. You want someone who is going to spend time on your site and ultimately make a purchase. Using long-tail keywords can help bring the right traffic. Long-tail keywords are typically three or more words. They may not get searched often, however, when they do get a hit it is usually by a customer with intent to purchase. Longer keywords are usually easier to rank for, since they generally have less competition.
4) Personalized URLs
Be sure that your keyword is a part of your URL. If it's not a part of your domain, add it to the page name.
5) Heading Structure
Wix allows you to set your headings on each page. You can set your H1, H2, H3, H4, H5 and H6. Make sure you are properly structuring each heading. The most important should be tagged as H1, with subsequent headings tagged throughout. For Blog posts, you can set your H1 and H2 headings.
6) Customize Image alt Attributes
Image alt attributes are extremely important to search engines. Make sure you are adding an alt tag to each image displayed on your website. You should include a description of the image, using keywords as often as you can.
7) 301 Redirects
Did you change the URL of a page? If so, this will cause the original link to appear broken and search engines won't be happy with this! Create a 301 Redirect to avoid having a broken link and ensure your SEO rankings don't decline due to it.
8) Mobile Optimization
Mobile devices now account for about half of all global internet traffic. Google gives priority to sites that are mobile-friendly. Be sure you are optimizing for mobile through the Wix mobile editor. The way you format your site on mobile will determine how quickly and seamlessly a person is able to browse or find what they're looking for. The more time spent on your mobile site, the better your page rankings will be.
9) Blogging & Optimization
Blogs are a great way to post consistent content and include keywords that might be harder to have within your website copy. Your post should be engaging. The longer a user stays on your page, the better for your rankings. Use H1 (Heading) and H2 (Sub-heading) tags, along with bullet points, lists and short paragraphs to make sure its easily readable. Pay attention to your blog settings by adding a meta title, description and category.
10) Get Backlinks
Get other websites to link back to your website whenever possible. Try to get your business listed in Directories, other blogs, or even on your chamber of commerce's website. Search engines use backlinks to determine the credibility of your website, so the more sites linking back will increase its importance.
11) Get Reviews
Getting reviews from your customers or clients gives your site notoriety and will drive organic traffic. People tend to "trust" a business more if there is positive feedback from other people.
12) Use Social Media
Search engines pay attention to social media to determine if a business is popular or not. Not only will you increase organic site traffic by regularly posting to social media, but having active accounts will help engines know that you're legitimate.
13) Create New Content
If you want to continue ranking well, you must consistently publish new, original content. This content can be in the form of blog posts or resources and should include keywords whenever possible.
14) Implement Advanced SEO
Wix offers easy-to-use advanced SEO features. Optimize your meta tags for search engines and how they appear to visitors so your website can be processed how you want it. Add structured data so Google can easily read and display your business information as a rich snipped. Personalize the text and image that gets displayed when any of your site pages are shared on social media.
15) Submit Your Site to Google
You may think that Google just magically pulls up whatever gets published to the internet, however, this is not always the case. For faster results, you should submit your site to Google. You can do this directly through Wix, or by submitting your sitemap to the Google Search Console.
16) Optimize Local SEO
If you have a local service or business location, you must pay attention to optimizing your local SEO. When Google directs a location-specific search within a users geographic area, you want to be at the top of that list. You should have local keywords on your site wherever possible, along with your business address. Claim your business on Google, and optimize your Google My Business profile.
17) Complete the Wix SEO Wiz
By answering some questions and filling in your keywords, the Wix SEO Wiz will provide you with a customized plan to make sure you're taking all actions necessary to rank higher in search. According to Wix, the SEO Wiz has enabled 67% of websites using the tool to appear on Google's first page of results.
18) Create a Google Analytics Account
Create a free Google Analytics account and add your ID to Wix. This will allow you to view traffic and trends for your website. With basic to advanced reporting, Google Analytics will give you the information you need to determine if your efforts are working, or if you need to alter your course.
Showing up in search results does not happen overnight. It requires patience and consistency. New content is added at lightning speed, so Google is always updating their system and looking for the best results. By utilizing the Wix SEO and doing all you can to optimize, you will surely increase your search rankings over time. Don't forget to track your metrics over time in an analytics spreadsheet so you can define any emerging trends and know that your dedication is paying off!
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