Entrepreneurs frequently ask “what is SEO?” SEO, otherwise known as search engine optimization, is the multi-dimensional process of increasing your online visibility, leads, and sales to your target market with strategic web design and high-quality content. SEO is a key component of successful digital marketing and an integral part of any marketing strategy.
As its name implies, search engine optimization focuses on enhancing the content that search engines explore. Your goal, as a business, is to provide the information your users want and need in a mobile-friendly format. When you include the key words they use in their search queries in your Google Business Profile (previously Google My Business profile), your website text, web page titles, metadescriptions, and image alt tags, your website is more likely to pop up in their search results. We explained this in detail in “SEO That Delivers Contextually Appropriate Answers For Google.”
Unlike search engines, your prospective customers and current clients aren’t thinking about search engine optimization. They are looking for outstanding content. With this in mind, you need to optimize content for your target market and their needs. Understand there is a slight difference between search engine optimization and content optimization as explained in “SEO Versus Content Optimization.” You need to know your target audience and what they are searching for. What key words and phrases do they ask search engines to find? What products and services do they desire? What questions do they have? How can you help them? What is your competition offering? What do you do best?
Google rewards website pages that viewers love. These pages demonstrate expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. You can learn more about this SEO strategy at “E-A-T For Today—A Visibility Strategy.”
Search engine optimization is not one-size-fits-all. Not only are there multiple search engines, there are also different methods of searching. Thanks to the increased use of smartphones, local search and voice search are on the rise. In a previous post, we explained why you need to optimize for voice search. Image search and video marketing are also becoming more popular and deserve their own SEO.
Gone are the days of writing fluff pieces stuffed with key words and key phrases in an attempt to trick search engines into ranking your web page higher. Instead, create high-quality educational, engaging, and/or entertaining content and optimize it for search engines.
Your goal is to produce long-lasting organic results. Unlike pay-per-click ads, you pay nothing and you watch the number and quality of your leads and sales increase over time.
At Tate Design, we have the answers to the “what is SEO?” question. We include SEO in our web design, marketing strategy, and digital marketing. Call us at 610.725.0702 or e-mail [email protected] to use search engine optimization to increase your online presence and grow your business.
Updated April 2022
References
E-A-T For Today—A Visibility Strategy
SEO That Delivers Contextually Appropriate Answers For Google
SEO Versus Content Optimization
Why You Need To Optimize For Voice Search
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