As an SEO (search engine optimization) agency in Bristol, we have found many SMEs toiling to get to grips with how to make the most of the internet for their businesses.  Do you wish to benefit from increased web purchasing phenomenon that has developed in the last decade?   The aim of this article is to introduce the basics of SEO, a critical element in on-line success. Let our internet marketing consultants and expert in SEO in Bristol, walk you through the basics.

What is Search Engine Optimization?

Search engine optimisation is the analysis and alteration of webpages so that search engines like Google can more easily match people searching for your products and services to your website. It includes making each page accessible to search engine spiders and adding incoming links from related sites.

Good quality SEO helps websites in moving up the pages of search engines like Yahoo to page one, attracting new visits and generating on-line profits for your organisation.

85% of website visitors are generated by search engines like Google and Yahoo, so reaching the first few positions on page one is critical to on-line business.

Why SEO?

Over time, improving the ranking of a website in the search engines is the most cost effective way of attracting visitors to your website. It does this through:

• Generating more visitors to your website
• Generating leads or selling products
• Effectively promoting your brand

Gone are the days when you could launch a website on the net and expect it to be ranked within a couple of months, unless you operate in a very niche market.  Those businesses that ignore the ever increasing power of the web in today’s climate are unlikely to succeed.  SEO is crucial if you are going to reach these buyers, especially in today’s competitive markets.

How Do I Search Engine Optimize my Website?

The rise of websites to page one of Google search results requires a structured approach. Using search engine optimization techniques increases your chances of ranking well against the larger and older sites. These include the following:

• Write Content – the number one criteria for successful search engine optimization is building relevant content on your website.
• Research your on-line market – it is no good writing loads of content if you do not know what keyword phrases people search for on the internet and how this fits with your business.   To achieve top ranking in search engine results, it is important to know about the inter-related roles of keywords and inbound links. Keywords on the page inform search engine spiders about your content. Inbound links inform them that your content is relevant. When a search engine thinks your site is relevant, it is ranked highly on their search result pages.
• Site structure analysis and optimization – Check that there is a clear structure to your website.  Add mini goals so that if a customer is not ready to buy or sign up just yet, they can take a step towards doing so.  Use multmedia conversion tools to make your website more appealing and social media marketing.  Write the content for people, not search engines.
• Link building campaigns - Get your website found via important websites.
• Submit your website to On-line Directories – Directories list your company like the Yellow Pages and bring online visitors to your website.
• Sitemap creation – All websites need a structured sitemap – it enables the spiders crawl the site and increases the chances of raising it to page one when properly designed.
• Analytics – It may seem obvious but you should track the results of the alterations you make with web analytics such as ClickTracks so that you can evaluate your return on investment and find out which changes are successful!
• Search engine optimization consultancy – If you are unsure of the best way forward, get advice from an agency like this Bristol Search Engine Optimisation consultancy.

How Long Does it Take to Reach Page One of the Search Engine Results?

How long is a piece of string? Apart from getting the above points right, high ranking also depends on forces over which you have little or no influence.

Forces include:

• The competitiveness of your market
• The area you cover
• Search engines change their minds on what is important as the internet develops! -
• Working relationships with your SEO provider

Smaller websites take at least six months to optimize and marketing budget should be allocated on an ongoing basis to achieve success.

Does your business require SEO now?

• Does your organization maximize the growth opportunities the internet provides?
• Does your website provide a return on investment?
• If your website has been around for a bit, is it still making the most of new opportunities such as social media marketing?
• Are your competitors capturing more of the on-line market?
• Is your business changing and can you benefit from reviewing your website and on-line marketing strategies?

Search engine optimization has the power to promote your business in readiness for renewed spending and economic growth through using the latest technologies to make your website stand out from the crowd and improve its productivity.