So you’ve built this awesome website and expect tons of people to find it right away.
But it’s been a couple of of months… and crickets.
A site can be crawled/indexed by Google within 4 days to 4 weeks, but it may take longer, so if it is not showing on the search yet – don’t worry!Let’s talk about keywords and SEO—the secret sauce to getting your site noticed.
What Are Keywords and SEO?
Think of keywords as the secret password to your website. When people search for stuff online, they type in keywords to find what they’re looking for. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is like sprinkling those keywords throughout your site to make it easier for search engines like Google to find and show it to people.
How Keywords Work:
Relevance: Choose keywords that accurately reflect the content and purpose of your website. Put yourself in the shoes of your target audience and think about what they would search for.
For example, if you want to be discovered as a “family therapist,” ensure you use these terms on your website, including any other relevant keywords such as “therapist for parents and children” or “family counselling”.
Volume: Consider the search volume of keywords—how often they are searched for. While high-volume keywords may seem attractive, they also come with fierce competition.
Long-tail Keywords: These are longer, more specific keyword phrases. Although they may have lower search volume, they often have higher conversion rates because they target users with clearer intent. Eg. it will be a lot harder to compete in “Counselling St Kilda” than to specialise in “Breathwork Counselling St Kilda”
Authority: The longer your website has been around, the more authority Google regard you, so if you compete in competitive keywords, Google will favour websites that have been around before you.
How to get discovered quickly
Refine keywords and make sure you include the keywords in your content.
The number one mistake is not including keywords that you wanted to be discovered. Conduct thorough keyword research to identify the most relevant and high-performing keywords for your niche, and once you’ve identified your keywords, strategically place them throughout your website. Includes location, your specialty, Include them in your website’s content, headings, meta descriptions, and image alt texts.
I have seen so many clients who didn’t put any terms that they wanted to be discovered and came back to me and ask “Why can’t they found me when I search such and such terms online”. Search engines can’t rank your website with keywords that are not on your website.
Spread the words
The more visitors come to your website, the faster it is for Google to index it faster and start improving your SEO rankings.
How do you drive a traffic to your website?
• Email Newsletter – if you have a newsletter or email list, be sure to let them know that the new site has launched and even more importantly, how it can help their business or add value to them.
• Social Media – use your network of Facebook friends, family or co-workers to get the word out. You’d be surprised how far one post can go when it’s shared and liked. Also, if you’re active on Linked In, Instagram or other socials, share away!!
• Word of Mouth – Word of mouth is still the most powerful referral. If you’re as excited as we are when your site launches, tell those around you! Get their opinion and see what they think about your new online presence. That’s valuable feedback that may come in handy when considering changes and additions to the site moving forward.
Keep your Content Fresh
Search Engine Optimisation is a long ongoing game. Just like having a brick and mortar shop, from time to time you will need to dress up your shop window to keep your customer interested. You don’t keep the mannequins wearing summer dresses when it is 4 degrees outside, so your website should keep up with the season as well.
- The best way is to keep up with your blog. Writing entries regularly does not only help your Google ranking but also gives credibility to your visitors. It might sound tedious and hard work, but websites with blogs generally drive 30-40% more traffic to their sites than their competitors. Google will often pick up blog posts before picking up major website pages. Don’t be afraid to use social media and use your network to get the word out. It’s worth having someone maintain a solid website blog to drive your traffic and grow your online presence.
- Change Out Images – we recommend changing out or updating images 1-3 times a year. If your website has the main image right when you open the front page, it’s important to keep that fresh and new. For the user, it looks like you’re taking the time to update your site and therefore making it more valuable for them.
- Keep Your Information Updated – if information, staff, hours or services change for your business, be sure to change the website too! There’s nothing worse than having wrong information on a website. Or have a staff member’s picture on the page who doesn’t work there anymore. Keep your website updated and streamlined to your business.
Google My Business for Local Businesses
For local businesses, another crucial aspect is Google My Business. It’s a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. Here’s why it’s essential:
- Local Visibility: Google My Business ensures your business is visible when people search for relevant terms in your area. Make sure your business information is accurate and up-to-date.
- Reviews and Ratings: Encourage your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your Google My Business page. Positive reviews not only attract more customers but also boost your website’s credibility.
- Photos and Posts: Regularly update your Google My Business profile with high-quality photos and engaging posts. This will keep your business fresh in the minds of potential customers and improve your chances of being discovered.
Getting your website noticed takes more than just putting it online. By using the right keywords, making your site easy for search engines to understand, getting other sites to talk about yours, and keeping things running smoothly, you’ll increase your chances of getting seen by the right people.
