The Top 5 Most Effective SEO And Marketing Strategies For SMBs
Small business owners invest a lot of time and money into their companies to make them successful. With advances in technology, it has become increasingly necessary for these small business owners to change the way they market their businesses. A simple flyer through the mail simply isn’t enough in this day and age. Strategies such as search engine optimization (SEO) and online marketing are now vital to running a successful small business. While SEO and online marketing may seem complicated, here are five simple, yet effective strategies that small business owners can implement today.
1. Use social media
Social media is one of the best marketing tools in this day in age and, fortunately, most accounts are free. To create a helpful social media presence, start by choosing the platform that the person in charge of marketing is most comfortable with. Add accurate, up-to-date information and photos, write posts frequently, and share information about special events or offers. These posts can often then be shared from one social media platform to another.
2. Create a business blog
Creating a business blog allows small business owners to engage more interactively with potential and existing clients. The blog can incorporate SEO keywords to increase Web traffic while also addressing issues related to the company’s field. For instance, an eco-friendly light bulb company may blog about “going green” to engage readers while also promoting their products.
3. Research SEO keywords
SEO keywords may seem like a simple concept, but there is a lot of research that goes into determining which keywords to use. This research is based on which terms search engine users are most likely to enter into a search engine to receive a specific result. To determine which keywords are best, use Google’s free Keyword Planner Tool. After choosing the best keywords, be sure to properly insert them into your content.
4. Optimize website content
Incorporating keywords into website content is helpful for a business’s Web presence, since it increases the amount of Web traffic that the company will receive. However, this can be tricky for those who are inexperienced, since often keywords don’t sound natural. Small business owners who are unsure how to properly insert keywords should seek the assistance of a SEO professional for best results.
5. Encourage company reviews
Company reviews are extremely useful for consumers and small businesses. In addition to being a great marketing tool, reviews are helpful for local SEO as search engines categorize local search results by reviews. Small business owners should not offer incentives for reviews since that will likely make them sound unnatural and forced. Instead, simply insert a link on the company website.
So what are you waiting for? Take the time to better market you business by researching and investing in these five areas.
If social media is left solely to marketing, you’re missing out on big opportunities. See In a Live Business, Social Gets Its MBA.