As a small business owner, there may be times when Google feels like your nemesis. Trying to rank on searches can be difficult and it can feel like utilizing Google is just too much work.
BUT we’re here to say that Google is necessary to spread awareness about your small business! Here are a few ways you can use Google that are simple and quick for the busy business owner.
Google Business Profile
If you’re only going to do one thing on this list – let this be the one. Claiming your Google Business profile is going to help you share information with potential customers. People will have a central location to find your hours, address, contact information, and more. This will also allow your business to pop up on Google Maps when someone searches using keywords that relate to your business.
For example: If someone uses their Google Maps app to look for a place to eat, your restaurant will show up – if you have claimed your Google Business profile.
Getting Your Website Out There
Whether you like Google or not, it is THE number one search engine in the world. If you are working on your SEO strategy for your website, there are a few things you should know about Google.
Google’s latest Helpful Content update is a game changer for SEO strategy, and not something to be ignored. The premise is that your website should have “helpful content”, not misleading, untrue, or “keyword stuffed” content. Your website could be penalized (flagged and not shown to potential customers) if Google deems your content unhelpful.
Do not freak out. Google has given guidelines to what is considered “helpful content”. Your website should answer questions that your customers are wanting to know, be filled with TRUE information, and should be written in a way that is helpful to those interested.
Should be written in a way that is helpful to those interested? What does that mean?
Basically – NO KEYWORD STUFFING. Keyword stuffing was an old practice in which you simply filled your website with the keyword you were trying to rank for (whether the content made sense or not). Google has made it clear that this will no longer work – and will actually hurt your website.
Focusing on long-tail keywords that are added into your content in a way that makes sense is a great way to boost your website’s SEO. Want to learn more about long-tail keywords? Check out our YouTube video!
Want a deeper dive into how Google can impact and help your small business? Check out our episode of The S.O.B. Marketing podcast! Listen wherever you get your podcasts OR watch the YouTube video below.
Did you find this content useful? Feel free to share your thoughts with me, I can be reached at vivian@theseasonedmarketer.com or just leave me a comment below!
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