Hey friends, I’m back with more handy SEO tips to boost your small business website. When we last chatted in my Ultimate Guide to SEO for Small Businesses, I gave you the lay of the land for an effective SEO strategy. Now I want to dive into the specific on-page tactics that will really move the needle. Use these top 7 techniques to start ranking higher and getting found!
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Optimize Your Page Titles
Page titles are like headlines that tease your content to searchers. Aim to include your targeted keyword at the beginning, followed by a compelling snippet to entice clicks. For example, instead of just “About Us” you could have “Best Bakery in Seattle | Meet Our Award-Winning Team.” Keep titles under 60 characters if possible for clean display on search results.
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As we explored in my previous guide, be sure to research your target keywords thoroughly using tools like Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush before optimizing names. Selecting the right keywords upfront pays off handsomely down the road.
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Write for Readers First, Robots Second
Google’s algorithms focus on understanding natural, fluent language rather than trying to trick the system. Use your researched keywords within the first 100 words or so, but never at the expense of readable storytelling. Scanning bots can get the gist, while people appreciate plain English over keyword stuffing. Be clear, helpful and generous with your expertise.
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Include Internal Linking
Internal links help search engines, and people, intuitively navigate your site. Sprinkle relevant one-way links throughout content to drive users deeper into your site. For example, linking to popular categories or related article sections ensures they keep exploring. Done naturally, this passes contextual link juice to strengthen key pages.
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Use Heading Tags Effectively
Heading tags (H1, H2 etc.) provide structure to skimmers. Use them sensibly to break up long pages. Reserve your H1 for the main topic at the top. Then employ H2s for subheadings and H3s for sections. Repeat targeted keywords within headings to further reinforce what each bit is about. Heading tags also factor into on-page SEO.
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Make Pages Fast and User-Friendly
Google dings slow sites that frustrate people. Keep page weights under 100kb if possible using images judiciously. Compress files and remove unused scripts to ensure blazing speed. Also ensure large copy is “above the fold” on desktop for effortless scanning. On mobile, optimize layouts for thumb typing ease-of-use above all else too!
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Leverage Multimedia
Not everything needs to be text! Add natural images, videos or diagrams where helpful. Include accurate alternative text for visuals describing each for screen readers. Videos that suit your content can rank too if embedded or referenced properly from relevant pages. Multimedia lifts engagement metrics which algorithms favor.
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Repurpose Top Content
Popular blog posts and money pages will see ongoing traffic from search. Consider ways to reuse that premium real estate through related guises like charts, resource pages, newsletters or social graphics. Extracting multiple campaigns from single standout content extends its influence throughout your site for ongoing SEO benefits.
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Tend to these crucial on-page SEO factors regularly and watch your search visibility blossom. Let me know if any tactic needs more explanation! I’m always here to help explain SEO concepts simply. Wishing you the very best growing your small business online.