You definitely are not alone. It can be very difficult attempting to get your business discovered online.
For a majority of businesses, especially small ones, it has always been difficult to use search engine optimization (SEO) effectively. Nearly every client that I am aware of is searching for that silver bullet for search: a secret way of getting your company listed on Google’s first page without having to pay for it (or paying the least amount possible). In times past, it all centered around using the right meta, tags and keywords on your website for Google to pick up. Top Google listings were promised by SEO consultants for a couple thousand dollars, and many were able to deliver that.. for around 30 seconds and then your website would be pushed all the way back to the 97th page.
However, everything has grown much more complex. There is no such thing as a silver bullet for getting discovered online. Good SEO consultants will in fact tell you that Hialeah FL SEO is a never-ending process, which requires an ongoing commitment of resources and money, continuing involvement with social media activity, linking to others, online activity, keywords and numerous other ways to bring engagement and traffic to your website to gain the attention of Google to provide your business with a good chance of being discovered. The Internet has evolved these days to the point where there really are just two kinds of winners when it comes to the race for first page results in Google search: small businesses that have lots of time and large companies that have lots of money.
We are all aware of large companies since we run into their familiar names anytime we do a search for a service or product that is connected with them in any way. They spend large sums of money on AdWords and ads that show comedians driving around with Jerry Seinfeld getting coffee and NBA players schooling a pickup game with teenagers. Those ads go viral instantly and drive visitors back to their sites. They also hire public relations firms and marketers to get them mentioned all over the place by columnists and bloggers. That what large companies do. When you have a small business like I do, you don’t have access to that type of money. So to get found online we must invest a different resource: time.
There is Google My Business. There is Yahoo Small Business. There is Bing Places. You want to be listed in all of these if you have a small business that you are running. However, ultimately you are going to need to focus on only one. For Belinda’s search engine optimization, she went with Google My Business.
Google My Business might be used by a small cafeteria owner for posting events, such as what is being served for breakfast as well as other food offerings for that day. She promotes other local businesses since they attract individuals to her B&B. In addition, she blogs about her local area. She participates in forums where fellow innkeepers share guest horror stories, advice and recipes. She participates in Google Hangouts to speak with her grandchildren as well as her local association. She responds to reviews from users. She shares connections. She posts photos. She monitors her website’s analytics and traffic. She gets expert advice. She dabbles in AdWords. She even utilizes an outside consultant for assisting her with everything since despite the fact that Google claims it is easy, people like Belinda simply don’t have enough time to become experts. All of us need some assistance from somebody who really understands how everything works.
Can she do the same thing on Yahoo or Bing. Mostly, she can. However, she chose to go with Google My Business. That is the model she has chosen. It is her marketing. It is way she obtains leads. It is the way she stays connected with her community and guests – it’s the platform she has chosen. Now it is time for you to choose yours.
They all claim to be free. However, they are not free. That is because you will need to spend lots of your time, which is very valuable. You will be responding to reviews (both bad and good), answering questions, attending Hangouts, speaking with individuals in your circles, updating your listings, photos photos and blogging. When you take the time to ensure that you have your profile filled out completely and are active, it will increase the chances of your company being found. In Google’s case, at minimum, somebody will discover on the “knowledge panel” appearing on the right hand side of the search page. Look up Maxwell Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast to see just how busy Belinda’s establishment is. Doesn’t it make you want to book a few nights? You might not want to use AdWords, however don’t worry. When it comes to Google, our data and traffic is more than good enough.
Does that mean SEO in Anchorage AK is dead? Highly skilled SEO consultants are valuable to both small and large companies at any time. However, for a majority of small businesses that aren’t able to afford the investment, your next best bet is becoming active with services such as Yahoo Small Business, Bing Places and Google My Business. Like all smart business owners are aware of, you’ll get out
what you put in.