When you’re in the process of starting a new company – the number of tasks involved is daunting. There is so much to take into consideration, that a lot of vital aspects get pushed back just to ensure that everything is up and running for the time being. You need to think about anything and everything ranging from staff, a premise, product/services, capital, etc. Once everything has settled down, the second wave of to-do’s gets actioned, aka marketing, exposure, a COID, website, etc. This is where the concept of SEO comes in.
For those that aren’t familiar with the term, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation.
– “Search engine optimization is the process of improving the quality and quantity of website traffic to a website or a web page from search engines. To make it simpler, search engine optimization means taking a piece of online content and optimizing it so search engines like Google show it towards the top of the page when someone searches for something”
One of the biggest mistakes business owners can make, is to think that SEO is unnecessary. Your website, especially in the technology-driven era we find ourselves in, can be crucial for the success of your company. However, if no one can actually find the website you spent a pretty on, how can you drive sales?
Below, we look at a few vital must-haves to ensure that your website is fully optimized and easily discoverable:
Outline site structure and architecture
Irrespective of the scale of your website, the architecture, and structure of a website will always be vital. Logical and sensible structures assist Google with indexing your content quickly and accurately, with your site ranking above competitors in the same field as you. Well thought out and organized structures create positive user experiences because it makes it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for.
Analytics & Tracking
Google Analytics allows you to easily track the number of people visiting your website and what they do on your site. It gives you the ability to track sales, understand which content is of interest, and what allows your audience to find you.
Keyword research
It is pertinent for ranking purposes to create a list of all relevant and important search terms which best describe which service you offer or products you sell. Ultimately, words that would make it easier for customers to find your site while looking for the specific service/product you offer. There are several SEO tools that you can make use of in order to assist you with keyword research and suggestions.
Have a blog
Having a blog is an excellent way to incorporate new content which can be linked back to while being great for increasing keywords which could help you rank better on search engine platforms. It is a tried and tested method of getting visitors to come back to your site and become potential customers.
HTTPS
HTTPS stands for – Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure. In today’s era, HTTPS is a definite requisite. HTTPS encrypts your data and is extremely valuable as it protects communication and customer information against third-party breaches. It is also a great way to verify or legitimize your site, with customers feeling a lot safer knowing their personal information is being protected.
Domain name
Having a domain name that is relevant, contains the main keyword, or supports your brand identity is greatly beneficial. Your domain name is the first thing that a customer will see and hopefully memorize for the future, therefore it needs to be easy to remember and relevant to your niche market/what you offer your customers.