I deal with many small business’ as a freelancer. One thing that they most often have in common is the knowledge that websites need some work to get good results in search engine rankings. What they often don’t know is the bit of work they can do to improve their search engine traffic.

1. Content Management

Use a content management system. If you are getting a new site built then insist on some sort of content management system. It will cost you more up front than an entirely static site. You will no longer have to run to the designer each time you need to change your hours of operation or your prices. That also means you won’t have to pay them for every little change. A content management system will also allow you more control over the SEO of your site.    

A good content management system will also have a number of SEO items built in. Look at the title of this post and then look in your url bar in your web browser. Notice that they match. Having a url that is readable and not full of question marks and = signs can make a big difference in the traffic that your site gets.

 

2. Take the time to do it right

Alt tags. Alt tags are the alternate tags found on images. If you don’t have alternate tags on your images search engines can’t tell what the picture is of. If the search engine can’t tell what the picture is of it just ignores it and you loose the possible boost that could be gained by the presence of an alt tag.

 

3. Figure out who you want to market to and write appropriately

If you are a Motel in a small town known for it’s fishing and want to get more fishermen to stay at your motel make sure you talk about the great fishing in the area. Yes I realize that you are a hotel and don’t actually offer fishing in your parking lot but with content written about fishing in the area you are more likely to appear in a search about fishing in the area. If they are searching for ‘fishing and motel’ you are even better positioned to be a primary hit in your area.

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