Small businesses can’t afford to overlook their online presence. Search engine optimization, SEO, is a game-changer and is the key to becoming discoverable online. In today’s episode of The Small Business Show, Darren Tessitore, owner and CEO of Thrive Management, will share his best tips to improve your business’s SEO strategy.
First, it is essential to understand how consumers search for businesses online. So, Tessitore provides an overview of the typical consumer journey to discovering a new local business:
- First, customers begin a query in a maps app using the “near me” filter.
- Then, they visit your official website and social media site.
- They read reviews to verify the company’s reputation.
- Finally, they make their decision.
This unlocks a new question: how do you make sure your business appears when someone searches nearby? The key is in your SEO strategy.
Get your business to pop up in the map apps
It’s vital to claim or set up your free business listings in the Google and Apple ecosystems using Google Business Profiles and Apple Business Connect.
When setting up your profiles, ensure your profile correctly represents your business by choosing the correct primary category.
Create your business description and ensure that it accurately reflects what your business is, what it does, and what types of goods and/or services it provides. When crafting this description, insert as many keywords as possible.
Add photos to the business listing
Customers are more likely to visit a business with multiple photographs than one with a single photo. Therefore, be sure to add as many high-quality photos as possible of the exterior, interior, and candid shots when customers are present.
Create a strategy to acquire reviews
Reviews are critical and can often be the tipping point in customer choice.
Remember that Google is currently the dominant search engine, and this is where you should primarily direct customers to provide their reviews. However, this may vary by industry.
Tessitore emphasizes that people love helping others, particularly after you’ve provided them with excellent service. The best way to poise the question is by thanking them for their business and asking, “Do you mind helping me?”
Once they agree, ask for a review. Making the process as easy for the customer as possible is essential. Create a scannable QR code that directs them to the review site. If you can, remain by them as they write the review, as they’re more likely to finish it
Respond to all reviews–good and bad.
Responding to reviews is a great way to engage with customers and strategically boost your profile’s SEO ranking. When responding to a review, include keywords within the response. In addition, appropriate responses to bad reviews can also help improve how potential customers perceive your business.
Tessitore often sees companies burning through tens of thousands of dollars every year to employ an SEO company. While they’re experts at what they do, it’s best to use them once you’ve completed the basics of SEO yourself.
With millions of businesses nationwide and more consumers resorting to apps to find new businesses to patronize, it’s crucial to become easily discoverable online. Tessitores’s tips are straightforward and can make a huge difference in your company’s SEO practices and discoverability.
“Don’t go spending tens of thousands of dollars a year for SEO. You don’t need to.” – Darren Tessitore
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