Did you know that 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine, like Google (BrightEdge)?
If your website isn’t visible on Google, you need it to be. Here’s how.
Tips for Making Your Website Visible on Google
Robyn Rivera
6 ways to make your website more visible on Google
#1. Optimize your website for relevant keywords
When someone is actively searching for keywords that are relevant to your services or products, you want your website to show up, preferably near the top of page one of the search results. In order to do so, you need to identify what those keywords are and optimize your website with keywords in mind.
Try to find longer, more descriptive keywords when doing keyword research. The more specific a keyword, the less competitive it’s likely to be. Plus, people who search more specifically have a better idea of what they’re looking for and will be more likely to convert.
Once you’ve identified the main keywords you want to target, make sure that you use them naturally throughout your website, including in the metadata, page titles, headings, text, alt image tags and anywhere else they fit.
The key to keyword optimization is to use keywords naturally. The last thing you want is to force keywords into your content. If you can’t use them naturally, you’re better off not using them at all.
#2. Dominate search results with advertising
Ideally, you’ll start ranking in the organic search on Google for all of the important keywords for your business right away. But in the real world, that takes time. One of the best ways to immediate visibility on Google is through advertising.
It can take weeks, months or even years (if you’re going after highly competitive keywords) to drive real traffic through SEO (search engine optimization), but search advertising has the advantage of getting you to the top of page one right now.
Even if you’re doing well organically, search advertising is a smart option because it helps you control more of the search page. When you show up in a search ad and in the organic results, your website is twice as likely to get seen and clicked on. And, best of all, by combining your organic and paid efforts, you’ll often see better results for both channels.
Search advertising, like SEO, is about getting in front of consumers who are actively searching for what you have to offer. It’s a smart way to get your message across to consumers who are the most receptive to it.
#3. Get your business listed
If you have a local business, it’s important that your business is visible wherever people in your area are looking for local businesses. This includes Google, but it also includes local sites and directories, like Angie’s List, Yelp and Top Rated Local®.
And, as a bonus, getting listed on applicable directories — and keeping your business information on those listings consistent and up to date — can actually help your business rank higher in the organic search results.
Furthermore, when your business is listed on those sites and directories, it means that you’ll have more control over the properties in the Google search results for your business name. The more properties you control, the more in control you are over your first impression on prospective customers.
#4. Stay active on social media
Social media isn’t just about connecting with old friends or long-distance relatives. These days, it’s where people go to discover new products, brands and local businesses.
Social media marketing can be a powerful tool for a small business that wants to build brand recognition, connect with its community and drive sales. However, an effective social media strategy can help you be more visible on Google as well.
In addition to your website and local listings, when someone searches for your business name, one of the top things that will come up are your social media profiles.
This, like I mentioned before, is a good thing, because it means that you have more control over exactly what a prospective customer might see when they google your business. Plus, social content with links back to your website can help your website rank organically as well.
#5. Build a strong reputation
Having a good reputation is a must for any business these days. People have a lot of options, and they don’t want to settle for working with a business that provides poor customer service or shows up late for appointments.
To make sure that they’re choosing the right business to work with — or buying a quality product — consumers are going to read reviews.
You need to make sure that your business has reviews, and that you maintain a strong average star rating on any applicable review sites. In order to do that, you need a reputation management strategy that involves asking for feedback and reviews, responding to reviews and managing reviews.
Reviews help to make the right first impression on prospective customers, but they also help with your organic rankings on Google. Google takes feedback about your business seriously, and they rank businesses customers are satisfied with higher. More reviews means more visibility.
#6. Create ongoing website content
Optimizing your website for relevant keywords is just the first step toward ranking organically for those keywords. You also need to create ongoing content for your website on a regular basis.
Having your own blog is a great way to add content to your website, and it gives you more freedom and flexibility than, say, a landing page, would, which would be targeted for a very specific subject.
Blogs can be about a range of topics — as long as they’re relevant to your brand and keywords — and they can be used to educate your customers, establish your expertise and authority, build trust, promote products or services and so much more.
If you’re not sure what to write about for your blog, start by focusing on some of the most common questions you hear from your customers. If your customers have those questions, chances are, others do, too, and your blog could become a valuable resource.
While all of the above tips can help you boost your visibility on Google, greater visibility starts with having a fast, mobile-friendly small business website. Pick a website design template to start building yours.