Launching a new business website can feel both exciting and daunting. While there are countless things to consider, securing solid SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) practices from the outset is crucial for building your online presence and attracting those all-important customers. Let’s dive into some tried-and-true tips for giving your new site the best start possible.
Starting with keyword research is like laying down the foundation of a house. Without it, you’re left with a structure that lacks stability. Understanding what your potential customers are searching for will guide you in creating content that matches their needs. Focus on keywords relevant to your products or services, ensuring you're targeting the right audience.
Your page titles and meta descriptions play a significant role in how search engines index your site. These small snippets show up in search results and can significantly impact your click-through rate. Keep page titles around 60 characters and descriptions around 160. Make sure they’re engaging and include your primary keyword to improve visibility.
Content is still king, especially when it comes to SEO. Generating high quality, original content not only helps satisfy your audience's needs but also pleases search engines. Aim to regularly update your website with new blog posts, articles, or news related to your industry. This will signal to search engines that your site is active and relevant.
With a significant portion of web traffic coming from mobile devices, ensuring your website is mobile friendly is ever more important. Google even prioritises mobile first indexing, which means that your mobile site is assessed first before the desktop version. Your site not only needs to look pleasing on smaller screens but also have intuitive navigation and fast load times.
Next on the list is ensuring your website loads swiftly. Slow websites can frustrate visitors and lead to your visitors not sticking around very long, negatively impacting your ranking. Common tips include optimising images, leveraging browser caching, and minimising JavaScript. A speedy site leads to happier visitors and better search rankings.
Security is another key factor in SEO ranking. Switching from HTTP to HTTPS ensures that data sent between the user’s browser and your site remains secure. This is often shown using a padlock next to the url in the address bar. Google recognises HTTPS as a ranking signal, meaning more secure websites may rank higher in search results. In addition, users are more likely to trust and engage with a site they know is protecting their information.
Engage in off site SEO to bolster your site's authority and visibility. Building quality backlinks from reputable sources tells search engines that your site is reliable and relevant. You can achieve this through guest blogging, partnerships, or creating shareable content appealing to industry influencers.
If your business caters to a local audience, optimising for local SEO is a must. This involves claiming and updating your Google My Business listing, using local keywords (such as "web design Swansea" for example, and encouraging customers to leave reviews. Local SEO techniques help nearby customers discover your services and ensure you stand out in local search results.
The User Experience (UX) of your site directly affects both your SEO and customer satisfaction. A well-designed site with easy navigation, clear calls to action, and engaging visuals will keep users on your pages longer. Keeping users engaged are critical for both search rankings and converting visitors into customers.
You might wonder how images affect SEO, but they’re more significant than they appear. Use descriptive file names and alt texts for your images to help search engines understand their content. This is particularly useful for image search results and adds another layer of accessibility for visually impaired users using screen readers.
Finally, consider integrating social media with your website to drive traffic and improve engagement. Links shared on social media platforms create more entry points for users to discover your content. Embed social media buttons on your site to make sharing easy, and encourage interactions through comments and likes.
