What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
The term Search Engine Optimization or SEO is a form of internet marketing that refers to the process of getting a website ranked higher in search engines for the organic (non-paid and non sponsored) search results. Google and other search engines use secret algorithms to determine where to rank a website for search terms called keywords.
For example, if you search Google for the keyword term “baby strollers” Google will go through its index of websites and find all the sites that are related to that search term. Google then lists the sites that are more relevant and authoritative first in the results. Naturally, the higher the site ranks, the more visitors it will receive. COMO SEO is a professional SEO company in Columbia MO that can help you get found online by potential customers.
How Search Works
Why is SEO Necessary?
With the onset of mobile devices, phone internet plans, and social media we are in the middle of the largest internet boom ever. Instead of using phone books people now search the web to find local products and services. The problem is that if your site isn’t at the top of the search results then no one will find it. You can have the best-looking site out there, but if you have no visitors it doesn’t matter.
Search Engine Optimization will ensure that your site is listed at the top of the search results which will bring you more traffic and ultimately more conversions and profits.
On and Off Page SEO
There are generally two types of SEO, On-page and Off-page. Both on-page and off-page factors play important roles in determining where your site will rank. A site that only has on-page optimization will be easily beat out by another site that has on-page and a few backlinks (off-page) too.
On-page refers to everything that is done to your actual website itself. Having a website that is well optimized is the foundation for a successful SEO project. By optimizing on-site factors such as title tags, description tags, image alt text, internal linking structure, page content, and many other factors we can ensure that your site is easy to find by the search engines.
Off-Page SEO refers to anything that happens off of your website. Once you have a few simple on-page SEO factors taken care of then Off-page optimization should be your main focus. Google uses Off-page metrics as a major factor in ranking sites. The quantity and quality of links pointing to your site has a major impact on rankings. For example, a site that has only has zero or only a few low quality links doesn’t look very reputable. On the other hand a site that has many quality links pointing to it that are from high authority sites tells Google that this site is worthy of mention so it ranks it high in the search results. A good SEO company knows how to seek out quality links and use them to drive your website to the top.
Want proof that off-page factors have a MAJOR impact on your rankings?
Lets take a look a the facts and analyze the most competitive keyword phrase in the world:
“How to lose weight”
Here is the number one listing when searched in google:
This webpage must be perfect when it comes to on-page factors to get the #1 position right? Lets ask w3c who actually sets the world wide standards for web design:
Ouch! That’s a LOT of errors! So how is this simple webpage that is loaded with errors and warnings doing it? It’s obviously not because of on-page factors. The reason is because of their off-page factors:
Both on-page and off-page factors play a role in ranking a website high in the search engines. A great Search engine optimization company understands this and will take a balanced approach when working with a website.
Keyword Research
The most important step of any SEO campaign is to find out what customers are searching for. By doing in depth keyword research we are able to find out what people are searching for and then build a SEO strategy so you’ll be found for those specific search terms. By targeting terms that we know customers are looking for we’ll be able to utilize your SEO budget to its maximum potential.
Competition Analysis
One of the best ways to rank higher in the search engines when starting out is to spy on competitor websites that are ranked higher than you. By analyzing competitor websites and backlinks we can then go out and get those links for your website. We use advanced software that allows us to analyze high ranking sites and then use that information to outrank them.
User experience & Content
Search engines are now considering user experience as a factor when they determine rankings. Google uses statistics of a website such as how long a user stays on your site, how many pages they visit, and if they land on the home page and leave immediately or visit other pages. The content on your website needs to be high quality and structured so that it’s easy to read and engaging. Good quality content with proper punctuation, grammar, and structure will attract more visitors and help your rankings. Providing useful information also increases the chance that other people will link to your site which further increases your rankings.
Building links and popularity
A backlink is any link on another site that points to your website. Backlinks are a major part of Search Engine Optimization but not all links are created equal. The higher quality the site is that points to yours the more positive affect it will have on your rankings. Search engines also look at the big picture and pay attention to the overall link architecture that is surrounding your website. Are there links pointing to your site from other sites within the same niche? Is there a wide variety of links coming from a variety of sources? The quantity and quality of links plus the places they’re coming from all combine to determine where your site will rank in the search results. Anyone can create low quality backlinks easily. A good Search Engine Optimization company has the tools and knowledge to seek out the high quality potential links and obtain them in a manner so that they are more natural and have a higher impact on rankings.
Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools
Google offers free tools that show detailed statistics about your site and visitors. Information ranges from the number of visitors to how long they spend on certain pages of your site. By analyzing this information we can help you make changes to your site to turn visitors into customers.
Rank Tracking
Tracking the rank of your website for multiple keywords will allow you to see the results of your SEO campaign. We provide ranking reports on a scheduled basis to clients so they can keep a close eye on their progress.
COMO SEO offers some of the most advanced internet marketing and Search Engine Optimization Columbia MO has to offer at an affordable price.
Call (573) 777-8800 or fill out our simple online form
for a free internet marketing hour consultation.