SEO Basics
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is a set of practices/behaviors for your website that help it to stand out and perform better with search engines. And as Google is the 500 lb. gorilla in the search world, they are the ones who set most of the parameters that we follow.
Algorhythms
All of these various rules are translated into a complex mathematical formula called an algorhthm. When Google crawls your website with one of their "spiders", it is using this formula to determine how well your website conforms to their standards. Missing a sitemap? That's a problem. Missing meta descriptions? That's a problem. There are over a hundred different elements that could be examined in a split second, and conforming to the standards or not conforming either gives you a point or takes one away for each of those rules. What you are left with is a cumulative score that will make or break your ability to show up in search results.
Examples
Having keyword rich headlines helps your customers determine if they're in the right place and on the right track to find what they're looking for. We should always expect that they are in a hurry and may only have a few seconds to look around before zooming off to the next website, so let's make sure they see that magic keyword right away that reassures them they're on the right track. And now that you have their attention, let's reinforce that with great content that increases the time they spend on your website. The more they engage with your website, the better your odds of converting them from a prospect to a customer.
The Rewards
Sound complicated? Yes and no. Many of the best practices that help you rank well with Google are also things that help your potential customers when they visit your website. There's no downside to that, right? So it's something positive we can do to influence people in their decision making process.
Next Steps
We don't expect you to go it alone. We're here to help. We can examine your website and help you to fix the problems. Give us a call today at 636.922.7112 to get started.