If you hope to have any success with your online business, website, etc., you have to get onto the first page of Google (or whatever search engine potential customers are using). Few sensible web surfers even venture onto the second page of web results, let alone any of the subsequent pages, so the old adage applies here: “If you’re not first, you’re last.” So to boost your online presence, here’s five tips to improve your search engine ranking.
Up-to-date Web Design
Gone are the days of purely HTML websites; the most successful websites nowadays are often those with the most sophisticated, smooth design. But why do looks matter in web searches? Well, search engines like Google prioritize websites that are fast and secured, and loading speed and security require post-90’s web design and code. By giving your website a face-lift, you can improve your running speed and security, which will make your site more attractive to Google.
Avoid Stock Content
So many companies make the mistake of letting third party designers cram copy-and-paste content into the company’s website, content that resembles thousands of other websites. These websites may reuse the same images, headlines, and turns of phrase, which are all red flags to Google. Google does not like repetition, and it will push cookie-cutter websites into page-1000 oblivion. If you’re outsourcing your website design to another company and they offer to include content, make sure that they are producing original content and not recycled material.
Give Equal Focus to Mobile
Desktop internet use is no longer the main source of internet searches. More people are searching from their phones and tablets than their computers, and Google has taken notice. If your website is not mobile-friendly, then it will not show up when people search on their phones, so remember to create a mobile-friendly version of your website if you want to get noticed.
Do SEO Research ahead of Time
If you are looking to get your website noticed by Google, then you need to know what words people are using to search. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a growing science in the internet age, and the most successful online entities know how to use it to their advantage. Consider consulting with SEO professionals to make your content as search-friendly as possible, or do your own research!
Keep Images Small
Piggy-backing off the points made in the “Up-to-date Web Design” section, you need to make sure the images on your website have been optimized to ensure peak performance. Large, high-resolution images will slow down your website dramatically, which is a big no-no for Google. Keep your images on the smaller side, or consider using fewer images on your web pages to reduce loading time.
The internet marketplace is enormous, so ingenuity will win out in the end. However, following these simple steps will already give you a leg up since so many companies are not doing these things.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Cyrux Smart Solutions at (416) 222-0035 for a FREE consultation on your website design and search engine optimization.