How to Increase SEO on Squarespace | A Simple Guide to SEO for Beginners
Blog Overview:
Are you an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or a blogger looking to understand the importance of SEO for your online presence? If you've heard about SEO but feel unsure about how to integrate its strategies into your business, you're not alone. The world of SEO can seem complex and daunting, especially for beginners. However, don't worry, as I aim to break it down into simple, digestible steps for you in this post. Let's dive in and unravel the mysteries of SEO together!
A Guide to SEO for Beginners
How Do Search Engines Work?
Starting from the very beginning, how do search engines (like Google, Yahoo, and Pinterest) actually work? With billions of websites online, without a central directory or home for them all, search engines are constantly “crawling” website content. They use “crawlers”, like curious ladybugs, to scan websites carefully and collect information about the content. This process of exploring website content and gathering data is known as “indexing”.
What is SEO?
On-page SEO (i.e., on-site Search Engine Optimization) aligns your content and website with what searches are looking for and how they look for it. Optimizing your website pages and their content helps Google’s search algorithm connect searchers with you and your offerings.
Why does on-page SEO matter for your small business? Does your business need on-page SEO?
SEO is a powerful long-term strategy for enhancing your website’s visibility on search engines, drawing in your target demographic. By integrating SEO into a well-designed website, your online platform can solidify its presence on search engines, positioning your business as a credible authority over time. What sets SEO apart is its cost-effectiveness and efficiency in capturing your desired audience, compared to traditional paid advertising methods, ultimately boosting your return on investment and giving you back time to do thinks you actually love.
Business websites (especially for entrepreneurs and small businesses) need SEO to thrive. With millions of active websites, without SEO, it’s likely your competitors will outrank you for keywords relevant to your business.
How does Google index & rank your content? How can I increase SEO on Squarespace?
Search engines use powerful algorithms to help searches find what they are looking for quickly. The search algorithm considers a number of factors, including key factors such as keywords, website quality, and backlinks.
As mentioned, the search engine algorithm has a number of key criteria to index and rank your content. When learning and applying SEO to your website as a beginner, there are a few criteria that impact your SEO more than others. Let’s familiarize ourselves with the following terms:
Relevance: Your content should align with what searchers are looking for and how they are looking for it (i.e., keywords!).
Keywords (more on this in the next section, it’s THAT important): SEO is pretty much impossible without keywords. Keywords help search engines connect searches with your content. Crafting keywords and incorporating them into your on-page SEO strategy is paramount.
Meta descriptions: Impactful descriptions about each website page that tell search engines exactly what the searcher will find on that specific page.
Internal links: Connecting your site pages and resources by adding internal links is like “voting” for that content or page in Google’s view. As well, internal links direct visitors around your website. Keeping site visitors on your website is a huge win in Google’s book.
Alt text: Since Google can’t see your pictures, adding alt text to each image helps add context for search engines as to what your website/page are about.
Page speed: No one likes a slow website. A slow website often encourages visitors to leave and increases your website’s “bounce rate” (i.e., the percentage of visitors who navigate away from the site after visiting only one page). Keeping visitors on your website is a “plus” to the search engine algorithm. Some ways to keep your website working quickly include:
Optimizing image and file sizes
Limit clutter and unnecessary content
Choose a quick website design platform (like Squarespace!)
Limit the number of redirects
What are SEO keywords?
SEO keywords (also known as key phrases) are essential components of online content creation that converts. They are specific phrases entered by searchers into search engines to discover relevant information. The strategic use of SEO keywords in website content, blog posts, and product descriptions is crucial for boosting search engine rankings. Crafting these keywords thoughtfully increases visibility, ensuring that individuals seeking those terms can easily locate your offerings. Successful integration of SEO keywords can significantly enhance your online presence and attract the right audience to your platform.
There are two types of keywords:
· “Short-tail” keywords consist of one or two words (e.g., Website Designer)
· “Long-tail keywords” are phrases that incorporate 3 to 7 keywords to describe you, what you offer, and where you offer it (e.g., Website Designer for Entrepreneurs in Calgary)
The difference is very important. It’s most likely you will not rank on the first page of Google for a short tail keyword. Long tail keywords provide search engines more information about you, and help the algorithm find you and your content more easily. Therefore, your focus should be on creating and applying long tail keywords that speak to your unique offerings.
Does social media affect or help my Google ranking?
Although social media can be a valuable tool to establish a following, it can take a lot of time and energy to create content for. And, unfortunately, it is not a factor in Google’s ranking algorithm. Google doesn’t take into account number of followers or engagement when determining website rankings. Leaning in to your websites on-page SEO, incorporating key algorithm factors we’ve talked about (i.e., crafting and implementing keywords throughout your content, optimizing your images, adding meta descriptions, etc.) to your website can help improve your Google ranking and grow your business.
That’s your simple guide and intro into SEO for beginners!
This guide really only scratches the surface on SEO and its power to rank your business higher on Google and attract your dream audience. If you are looking for more ways to incorporate SEO into your organic business growth strategy and grow your business long term, check out my SEO services.
