6 pro strategies that help small businesses rank higher in search-engine results

With the advent of the pandemic, the million-dollar question faced by businesses is how to stay relevant. Many businesses that have succeeded during this period of tumult have done so by transforming into agile organizations, able to pivot rapidly based on changing conditions. A great way of doing the same for your business is by ensuring your marketing is on point, which will keep its direction on course and customers rolling in. 

Gone are the days of traditional marketing on mass media with a huge budget. It’s all about targeted marketing and curated experiences that speak to a person’s behavior, needs and requirements. Here’s a look at the top six strategies for small businesses and marketing professionals to boost their search rankings and thrive in this era.

Keep up with emerging search trends

Your business’s marketing plan needs to reflect awareness of emerging trends in search engine practices. With Google’s ever-evolving algorithm patterns, it is imperative to be on top of your site’s keyword game and to address any gaps in content. If you are a business based on an online retailer forum, make sure that your product pages are properly optimized and that your site’s content is relevant to the searches being performed. It is all about offering content that corresponds with what people are searching for to hold your business in good form among its target audience and thereby boost visibility.

Content calendar

A content calendar is one of the most important aspects of any marketing and advertising program. Consistency is key, and regular updates foster familiarity and top-of-mind recall. A calendar will not only help you keep things on track, but it will also give you topics and keywords to target and elaborate upon. In an environment where SEO is king, the best tactic is to play the game long and consistently by creating content that resonates with your clients. 

Keywords are king

Use the right keywords to gain traction and increase visibility, which will in turn drive traffic. Keywords are the name of the game, so incorporating them right away in your content will generate better rankings, faster. One way to research the search volume for keywords is by using a keyword research tool, like Google Trends. Start associating your brand with particular keywords, and try including some of those keywords in your domain name. This will ensure that you keep getting hits.

Network

Networking in your local area gives you a chance to get to know your local market and develop connections. This will help you find your zone and keep you away from unhealthy competition with another business. Be resourceful, there will always be topics to talk about!

Stories and testimonials

Stories and testimonials are crucial for every SEO-optimized site. Anecdotes that resonate with potential customers and speak to their problems helps them make the decision to work with your business faster. These anecdotes should also contain keywords that further drive traffic to your site. Consider placing these testimonials on social media along with your credentials to plan a seed in customers’ minds. 

Optimize your Google My Business profile

Your company’s Google My Business profile is likely the first place that will appear online when customers look it up. Make sure to complete and periodically update your Google My Business profile, as this alone can enhance your business’s local SEO ranking.