- 13 minute read
- SEO
- Websites
All Skill Levels
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is key to driving organic traffic to your site from Google searches. Getting the algorithm to notice your site is a never-ending process and it can seem daunting when you don’t know how to begin.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of key areas that you absolutely must optimize in order to improve your ranking on search engines. These behind-the-scenes elements on a page could be bringing your rank down in Google if you have not optimized them. But don’t worry — we’ll tell you how!
Title Your Title Tags
The <title> tags live in the <head> of your webpage and can be considered the #1 ranking factor when it comes to on-site SEO. This is what people see and click on when searching for your business in search engines. Use the following checklist to ensure every page on your website’s title tags are following best practices.
- Around 55-65 characters
- Includes a primary targeted keyword or phrase
- Includes a location
- Includes the business name
- Unique to each page
Get Descriptive in the Meta Description
The <meta> tag also lives in the <head> of your webpage and summarizes a page’s content. Search engines show the meta description in search results, so optimizing it is key to giving customers a good first impression of your site.
Google no longer uses keywords in meta descriptions to rank pages; this means you gain nothing by keyword stuffing meta descriptions. In fact, because this is often the first text potential customers see, it is extremely important that it be written for humans, not algorithms. Use the checklist below to ensure your meta descriptions are helping you.
- Around 150-155 characters
- Gives customers a clear, inviting description of your offerings
- Ends with a call to action (Book now!, Book online today!, etc. )
- Prioritizes natural, readable language (don’t keyword stuff!)
- Unique to each page
Heed Your Heading Tags
Last but not least, heading tags live in the <body> of your website and are the most prominent text featured on your pages. The largest heading is <h1>, then <h2>, <h3>, and so on.
While writing these may seem simple, there’s more to them than meets the eye. Search engines use heading tags to determine what content is on your page, so it’s absolutely essential that your headings are communicating what you want. Use the checklist below to get ahead of your heading tags.
- Every page must have ONE unique <h1> (multiple <h1> tags can dramatically impact SEO)
- <h1> should match title tag
- Each heading should be above a relevant paragraph
- Contains targeted keywords
- Contains a location if applicable
Start Your SEO Journey Today
If you haven’t optimized these tags, what are you waiting for? This is the perfect place to start getting your feet wet in the world of SEO. Once you’re finished with these tags, dive into our ultimate SEO series for even more tips and tricks to getting more organic traffic and bookings!