Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of enhancing your website so it appears higher in search engine results, helping more potential customers find you online.
Through search engine optimization services, an SEO specialist makes technical adjustments to the backend of your website to help search engines find your website. This includes keyword research in Google’s Console to learn what people are typing into the search engine as relates to your business and adding those terms into your website’s content to connect it to searches better.
Here are seven essential SEO questions every business owner should ask.
Will my website be optimized for Google from the start?
When you purchase a new domain, meaning one that is new to search engines, Google does not favor it over an established domain.
In search results, Google’s algorithms prioritize websites that have been active for years versus months. So, right out of the gate, you are fighting to be seen. For this reason, it’s smart to ask your website developer to build with SEO in mind. Many developers focus on aesthetics or functionality but overlook technical SEO, such as site structure and mobile-friendliness.
You’ll want to ensure the website developer you recruit is a search engine optimization specialist who knows how to speak to search engines by implementing best SEO practices on your new website.
Will a website developer integrate analytics and tracking for SEO?
This is a standard practice among website development companies that prioritize SEO and build sites optimized to track visitor behavior and performance metrics. But this is not something every developer will do, so make sure to ask.
A seasoned website developer should treat data collection as a standard practice, showcasing their ability to build high-performing, results-driven websites for their portfolio. Having Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager set up on your website brings valuable data about who uses your website and how they interact with it. As a business leader, you will gain invaluable insights and be able to update your website based on user needs.
What website-building platforms are SEO-friendly?
Since SEO services are a common practice, most platforms have implemented features to support these tactics. However, not all platforms are created equal, and humans are still required to integrate them fully..
While convenient, Etsy or Shopify website development can restrict the level of SEO customization available. This is because you are essentially renting an apartment in a building with a platform like this. Thus, you have restricted access. This means that you can make changes in your apartment (on your webpage), but you cannot access the roof, pipes, or crawl space (the website’s control panels).
When it comes to SEO, to fully optimize a website, an SEO specialist needs complete autonomy, with full access to all areas of the website. Sites like Etsy and Shopify hold keys to certain doors, unlike platforms like WordPress.
What ongoing SEO services are available after a website launches?
For the best results, SEO implementation is an ongoing process. There are a few reasons for this.
First, Google changes its algorithms daily, sometimes multiple times. And they do big overhauls at least once, sometimes twice a year. A good search engine optimization consultant or specialist will know this before strategizing tactics for your niche.
After your initial SEO treatment, once your website launches, if you don’t refine the SEO treatment you had, your website will eventually fall behind in the rankings as other sites keep up with the algorithm updates.
For this reason, SEO services are recommended as a long-term commitment, as everything on the Internet is constantly evolving. Services include content updates, link building, technical audits, and much more. The work is like creating a friendship with Google; you have to keep showing up, spending time talking to it, and possessing the qualities it looks for in a friend.
How will my website rank locally or in my niche?
Earlier, I mentioned keyword research. A good SEO specialist will do this before strategizing tactics for your niche. This research involves identifying the questions people are asking in search engines related to your services, products, or industry. They also analyze the competition in your niche and what is working for them.
Laying this as the foundation sets a strategy in place that tailors to your specifics. Another layer to localize your SEO strategy means specifying where you are and who you serve. Repeating your service locations on your website, managing your Google Business Profile, and creating unique landing pages are key strategies for effective local SEO.
A reputable search engine optimization company can guide you in choosing the right local strategy for your business goals. Be sure to ask your SEO specialist what specific local optimization services they provide.
We are planning some interactive elements. Could those help our SEO, or might they cause problems?
Interactive elements, such as calculators and interactive maps, when used thoughtfully in terms of accessibility, are a great addition to a website. Users like to take control of their experience.
One factor in website search engine optimization is the length of time people stay on your website. Search engines can see this, and they prefer to serve up websites in top results that have a good track record of user engagement.
However, keep in mind that interactive elements can impact your website’s loading speed. Search engines also look for this, and they prefer websites to load in under 3 seconds; after that, users have a higher probability of leaving before a page loads.
If you plan to add interactive elements, ensure your developer has a plan to minimize their impact on your website’s loading speed.
What kind of reporting or analytics should a website development team provide that ties into SEO performance?
A reputable SEO agency will offer comprehensive reporting. Most will do this either monthly or quarterly. These reports not only demonstrate the impact of their work but also hold them accountable for its quality.
Reports should include:
- The number of users who visited your site and how that number has changed over a defined period.
- How many new users found your website?
- What pages on your website get the most views?
- How users are finding your website (Google, Bing, social media, emails, other websites, etc).
- What cities, states, or countries users are in that find your website.
- What keywords your website is ranking for, and how those positions have changed in a defined period.
- And many other metrics!
This data helps inform your ongoing search engine optimization marketing strategy.
Every website deserves some love from the Googlesphere, and SEO is how you start and maintain that relationship. If you’re looking for an SEO agency to boost your site to the top of search results, book a discovery call so we can get started!
Want to learn more about SEO? Five Things to Know About SEO gives you the must-know tips to boost visibility, attract traffic, and grow your online presence.
