Local SEO Unlocked
Local SEO Unlocked is your go-to podcast for mastering the art of local search dominance. Each episode dives deep into the latest strategies, expert insights, and actionable tips to help businesses rank higher in local search results, attract more customers, and maximize their online visibility. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or SEO pro, this show will equip you with the tools you need to unlock the full potential of Local SEO and stay ahead of the competition.
Local SEO Unlocked
Making Your Website a Bestseller: SEO Tips That Work
If you've ever wondered what makes a website rank higher on Google, this episode is for you! We break down SEO—search engine optimization—into digestible concepts. Think of your website as a book in a library; the right keywords are like a captivating title, drawing in readers. You’ll learn about the significance of using relevant keywords, crafting engaging content, and the mechanics behind backlinks, which function as endorsements from other respected websites. Together, these elements work to elevate your site's visibility and credibility.
We also dive into the importance of user experience, making sure your site is easy to navigate and speeds along efficiently. Mobile optimization is no longer optional; if your website doesn't cater to mobile users, you're losing potential traffic. Plus, keeping your content fresh sends a signal to search engines that your site is active and trustworthy.
On top of that, we discuss the vital role of social media and online reviews, both of which can shape how users and search engines perceive your site. With all these pieces working in harmony, you can genuinely create a web experience that is not just about pleasing algorithms but about serving your audience.
Engage with us as we unravel these essential SEO components, ensuring your website is not just another book on the shelf but a bestseller waiting to be discovered. Don't forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and leave us a review!
Thanks for tuning in to Local SEO Unlocked! If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who want to master Local SEO. Stay connected with us weekly for more insights on SEO! Until next time, keep optimizing and stay ahead in local search!
All right. So I've got this stack of SEO articles and they're actually pretty interesting. I know you want to get your website ranking higher on Google, right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1:Well, some of these articles have a really cool way of thinking about it, like imagine Google is this massive library and your website is like one of the books in the library.
Speaker 2:I like that. That's a pretty neat analogy, huh yeah, it really kind of simplifies the whole SEO thing. You know Totally.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so okay, let's say someone goes to this library and they want to learn about dinosaurs and the only clue they have is this book, just titled like stuff.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, It'd be pretty hard to find right.
Speaker 2:Yeah for sure, no one's going to recommend that book.
Speaker 1:Exactly so. This is where keywords come in. It's like imagine that same book is now titled the Ultimate Guide to Dinosaurs. I see the librarian or, you know, google in this case can easily see what it's about and point people to it. Right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 1:So that's what keywords do they help Google understand what your site's about?
Speaker 2:Yeah, but I've also heard like just stuffing a ton of keywords onto your website can actually hurt you.
Speaker 1:Oh for sure, One of the articles actually talked about that. Like trying to trick the librarian by sneaking extra copies of your book onto the shelves, you know?
Speaker 2:Uh-huh yeah.
Speaker 1:Doesn't really work, does it?
Speaker 2:No, and Google's way too smart for those kinds of tricks anyway. Right, they don't just look at keywords. They want to see if your content is actually like good quality and relevant to those keywords.
Speaker 1:So it's got to be genuine.
Speaker 2:Right, exactly Like. A few really good reviews from experts would be way better than a bunch of random ones.
Speaker 1:That reminds me of backlinks.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, one article compared them to like getting reviews for your book.
Speaker 2:I see.
Speaker 1:So like if other websites, especially really respected ones in your field, link to your website. Yeah, it shows Google that your site's trustworthy and worth ranking higher.
Speaker 2:Right, absolutely. It's like a signal to Google that others vouch for your content.
Speaker 1:Exactly, so those backlinks are super important for SEO. Oh yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:But it's not just about, you know, getting as many backlinks as possible. Oh, really no, it's more about the quality of those links. Okay, like, if you get a backlink from, say, a university website, that's going to be way more valuable than a link from some random blog. You know.
Speaker 1:Right, that makes sense.
Speaker 2:It's just like in our library. Analogy right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, totally. So we've got our keywords like a clear title and backlinks like good reviews. Yeah, but what if our book is outdated? Oh, like, imagine, our dinosaur book claims dinosaurs are still alive.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Not exactly going to be a bestseller, is it?
Speaker 2:No, definitely not.
Speaker 1:So I'm thinking does this mean we got to keep our website content fresh? You got it, oh, okay.
Speaker 2:Regularly updating your content with new information shows Google that your site is active and valuable.
Speaker 1:Right. So it's like releasing a new edition of our dinosaur book with all the latest discoveries.
Speaker 2:Exactly, keeps it relevant and interesting for readers okay, cool.
Speaker 1:So we've got the keywords, the backlinks, the fresh content. What about the actual structure of the book?
Speaker 2:uh, yeah, that's where user experience comes in ux yep, you know like a good book is organized right, it's got to have chapters, sections, all that exactly, and your website needs to be easy to navigate too.
Speaker 1:Makes sense.
Speaker 2:Clear menus, internal links. You know a structure that makes sense.
Speaker 1:So it's got to be user friendly.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for both visitors and search engines.
Speaker 1:Because no one wants to sift through a jumbled mess of information, right.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and Google actually keeps track of how people interact with your website.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow.
Speaker 2:Like how long they stay what they click on. Interesting so if people are leaving your site quickly or, you know, struggling to find what they need.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It could be a sign that you need to reorganize things a bit.
Speaker 1:So like making sure your website is the kind of book people actually want to read. Exactly With a clear layout and easy navigation.
Speaker 2:Yep, and that's just the beginning. There's so much more to UX. Oh yeah, Like mobile optimization, site speed, visual design all that plays a part too.
Speaker 1:Wow, this SEO thing is way more complex than I thought.
Speaker 2:It's a lot, but it's all about making your website the best it can be.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's like crafting a really compelling book.
Speaker 2:Exactly yeah, and a good analogy to keep in mind as we dig deeper into these SEO articles.
Speaker 1:All right. So where do we go from here? What else is there?
Speaker 2:Well, before we dive into that, I'm curious yeah, if you were walking through this digital library, what kind of book cover would make you stop and look?
Speaker 1:Ooh, that's a good one.
Speaker 2:What would grab your attention?
Speaker 1:Hmm, I think Welcome back. So we're still looking at these SEO articles.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And I got to say there's a lot more to this whole website thing than I thought.
Speaker 2:It's a whole world.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like we talked about user experience before the break. Right you making sure your website is you know, the kind of book people actually want to read.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and there's so much more to unpack there.
Speaker 1:Really.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, so how do we make sure our website has good UX then?
Speaker 2:Well, think about it this way. Okay, Imagine you walk into a library and the lights are dim, the books are all over the place and the librarian's like grumpy.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You probably wouldn't want to stay there.
Speaker 1:I'd be out of there.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and it's the same thing online. If your website's slow, hard to navigate or just ugly people are going to leave like instantly.
Speaker 1:Oh, so it's got to be visually appealing too.
Speaker 2:Definitely, but it's more than that. You got to make it easy for people to find what they're looking for.
Speaker 1:Right, so like what are some of the things we can do?
Speaker 2:Well, one of the articles mentioned mobile optimization.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, that's a big one these days, right.
Speaker 2:Huge. Most people browse the internet on their phones now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's true.
Speaker 2:So your website needs to be mobile friendly.
Speaker 1:Okay, so how do we make it mobile friendly?
Speaker 2:Well, there's something called responsive design.
Speaker 1:Responsive design.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it basically means your website's layout adjusts to different screen sizes. Oh I see, so it looks good on a phone, a tablet, a desktop, whatever.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's cool Because I've definitely been on websites that are like zoomed out on my phone.
Speaker 2:Right, it's like impossible to read.
Speaker 1:Yeah, super annoying.
Speaker 2:And Google actually, they actually penalize websites that aren't mobile optimized.
Speaker 1:Seriously.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they have a mobile first index now.
Speaker 1:What does?
Speaker 2:that even mean. Basically, they mainly use the mobile version of your site for ranking.
Speaker 1:Wow Okay, so mobile optimization is definitely important.
Speaker 2:For sure. And then there's site speed.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, no one likes a slow website.
Speaker 2:Nope, people are impatient, you know, if your site takes too long to load, they'll just go somewhere else.
Speaker 1:So like how fast should it be?
Speaker 2:Ideally two seconds or less.
Speaker 1:Two seconds, wow, that's fast.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but there are things you can do to speed things up.
Speaker 1:Like what.
Speaker 2:Optimizing images using caching plugins, choosing a good hosting provider, all sorts of stuff.
Speaker 1:So it's like a technical thing.
Speaker 2:Kind of yeah, but there's also the content itself.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Remember, we talked about creating valuable content.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like filling our library with good books.
Speaker 2:Exactly yeah, like filling our library with good books. Exactly yeah, and that plays a huge role in SEO too.
Speaker 1:I see. So it's not enough to just have a fast, pretty website.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:It's got to have good content too.
Speaker 2:Exactly that's where content marketing comes in.
Speaker 1:Content marketing, what's that?
Speaker 2:Basically, it's about creating and sharing content that people actually want to read. Okay, think blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, stuff like that.
Speaker 1:So stuff that's informative and interesting yeah.
Speaker 2:Stuff that answers people's questions or solves their problems Got it. But it's not just about like throwing in the old content out there. Right you got to have a strategy. Yeah, you think about your audience and what they're searching for, and you got to make sure your content is optimized for Google's algorithms.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, those algorithms. One of the articles mentioned that.
Speaker 2:What did it say?
Speaker 1:It said that some people think SEO is just about stuffing keywords into their website.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, I've heard that too.
Speaker 1:Like to trick the algorithms.
Speaker 2:Right, but Google is way smarter than that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they are.
Speaker 2:In fact, keyword stuffing can actually hurt your ranking. Oh wow, it's like trying to impress the librarian by like writing the same word over and over.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's not going to work.
Speaker 2:So how do we create content that both humans and Google like?
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's the question.
Speaker 2:Well, the key is quality over quantity.
Speaker 1:Quality over quantity.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Think about what your audience really wants. What questions do they have? What problems are they facing?
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And then create content that answers those questions and solves those problems.
Speaker 1:So like no more long rambling blog posts.
Speaker 2:Uh-huh yeah, try to keep it concise and informative.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Use headings, bullet points. Visuals, you know, make it easy to read.
Speaker 1:Right Make it skimmable.
Speaker 2:And don't forget to use keywords, but do it naturally, naturally, yeah, like you're writing for a human, not a robot.
Speaker 1:Okay, that makes sense.
Speaker 2:So it's all about finding that balance, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Creating content that's both valuable and optimized.
Speaker 1:So we're attracting visitors, keeping them engaged and showing Google that our website's a good resource.
Speaker 2:Exactly, but creating great content is only half the battle.
Speaker 1:What's the other half?
Speaker 2:You have to promote it. Promote it, yeah. Share it on social media. Email it to your subscribers. Okay, reach out to other websites. Get the word out.
Speaker 1:So it's like marketing our book.
Speaker 2:Exactly yeah. You've got to get it in front of as many people as possible.
Speaker 1:Right, because the more people who see it, the more signals Google gets that it's worth checking out.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:This is all really helpful.
Speaker 2:I'm glad.
Speaker 1:But I'm wondering is there like a point where it's too much?
Speaker 2:Too much.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like focusing too much on SEO feels kind of manipulative, you know.
Speaker 2:I see what you mean. Like shouldn't we be focusing on our audience first, absolutely, and that's the thing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, good SEO and a good user experience should go together okay you know, when you create valuable content, make your website easy to use and build relationships with other websites yeah you're actually doing both at the same time so it's not about choosing one over the other right, it's about finding that, that sweet spot exactly where you're benefiting both your audience and your SEO.
Speaker 2:I like that, but remember SEO is always changing.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, Google's always updating their algorithm.
Speaker 2:A lot of time. So you've got to stay up to date. Ok, and avoid any like shady shortcuts. Right no tricks Exactly Focus on the long game.
Speaker 1:OK, so what's the the main takeaway here?
Speaker 2:Well, I think it's that SEO isn't just about manipulating algorithms. Okay, it's about building a website that people actually enjoy using.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:That offers valuable information and is trustworthy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's like building a good reputation.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And when you do that, the SEO benefits will come naturally.
Speaker 1:That makes sense.
Speaker 2:So we've covered a lot today.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we will come. Naturally, that makes sense. So we've covered a lot today. Yeah, we have a mobile optimization to content marketing. It's a lot, it is. So, before we move on, yeah, I'm curious what's one thing you've learned today that you're excited to try on your own website?
Speaker 2:hmm, that's a good question.
Speaker 1:I'm thinking okay, so we've talked a lot about what makes a website great and yeah, all the stuff that happens like inside the website. Right, exactly, but I'm thinking there's got to be more to it.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely. There's a whole other side to SEO we haven't even touched on yet. Really Like what it's called off-page SEO.
Speaker 1:Off-page.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's all the stuff that happens, you know, outside your website to help it rank higher.
Speaker 1:Hmm, okay, so like what kind of stuff? So like what kind of stuff?
Speaker 2:Well, think about it like this Okay, we've been talking about our website as a book in a library.
Speaker 1:Right the dinosaur book.
Speaker 2:Exactly so, imagine we want to get that book in the hands of more readers. We've got to do more than just like make the book itself good Right, we've got to like promote it, get it reviewed, maybe even featured in a museum exhibit, you know.
Speaker 1:So like getting the word out about it.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and that's what off-page SEO is all about.
Speaker 1:Hmm, okay, so how do we do that online?
Speaker 2:Well, one of the biggest things is backlinks.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, we talked about those before, right, but they're important for off-page SEO too, I see. So it's not just about having them on your site, nope, it's also about like earning backlinks from other websites.
Speaker 2:Okay, and why is that important? Well, think of it like getting endorsements from other experts in your field. Oh like if a bunch of respected paleontologists are recommending our dinosaur book. Yeah, it's going to make people more likely to check it out.
Speaker 1:Right, because they trust those experts.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and it's the same with websites, websites. When other websites link to your site, it shows Google that your site is trustworthy and valuable so it's like those other websites are vouching for you exactly, but not all backlinks are created equal oh really no, a link from, say, a university website is gonna be way more valuable than a link from, like, some random forum post. Right, so it's got to be a quality link.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it is going to be way more valuable than a link from like some random forum post, right, so it's got to be a quality link. Yeah, it's got to be from a reputable and relevant source.
Speaker 1:Okay, so how do we get those kinds of links?
Speaker 2:Well, one way is to create really high quality content.
Speaker 1:Like stuff that other websites would naturally want to link to.
Speaker 2:Exactly Think comprehensive guides, original research data, visualizations. You know.
Speaker 1:So like if our dinosaur book has groundbreaking new information.
Speaker 2:Yeah, other websites might want to reference it in their own articles.
Speaker 1:Right, because it's valuable.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And then there's guest blogging.
Speaker 1:Guest blogging.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's where you write articles for other websites in your niche.
Speaker 1:Oh, I see.
Speaker 2:You're getting your name and your expertise out there.
Speaker 1:And hopefully a link back to your own site.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's a great way to build relationships and earn backlinks.
Speaker 1:It's like giving a lecture at a different library, right?
Speaker 2:Uh-huh, yeah, you're expanding your reach and establishing yourself as an authority.
Speaker 1:Okay, cool, so what else is there?
Speaker 2:Well, social media is a big one too.
Speaker 1:Social media how does that fit in?
Speaker 2:Well, think of it like networking at a conference.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:You're connecting with other people in your industry.
Speaker 1:Right Sharing your ideas, building relationships.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and you can do the same thing online.
Speaker 1:So like sharing our content on Facebook and Twitter.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Engaging with other people participating in discussions, you know.
Speaker 1:It's all about building that online presence.
Speaker 2:Exactly yeah, and it all contributes to your website's authority.
Speaker 1:Okay, so we've got backlinks, guest blogging, social media what else is there?
Speaker 2:Oh, don't forget about online reviews.
Speaker 1:Reviews Like for our dinosaur book.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know, like when you're looking for a restaurant.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You check out the reviews on Yelp or Google.
Speaker 1:Right All the time. It helps me decide if it's worth going to.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and people do the same thing for websites.
Speaker 1:So like having good reviews on Google, my Business.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and other review platforms too.
Speaker 1:Okay, and how does that help with SEO?
Speaker 2:Well, it builds trust and credibility Right.
Speaker 1:It shows Google that you're a legitimate business that people like so it's kind of like those rave reviews in major publications for our book.
Speaker 2:Exactly it makes people more likely to visit your website.
Speaker 1:Wow, this off-page SEO stuff is really interesting.
Speaker 2:It's a whole other world right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's like building a reputation outside of your website.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and when you combine it with all the on-page stuff we talked about, it creates a really powerful SEO strategy.
Speaker 1:I see, so it's all connected.
Speaker 2:It is, and it's always evolving, so you got to stay on top of things.
Speaker 1:Okay. So as we wrap up this whole SEO deep dive. What's the main takeaway for our listeners?
Speaker 2:Well, I think it's that SEO is about more than just keywords and algorithms. Okay, it's about creating a website that people actually want to visit.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:That offers valuable information and that has a good reputation.
Speaker 1:So it's about building something worthwhile.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and when you do that, the rankings will follow.
Speaker 1:I like that. It's not just about gaming the system.
Speaker 2:Nope, it's about building something genuine and valuable. That's a great way to put it. So, yeah, I think that's the key takeaway here.
Speaker 1:Awesome. Well, thanks for taking this deep dive with me.
Speaker 2:My pleasure, it's been fun.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I learned a lot Me too.
Speaker 2:I hope our listeners did as well.
Speaker 1:Definitely and remember everyone. This is just the beginning.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Keep learning, keep experimenting and keep building great websites.
Speaker 1:That's right, all right, thanks for listening everybody.