Good “Top of Google” or  search engine optimization (SEO) strategies come in all shapes and sizes, but these SEO tips prove valuable every time. This are some generic strategies that work for all websites, but if you are looking specifically for Local SEO tips, you can build out a strategy for your GMB keywords and local listing.

1. Keywords Are Key.

Invest your time and energy in finding the best keywords suited to the content you are providing. One of the most effective ways of doing this is using Google Trends. Google Trends enables you to look at the search volume, and rising search terms by category, region, country, and time of your chosen keywords.

Once you know what keywords you are targeting, its not enough to include them in meta tags, they should be used appropriately within the content of your web page. You may be tempted to try “Keyword stuffing”, this is a terrible practice that never helps the end user and can get you in trouble with Google. Your goal should be to create a positive experience for users in which you provide content that is valuable to them.

#2 Optimize Your Page Title If You Want to Reach the Top

To perform proper search engine optimization, choose an appropriate title. Titles tell users and search engines what your content is about and that it is important. By only using the common titles “Home”, “Index”, or “Page 1”, you are not telling a human being, or a search engine, anything useful about the information on that page. Keep title tags under 60-80 characters as some search engines cut them off at that point.

If you really want to be on the first page of search engine results, include your keywords in your title tag. If at all possible include the keywords before any other words in the title. Like “Keyword Stuffing” avoid repeating keywords in the title.

#3 Using Headings and Bold Text to Organize Content

Headings are important when it comes to organizing information. It’s similar to how newspapers and other print material are setup and typically how humans recognize important information.  Be sure to include at least H1-H3 when assembling your page, and try to set them up appropriately.  Search engines, like human beings, notice this. If you add keywords to your heading tags, it also helps the search engines understand how valuable the content of that page is to the keyword.

#4 Using ALT and Title Tags for Search Engine Optimization

Website accessibility is something that many people overlook. Part of the issue is that you are not taking part of your audience that may be disabled, into account. In addition you are not taking advantage of the search engine optimization benefits. These handicap accessibility issues are the same problems that a search engine will have. Using title tags is the direct way of telling search engines about the relevance of a link or image.

#5 Naming Conventions

People and search engines only understand what you tell them. If you name a picture “galleryimage001.jpg” how does the search engine know this is a picture of your dog? The search engine referencing images of dogs is certain to over look you if your content isn’t named correctly. Naming your image “small-poodle-01.jpg” makes a lot more sense to the search engine.

You can download our 47 Point Homepage Checklist to learn more about how to improve your search engine optimization.

Implementing some of these search engine optimization tips will help you in your quest for the top of Google. If you are not sure about how to implement these on your website, contact us and we will be happy to help.