So often business success is based on how high your website is ranked and getting onto page one in Google search. This means you want to become Google’s best friend. By ‘loving’ Google, you will be rewarded.
Here are tips on how to earn the good favour of Google:
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Use Google.
Firstly, use Google as your own preferred / default search engine … and really why wouldn’t you? As I say to everyone “Google it” as Google has the answer to almost everything and search results are usually pretty much spot on.
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Great Web Content.
Google loves fresh new content, so ensure your website is constantly updated and regularly added to, with fresh and original content. Don’t use resource libraries and simply copy and paste content, even if you have permission, Google loves original and fresh content. Ensure each page of your website has a MINIMUM of 300 words on it and that you update your content regularly. Also, ensure that the content is relevant to what you do.
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A fantastic way to add fresh and new content to your website is to blog.
These articles also share with your audience and prospective clients your expertise and knowledge. It develops trust and helps heaps in your rankings. Blogs should be ideally 1200 or so words and again, original and fresh material. The ideal frequency of blogging is weekly (I do this) but I understand writing doesn’t come easily to everyone or can be sometimes time-consuming. If you are new to blogging, then start out with monthly and copy successfully with that, then move to fortnightly and then ultimately your goal should be weekly. Feel free to write 4-5 articles once a month if that works easily for you and just post them up weekly. Remember to use social media to promote your blogs and direct traffic to your website.
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Google Maps.
Setting up a My Business account where you have a Google Map is another strategy to get you seen, noticed and improve your search positioning. You need to have a physical address (such as a storefront) or have a Service Area. Google will mail out a code for the physical address and once you get that code, you are verified and a ‘pin’ will appear on Google Maps for your location.
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Google Plus.
Many business owners will be on Facebook or LinkedIn, but often neglect Google Plus (G+). Whilst you’re posting to these other forms of social media, why not also post to G+? Remember also that social media love hashtags, so get on the bandwagon there. Your keywords may likely be your hashtags. Remember also, when you do setup your G+ accounts etc, so it’s all under one Gmail email account; don’t have several, otherwise, you dilute the benefits of your activities. Be sure to link your website to your social media accounts, especially your Google Plus social media profile.
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Google Reviews.
Another strategy to improve your website ranking is to proactively chase reviews on G+. Make it easy for people to do reviews by providing the link and make it a habit to ask. Not only does it help others see what a great service you provide, but helps Google to love you just a little more.
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Google Hangouts.
In lieu of Skype or Zoom, consider this medium for communicating with people. Every activity you do is just yet another brownie point and this is free service also. It’s great for having a chat or video call, or texting or having a phone call using wifi and therefore not using your traditional phone service and incurring those associated costs.
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Google Street View.
Be visible and be seen using this Google service, which essentially allows for a 3360-degree tour of your business. Google Maps, Google Earth …. I suspect Google Universe will be on the horizon soon. : )
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Google Analytics.
Ok, I don’t know specifically if this helps your ranking, but it sure helps you to know what works and what does not. If you see a spike in website visits you’ll want to duplicate that situation and if the visits are dropping down, you’ll want to review that too. You can manage what you understand, you can understand what you track.
Read What is Google Analytics? How it Works and Why it’s Important to Have Setup on Your Website?
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Youtube.
Is a product/entity of Google now, and in fact, you can even link your YouTube Chanel to your Google Analytics to expand that statistical analysis of what is happening on YouTube. Just be aware that Google and Facebook (FB) are competitors, so don’t try to paste a YouTube link direct from YouTube to FB. Rather put the item on your website and then link from there, otherwise, FB will reduce your exposure.
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Google Adwords.
Often called SEM or PPC (Pay Per Click) Adwords and Google Express are means that you can drive traffic to your website. This does require a degree of experience and skill to get right, but can be very effective when done well. It does come back to understanding your ideal client, knowing your keywords and yes, you do need to spend time tweaking the advert to achieve optimum results.
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Google Allo.
Yet another Google product, Allo is essentially the same as FB Messenger. You can message, use emoji and generally communicate with your network. This app is available for both Android and iPhone and comes with Google Assistant.
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Google Drive.
As an alternative to Dropbox, this program allows for a larger free capacity (15Gb versus 2 Gb) and works well. Files which are too large to email, or which need to be shared are easily shared with others in your organisation or even with yourself if you work remotely or are mobile. Personally, I’ve found syncing works really well and it’s easy to manoeuvre.
Now I understand you may not need/use/have every single one of these things, but the more that you can do, the better you will be positioned. Another great aspect is that if you have one single account, there is only one login for everything; so you don’t have to remember more than a dozen different logins and passwords. Personally, in my coaching business, I don’t use all these things but have a good number of them and I’ve been sitting on page 1 of Google for a few months now so I can vouch personally that if you Love Google, Google will love you!
