SEO Tips & Tricks

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing your website to help drive organic traffic to it.

If you’re a small business with a limited budget, here are four actionable DIY SEO strategies you can start implementing today to boost your website’s visibility:

1. Optimize Your Meta Title and Descriptions

Meta titles and descriptions appear in search engine results and play a crucial role in encouraging users to click through to your page.

The meta title (also known as the title tag or SEO title) reflects the main topic of your page, while the meta description is a brief, enticing summary that gives users a preview of what they’ll find. Both should be clear, relevant, and optimized with keywords to attract both search engines and users.

If you don’t specify a meta title and description, Google will automatically generate them based on the content of your page. However, crafting your own optimized version can significantly increase your chances of attracting more visitors. Take a look at these two examples for comparison:

You template comes with the free version of Yoast SEO installed, which allows you to update the meta title and description for each page on your website. Find the Yoast section on any page and expand it to access the title and description fields.

Here is how to optimize each item:

Additional Resources

• SEO Character Counter Tool: https://www.webyurt.com/tools/meta-title-counter
• Optimizing Meta Titles: https://www.semrush.com/blog/title-tag/
• Optimizing Meta Descriptions: https://yoast.com/meta-descriptions/

2. Add Alt Tags to Your Images

Every image on your site—unless it’s purely decorative (like a background texture)—should have alt text. Alt text not only helps users with visual impairments by describing the image, but it also appears if the image is broken or fails to load. Additionally, it offers a valuable opportunity to provide context to search engines about your brand and business, which can boost your SEO.

When uploading new images, you’ll find the Alternative Text box on the right-hand side of your screen after the image finishes loading.

To add alt text to existing images, select Media from the black sidebar in WordPress, then click on an individual image and add your description

These article provides guidance around writing good alternative text:

• https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/describe-content-images
• https://supercooldesign.co.uk/blog/how-to-write-good-alt-text

3. Arrange Your Titles Sequentially

It’s essential to arrange your titles, or headings, in a sequential order on your website. Skipping heading levels can cause issues for both:

• SEO: Heading levels help search engines understand the importance of different content sections and how your page is structured.
• ADA Compliance: Proper heading structure provides visual cues to users with disabilities, especially when using screen readers to navigate your site.

Using headings based on their appearance (size or boldness) rather than their designated levels can create problems for both SEO and accessibility.

You should always have one H1 title per page, usually representing the main topic. After the H1, use H2 for section titles and H3 for subheadings within those sections. It’s rare that you’ll need H4, H5, or H6, except for very detailed blog posts.

4. Setup and Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Setting up your Google Business Profile and optimizing it with details like a detailed description, featured products, Q&A, and encouraging authentic user reviews can help your business appear in the Map Pack.

To claim your business or optimize an existing listing, visit Google Business Profile.

By implementing these DIY SEO tactics, you can improve your website’s visibility, attract more organic traffic, and enhance your overall online presence.