SEO for a small startup

[i1301243]

I've started a small company (only me) offering a service in the local 3 counties. So far I'm only getting business through word of mouth. It's nice as a side income, but it's just bobbling along. Looking at the statistics for my website, it's not really getting any visitors.

I'm one of only a few people offering my service locally so I can't get why I'm not higher. There are really obscure websites that appear higher than mine.

I update the content frequently.
I have SSL.
It's mobile optimised/reactive.

There are lots of websites that appear to give away the "secret" to SEO, but I know there are a few people here who are knowledgeable in such matters.

[Pete.]

Rip off a BCF member you'll be top of google rankings before you can say nobcat
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[The Artist]

I don't know a great deal about SEO but I did manage to get my own and a mates website to the first page on google about 5 years ago.

Basically all I did was agree with other website owners to swap links, so I contacted them and asked them if they would put a link to my site on theirs and I would do the same. No one ever visits the "Links" page but Google does base a large part of its rankings system on how many cross site links there are.

[WD Forte]

I'm far from an expert in these things but was briefly dazzled by
a 'get rich quick in SEO' page and asked one of my lads who
works in all that web biz stuff
As I understand it
SEO Secrets = snake oil
Everyone wants to be at or near the top so getting and staying at the top of rankings takes constant work
not magic phrases or code
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bikers smell of wee

[Ste]

Go on then, show us your website.

[Jewlio Rides Again LLB]

Ask Jayy.
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HAHAHA HAHAHA Blew Chilly MyCrowSystems

[ScaredyCat]

How long has your site been up. Google is slow.

Also depending on what you're selling use google webmaster tools (structured data, html improvements) - check your keyword status too. How do people typically find your site? If the search for "bolts that fit this thing" make sure you have those keywords in the body, and that they appear on your site as often as you can while not just typing it in 15 times on each page. You want the keywords for the stuff you do to rank highly in your GWT site keywords section.

Remember that a static site will be less appealing to google than one that changes (more up to date) - it's kind of difficult and it's not something you can just do for a few days to fix it - it's a constant battle.

Then run it through a couple of seo checking sites (like woorank - use the free ones or ones that offer it free for a month) but don't take their world as gospel, use their info as hints. Also take a hint from the spammers. The more links you have to your site from other sites the more google likes you. Just don't spam everywhere. It'll only work if you get lots of clickthroughs too.

Add social media links too. Farcebook, G+ etc ... do it do all of it.

Don't just ignore the other search engines either.

[J.M.]

Some interesting reading;

- Page rank equation (this information is very old, but a good general understanding).
- LSA, (finding relevant results before you sort them).

The SEO game is constantly changing because people do all they can to try and abuse the algorithms to boost their own rankings. Realistically, I would present to you this list for some food-for-thought about your site.

- Maintain a good site structure
- - - number 3 is very important
- ensure accessibility
- - - extending on this, keep content as text, not as images for "style". If you use images, ensure you describe them
- increase the time users spend on your website
- having good response times boosts rankings
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900