Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
The Five Cs That Make Small Business SEO Work
Thursday, July 15, 2010 by Bryan Anderson
In the beginning, excitement and opportunity flood the minds of
entrepreneurs beginning a venture into small business ownership.
The very idea of making a difference in people's lives is reason
enough to work hard towards a service or product dedicated to
consumers. Some small businesses even start on a wing and a prayer,
only to find out that a strategic game plan becomes necessary for
growth and maintenance. In an owner's mind, his or her business is
the center of the universe.
Unfortunately, a business is only successful if it can sell its
products and services. In order to do this, small businesses need
exposure-either mass media or word of mouth, small business owners
don't have the time or resources to run a company and promote it
simultaneously.
With a majority of potential consumers attached to internet
devices, having a website can be a key component in drawing
interest and crowds to your company. However, your "online
storefront" doesn't work like physical locations-users don't notice
you in passing, they actively seek you out, or you promote yourself
through search engines. When it comes to building a strong small
business website, here are 5 words that summarize the power of
SEO:
Content. There's a reason why the internet
continues to grow-people all over the world are filling servers
upon servers with information. While the average user will only
witness a small fraction of the internet's massive infoworld, the
important part for consumers is the information that they are
looking for. Building relevant content for small business
websites not only helps climb the Google ladder, but it represents
your company as a whole and determines whether users are satisfied
or disappointed in their experience with your website. Anything
from blogs to podcasts to video updates, content comes in all
shapes and sizes - catering your content in an appropriate
communication package can be the key in attracting potential
customers from all over the internet.
Connections. Where there is content, there are
interested individuals. As people flood the internet with
information, they connect with the users that provide the content.
Just like a handshake can spark a memorable first impression, an
email or instant message can build a bridge between business owners
and users. These connections, both professional and personal, are
important to manage and monitor, as small businesses initially rely
on their local environment before focusing on a national push.
Keeping in touch with a user interested in your venture can build a
positive image about your brand and keep you closely connected to
the user's established network.
Conversations. While building connections may
be important, it is the communication that defines how your small
business runs. With the outburst of social media platforms, it's
easier than ever to reach your potential clients online and receive
real-time feedback on your products and services. While the
internet provides a large quantity of information,
communication between small businesses and consumers creates
specific, quality data.
Consistency. In order to gain any traction, SEO
is done on a consistent basis. The three terms previously mentioned
(Content, Connections, Conversations) require patience and
persistence. Getting to the top of Google's search page doesn't
happen overnight! Over time, ROI will become evident.
Credibility. The need for increased internet
speeds shows that the internet is growing in users exponentially.
As the internet crowds converge, content, connections, and
conversations need to be genuine and honest. Small businesses start
from scratch when it comes to the internet-they're the new brand on
the block. Don't provide any content to your users that doesn't
follow your mission statement. Every web page will be analyzed and
judged by users, including the engagements you make away from your
site. Make sure every step you take is transparent-don't leave a
potential client with anything less than a great impression.
Until Next Time -
Matthew Hymel
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