9 Tips for Do-It-Yourself SEO
You probably know that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is important for getting noticed on the Internet.
But you might not know that you don’t always have to hire an outside consultant or shell out big bucks to drive more traffic to your website.
In fact, there are steps you can take right now – without paying a penny – to boost SEO and improve your Google rankings.
To begin, you should download Google’s SEO Starter Guide. This was originally a Google internal document that helped its teams create search algorithms. Now it’s available for everyone. And it’s free.
9 Steps to DIY Search Engine Optimization
- Take four minutes to educate yourself. If you’re like me, you’re probably a bit mystified by this whole SEO business. Is it secret sauce or a scam? Even the phrase Search Engine Optimization sounds like something out of Star Wars. Do yourself a favor. Watch this nifty little video that will teach you the basics. It’s only four minutes long and even has stick-figure diagrams.
- Content is king. What you’ve heard is true. Content is the key to high Google rankings. Your website should be chock-full of information that is useful, unique and interesting. And it must be fresh. Nothing is more damaging to SEO than stale, out-dated content.
- Choose your words wisely. Even as you read this, thousands of people are scouring the web for an attorney just like you. How to attract them to your website? By making sure your content contains the right words. “[Y]ou need to know what specific keywords your potential clients are searching,” says Main Street ROI. “Google makes this easy with their Keyword Planner. Simply type in your keywords and Google will tell you how often they’re searched by prospective clients.”
- But make your keywords count. Posting a hundred-page dissertation on tax law will not improve your rankings. Nor will stuffing every sentence with the phrase “Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyer.” In fact, this will probably hurt your rankings – and it might even get you banned for violating Google’s webmaster guidelines.
- Get others to link to your website. Inbound links are pure gold for SEO. Search engines love them. How to get more inbound links? Ask for them. And you can grow links organically by keeping your content fresh and engaging.
- Create internal links within your site. Linking your pages will improve SEO and create a more cohesive site. Avoid unlinked, orphaned pages that float unnoticed in the ether.
- Optimize your pdf documents. Lawyers love pdf files. Often these documents have rich content that is perfect for SEO. Make sure your pdf files are named in an SEO-friendly manner and linked to other pages on your site.
- Choose the right SEO consultant. If you decide to outsource SEO, be sure to select a good provider. Do they specialize in SEO for law sites? Are they familiar with your geographic area and local needs? Will they provide references?
- Play the long game. There’s no one-and-done when it comes to SEO. This is so even after you’ve done a complete website overhaul with state-of-the-art SEO. It is an ongoing process. Stay on top by – you guessed it – keeping your content fresh and engaging.
Finally, SEO domination doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself time – six months at minimum – to see some upward movement. And keep adding great content!
Sources:
- Google SEO Starter Guide https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//webmasters/docs/search-engine-optimization-starter-guide.pdf
- Search Engine Land https://searchengineland.com/guide/what-is-seo
- Main Street ROI https://www.mainstreetroi.com/law-firm-search-engine-optimization-seo/
- Search Engine Journal https://www.searchenginejournal.com/pdf-seo-best-practices/59975/
- Outsource Easier http://www.outsourceeasier.com/find-great-seo-expert/
