
First let's talk about what Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is. In short you need to change your website so that search engines like Google can find it and show it to people who are looking for what you have. It's like putting up a big sign on a busy street. You definitely want to be in those prime spots.
You don't need to be a tech whiz to start. You can use a lot of tools to help you find your way like Google's own Search Console. This tool tells you how well your site is doing and where it needs to be improved.
Keywords are very important. People type these words into search engines when they want to find something. Imagine how great it would be to have a taco restaurant in Austin. You could say things like "best tacos in Austin" or "where to eat tacos in Austin." You have to think like the customer. If you don't know what keywords to use Google Keyword Planner is a great tool.
Texas is not only big but it also has a lot of different things. From the busy Houston to the laid back Lubbock each city has its own style. Local SEO helps you make the most of that by bringing in more customers from your area.
The first step is to sign up for Google My Business. It's like handing out your business card to everyone in the area. This listing has important information that could convince people to buy from you such as your hours location and reviews from other customers. Reply to both good and bad reviews and make sure your information is always up to date. It's not only polite it shows you care.
Then there's the art of using local keywords. They use more specific phrases than just "Dallas bakery " like "bakery near Deep Ellum" or names of neighborhoods. People who are close by can find you more easily with these exact words.
It's clear that everyone is on their phones all the time. That's why businesses in Texas and everywhere else need to make sure their websites work well on mobile devices if they want to get ahead. If your site isn't mobile friendly people will leave it faster than an armadillo crossing I 3
Check out how your site looks on a phone first. Is it easy to get around? Do the pictures load quickly or do you have to pinch and zoom too much? You can check how well you're doing with Google's Mobile Friendly Test tool.
The speed at which the page loads is also very important. Everyone hates it when a site takes a long time to load. Use browser caching and compress images to get rid of the extra weight. You can find out how to speed things up on websites like The Complete Guide to Reducing Page Weight — SitePoint.
People say that content is king and that's also true for your SEO plan. To make Texans happy you need to add a little southern charm and a little realness.
First find out what your audience wants to know. Make sure your content fits with what people in your area like. For example if you live in Austin you should write about music and if you live in Dallas you should write about sports. Think of articles videos or infographics that are either fun to watch or answer questions that a lot of people have.
Don't just give people content that is boring and generic. Try to tell people stories or show them what goes on behind the scenes at your business. It could be a story about how you make your Houston hot sauce or a profile of one of your employees in the area. These stories not only make your brand more relatable but they also connect with your audience on a personal level.
It's important to make small changes as you work on your SEO plans. All the time SEO changes. It's a dance because algorithms and what people like change all the time.
You can keep track of how many people visit your site with tools like Google Analytics. It tells you who visits your site what they look at and how they get there. You can see what works and what needs to be changed this way.
You should also keep an eye on your competitors. Look at their SEO strategies and see if you can use any of them. You can use tools like Ahrefs to look at their SEO playbook and find backlinks keywords and content that you can use to come up with new ideas.
Most importantly don't be afraid to try new things. You might not be getting as much traffic from a certain keyword as you thought you would. Try new things or write in a different way. You can't just do SEO once and forget about it. It's more like a process that keeps going.
Last but not least stay up to date on the latest SEO news. Follow blogs or websites that talk about SEO and digital marketing that you can trust. This will help you keep up with changes and be able to adjust quickly.
Your SEO strategy is your map in the huge digital world of Texas cities. If you learn and use these methods you'll not only get more people to your site but you'll also connect with the people you want to reach in a real way. It's about making your mark and letting Texans know you're here to stay. Success may not come right away but if you have a plan you'll be on the right track to doing well.