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SEO is one of the most effective marketing tools in your arsenal, especially for smaller businesses. It’s exactly the tool you need to help customers find your site whenever they look for essential services on Google. By building your site correctly and optimizing your keywords, you can drive more traffic toward your site and increase your sales. Like other tools, it pays to know how to use SEO properly to get the most out of it. To help you strengthen your online marketing, keep these tips in mind to guide your strategies and help your business grow. 

1. Hone in on local keywords

Local SEO is usually the way to go when it comes to using SEO to the fullest. Take the time to insert more location-based keywords into your content. These local keywords help narrow down your location to Google, allowing your pages to appear on relevant search results. Those users are usually in your local area, making them your most likely customers and the most likely to need your services.

When it comes to specifying your location, the more specific the better. Make sure your keywords include locations that can easily be traced to your area, like street names and landmarks. You can even splice your location keywords with your service keywords to create longer ones. For example, the keyword “lawn sprinklers in Toronto” specifies your location and the service relevant to that page. Long-tail keywords are also easier to rank for, allowing you to target and secure very distinct niches where you’ll find less competition. 

2. Create plenty of quality content

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Content marketing is one of the best steps you can take to improve your SEO. Think of content as an additional service you can do for your customers. It answers their questions and offers solutions for simple problems, often when they need those answers right away. Offering that relevant information is also a great way to build trust and goodwill with your customers. Providing simple answers and solutions shows your audience you know what you’re talking about, and your offering your help shows them they can trust you when they need assistance.

When most people think of content, they tend to think of written articles. However, you can use different mediums to share your expertise and offer your assistance. Video is a particularly effective medium. Videos are a straightforward and simple way to convey information, making them easy for viewers to digest. They also put a human face on the business, allowing you to take steps to build a relationship with your audience.

3. Ensure your pages load quickly

SEO is all about creating a positive user experience. One of the ways you can do just that is making sure that all your pages load quickly. Users typically want their content immediately, so the sooner you can give it to them the better. Faster page speeds are key to keeping users on your pages and reducing your bounce rate. Search engines look favourably on websites with high retention and low bounce rates.

When it comes to helping your pages load faster, one thing you can do is check your photos. Optimizing your images is a simple but effective way to optimize your page speeds. Make sure you size your images properly and use next-gen formats to streamline your page speeds moving forward. If you work with an SEO consultant in Toronto, they can also offer some professional advice on maintaining optimal page speeds without compromising the quality of your content.

4. Use social media to your advantage

Social media is another tool you can use to improve your SEO. The trick is to find out which platforms your clients use most often, be it Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter. Once you know that, be more active on that platform and share your content. For example, if you offer arborist services, you can share content like tree pruning in Markham with interested readers. This gives you a chance to share your content on more platforms where more prospects are likely to find it and get in touch with you. The more active you are, the more you’re engaging with your customers. Engaging with your audience is a great way to build a relationship and establish some brand loyalty. As an added bonus, creating a following doesn’t stop with your followers. If your followers like your content, they may decide to share it with their circles, extending your reach beyond your initial target audience.

To get more out of your social media, you can also provide backlinks to your site with your content. This allows interested readers to backtrack to your site and browse everything else you feature, like your services and contact details. Being active on social media can be an effective method of generating more leads and extending your reach. Consider stepping up your social media methods to get the attention of those potential customers. 

SEO is a powerful tool that can pay dividends when it comes to growing your business and attracting more customers. Keep these tips in mind to strengthen your online marketing and give your business a competitive edge moving forward.