Let’s face it. At this point in time, every business, even a local business, needs the help of professional SEO experts to help their businesses grow online. Unfortunately, not all small business enterprises can afford to hire internet marketing experts whose rates range from $200 to as much as $2000/month. However, the basic building blocks of SEO for local and small businesses are actually affordable if you know where and what to look for. This list will benefit the small businesses, for example a local landscaper or flower shop who can never justify the ROI by hiring professional SEO analysts. If you are a small store whose business doesn’t really focus much online but still want to gain a few leads with an effective website, here’s what you can do:
1. Domain name – Having your own registered domain name for the next several years will prove fruitful for your SEO efforts in the long run. For one, it’s easier to climb SEO rankings if you have your own domain registered to your business. Having a free website where you constantly have to change the web address should be avoided if possible. Additionally, a free website can also shut you down at any time, which can consequently shut down your SEO campaign.
2. Hosting – Nowadays, hosting comes at really affordable prices. Numerous web companies now offer hosting services for as low as $10/month. The $10/month is sufficient because small businesses do not necessarily generate big traffic to justify expensive hosting services. A unique IP address that normally costs an extra $1-2/month can also help your SEO campaign.
3. Email address in your own domain – If you already own your own domain, make sure to have a professional set-up an email address for you in that domain. [email protected] is more professional than [email protected] or [email protected].
4. Web design – Web design is fairly easy if you prefer the simple, uncomplicated route. WordPress offers themes and codes that even non-technical SEO practitioners can use. If you are willing to shell out a few bucks, hire a professional web designer to create powerful web designs with just a few pages. A website is the first thing online viewers see of your business, so it is very important to have one that has the greatest impact with minimal cost.
5. Online brand – Secure your online brand by registering your brand in social networking sites. Social media marketing is also an internet marketing practice that can greatly increase your brand visibility online. In terms of SEO, search engines give extra points for businesses with social media presence. This you can do for free through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn or pay for a service to lessen the workload.
SEO for starters doesn’t need to make your business go bankrupt. Set a budget and work around that amount to start an SEO campaign that can do wonders for your business. Once your business rises, it may be wise to hire a professional to give you more time to focus on the other aspects of your brand.
