Let’s tackle what SEO even is:

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization – basically it’s how you get found on the google.

We do a few simple tricks to help what I call the “google spiders” (the computer crawlers that crawl over your page collecting relevant info) find us and they reward us for our hard work by upping our ranking on google search pages.

Now here’s the tea – when you first hit launch on your website you should not expect to be at the top of the google charts. Especially if you are in a competitive field…. and let’s be honest, who isn’t? So for those of you who are freaking out after hitting launch and not seeing your site as #1 on the first page of a search, take a breath, babes! It takes the spiders a bit to crawl around your site to see what it is you are here for and where they should put you. Sometimes they are super fast and it can take them two days to put your site on the search engine and sometimes they are super slow and it can take upwards of 6 weeks.

Here are some things we can do to speed up the process:

1. Rename all of your images

Change the file name of your images to branded text and you can up your rankings.

Think of it this way, the google spiders are rolling through your website trying to figure out who you are, and they come across this: img_355627_llpv_v2.3211.png

This kind of filename gives them ZERO information. So they crawl on by.

So instead we are going to create BRANDED text that the google spiders can crawl all over and love and eat up and then spit us out on the google page that we want to be found on.

What do I mean by branded text? – What is your site about? What is this page about? What is your company name? What is this blog about?

I don’t mean repeating key words in different variations. For example if I were to post a picture on this blog post I would not use a filename like this: seo-SEO-S-E-O-Search-SearchEngine-Searchy-Search-Engine-Optimization-Optimize-my-search-how-to-DIY.jpg

Instead I would stay on brand, simplify and write something like this > SEO-how-to-jackson-ben-designs.jpg

Squarespace and showit now offers ALT image text as well when adding in new images. Make sure to take advantage. This is where we can zoom in on who you want to work with. Remember your key businesses key words and who your ideal clients are when writing here!

2. Name your pages and write a description for every. single. one.

I know, it seems like such a pain. Especially if you have a bigger site. But I promise you it’s well worth it.

Go through your website and drop in a name for the page and a short description about it and what people can find there. (The descriptor is what future clients will see under the page name in google searches).

It doesn’t need to be long, it just needs to be to the point. We’re not looking for a – “Hi, I’m Jacqueline and this website is about web design and this page is my blog!”

Instead have a little gander at what your competitors are doing. Chances are their page descriptors are authentic, but professional and include keywords that clients are searching for to get to their page.

3. Make your pages Header 1’s make sense

This is my absolute favourite trick. And it is so, so, so simple.

Ready!?

Make the first title (using your Header 1) on each of your pages what that page is about.

Then below your header 1 have a short descriptor of what users can find on that page. (think the pages own tagline)

Have more questions about SEO? Drop em in the comments, I’ll be sure to get back to you.

And hey, good luck with those spiders 😉