Attempting to rank higher is a never-ending task. Search engine optimization is a process that branches out into many different parts of your contractor website and marketing strategy. Search engines are constantly changing their algorithms so it can feel overwhelming. Let us at Contractor Charlie give you some tips for ranking higher in 2019.
Not All Search Results are the Same
When you think of what the typical Google search results page looks like, most of us probably think of a page with 95% text. That’s not the case.
When you enter a search query, search engines do their best to show you what it thinks you’re looking for.
Looking up an actress? Google will show you a carousel of videos and biographical links. A search for Albuquerque brings up official city links and things to do while visiting. Entering the keywords “heating tips for your home” brings up a featured snippet along with a list of blog posts. Searching for brands or local businesses pulls up knowledge panels with locations, contact information and business hours with a list of social media links and review pages.
It’s imperative that before you develop your content, do a quick search on Google for the keywords or phrases to see what the results look like. Search results may take on different looks, and you should tailor your content for it.
Google My Business
Speaking of searching for local businesses, here’s an extremely useful tip if this is you.
It’s important that your contact information is consistent across the web. For example, let’s say you have one location, and some online directories reflect that address. But last year, you moved into a new location and entered the new address into a handful of other directories. Search engines can crawl this information and view these listings as two completely separate businesses.
Consistent NAP
When it comes to your company contact information and the internet, what’s important is the NAP. This is the Name, Address, and Phone. NAP consistency is important as it’s considered a ranking factor for local search.
An inconsistent NAP can include inaccurate or duplicate information, which hurts your rankings because search engines might not view your business as authentic. Plus, users won’t know how to contact you.
To help increase your local search rankings, create a Google My Business profile. Free to use, you can add your business name, contact information, address, business hours, and photos. Optimizing your information will help you get in front of nearby customers who are searching for you.
Don’t Forget the Technical Side
There are a few technical things to consider.
Security
One thing you should use is an SSL certificate, even if your website handles no sensitive information, such as a credit card number. You’ll know a website uses SSL if the domain starts with “https” instead of “http.” There are many security-related reasons to implement an SSL certificate. There’s also the fact that you could get a minor boost in your rankings.
Speed
Your website’s page speed also plays a role in your rankings. A fast-loading site enhances the user experience, while a website that loads slowly can chase away the user. Inefficient code, images that are too large, and poor hosting are some of the most notable causes for slow web pages.
Applying these technical aspects can signal to users that your website is safe and trustworthy.
Show Off Your Expertise
Building a trustworthy website not only means that you’re an expert in your industry. It also means that your website becomes an authority website.
What is an authority website? It’s a site that has a high number of pages and incoming links. The content within these pages:
- Use keywords effectively
- Provide powerful content
- Are trusted by users, search engines, and other experts
Content is King
There are several things you can do to increase your website’s authority. But the most important thing is to continually develop and create content.
The more pages of content you create, the more pages that the search engines will crawl and index. This increases your chances of getting ranked, as there are more keywords and phrases that searchers use to find your site.
What kind of content can you create? As long as it provides value and is engaging, any kind will do. Infographics, posting industry updates on your blog, how-to videos, before-and-after images of projects, you name it.
We Can Help Your Contractor Website Rank Higher
Search engine optimization is a vast topic that involves many moving parts. Applying these tips will go a long way towards reaching your search engine marketing goals. Contact Contractor Charlie today to discuss how we can help you with these tips and more.
