If you are reading this, it is quite likely that you have your own business (or you work in a company already) and would like to get that business on the first pages of Google searches, right? That’s good, because this is essential today. Google has radically changed the way people research and find products and services they need – and that goes for just about everything, including advocacy. If a lot of people used to ask friends and family for recommendations when they needed to find a reliable seo consultant, today it is very likely that these people will open the laptop or search online using their smartphone. Even if recommendations from friends and family continue to have weight, it is quicker and more practical to look for indications online. But today there are already more than 424,000,000 results for the word lawyer in Google. So, in this crowd, how do you stand out?
Check out the following tips:
- First, you need to have a responsive website. That is: a site that has good navigability on desktops, tablets and smartphones. This is essential, since today most of the searches are done via mobile. And, of course, it’s important to remember that Google usually leaves sites that have poor navigability in the last places of searches.
- Optimize your results. Have you ever heard of long tail theory? Basically, it means the more you bet on content (such as blog posts or corporate website) with specific keywords, the more assertiveness you’ll have. So, instead of just using ‘lawyer’ as a keyword, use ‘labor lawyer’ or ‘criminal lawyer in Vancouver area’. This is just one example that can be applied to all themes. It’s better to be specific than generic.
- Bet on the local. Of course, the advent of the internet has made it possible for companies to reach an audience that would not be reached if it weren’t online. And that’s great. But you can’t forget that the local factor has a lot of weight when it comes to services like advocacy. Most customers are looking online for a professional that they can later meet offline. So, you should create content and optimize your website to be found in your city, neighborhood, specialty or all of that combined.
- Review your competition, do a benchmark. Google optimisation system looks a lot like the academic system. Which means that the more your website – or your posts – are quoted by other relevant sites (whether they are from the same area or not, they may be journalistic sites or related sites), the more weight it will have for Google. The more relevant your website will be considered. So, take a look at the websites of your direct competitors and look at this factor. The more links you have pointing to your site, the greater your online strength. Make partnerships, link to other sites and ask them to link yours, too. Remembering that this exchange needs to make sense in your area of expertise.
And of course, keep an eye on news and sites that talk about SEO and changes to Google’s rankings criteria. Today, it is imperative to always be up to date and fit when it comes to SEO.