Small business websites are usually just 5 to 10 pages and very often they are getting very few visitors so it’s hardly surprising that many business owners say their website is not very effective at bringing in more business.

We know that increasing numbers of people are using Google and other Search Engines to do their research about products and services they are interested in buying, so what’s going wrong here?

The problem is often that the small business websites are not coming up on the first page of results in Google, so very few potential customers even see the website.  If you are not on the first (or second) page of Google results, you are near enough invisible to your potential customers!

How can a small business get their website on the first page of Google for the Keyword terms that their potential customers are using?

Google is always trying to present the most relevant quality pages in their results and that’s how they became the leading Search Engine.  The exact formula that Google uses is obviously secret but we do know a lot about the Search Engine Rankings system and one of the factors that they like in addition to lots of unique quality content, is fresh content regularly added to the website!

Action steps:

• If you can’t change your small business website’s content easily without using a Webmaster, then consider updating your website or getting a second website, where you have control.
• Add a Blog section to your website but don’t call it a ‘Blog’ but call it ‘Swimming Pool News’ or similar for your industry.
• Use a Dynamic website rather than a Static website.
• Aim to add 2 or 3 new pages each week – New products, industry news, trends, jobs you have carried out this week etc.  (This is a great way to leap-frog up the Google results but hardly any offline businesses do this.  Ask if you want more details).
• Use ‘Google Alerts‘ to suggest industry related topics and visit the websites of market leaders in your industry, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations etc to get ideas for new content.
• Use appropriate Buying Keyword Phrases in your content.  What your potential customers might be searching for.  Eg. Do I need planning permission for a swimming pool, best pool builders in Surrey etc.
• Use Local Keywords -Your town/city, County, State, Country, Postcodes/Zip codes

If you need any advice on getting a new website that Google will love, then do get in contact.

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