Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the least you can do for your business website to rank higher in search results. However, topnotch search engine optimization services could be expensive and low-priced SEO services are not worth the risk. Most such services use unethical SEO strategies that get fantastic results in the short-term but risk your website’s expulsion from Google, Bing, and other search engines. Small businesses typically do not have the extra dollars to hire professional SEO services or buy often used keywords against competition that is prepared to pay top dollar.

Even without spending any money, small businesses can try to increase the natural ranking of their website. Take for example the option of using non-textual media to attract attention. A great opportunity has opened up with Google’s Universal Search concept that highlights videos, pictures, maps and more along with the natural search results. Other free of charge SEO strategies that can make a difference to your website ranking in search results are:

1. Registering your business on Google Local Business Center

Google Local Business listings show your business for assorted keyword phrases in your local area, with your business name, a map with directions to your business and your address, phone, email, and website URL if any. Use this option to advertise your business irrespective of it being an e-commerce website or a physical establishment. Register your business address here and include important keywords in the listing title and description. Google verifies the data you have entered before approving your listing. Ask customers to publish their review of your business in the Google Local Business listing and get links from other web sites such as trade directories, yellow pages, etc. Yahoo! Local offers comparable features.

2. Registering your business on Google Product Search

Build a product feed and include information such as description, price, specifications, value to customer, and other product information. Make sure you include pertinent keywords, the brand name, and product name in the title and details of the product entry. If your product listing includes buyer reviews, it looks more credible. Encourage customers to leave reviews by offering discounts or similar benefits.

3. Spread brand awareness with social media networking

Social media networking is the newest trend in advertising a business or a brand. These websites are the center of social activity for a large number of people and perfect to spread the word about your business. Social networking portals such as Facebook and Twitter can divert traffic to your website as trending topics often get pulled out in search results.

4. Using multimedia

When customers type some keyword phrase into a search box, they are mainly looking for information. Multimedia such as videos, audio files, animations, etc. can also fulfill this requirement. You must ensure that the video title and description includes popular keywords to make sure it comes up in search results. Here too, customer reviews and feedback helps build your credibility. If your video is really good, more users will post links to the video or mark it as their favorite, thereby improving your brand visibility.

5. Publishing articles related to recent industry news

show content on trending subjects. Develop articles on pertinent trending topics and make targeted search terms part of the title. Well written and meaningful articles can get inbound links from blogs and other websites. It helps drive traffic to the site.

These tips should help small businesses start on their SEO initiatives. Without applying basic SEO tactics, a business website cannot attract traffic. Even if advertising is not the main object of your website, not optimizing it is wasting an opportunity. Websites cannot miraculously improve revenue or expand your customer base. Some promotion is a must, and SEO is one of the most cost-effective yet powerful means of attracting traffic. Daljeet Sidhu is the author of this article.

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