How Do I Attract Customers? (SEO and Marketing Basics)
SEO and Marketing Basics
1. Why Traffic Matters
Your website is effective only if people actually see it. Traffic grows sales and creates brand awareness. Without a steady stream of visitors, even the best design and content won’t deliver results. We can attract visitors with Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
SEO is the process by which your website appears higher in search results when people are searching for your services online. Consider a store hidden in a busy market on a congested street; SEO is a giant flashing sign that attracts customers to the hidden store.
2. SEO Basics Every Entrepreneur Should Know
Keyword Research
Customers seeking services you offer will often utilize words in relation to what you provide. It is important to recognize these keywords and implement them in your website to attract customers. Some tools to use are Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs. An example of keywords in practice:
- Example: A bakery in Edmonton might target “custom cakes Edmonton” or “birthday cakes Alberta.”
On-Page Optimization
Make things efficient. Implement keywords naturally in headings and titles. It is also a good idea to optimize images with alt text. Try to have fast loading speeds and make your website mobile-friendly. These small changes can go a long way and can pay valuable dividends over time.
Content Strategy
Another SEO basic that entrepreneurs should be aware of is content strategy. Adding blog posts, guides, and FAQs that address customer questions can go a long way. It is also smart to stay on top of trends; by doing so, you can attract customers who are aware of and searching for such trends as well.
- Example: “Top 10 Wedding Cake Trends in Edmonton.”
Additionally, keeping content fresh informs search engines that your content is new and relevant in the online world.
Local SEO
It is important to increase local visibility. Attracting local customers is a great way to grow one's business online and by word-of-mouth. One way to do this is claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. Another method of attracting local customers is adding location-specific keywords. On top of these strategies, it is always a good idea to get customer reviews, which boosts credibility and informs others in the local area about your service.
3. Marketing Basics Beyond SEO
Social Media Marketing
Everyone is on social media. This makes social media a useful tool to grow your business. Sharing content on social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, etc.). Consumers spend a lot of their time on such platforms, and exposing them to your services can be essential for your business to grow.
Email Marketing
Encourage customers to become email subscribers. This allows you to send out newsletters, promotions, and other sorts of updates to keep your subscribers up to date on any new developments.
Paid Advertising
Paid advertising is another method of increasing exposure. Advertisements on Google or other social media platforms are ways to target consumers interested in your services. It is also a way to retarget visitors who did not convert into consumers the first time around.
Partnerships and Backlinks
A strong way to build your business and increase your exposure is to connect with other businesses. Collaborating with local businesses and/or influencers creates more exposure. Earning backlinks from other reputable websites is also incredibly helpful.
Why is this important?
Sharing backlinks with other reputable websites boosts your SEO authority. In other words, you are more visible to potential consumers thanks to connections with other well-established figures.
4. How to Measure Success
- Traffic metrics: Page views, unique visitors.
- Engagement metrics: Bounce rate (leaving site after viewing one page), time on site.
- Conversion metrics: Leads captured, sales completed.
Final Thoughts
Getting traffic isn’t a one-step process; it’s about combining SEO fundamentals with smart marketing. By investing in keyword research, content, local SEO, and promotional strategies (e.g., advertising), entrepreneurs can build a steady stream of visitors who convert into loyal customers.