Oh no! If I Googled your business name, what would I find? Are you easy to get found online?
It is a sinking feeling when you’ve created quality content for your site that’s been optimized for content and keywords, and it’s still not showing up on the first page (or pages!) in a search return. So what can you do?
Downshift. While search engine sites should discover and index your site automatically, if you’re not showing up, or you want to improve your search engine ranking, try manually submitting your URL. You can do this quickly through Google, here, or Bing, here.
This may seem obvious, but like a call to a help desk, sometimes the most basic steps work.
For newer website, blogs or a target audience shift (i.e. a change in your keywords) manually submitting your site can improve your ranking.
Every time you make a change to your site you can submit your URL. This alerts search engines about important updates and provides the most current version of your site for index accuracy.
And don’t forget the power of getting found online through articles directories.
For most of my clients who travel nationally and internationally, local directories are often forgotten. But even if you don’t have a store front (or your ideal client base is much broader geographically) local directories and trade directories can generate awareness, traffic and clicks, which search engines love.
In the consulting work we do with professionals who want to get found and get known on the Web, we recommend writing articles and submitting them to article directories as a key strategy.
Submitting short articles to directories that demonstrate your knowledge helps in a number of ways:
- Drives targeted traffic to your blog or website.
- Builds your credibility with prospects looking for the type of services you provide.
- Helps set you apart from your competition.
- Highlights your expertise and personality.
Submitting your original articles to top directories such as www.EzineArticles.com helps people who are searching for your area of expertise, find the information they want. By allowing people to use your articles (with your resource box intact) on their website or in their ezine, you reach a wider audience and get more links back to your site.
The key is writing short relevant articles (250-450 words) that demonstrate your expertise and offer solutions to their problems.
What happens when you Google your business name? Are you getting found online? I’d love to hear from you – send me an email.
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