5 Essential Houston SEO Terms You Need to Know

If you are new to the world of SEO, there are a few essential terms to be familiar with before you begin any type of marketing campaign, or want to increase your presence on the Internet. Search engine optimization, or SEO uses tools that are Houston SEO-friendly to drive more users to your website, with the ultimate goal of producing more sales. Optimizing search engine results moves your local business to the forefront of user searches when they use engines such as Google, Yahoo!, and Bing.

Learn the SEO Lingo

Understanding the SEO lingo can be beneficial for any business owner. Learn some of the most common terms you will hear in the online marketing industry.

Understanding the SERP

The acronym SERP stands for Search Engine Results Page. When a user performs a search and hits enter, the resulting page is a list of results from which they will choose a URL. The user is more likely to click on the first several results that are of interest, so optimizing your business to fall within that range is key.

Meta Description

On the SERP page underneath every URL lies the meta description. A precise meta description won’t affect your search engine rankings, but this piece of information written correctly can easily catch the user’s eye. A meta description is essentially an HTML tag. If you’re using WordPress or other online word-processing software to upload your Houston SEO pages, the meta description box is highlighted for you.

Title Tag

Using a title tag when creating web pages easily lets users know what the page is about. Similar to the meta description, instructions are usually provided for you if you are using SEO-friendly uploading software. Keep titles concise, but informational – users need to know exactly what information is contained within your web pages and subpages. This may be the first thing that draws searchers to your site and are typically 20 to 60 characters long.

Keywords

Perhaps the most important term in SEO language, is the term keyword refers to a word or set of words repeated throughout the web page’s text that is relevant to the product, service, or brand. Using relevant keywords will place your website near the top of the SERP page while also catching the user’s attention. Using a short group of words is ideal.

For example, if you are in the HVAC business, you want to grab the attention of local clients. An ideal keyword for a subpage on your site might be “Houston heat pump service.” Repeating this Houston SEO phrase throughout your website puts you at the top of the list when a user types a search query like “Houston heat pump” into Google. Pages typically have primary keywords and secondary keywords.

Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific keyword phrases that users often search for. While they may have lower search volumes compared to broader keywords, they can be valuable for businesses because they attract highly targeted traffic. For instance, instead of targeting “shoes,” a long-tail keyword could be “women’s running shoes with arch support.”

Using a 301 Redirect

Pages within domains change frequently, and if by accident an outdated page of yours appears on a SERP page and is clicked upon, the user will be taken to a “404 – Not Found,” page, perhaps driving them away from your site. Have your Web design team utilize the 301 redirect. While the intended page might be missing, using this tool redirects users to another relevant page on your site, thus keeping them within the pages of your domain.

Alt Text

Alt text, short for “alternative text,” is a brief description or text associated with an image on a webpage. It serves a dual purpose in SEO: helping search engines understand the content of the image and providing accessibility for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. Including relevant keywords in alt text can contribute to better search engine rankings.

Backlinks

Backlinks, also known as inbound links or incoming links, are links from other websites that point to your site. They play a crucial role in SEO, as search engines consider them as a vote of confidence in your content. High-quality, authoritative backlinks can boost your website’s credibility and visibility in search engine rankings.

Crawling and Indexing

Search engines like Google use automated bots, often referred to as spiders or crawlers, to scan and index web pages. Crawling is the process of collecting information from websites, while indexing involves storing and organizing this data in search engine databases. Optimizing your site for efficient crawling and indexing is essential for search engine visibility.

Local SEO

Local SEO focuses on optimizing a website to appear in local search results. It’s vital for brick-and-mortar businesses or those targeting specific geographic areas. Strategies may include optimizing Google?

Business Profile listings, acquiring local citations, and generating positive reviews.

On-Page SEO

On-page SEO involves optimizing individual web pages to improve their search engine rankings. This includes optimizing content, meta tags, headings, and images, as well as ensuring proper URL structure and keyword usage. It’s a fundamental aspect of SEO that businesses should pay close attention to.

Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO refers to activities performed outside of your website to improve its search engine rankings. This includes building quality backlinks, social media marketing, influencer outreach, and online reputation management. Off-page SEO helps enhance your website’s authority and trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines.

Houston SEO Tips

1. Research Keywords for Content Planning

Start your Houston SEO strategy with thorough keyword research. Identify relevant keywords and phrases related to your business or industry using tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush. Use these keywords to plan your blog post topics. Create informative and engaging content that naturally incorporates these keywords to attract your target audience.

2. Optimize Blog Posts with Keywords

When writing blog posts, strategically place your chosen keywords in the title, headings, and throughout the content. Ensure that the keywords flow naturally within the text. Avoid overloading your content with keywords (i.e. keyword stuffing), as this can harm your SEO efforts. Focus on providing valuable information to your readers.

3. Use Anchor Text in Internal Linking

Implement internal linking within your blog posts to connect related content on your website. Use anchor text (the clickable text in a link) that includes descriptive keywords. Anchor text helps search engines understand the context of the linked page and can improve the user experience by guiding visitors to other relevant resources on your site.

4. Build Quality Links

Focus on building high-quality backlinks to your website. Seek opportunities to collaborate with local businesses or industry partners to acquire relevant and authoritative links. Avoid low-quality or spammy backlinks, as they can have a negative impact on your SEO. Quality over quantity is key in link building.

5. Regularly Update and Promote Your Blog

Consistency matters in SEO. Regularly update your blog with fresh and valuable content. This not only keeps your audience engaged but also signals to search engines that your website is active and relevant. Promote your different pieces of content through social media, email newsletters, and other marketing channels to increase visibility and encourage natural link sharing.

ITVibes for Houston SEO

To learn about more ways to optimize SEO for your Houston business or to produce quality internet marketing, call ITVibes to set up a consultation. We have the skills and expertise needed to turn your marketing problems into solutions.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MAY 2016