What Do They Mean When They Say You Have SEO? Demystifying Search Engine Optimization

Written by Kirstyn M. Yancy, Sales + Ambassador for TMS Digital

So, earlier this week, I met with a networking colleague and the topic of their website came up. They informed me of the rankings they like, the rankings they don’t like, where they want to see movement, yada yada. I asked, “What kind of SEO are they (their current website provider) performing?” Not surprisingly, the response was, “I don’t know; we just signed up for SEO.” Well, y’all, those words can be very deceiving. There are different forms of SEO. If a company tells you your website will be built with SEO, or they’ll be performing SEO on your website etc., okay, cool, what kind?

I’m sure as a small business owner you’ve gotten 1,000’s of phone calls regarding your website and/or SEO, right? I know, the phone calls can be annoying, but some of us are actually calling to help when we see poor SEO. While it sounds hi-tech, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is simply the practice of improving your website's visibility in search engine results. The higher you rank, the more likely people are to find your business online. But hold on, SEO isn't a magic switch you can flip. It's a multifaceted process with different approaches - and a trustworthy web design and SEO company will be upfront about the type of SEO they offer and their systems.

Let's break down the different forms of SEO, shall we? Technical SEO: This ensures the technical foundation of your website is sound and search engine crawlers can easily access and index your content. It includes factors like website speed, mobile responsiveness, and structured data markup. Technical SEO is the foundation of any good website. If you don’t have at the very least Technical SEO, good luck getting your website found – even with a by-name search. Off-Page SEO: This focuses on building your website's authority and credibility in the eyes of search engines. This can involve link building (having other reputable websites link back to yours), social media engagement, and online reputation management. This is our Listing Management service. On-Page SEO: This focuses on optimizing the content and structure of your website itself. It involves things like keyword research, optimizing page titles and meta descriptions, using relevant headers and subheadings, and ensuring your website is mobile-friendly. Choose 10 keywords and three competitors to track in cities of your choice to increase your organic ranking. Why Does Knowing the Type of SEO Matter? Different SEO strategies require different skillsets and resources. A reputable web developer and SEO company will explain their approach and what you can expect. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Companies guaranteeing #1 rankings: Search engine algorithms are complex and constantly evolving. Guaranteeing a specific ranking is simply not possible. And, if they're saying #1 to you, they're saying it to all of your competitors; last I checked, there's only ONE #1 spot...
• Vague promises of "SEO magic": Building SEO takes time and effort. Companies offering a quick fix are likely using black hat techniques that can actually harm your website's ranking in the long run.

Finding the Right SEO Partner: Look for a web design and SEO company near you – shop local! – that offers a transparent and ethical approach. They should be able to explain their SEO strategy in clear terms, tailored to your specific industry and target audience. Here are some questions to ask:

• What type of SEO do you specialize in?
• How will you track the success of your SEO efforts?
• What is your process for reporting results?

By understanding the different forms of SEO and asking the right questions, you can ensure you're partnering with a company that will help your website reach its full potential and attract more qualified leads.

Reach out today to find out more about our SEO services:?919-553-9042?or [email protected]