The modern small business owner needs to be a CEO, bookkeeper, receptionist, purchasing officer, marketing manager...and now an SEO expert to boot!

But unless you're a specialist in the field, search engine optimization can be a little daunting. Here's a formula devised by Alexandra Design; a summary of what I've learned during the past eight years managing my own website and SEO:-

Our SEO formula:

1. Choose your keywords

Type a list of any keyword or phrase your potential clients may use, when searching for your services or products online. Then, using the Adwords keyword tool, refine your list to 10-15 low-competition phrases containing two or more words.  

2. Optimize some pages

Optimize a new or existing page within your website for just one of these terms at a time. Use the keyword:

• in the page URL 
• in all parts of the meta information 
• as the page title
• in the introduction/main heading
• in a subheading or bolded text
• as the image alt tag / caption
• as hyperlinks to related information within your site
• a few times in the middle paragraphs where relevant, don't go overboard
• in the final paragraph

3. Ensure content is relevant to flesh-and-blood visitors

• Put some thought into your meta title; this is what browsers will see in their search results
• Page content should reflect the original search term
• Ensure the text flows for easy reading by people, not just the search engines
• Include internal links to online ordering or contact details
• Also, use benefit-driven copy and include a call-to-action

4. Promote the page

• Create internal links to the page using keyword as hyperlink
• Create backlinks to page from relevant external sites (using keyword as hyperlink if possible)

5. Lather, rinse and repeat

Repeat the process for the other suitable keywords/phrases on your list

We wish you luck with your search engine optimization, and do let us know by email if this method has been helpful.

Regards, Leisa at Alexandra Design
www.alexandradesign.com.au