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So you’ve heard about keywords but you are not quite sure what they are, or what they do… Fret not – isle help – with a handy guide to keyword research.

What are keywords?

First things first. Keywords are simply the words and phrases that people are typing into search engines. If you can understand what those words are, you can better tailor your website and content to show up in those searches.

Why bother?

Think of keywords as the bridge between your website and your potential customers. Picking the right keywords helps Google understand what your business is all about, which in turn helps Google point interested people in your direction.

Step-by-step basic keyword research

Step 1: Brainstorm

1. Start with Your Business: What do you offer? List down the products or services you sell.
2. Think Like a Customer: What words would you type into Google if you were looking for your own business? Write down all the terms that come to mind.

Step 2: Use free tools

1. Google Search: Simply start typing your brainstormed keywords into Google and pay attention to the autocomplete suggestions. These are frequently searched terms.
2. Google’s “People Also Ask” and “Related Searches”: These sections (found in the Google search results) can provide additional keyword ideas.

Step 3: Check keyword volume and competition

1. Google Keyword Planner: This free tool can show you how often people are searching for a keyword (search volume) and how many other websites are trying to rank for the same term (competition).
2. Go for the Low-Hanging Fruit: As a small business, you’ll want to target keywords with lower competition but decent search volume.

We use SE Ranking as our tool of choice. It has both free and paid versions.

Step 4: Consider long-tail keywords

These are longer, more specific keyword phrases. While they may have lower search volumes, they are usually less competitive and more targeted. For example, instead of “shoes,” you might aim for “women’s running shoes for webbed feet.”

Step 5: Localise

If you’re a local business, don’t forget to include location-based keywords like “coffee shop in Edinburgh” or “duck expert near me.”

Quick recap:

1. Brainstorm: Start with what you know about your business.
2. Use free tools: Google is your first best friend here.
3. Check volume and competition: Aim for low competition but decent search volume.
4. Consider long-tail and local keywords: Be specific and localise.

Basic keyword research doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. It’s all about knowing what your potential customers are searching for and making sure you’re speaking their language.

Find out more about SEO and how to make small, easy changes to boost it in our SEO Guide.

So, you’ve built a website. Awesome! That’s the first step in expanding your reach and connecting with your target audience. But now comes the challenging part—getting people to actually find your website. Enter SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, the internet’s equivalent of a neon sign pointing right at your digital storefront.

What the HECK is SEO?

Imagine you’ve just made the world’s tastiest porridge. But unless you tell people about it (and they believe you), nobody’s going to taste it. SEO is like spreading the word about your porridge—but online. It’s a set of strategies and techniques aimed at boosting your website’s visibility when people search for products or services related to your business on search engines like Google.

How does SEO Wwork?

The search engine has a tough job, sifting through billions of websites to give searchers the most relevant results. It uses complex algorithms to rank pages based on several factors, including:

1. Keywords: The words or phrases that people type into the search bar.
2. Quality content: Information that is useful, well-written, and engages the reader.
3. Backlinks: Links from other reputable websites pointing back to yours.
4. Site structure: A user-friendly layout that makes navigation a breeze.
5. Page speed: Nobody likes waiting; faster-loading pages often rank higher.

Easy SEO things to focus on

SEO can seem really complicated, but there are a few things which – when well tended – can stand you in good stead.

Crafting SEO-friendly titles

The title of your page is like the headline of a newspaper article. It needs to grab attention, but also tell search engines what the page is about. Here’s how to make your titles SEO-friendly:

1. Keep it short: Google truncates titles that are too long. Aim for 50-60 characters.
2. Include keywords: Place your primary keyword near the beginning of the title.
3. Be descriptive: Your title should give a good idea of the content. Make it relevant to the reader’s search query.
4. Be unique: Duplicate titles confuse search engines. Make sure each title is different and specific to the content of each page.

Pro Tip:

Use tools like CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer to gauge the effectiveness of your title before hitting that “Publish” button.

The art of keyword research

Okay, so how do you know which keywords to use? Here’s a simple guide:

1. Think like your customer: What would you type into Google if you were looking for your own product or service? Start there.
2. Use keyword tools: Free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or paid options like SEMrush can help you identify popular keywords in your industry.
3. Check the competition: You don’t want to pick a keyword that’s too competitive, but you also don’t want something nobody is searching for.
4. Long-tail keywords: These are longer, more specific phrases that are less competitive. They’re your best friends in the SEO game.

If you want to find out more about keywords, check out our simple guide to keyword research.

Writing engaging content with keywords

Once you’ve got your keywords, it’s time to write some content.

1. Be natural: Keywords should fit seamlessly into your content. Stuffing keywords will make your content unreadable and Google doesn’t like that.
2. Quality over quantity: Focus on providing valuable information. The better the content, the longer people will stay on your page—which is a big thumbs up in Google’s book.
3. Use variants: Use different versions of your keyword (known as LSI keywords) to make the content feel natural and cover more ground in search.
4. Include keywords in subheadings: It not only helps with SEO but also breaks up the text and makes it easier to read.

Quick tricks for engaging content:

• Use bullet points or numbered lists to break up text
• Add relevant images or videos to supplement the text
• End with a call to action to engage the reader

But I use Wix, WordPress…

The tips above apply to any type of website. However, depending on the platform you use, here are some specific things you can do which will help your SEO.

WordPress users

1. Install an SEO plugin: One of the most popular ones is Yoast SEO. It helps you optimize meta descriptions, titles, and even suggests improvements in your content.
2. Use permalinks: Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Permalinks’ and select ‘Post name’ to make your URLs more search engine-friendly.
3. Image optimization: Compress images before uploading them to make your site faster. You can use plugins like Smush for this.

Wix users

1. Meta descriptions and titles: Use Wix’s built-in SEO Wiz to add meta titles and descriptions to your pages.
2. Keyword research: Use Wix’s keyword research tool to find the best words to target.
3. Mobile optimisation: Wix sites are generally mobile-friendly, but double-check to make sure all elements translate well on mobile screens.

Shopify users

1. Keyword-friendly product descriptions: When writing descriptions, use keywords that your target audience might use to find your product.
2. Alt tags for images: When you upload images, add ‘alt tags’ that describe the image using relevant keywords.
3. SSL Certificate: Shopify usually does this for you, but ensure your site uses HTTPS, which is seen as more secure and can improve rankings.

Your turn!

SEO is not the monster under the bed and SEO isn’t about gaming the system; it’s about providing value and making it easy for search engines to recognize that value. Keep your titles snappy, do your keyword homework, and make your content as enjoyable as possible!

And since we are here, it would be silly not to mention it, but SEO is very much in our wheelhouse, and we are always happy to chat!

Hey there, lovely business owner! So, you’ve got a Facebook page for your business, but you’re not quite sure how to make it look snazzy and work like a charm? Here are some top tips.

Step 1: The header image – your virtual shop window

Why it’s important

Think of your header image as the first impression people get when they visit your Facebook page. It’s like the window display of a shop; you want it to be inviting and informative.

How to do it

1. Size matters: The recommended dimensions for a Facebook header image are 820 x 312 pixels on desktop and 640 x 360 pixels on mobile.
2. Mobile-friendly: Make sure important info (like your logo or tagline) is centered so it shows up well on both desktop and mobile.
3. Add opening hours: If you want to include your opening hours, place them in a spot that’s easily visible but not too cluttered.

Canva to the rescue!

Canva is a super user-friendly tool that can help you create a stunning header. They even have templates specifically for Facebook headers. Here’s how to find them:

1. Go to Canva.
2. Search for “Facebook Cover” in the search bar.
3. Pick a template and start designing!

Step 2: Pin a post – your permanent sticky note

Why it’s important

A pinned post stays at the top of your Facebook page. It’s the first thing people see when they scroll through your posts. Use it to highlight important info like your services, special offers, or, you guessed it, opening hours!

How to do it

1. Create a Post: Write a post that includes all the essential info you want to highlight.
2. Pin It: Once the post is published, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the post and select “Pin to Top of Page.”

Step 3: Fill in the blanks – the about section

Why it’s important

The “About” section is where people go to find quick facts about your business, like your website, contact info, and more. Don’t leave it empty!

How to do it

1. Go to About: On your Facebook page, click on “About” on the left-hand menu.
2. Fill It In: Add all the relevant details like your website, email, phone number, and so on.

Step 4: Engage! – Keep the conversation going

Why it’s important

Facebook is not just a billboard; it’s a two-way street. Respond to comments, messages, and engage with your audience to build a community around your brand.

How to do it

1. Check notifications: Regularly check for any new comments or messages.
2. Be active: Try to post at least once a week to keep your audience engaged.

And there you have it! Four simple steps to make your Facebook page the star of the show. So go on, give your Facebook profile the love it deserves!

Today, we’re diving into a subject that’s crucial for everyone in the digital age: what is two-factor authentication, or as it’s more commonly referred to, 2FA.

What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Let’s simplify this. Imagine your phone as your personal sanctuary, like your home. Usually, you’d unlock the door with a key, right? Well, two-factor authentication takes it a step further by requiring an additional, unique code that only you would have access to. Essentially, 2FA acts as a second layer of security for your online accounts. It serves as a digital double-check to make sure you are the only person accessing your important information.

The importance of 2FA: Why should you care?

Remembering passwords is often seen as troublesome. So, why add another security step? The answer lies in its ability to provide robust protection. If someone were to crack your password—which happens more frequently than you’d think—they would still need to pass through the second layer of authentication, making 2FA invaluable for keeping your personal information secure.

How to enable two-factor authentication: A beginner’s guide

Excited to jump on the 2FA bandwagon? Here’s how to enable two-factor authentication on various platforms:

Google Account:

1. Log in: First, access your Google Account settings.
2. Security tab: Look for the “Security” tab on the navigation menu.
3. 2-Step verification: Scroll until you find “2-Step Verification” and follow the guidelines. Typically, you’ll either add a phone number for receiving SMS codes or use an Authenticator app.

Facebook:

1. Settings: Navigate to your account settings.
2. Security and login: Click on this tab.
3. Two-factor authentication: This option will appear under the security settings. Follow the procedure, similar to that of Google, to activate 2FA.

Apple ID:

1. Apple ID settings: Access your Apple ID account online.
2. Security section: Locate this tab.
3. Two-factor authentication: You’ll find an option to enable 2FA, usually through a trusted phone number or device. Follow the directions accordingly.

Your first steps towards enhanced online security

There you have it! With just a few steps, you can significantly strengthen the security of your online accounts. While enabling two-factor authentication may seem like a small tweak, it has a huge impact on the safeguarding of your digital assets and personal information.

Today, we’re diving into a super important topic that every small business owner with a WordPress site should have on their radar. Ditching that default “admin” username to ramp up your small business online security! Trust me, it’s a small step, but it’s a giant leap for your site’s safety.

Keeping it unpredictable!

So, why is this little username change such a big deal? Well, hackers love predictability. Staying with the default “admin” username is like hanging a “Welcome, come on in!” sign on your website’s front door. It’s a simple mistake, but one that can cost you dearly when it comes to small business online security.

Don’t be an easy target for brute-force attacks

If the term “brute-force attack” sounds like something out of a spy movie, that’s because it’s just as dramatic in the digital world! This is when bad actors use software to guess your login details, and knowing your username is “admin” gives them a head start.

Does your “Admin” username make you look vulnerable?

By sticking with the old “admin” label, you’re not only inviting trouble, you’re also telling the world that maybe, just maybe, other parts of your online security aren’t so hot either. Yikes!

Ready to beef up your online security? Here’s how!

Alright, enough of the doom and gloom. Let’s talk solutions! Here’s your game plan for strengthening your website security:

1. Craft a unique admin username: Head to your WordPress dashboard and create a new user with a username that’s uniquely you. Make sure to give this new profile all the admin powers!
2. Reassign all your cool content: Once your new superhero admin account is set up, transfer all your posts and pages to this new identity.
3. Say goodbye to “admin”: When you’re confident that everything has been transferred, go ahead and delete that outdated “admin” account. Just make sure you’ve moved all your content over first!
4. Choose a password as strong as your morning coffee: A good username deserves an equally strong password. Blend in numbers, symbols, and both upper and lower case letters to make it a tough nut to crack.
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: For that extra layer of security, opt for two-factor authentication. Think of it as your website’s own VIP bouncer.
6. Check the Post Author settings: And finally, change your settings so that Post Author doesn’t show when you publish a post. That way it is much harder to figure out the username!

There you have it, folks! A simple guide to fortifying your small business online security. It’s not just techy stuff, it’s essential for keeping your business safe and sound in the digital world.