Valitics. Web Strategies, Net Results

In the economy today, many businesses are facing a dearth of expendable cash.  But the lack of customers beating down the doors does provide one benefit, an increase in time for business owners.  Here are some quick tips to gain customers through better search engine rankings (straight from a novice SEO/small business owner).

1) Research - Find out what your customers are searching for.  There are a number of tools out there to do it: Google Adwords, Wordtracker, etc.  Or you can hire a reputable online marketing company to help.  Potential customers are more careful with their money and will spend more time researching.  Having your product in front of them online helps with the process.

2) Title Tags - Once you have researched your keywords, find out how to place the appropriate titles on your website.  Search engines want to provide the most accurate results for their users.  Tell them what your site is about with concise (and truthful) titles. 

3) Blog - Although you may not be a whiz on the computer, you are a whiz at your business.  Share that information with the masses.  A blog provides you with credibility to your users.  On my dental site, I blog frequently about an interesting case I see, or a pattern I notice in my patients.  Provide your users with value and your blog will be helpful.  Not to mention is it an easy way to update content, which search engines love.  Guest blogging is also a way to promote your skills/intelligence to a broader audience. 

4) Social Media - Create a buzz with your site by letting your friends and aquaintances know about it through the miriad of social networking sites available.  A forum or group social media site may also be appropriate to keep your clients thinking about your business.

The best way to improve your website is to make it valuable and usuable.  Find something that makes you interesting and share it with the world.