How To Optimise Your Horse or Dog Care Website
14/10/19 12:02
SEO - What Is It & How Can It Help Your Horse or Dog Care Biz?
Search Engine Optimisation. Otherwise known as SEO is something that applies to anyone who has a website. Including you as a horse or dog care professional. Even if you've a great website that says what you do. It needs to be "optimised". Otherwise it's unlikely that it'll rank high on search engine rankings.
Why is a high ranking important on search engines?
It'll mean that people are likely to find you if they type in a search related to your business. Otherwise, it'll mean people may not find you through 'organic' search results. So your potential customers can then only find you if you. a) use paid online advertising (e.g. Google Ads) or b) they type in your website address (if they know what it is)
Does SEO make a big difference?
Yes it is important. Most marketing experts agree! Paid advertising can be helpful for getting your business known online. BUT you don't want to be spending lots of money on advertising that is 'making up' for a lack of an optimised website. Instead advertising should 'enhance'.
It can take several months though to see results from optimising your website. As with many marketing efforts, it's not a quick process for most.
Stage 1 - Where to Start with SEO?
Research and competitor analysis is the first stage. With the aim of understanding more about the keywords that others are using. And defining what you want to use for your service.
There are various online tools that you can use to help you with this - like "Ubersuggest". Type in keywords related to your service area. (E.g. if you're an animal physiotherapist, this could be the type of animal(s) you work with. Or physiotherapy, veterinary, horse care (if you work with horses), etc).
The online tool will then suggest other keywords which are similar. How many times they're searched for and cost per click. Even if you're not paying for Google ads. By knowing that a keyword is a high cost per click, this is likely to mean that it's often used. So worth using.
Research and defining what keywords to use to market your business is vital. For instance if you're only delivering your service in a certain geographic area. You want to optimise your site to reflect that. If you optimise to increase traffic generally. Then you may end up with thousands of website hits every month. But not necessarily those which are going to convert into paying customers.
You can also use a website called SEMrush. This enables you to type in your URL and it will show you your closest competitors and common keywords. You can also type in different keywords and see what websites are also using them.
How Often To Do This?
Definitely when you're first developing your website. And also every month or two. It depends on how complex your website is (e.g. different subjects you're covering) and how much time you have! But if you make a good start at the beginning it shouldn't take too long to review.
Action Point
If you've a website, when was the last time you checked how well optimised it was? And if you have relevant keywords featured/in built?
Use the tools suggested here. Assess your website. And think about what keywords you can use that are relevant to your animal care service.
How to Get Confident Using Social Media With Your Equine or Canine Business
Visit https://animal-star-social-media.teachable.com or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk to learn more.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.
Search Engine Optimisation. Otherwise known as SEO is something that applies to anyone who has a website. Including you as a horse or dog care professional. Even if you've a great website that says what you do. It needs to be "optimised". Otherwise it's unlikely that it'll rank high on search engine rankings.
Why is a high ranking important on search engines?
It'll mean that people are likely to find you if they type in a search related to your business. Otherwise, it'll mean people may not find you through 'organic' search results. So your potential customers can then only find you if you. a) use paid online advertising (e.g. Google Ads) or b) they type in your website address (if they know what it is)
Does SEO make a big difference?
Yes it is important. Most marketing experts agree! Paid advertising can be helpful for getting your business known online. BUT you don't want to be spending lots of money on advertising that is 'making up' for a lack of an optimised website. Instead advertising should 'enhance'.
It can take several months though to see results from optimising your website. As with many marketing efforts, it's not a quick process for most.
Stage 1 - Where to Start with SEO?
Research and competitor analysis is the first stage. With the aim of understanding more about the keywords that others are using. And defining what you want to use for your service.
There are various online tools that you can use to help you with this - like "Ubersuggest". Type in keywords related to your service area. (E.g. if you're an animal physiotherapist, this could be the type of animal(s) you work with. Or physiotherapy, veterinary, horse care (if you work with horses), etc).
The online tool will then suggest other keywords which are similar. How many times they're searched for and cost per click. Even if you're not paying for Google ads. By knowing that a keyword is a high cost per click, this is likely to mean that it's often used. So worth using.
Research and defining what keywords to use to market your business is vital. For instance if you're only delivering your service in a certain geographic area. You want to optimise your site to reflect that. If you optimise to increase traffic generally. Then you may end up with thousands of website hits every month. But not necessarily those which are going to convert into paying customers.
You can also use a website called SEMrush. This enables you to type in your URL and it will show you your closest competitors and common keywords. You can also type in different keywords and see what websites are also using them.
How Often To Do This?
Definitely when you're first developing your website. And also every month or two. It depends on how complex your website is (e.g. different subjects you're covering) and how much time you have! But if you make a good start at the beginning it shouldn't take too long to review.
Action Point
If you've a website, when was the last time you checked how well optimised it was? And if you have relevant keywords featured/in built?
Use the tools suggested here. Assess your website. And think about what keywords you can use that are relevant to your animal care service.
How to Get Confident Using Social Media With Your Equine or Canine Business
Visit https://animal-star-social-media.teachable.com or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk to learn more.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.