As we kick off another year, it’s time to make some resolutions—because, let’s face it, “New Year, New Me” just doesn’t cut it when your online visibility is still stuck in 2020. This year, let’s resolve to get serious about our online presence and get you showing up on searches for the products and services you sell. If you’re based in Edmonton (hello, fellow cold-weather warriors!), there’s no better time to dive into the magical world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with our Edmonton SEO team! So grab something nice and warm to drink, settle in, and let’s chat about how to increase your online visibility in ways that will boost your business morale and your conversions.

Step 1: Set Realistic Goals (No, You Can’t Go Viral Overnight)

Why do most New Year’s resolutions take a quick nose dive after mid-January? Because setting unrealistic goals (despite your admirable intentions) doesn’t help anyone. They can make it feel like you’re running straight up hill for days on end and only gaining a few centimetres. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. According to Dr. Kiki Fehling in her Psychology Today article on New Year’s Resolutions, “Humans have a cognitive bias called the planning fallacy that makes us tend to underestimate how much time or effort it takes to reach goals.”

So first things first: let’s set some realistic goals. If you think you’re going to go viral overnight, I’ve got a bridge in Fort Saskatchewan I’d like to sell you. Instead, think of achievable targets that can help you increase your online visibility over time. On-page Search Engine Optimization takes time and requires attention, expertise, and skilled maintenance to keep you reaching your goals. Pay-per-click (PPC, also known as Google Ads) advertising can yield somewhat faster results, but depending on your industry, can also be more costly. Both of these streams perform their best with skilled management at the helm – and that’s where we come in!

Whether your goal is to boost your website traffic by 50%, or get to the first page of Google search results for a few key terms, having clear, measurable goals and a team of detail-oriented pros (like your Edmonton SEO experts at Digital Tea!) will keep you focused and motivated.

Step 2: Optimize Your Website For All to See

Let’s talk about your website— if your digital storefront looks like it hasn’t been updated since the dawn of the internet, we’ve got work to do! If your site isn’t optimized, it’s like trying to sell boiling hot cocoa at a summer festival. You’re probably missing the bulk of your audience! Start by giving it a makeover:

• Mobile-Friendly: These days, if your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you might as well hang up a sign that says “Closed for Business.” Everyone’s on their phones—let them navigate your site without having to squint!
• Speedy Gonzales: If your website takes a long time to load, you’re going to lose visitors fast. Optimize your images, use caching, and consider a content delivery network (CDN). Trust me, your users will thank you.
• Content Is Key: Give your website content a refresh. Ensure it’s engaging, informative, and plentiful with keywords that your potential customers are actually searching for. Remember, your website is not a diary—keep it relevant to what you sell!

Step 3: Unleash the Power of SEO (Your New Best Friend)

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) isn’t just a buzzword; it’s your ticket to online visibility. Think of it as your digital cheerleader—always rooting for you to get noticed! Your local Edmonton SEO experts here at Digital Tea will help you unleash its full potential. We’ll start by:

• Keyword Research: We’ll start off by figuring out who your clientele are and what keywords they’re searching for. We use tools like Google and SEMrush along with your input to discover terms that fit your business. 
• Local SEO: Don’t forget about the power of local SEO! By aiming for local keywords, ensuring your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) is consistent across all platforms,  and getting you fully set up in Google My Business, we’ll get you into the search results like a ninja!
• On-Page SEO: We’ll optimize your website’s pages by using keywords in your titles, meta descriptions, headers, and content. This is not about stuffing as many keywords as humanly possible into your web content. Search engines are too smart for that, and if anyone actually READS your content, they won’t be impressed. It’s all about making sure your content flows naturally while still gets your keywords in the right places.
• Quality Backlinks: Getting reputable sites to link back to your website is a great way to add credibility to your business. Think of it as getting a thumbs-up from the big kids on the block. We can achieve this through guest blogging, collaborations, or just reaching out and asking.

Step 4: Get Social (No, Not Just Going Out on the Weekends)

Now that your website is looking snazzy, it’s time to get social! Social media isn’t just for posting photos of your dog (although a well-timed cute animal pic can go a long way); it’s a powerful tool to boost your online visibility and showcase your products and services. Here’s how to make it work for you:

• Choose Your Platforms: Not every social media platform is right for your business. If you’re selling professional services, you probably don’t need to be on TikTok doing the latest dance trend (unless you’re selling dance lessons!). Focus on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn that align with your target audience.
• Engagement Is Key: Don’t just post and ghost. Engage with your followers and businesses you follow! Respond to comments, share user-generated content, and show your personality. After all, people are more likely to buy from someone they feel they know (even if it’s just through a screen).
• Content Variety: Mix up your content! Use images, videos, polls, and stories to keep things interesting. Share testimonials, behind-the-scenes content, and any promotions you have. 
• Did you know… Digital Tea offers Social Media management services!? We are a one stop shop for all your digital marketing needs.

Step 5: Content Marketing (Because Who Doesn’t Love a Good Blog?)

Ah, content marketing—the strategy that keeps on giving. Creating valuable content is a fantastic way to boost your online visibility. Here’s how to get started:

• Start a Blog: Yes, you should start a blog. Not just because your mom thinks you’re a great writer, but because it helps establish you as an authority in your field. Write about topics related to your products and services, share tips, and provide insights that your audience will find useful.
• Video Content: Embrace video marketing! Create tutorials, product demos, or even funny skits that showcase your products. Just be sure to keep your audience in mind—no one wants to watch a five-minute video on how to tie shoelaces.
• Email Marketing: Don’t underestimate the power of a good email list. Send out newsletters with updates, special offers, and valuable content. Emphasis on VALUABLE CONTENT: don’t spam! No one likes a full inbox of junk.

Step 6: Measure and Adjust (Because Nothing Is Perfect)

Last but not least, it’s important to measure your efforts! It’s a lot easier to see where you want to go and what you need to adjust if you can see where you’ve come from and what’s working (or not). Tools like Google Analytics offer a host of valuable information including tracking  tracking your website traffic, conversions, social media engagement, and email campaign performance. Analyzing your data will help you understand what’s working and what isn’t.

Adjust your strategies based on what you learn. If a particular blog post got a lot of traffic, consider creating more content on similar topics. If your social media engagement is low, rethink your content strategy.

Ready to start the New Year with a Bang!?

If you’re interested in adding SEO services to your website, a great place to start is with a Digital Tea SEO audit. It’s FREE and gives a lot of valuable information on how your website is currently performing and opportunities for growth. Contact us today for your complimentary SEO Audit!

Embrace the Year Ahead with Open Arms (and an awesome SEO strategy)

As we embark on this new year, why not commit to increasing your online visibility and showing up for your products and services like never before. With a little patience, positivity, and some help from your Digital Marketing specialists at Digital Tea, you can transform your online presence and attract customers like a magnet.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your online visibility will take longer than a day to build, too. It takes time, effort, knowledge, and a sprinkle of creativity. So grab your to-do list, make those (realistic) goals and resolutions, and let’s make this year the best one yet for your business! Here’s to a fantastic year ahead filled with increased visibility, happy customers, and perhaps a few new adorable dog photos along the way.

Cheers!