By using simple tactics, good coding practices, and targeted research we have had multiple success stories for our clients in Google search engine optimization.

Ranking well for important keywords can mean a great ‘free’ boost to your business. Search Engine Optimization (or SEO) is seen as a bit of a black art requiring secret knowledge of arcane practices. The problem with such approaches is that a) it allows SEO companies to charge a fortune for their services because they get to use many buzzwords, and b) Google changes their approach by even a small amount, or start looking for practices they don’t like more vigorously, and all your money and effort suddenly disappears.

We have a much simpler approach, do what Google want you to do. Google want to deliver the best results to their clients- the people using the search engine. They want well coded web sites that answer their client’s question.

There are many factors that make a site rank well- most people will have heard about links and authority and other such things. We have found that on a very local level three things work- a well coded site with all the necessary information in it focusing content on a pre-determined keyword or phrase; increase the traffic to the site as much as you can using advertising and or social media; and cook for a few months.

And its proven to work!

Our client, World Wendys, make wendy houses and garden sheds from a material called Nutec. They had an existing website that wasn’t even appearing on the top ten pages of the Google search. It was poorly coded, badly written, and targeted no useful keywords for the business.

First step, we did some keyword research- it was obvious that the main focus was ‘Nutec Wendy houses’. The research also threw up some related wording that we could work into the copy of the site.

Next we were able to register a domain name that had the keyword search phrase in it. If you have a well established business with a recognized brand, or you do a broad range of products or services, then this isn’t always necessary, or desirable- for example, we could have gotten similar results with a page on the site using the phrase- such as worldwendys.co.za/nutec-wendy-houses, however, having the main domain matching the main keyword is preferable.

Then we created content that supported the claim that World Wendys were going to be the best place for someone to go to if they wanted to know about Nutec Wendy houses.

This content was then coded into a fast, modern website that works on all sized devices- particularly targeting mobile users as a) most web users in SA are using mobile devices, and b) nearly all of the target market were using nothing else.

A few more technical steps such as registering with Google and we were good to go.

No completely new website is going to rank instantly on Google. They simply won’t allow it- new websites go into what Google charmingly call ‘the sandbox’ for up to six months. However, you can do things to make Google take a site more seriously and ensure that you make the probationary period shorter and when it is over you instantly rank higher.

Along side the site launch the business also implemented a Google Adwords campaign which we helped create. This targeted the same keywords. Although Google claim that Adwords use does not matter in organic search results, it actually does because it boosts traffic to the website, making it look more authoritative. The bonus is of course that the business is also generating leads and clients from their ad campaigns.

We also established a Google My Business profile for the company, further boosting their standing in the eyes of Google.

After a year the site was on the first page, a few months after that it hit the top 3, and now it regularly sits at position 1 for the main keyword. Once a site is in the top 3 it is very hard to dislodge it because the traffic levels increase, keeping it in the top three, so it gets more traffic...