SEO for beginners: Key takeaways from our Lunch and Learn with Logan Bergevin

As part of Small Business Month, we had the pleasure of hosting a Lunch and Learn session focused on SEO for beginners. The event, held at Saltbox’s Minneapolis location, was presented by Logan Bergevin, Director of Search for CAMP Digital, and aimed at equipping small business owners with foundational knowledge of SEO. Here’s a recap of the key points discussed during the session. 

1. Understanding SEO

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which involves optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). Today, 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine. The higher you rank, the more likely you are to:

🔎 Increase visibility and brand awareness

🚸 Drive free, targeted traffic to your website

♥️ Build credibility and trust

📊 Gain insights into customer behavior

…all of which ultimately help you acquire more customers. This is essential for any small business looking to enhance its online presence.

1a. How search engines and SEO work

To set yourself up for success in your SEO endeavors, it's crucial to grasp how search engines operate. Three key terms are essential for unlocking the mysteries of search engines:

• Crawling: Search engines send out bots to find new and updated content
• Indexing: Content is stored and organized in a database
• Ranking algorithms: These determine the order of search results based on relevance and quality
  

Make sense? Excellent. Now, let's delve into the key components that form the foundation of SEO:

• On-page SEO: Optimization of individual web pages
• Off-page SEO: Activities outside of your website to improve its ranking
• Technical SEO: Enhancements to the backend structure of your website

2. On-page SEO techniques

There are several on-page SEO techniques that can significantly boost a website's ranking. These strategies go beyond the basics and delve into the nitty-gritty of optimizing your online presence.

Firstly, optimizing meta titles and descriptions is crucial to ensure your website appears relevant and enticing in search engine results. Using header tags appropriately, such as H1, H2, and H3, helps structure your content for both users and search engines, improving readability and SEO.

Additionally, having keyword-rich content throughout your website is key to attracting the right audience and signaling to search engines what your site is about. Maintaining a clean and descriptive URL structure not only aids in SEO but also makes it easier for users to navigate your site.

Furthermore, linking to other relevant pages within your website helps search engines understand the context of your content and can improve the overall user experience. Ensuring that your website is mobile-friendly and has fast loading times is essential in today's digital landscape where user experience plays a significant role in SEO rankings.

By implementing these on-page SEO techniques effectively, you can set your website up for success and improve its visibility in search engine results pages.

3. Off-page SEO techniques

Off-page SEO strategies are essential for boosting your website's visibility and authority. Here are some powerful tactics to enhance your off-page SEO efforts:

🔗 Backlinks: Imagine reputable websites giving your content a shoutout by linking back to it. This signals to search engines that your website is a valuable source of information. Create high-quality content and collaborate with industry influencers to earn these valuable links.

📱 Social Media: Consider social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram as your digital marketing tool. Share your content, ignite discussions, and observe the traffic flowing to your website. It's all about nurturing a vibrant community around your brand.

📝 Guest Blogging: Envision your content reaching new audiences through guest blogging on other websites. This not only generates backlinks but also introduces your brand to a fresh audience. By providing exceptional content on reputable sites, you establish yourself as an expert in your field and attract new visitors to your online platform.

By incorporating these off-page SEO techniques into your digital strategy, you'll enhance your website's credibility, climb the rankings, and welcome a wave of potential customers to your small business.  

4. Importance of keywords

One of the fundamental aspects of SEO for beginners is conducting thorough keyword research. Identifying and utilizing relevant keywords that resonate with potential customers searching for products or services related to your small business is critical. By diving into tools like Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush, you can unearth the optimal keywords that will drive targeted traffic to your website.

Crafting effective SEO strategies involves more than just selecting any keywords; it's about pinpointing the best ones that align with your business goals and audience. The right keywords act as the gateway to attracting the right visitors and improving your search engine rankings. With Logan's insightful guidance, you'll be equipped to navigate the world of keyword research with confidence and precision, setting the stage for SEO success and online visibility for your small business.

4. Content is king

Quality content is not just a buzzword in the world of SEO; it's the cornerstone of a successful online presence. It's important to create content that not only resonates with your audience but also provides value and addresses their needs and interests. By consistently updating your blog and website with fresh, informative, and engaging content, you'll keep your audience engaged and signal to search engines that your site is relevant and worth ranking higher.

This SEO tip is like a golden nugget for small businesses looking to make their mark online. It's not just about churning out content for the sake of it; it's about crafting pieces that educate, entertain, and inspire your audience. By focusing on quality over quantity, you're able to improve your SEO rankings while building a loyal following that trusts and values your brand.

So, the next time you sit down to create content for your website, remember Logan's advice: make it valuable, make it informative, and make it engaging. Your audience will thank you, search engines will reward you, and your small business will thrive in the digital realm.

5. Measuring SEO success

Last but certainly not least, you must monitor and evaluate your SEO endeavors. Utilizing tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console can offer valuable insights into the performance of your website, enabling you to identify what strategies are effective and where improvements can be made.

Measuring the success of your SEO tactics is a fundamental component of a successful SEO strategy, ensuring that you can adapt and optimize your approach to achieve your desired outcomes. By staying informed and data-driven, you can continuously refine your SEO efforts to enhance your online visibility and attract more potential customers to your small business.

Elevate your small business with essential SEO strategies

Implementing the strategies shared by Logan Bergevin can help improve your online presence and attract more customers. Stay tuned for more educational events and resources to help your business grow. With these SEO basics in place, your small business is well on its way to mastering search engine optimization.

About Saltbox

Saltbox offers a cozy and practical spot for small to medium-sized ecommerce businesses looking for a mix of warehouse and co-working space. Think of our spaces as a blend of a functional warehouse and a trendy co-working area, complete with all the essentials like conference rooms, kitchens, and comfy lounges—perfect for both storing goods and getting work done. 

We take the hassle out of logistics with accessible loading docks and our helpful staff who can manage your shipments and inventory for you. Plus, our flexible logistics services are designed to adapt to your business needs, whether you need help by the hour or prefer a dedicated team to handle your orders. Saltbox is here to make your business operations smoother and help you focus on growing your enterprise. 

Come check out the space, book a tour today!