Sample Business Website Copy: SEO for Texas Small Businesses

 

Should Texas small business owners learn SEO? 

First and foremost, what on earth is SEO? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, the strategy of designing a website and creating content that will rank high in the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing. The popularity of optimization techniques started around early 2000s. However, even until now, a lot of Texas small business owners still don't have any idea what it is and how it will improve their business. 

Components of SEO

Search Engine Optimization is a step by step process that has evolved technically over time. It involves an understanding of the following major concepts:

• How search engines work
• What keywords to choose and use for your website
• Optimization of graphics and design
• Website and content submission 
• Link Marketing
• Auditing and Monitoring your progress

Notice that I didn't mention Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or blogging? That's because they are part of Search Engine Marketing. SEO, on the other hand, focuses on how to strategically position your website and your brand so does online searchers will easily find you on Google, Yahoo, or Bing. 

At first, it looks like a heck of a lot of hard work, but if you study diligently or discuss with an experienced SEO professional, all the pieces will fall together. And yes, plenty of “nobodys” became “somebodys” on the Internet because of successful SEO techniques. 

Understanding how search engines work will make you realize that a brand new website or domain won't make it to the top of Google until after several months. If you know what keywords to choose for your website, you will stand out among your competitors in similar niche. When you hire a web designer, make sure that they are aware of optimizing graphics so they will be search engine friendly. Same goes with the text of your website. It is also possible to rank high in the search engines if you network online and monitor which marketing techniques work for you. 

Even Texas small business owners who have no clue what SEO is can learn how to optimize their website. You don't have to earn a degree to understand that you shouldn't post irrelevant material in your online store or spam your subscribers. Remember that even though you're trying to make it high on the search engine rankings,  you still need to look after the reason why you're in business: your customers. 

To learn more, read our blog for more SEO techniques specifically targeted for your Texas small business!

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Business Blogging Sample: Pros and Cons of starting a custom website for my Texas small business

 

Pros and Cons of starting a custom website for my Texas small business

As a Texas small business owner, should I start my own custom website? Today, I'm being bombarded with all kinds of information when it comes to selling my products and services online. I get offers from various companies but I also know there are cheaper and better options out there for me. Where should I begin? How do I know building a custom website for my business is the right direction for me?

Using a free website builder

Pros

Free is always best! But by using a free website builder, I'm aware that there are plenty of limitations against my business. I'm always tempted to accept free trials from many website companies online. I would be allowed to use a website builder service for a month, then I would get charged after that. The good thing about this, is that I can assess whether such a custom website builder will work for me or not. Of course, I can opt for the truly free website builders (I found Weebly and Wix.com very useful) but I have to use a subdomain. If I want to be taken seriously, however, I would have to upgrade to a real domain.

Cons

What I don't like about using free website builders is the fact that really, there's no such thing as a free meal. Every one of us should invest in a website that truly connects with our customers. If there are two things you have to pay for to be online, that's domain name and web hosting. Those things are never free -- especially if you own a business. That's why when using free sitebuilders, the best option is to get a domain name that reflects my company as well as a reliable web hosting that comes packed with features I could use. 

Building my own website

Pros

Building my own website with sitebuilders that I pay for are obviously a better option than free sitebuilders. I would know for sure that there are no hidden charges or catch involved. The good thing is that building my own website with the help of website providers like Godaddy, Web.com, or Hostgator, I go through step-by-step process that is very easy to follow. It is very intuitive and it gives me freedom to experiment on how my website will look. Also, a lot of these paid custom website builders are equipped with search engine optimization add-ons that my Texas small business needs to enhance my visibility online. 

Cons

Since I'm not a web designer myself, I may have doubts about my capability to design my own website. The main problem about building my own site is that unlike real web design professional, I may lack a few skills to fine-tune my site for my customers. Thankfully, I can use the Helpdesk or call customer support if I'm having problems with building my site. 

Hiring a professional web designer

Pros

Hiring a professional web designer to help build my Texas small business website online means I have to put my trust in that firm or individual that will handle my site. If I make the right choices, then I know I will be able to sell my products and services online confidently. And since I'm not a web designer, I don't have to worry about layouts and content -- it will be provided for me. Also, since a web design professional is working for me,  I expect quality output at a set amount of time. 

Cons

Expenses are the main concern when hiring a professional website designer for my Texas small business. I have to use a cost calculator, make inquiries, and set a budget in order to get a good service from a web designer. I also need to know about maintenance of the site and of course, do background check on the individual or company. But if all goes well, investment on this option should be worth my dime. 

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Small Business Guides, Small Business Articles, Small Business Marketing, Texas Business Articles

Marie Soleil (pen name) authored hundreds of articles for the Associated Content-Yahoo Voices (Yahoo Contributor Network) platform. 

Browse through some of her works in the pdf files embedded below.

For collaboration, email marie @ globalguide.info.

 

Yahoo! Voices, formerly Associated Content (AC), was a division of Yahoo! that focused on online publishing. Yahoo! Voices distributed a large variety of writing through its website and content partners, including Yahoo! News. In early December 2011, its owners Yahoo! announced a major shakeup involving the introduction of a new service, Yahoo! Voices, which would replace the Associated Content site and take on the bulk of its content, while some 75,000 items would be retired under the new site's more stringent content submission rules. 

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