Effective search engine optimization to drive consumers to the website

The goal is to generate increased targeted web traffic and increased lead generation. How? By integrating long tail keyword combinations into the text, analysis of the effectiveness of on-page optimization, and optimization of page content, meta tags, headline tags, and alt tags.

But there is more, such as internal and external linking, submission of your site to Google and Bing, SSL certificates, and local listings submission.

So if you’re reading this and you don’t have the time or the desire to further market your business online, and to monitor and analyze SEO tactics and strategies, and make ongoing changes to improve performance, you should consult with a specialist like the J Howard Company.

The typical small business owner profile

I have a small business and I want to update my Web site.

I want it to be "responsive" so it looks great on any mobile device.

I want it to be easy to navigate and provide a good experience for the user.

I need to be able to add content and images easily.

I want to make sure it’s secure and can’t easily be hacked because I sell things online.

I don’t want to spend a fortune.

I want it in a timely manner, say three months.

I don’t want to have to update it often just because the software used to make the website is outdated.

(It’s a good idea to copy this list and to refine it for your own use because it serves the purpose of your agreement for using someone to complete what you can’t or don’t want to attempt. As long as everyone involved is aware of what is expected of them, there should not be much of a problem.)

If you are like most businesses you want to be found on the Internet because you believe you are then more legitimate (just like your competitors). You may be aware of other businesses’ successes and you also want to get your piece of the online-buying market.

You may have consulted with an ad agency (they often outsource this and other services)and decided the price was too high—you don’t need a full-service agency just to have a Web site.

You don’t know about design or programming (that’s not your business or career choice) and you have seen advertisements on television, or researched creating your own Web site by using a template or a free software program.

You really don’t like what you see from most of the do-it-yourself template results so you look for Web site designers to give you a cost estimate, and there are thousands to choose from. The very best examples are not surprisingly the most expensive.

You do more research and find that so-and-so company had their Web site created by someone using a WordPress program, and you are told that it is easy to use and inexpensive to get on a Web hosting service like GoDaddy. You take the plunge.

Very soon you discover that the most recent program you have is now out of date and because of hacking and security concerns you need to update your version of WordPress.

You also discover that your attempts at using the updated software require more experience than you have or care to be involved with, and so you contact one of the designers you found online who knows how to use WordPress.

Like any professional, the designer wants to be paid for their time and after you both agree to what is expected and the cost, you are told it may take three to four months to complete the site and have it live on the Internet. Four or five months later you have a site.

You want to update data and information and also add some images and content to your new site. Your designer assures you that this is all possible with all the plugins and so forth built into your site. When you try it yourself, you are overwhelmed by the all the options and power you have available. Many designers are still learning about tools like WordPress, so it pays to get some kind of guarantee from whomever you decide to use (see the list above).

Because you are not experienced you have to rely on a designer to do the work for you until you become experienced yourself at making the alterations to your site as you want (with your CMS, or Content Management System). You pay the price for their experience and hope that there are no problems.

But there usually are.

Many times it is a problem in the code for one of the many plugins your site uses. Or there is a compatibility issue. Or, you don’t understand the logic of how to use the tools resulting in incorrect operation or display. Whatever the problem is, you need to get that corrected. That may mean a developer (one who knows programming code inside out) will be required if your designer isn’t a developer, too.

Now you may be sorry for choosing that low-cost overseas Web site design company because they are unavailable to help you. Many times they go out of business or just no longer take your calls. Maybe what they did was wrong and you now must use someone that has to correct whatever they did wrong.

Finding a good developer is not as easy as finding a good designer. This is why I use a designer and a developer. The designer can make a slick looking site. The developer can ensure it all works properly. Finding a person who is both is even rarer. Most developers tell you that they lose money designing Web sites so they don’t do it anymore.

So, six months or more after you started to get the new site up and operational you have a decent Web site. You have spent about twice the amount you expected and it took twice as long to get it completed. You still need to learn some of the WordPress design functions and your developer should be able to help you with step-by-step instructions.

The point is that if you have little or no experience in Web site design, you are better off having a local source or at least someone in the same country to perform the tasks. It takes time to learn and it isn’t for everybody. WordPress makes updates often so you should also have a developer that can keep the site up to date when it is appropriate.

I have found a good source for Web site development named Golden Oak Web Design. Instruction for multiple types of WordPress users is offered and can save customers money if they consult first with Golden Oak Web Design.

For writing content and optimizing the Web site and all online documents, I suggest you contact the J Howard Company.