SEO Rhode Island Edition

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving your website, so it ranks higher in search results. There are many aspects to SEO but in this post, we’ll focus on keyword research, on-page optimization, off-page optimization, and Google Business profile that will help you rank better in Rhode Island or your local area. You can read more about SEO in our SEO for beginners blog post.

Keyword Research

Keyword research is the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. It’s essential to understand what keywords your target audience is searching for and how they are searching for them. Which keywords you target will depend on your business and the services or products you provide. In general, you want to use “Rhode Island” or your state and any specific towns or cities you are trying to target.

The simplest way to do some quick keyword research is to open an incognito browser and type (not search) your business’ product or service. Google’s smart suggestions will show you related keywords that users are searching for. You can then use this to see your competitors and try to rank for those terms.

?TIP: When you search for things near you like “web design near me” Google uses your approximate location to do the search like “web design Pawtucket” so you get results in your area, because of this you don’t need to rank for the “near me” keywords.

You can also use Google Keyword Planner, for free, to research keywords and bid for ad space on those keywords. Keyword Planner can even scan your website to suggest what keywords are related to your business. Another tool is Ubersuggest where you can not only do research on your own website, but you can also see what keywords your competition is ranking for. The free version offers 3 daily searches and limits the amount of data you can see but it is still very useful.

On-page SEO

Once you’ve researched and planned what keywords you want to rank for, we move on to implementing them on your site. On-page optimization is the process of optimizing your title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and content for your target keywords. It’s important to include location-specific keywords such as “Providence” and “Newport”, if your targeting Rhode Island, in your on-page optimization efforts.

Let’s say you’re a plumber, you would want your site to have landing pages that target specific areas you service. You would create pages titled “Cranston Plumbing Services” or “Pawtucket Plumbing Services” and tailor the content on those pages to specifically target those cities. This way when a potential client is searching for your services in their area you have content meant directly for them. Use landmarks or widely known areas when you can to give your page a more friendly feel to it, for example, if you’re located near McCoy stadium or Slater Park include that!

It’s important to note that you don’t want to create duplicate pages and just change the title for every location. Google might see these as “doorway pages” which can hurt your site’s authority. You want all pages of your site to contain relevant and useful information for your audience. You could create location pages that showcase your work done in that area or examples of work you would do.

Another option is to write a blog post! You could write posts related to current events or trending topics. This way you can target an area while providing relevant information. An example of this could be a pipe bursting at the town hall due to a lack of regular maintenance. You write a post on the importance of maintenance and the ways situations like this can be avoided. This not only helps with SEO but can show your visitors how knowledgeable you are.

Off-page SEO

Off-page optimization is when you get other websites to link to your website. This is important because search engines view links like a vote of confidence for your website. The higher the authority of websites that link to your site, the higher your site will rank in search results. Building relationships with local businesses and organizations around Rhode Island, and promoting your website through local directories and listings, can help you build these quality backlinks.

For Rhode Islanders, this would include getting featured on sites like:

• Channel 10 News (NBC 10 WJAR)
• WPRI
• ABC6
• Rhode Island Monthly
• Magazines like New England Today
• Tourist websites like The Crazy Tourist
• and social media!

You don’t even need them to specifically feature your business (but that would be great), you could do things like write a guest article and link your business in your author bio – “Dana Rodriguez, Owner of Dane Digi”. The best part about this is you’ll likely grow your network and make connections that will help you gain more business than just the backlink would.

?TIP: Beware of companies selling backlinks. They are similar to companies who purchase followers on social media for you, instead of gaining real followers who would interact with your page. A legitimate company would help you build relationships with your local or online community to get those backlinks.

Google Business Profile

For businesses that have a physical location and certain businesses that provide services, a must-do is setting up your Google Business profile. It’s free to use and helps your audience find your business easier. It displays your business information such as your name, address, phone number, hours of operation, website URL, and reviews from customers in search results and Google Maps.

Here’s a breakdown of the key features:

1. Business Information: Your business name, address, phone number, website URL, and hours of operation are displayed on your Google Business Profile. This makes it easy for potential customers to find your business and learn about your services.
2. Reviews: Google Business Profile allows customers to leave reviews about your business. These reviews can be seen by anyone who searches for your business on Google. They can have a significant impact on your online reputation.
3. Posts: You can use Google Business Profile to create posts about your business, such as announcements, promotions, or events. These posts can help you attract more customers and keep your existing customers engaged.
4. Photos and Videos: You can upload photos and videos to your Google Business Profile to showcase your products, services, and team. This can help customers get a better sense of what your business is all about.
5. Messaging: Google Business Profile allows customers to send messages to your business directly from the search results page. This can be a convenient way for customers to ask questions or schedule appointments.

By optimizing your Google Business Profile with accurate and up-to-date information, compelling photos and videos, and positive customer reviews, you can increase your chances of being found by potential customers who are searching for businesses like yours.

Conclusion

By working on these three key areas in Rhode Island, you can increase your chances of ranking well in local search results.

• Keyword Research – Use words that target the areas you service or sell to.
• On-Page Optimization – Create content for those areas and personalize it when possible.
• Off-Page Optimization – Get your site linked by local quality websites.
• Google Business Profile – Free to use and helps your audience find your business easier.

The information provided here can be used even if you’re not targeting Rhode Island. Just replace the Rhode Island terms with states, towns, or cities that are relevant to you!