3 Basic SEO Fixes Every Creative Should Make to Their Website

    If you haven't been under a technological rock the past 20+ years, you know your business' presence online is crucial. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can seem daunting, but there are a few fundamental fixes that any creative can implement to boost their website's visibility.

    Clean, Easy Navigation and Layout

    Think of your website as a map. Is it easy for visitors (and search engines) to find what they're looking for? A clean, intuitive layout is crucial for both user experience and SEO. Here's a few things to consider:

    • Simple Menu Structure: Organize your content into clear, logical categories. Avoid having too many menu items or nested sub-menus.
    • Consistent Design: Use a consistent design language throughout your website including fonts, colors, and layout elements.
    • Mobile-Friendly Design: More than 50% of online search is done on mobile devices. Your website must be responsive and look good on all devices.
    • Internal Linking: Link relevant pages within your website to help search engines understand the structure and distribute ranking power.

    Detailed and Relevant Content (with Alt Text!)

    Content is king in the world of SEO. If you don't have good content, you won't be seen. Here's what to focus on:

    • Keyword Research: Before writing content, research the keywords your target audience is using. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to identify relevant keywords.
    • Comprehensive Page Content: Each page should have detailed and informative content. Don't just write a few sentences; provide valuable information that will engage your visitors.
    • Image Alt Text: Every image should have descriptive alt text. Use relevant keywords but avoid keyword stuffing. For example, instead of "image1.jpg," use "Underwater portrait of a model in a flowing blue dress."

    Proper Heading Structure

    Headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) are used to structure your content and play an important role in SEO. Here's how to use them effectively:

    • H1 Tags: Your H1 should be the main heading and accurately reflect the page's topic.
    • Hierarchical Structure: Use H2 tags for subheadings, H3 for sub-subheadings, and so on.
    • Relevant Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your headings but avoid keyword stuffing.
    • Use a Tool: A Chrome plugin like "Headings Map" can help you visualize and organize your heading structure.

    Bonus – Structured Schema for Local Businesses

    Structured data, or schema markup, is code that you add to your website to provide search engines with more information about your business. This can be especially beneficial for local businesses.

    • Local Business Schema: Use the "LocalBusiness" schema type with specific subtypes like "Photographer" or "Artist."
    • Implement Schema on Every Page: While the most important schema is usually on your homepage, consider implementing it on other relevant pages as well.
    • Use Google's Rich Results Test: After implementing schema, use this tool to ensure it's valid.

    By implementing these basic SEO fixes, you can significantly improve your website's visibility and attract more clients. Remember, when you make changes, results don't happen overnight – it may take weeks or months for search engines to sort out their rankings.

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