Author:
Jackie Holbrook
Google it! In today’s digital age, when you don’t know the answer to something – or are on the hunt for a business – it’s usually just a click away. Google and other online search engines are powerful platforms. According to Yelp, more than 85 percent of consumers use search engines to find local businesses.
Unfortunately, having a website doesn’t guarantee that people searching for your business online will find it. Google and other search engines rank websites based on relevancy – the higher a website’s ranking, the easier it is to find online. If your business has a high Google ranking, it will appear near the top of the search engine’s list.
Website rankings are based on SEO, which stands for search engine optimization. Links, keywords, content and more determine SEO. Photo Credit: Thailand-property.com
Why Should I Care About My Google Ranking?
Consider this: A potential customer types the words “bow shop” into a search engine with your community’s name. Websites associated with those search terms will appear in a list, with the order based on each website’s Google ranking. The number one spot – the most coveted ranking – is determined by Google to be the most relevant and trusted website associated with those search terms.
Websites that appear in the top spot of a search will receive 33 percent of the clicks, according to a study by Chitika. Clicks drop off dramatically after the number one spot. And this statistic is even more interesting: Half of consumers who conduct local searches on their smartphone go to the store within 24 hours; nearly 20 percent make a purchase within a day, according to Google’s 2015 data.
If your website can nab the coveted number one spot, you will get the largest percentage of clicks and most likely be rewarded with a store visit and purchase.
If your website can nab the coveted number one spot, you will get the largest percentage of clicks and most likely be rewarded with a store visit and purchase. Photo Credit: Footsteps Marketing
How Can I Boost My Ranking?
The Google ranking of your website directly correlates to in-store sales. Statistics show that 69 percent of small businesses with websites have annual sales of $1 million to $2.49 million.
To boost sales, it’s important to boost your Google ranking. Google, Bing and other search engines are programmed with unique algorithms that assign a website’s ranking. Website rankings are based on SEO, which stands for search engine optimization. Links, keywords, content and more determine SEO. Improving SEO is a technical effort and requires knowledge of how Google rankings work, in addition to knowledge of website development.
ATA has partnered with website experts FootSteps Marketing to provide this service to members. Photo Credit: Shannon Rikard
ATA is Here to Help
ATA is committed to helping its members’ businesses thrive. Making sure your website is search-engine optimized requires technical knowledge. ATA has partnered with website experts FootSteps Marketing to provide this service to members.
FootSteps works with ATA-member retailers to make sure their websites have accurate and updated information, which will increase SEO and boost Google rankings. If your business doesn’t have a website or needs a new one, these pros will help build your online presence and drive traffic to your business. Professionals with FootSteps are available to assess your current website and determine how to best move forward to reach more customers. They also teach retailers how to make updates and are available for questions.
Contact the FootSteps Marketing sales team at sales@footstepsmarketing.com.
