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Your website is up and running. It’s out there in the digital world, drumming up business. Or is it? It could be. I mean, hopefully it is. But how do you know?

This is where a website analysis of your SEO (search engine optimization) performance comes into play. By monitoring specific metrics, you can make adjustments to your strategy, improve your search rankings and, ultimately, draw more customers to your site.

Let’s dive in.

 

What is SEO Performance in Website Analysis?

People are always searching online – for answers to their questions, help solving problems, all kinds of things – and if someone’s search relates to your business in any way, then you want to show up in the search results.

Doing a website analysis of your SEO performance is a great way to turbocharge your chances of showing up high in search results. How? By evaluating various aspects of your website to make sure they’re helping you gain the attention of search engines.

Here are 5 critical SEO metrics that every small business owner should monitor to gauge their website’s performance.

 

1: Search Rankings and Organic Traffic

Search rankings tell you where your website appears in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords. Higher rankings mean your site is easier to find and, therefore, can draw in more traffic.

Organic traffic refers to visitors who find your website through search engines without paid advertising. Tools like Google Analytics can help you track this metric. An increase in organic traffic is a good sign that your SEO efforts are paying off.

Not long ago, Google made a change to their analytics measurement system and the most recent version, GA4, has replaced the old Universal Analytics system. Call us if you need help deciphering which analytics you have.

 

2: Local Listings

For small businesses, putting effort into your local SEO is a major part of growing your brand. It helps you attract customers in your geographical area.

Claiming and optimizing your local listings on platforms like Google Business Profile ensures your company appears in local search results, which can drive more foot traffic to your physical location.

Keep an eye on your business’s presence in local directories. Consistency in your name, address, and phone number across all your listings is vital. On the flipside, inconsistent information can confuse search engines (not to mention potential customers), and can negatively affect your search ranking.

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Photo by Melanie Deziel

3: Reviews

As we’ve discussed before, customer reviews can play a big role in building your brand’s success – which is why a thorough website analysis will include a look at your online reviews on platforms like Google Business Profile, Yelp, and Facebook.

It’s always a good idea to respond to reviews, whether positive or negative. It shows that you value customer feedback, and you’re committed to improving your services.

 

4: On-Site SEO

On-site SEO focuses on optimizing the website through technical design and content creation. This involves improving elements such as website performance. Since the majority of people access the internet through their mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is essential. So much so that Google favors mobile-friendly websites in its rankings.

Your webpage’s load times is another critical factor. Slow-loading pages can frustrate people and lead them to “bounce” away to other websites, negatively impacting your ranking. So, you’ll definitely want to gauge your page load speed.

Also, search engines use bots to crawl and index your website. If your site is difficult to crawl, it can hurt your rankings. To improve crawlability and indexability, create a clear site structure, use internal links, and regularly update your sitemap.

 

5: Social Media

Another key metric to look out for in your website analysis: Social media. Success in social media can increase your brand’s visibility, attracting more potential customers.

Track your website’s social media metrics: likes, shares, comments, and referral traffic. These metrics can help you understand how well your social media strategy is working and, if necessary, identify areas that could use improvement.

 

The Power of Website Analysis

Monitoring these five key metrics can provide valuable insights into your website’s performance. By understanding and optimizing these areas, you can attract more visitors, improve your search rankings, and grow your business. And remember: Consistency is key. Regularly monitor these metrics and adjust your strategies as needed to stay ahead of the competition.

Ready to take your website’s SEO to the next level?

Check out our free website analysis tool!

Just click here and scroll down. All you have to do is enter your business’s name, and you’ll get a complete overview of your site’s local SEO performance in minutes.

And if you’re interested in improving your online experience, we offer plenty of options to help your business thrive in the digital age, from responsive web design to reputation management and social media marketing.

Contact Smart Link Solutions to learn more!

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Photo by Stephen Dawson