3 Important Website Additions to Bring Your Company to the Next Level

You did it! You finished your company's website. Woohoo!

Whether it was an update, complete overhaul, or starting from scratch you now have a virtual address for your business. This is a huge step and deserves to be recognized. Give yourself a pat on the back, or do a quick victory lap around your desk.

But before you call it quits for the day, it’s time to add some finishing touches to make sure your website truly stands out. 

I know, I know. You’ve done your homework. Your website includes client research, SEO strategies, and of course, a killer blog. What’s more? There are expertly crafted calls to action throughout your writing leading potential clients to use your services.

So what are you missing?

Adding interesting Alt Text, clear Meta Descriptions, and useful Hyperlinks.

These three additions to your website will help boost SEO, give Google clarity on your content, and establish your authority.

The Best Way to Use Alt Text 

Alternative text or alt tags is the descriptive text that’s attached to images on your website. Most people know to add this type of text to make their website more accessible to differently-abled people. 

However, what a lot of people don’t realize is that adding these descriptions to images isn't just a responsible action. 

Alternative tags for your images give Google more information about your website and the content you’re producing. Search engines, especially Google are big fans of this type of writing.

Why?

 It makes their jobs easier when they’re perusing the entire internet for answers. In fact, according to Google, adding image tags can lead to higher-quality website traffic. 

This is Google’s way of rewarding you for using clear descriptions infused with SEO keywords. Think about it, if you Google “cute puppy” you’ll end up with countless results. But if you search for “a cute puppy with big brown eyes and a playful smirk”,  your search results are much smaller.

Let’s do an example together using the photo below. I will provide two versions of alt text for the same image used on a fictional self-help meditation website.

Version 1:

A woman submerged in clear water with her face resting above the water and hands holding onto rocks.

Version 2: 

A beautiful young woman discovers her inner peace as she floats her head above crisp clear water. Her eyes are closed in a state of complete calm, while she steadies her hands on some nearby rocks beneath the surface.

Obviously, version 2 is a more compelling read. It checks the box of being a clear and unique description, while also using SEO keywords. 

Writing Meta Descriptions Helps Your SEO 

Meta descriptions give your reader and webmasters an overview of what’s on a web page. You probably recognize it as the little blurb next to a title listed in your search engines query results. 

Similar to boosting your SEO through Alt Text, meta descriptions help search engines and potential viewers find your information. 

Now, a word to the wise, this is not the place to be sales-y or give any sort of false pretense to the content you’re releasing.

Instead, it’s the perfect place to give a quick few lines about what Google and your potential reader can expect when visiting your website page. Again, clear, interesting, and emotionally charged descriptions are best. The time you take now to create interesting copy and add strategic keywords will pay off down the road. 

However, I have to warn you about one thing… Never repeat the same description on multiple pages. 

Using the same paragraph for each page will actually hurt your SEO. Which makes total sense. If you’re using these blurbs to help show the specificity of each webpage you wouldn’t use each paragraph more than once. 

Here’s a helpful prompt to use when writing meta descriptions. Ask yourself –

Why would someone have to come to this exact page on my website? 

or 

What information does this webpage provide that is unique?

Either one of these questions is a good starting point when crafting your description. If you still have writer's block finding a unique way to describe the page, it might be time to learn why successful businesses hire copywriters. 

Another pro tip to keep in mind? 

Stay in the 150-160 character range. It’s the sweet spot.

How to Use Hyperlinks 

In the olden days, we used to include a bibliography to show that we did our research, now there are hyperlinks. Take my word for it. Or find out for yourself. That’s the option and power of these types of links. 

There are a great few reasons to use a hyperlink;

• Shows that you researched a topic and have credible sources to back up the information you’re providing. 

• Points readers towards other content on your website and increases page views. The number of page visits increases your SEO and authority with Google.

• Solidifys the ease of your call to action for readers.

Everything you write on the internet should be tailored to skimmers, research lovers, and Google. When you add a hyperlink it makes all three of these readers happy because it makes their lives easier. 

Nobody wants to do website heavy lifting when finding information – least of all your readers. Think of these links as the cliff notes to find the source material, where to find more knowledge, or learn how to take the next step.

Useful and Timely Marketing Tips

By now you’ve probably caught onto the fact that all these website additions boost your SEO. Which is the holy grail of getting your website seen by search engines. 

Whether you’re at the beginning of your website journey or adding these finishing touches it’s always smart to have an expert in your corner.

Listen, I know that not every business is at a stage where they can afford to hire a copywriting expert. I’m a business owner with my own budget. I get it. 

That’s why I like to provide value and copywriting knowledge to my readers. 

I know there’s enough room for everyone to be successful and wholeheartedly believe in reciprocity. So if you’re not in a place where you can’t hire a copywriter (yet), join my newsletter. 

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