Pancakes and syrup, peanut butter and jelly, SEO and social media: you wouldn’t want one without the other. If you’re not sure why – or how – this is the blog post you’ve been waiting for (at least when it comes to SEO and social media; we can’t attest for all the peanut butter & banana sandwich eaters out there).
Narrow Your Scope
Social media can feel like an overwhelming beast at times. There are hundreds of networks out there, each one boasting their own niches and benefits. Post pictures here, upload short tidbits there, add your location to another. The options are endless. To start, you’ll want to narrow down your choices and figure out which channels are best suited for your own business. Our blog post here can help with that decision-making process.
They’re Search Engines, Too
When considering SEO and social media, it’s important to remember that social media channels are search engines in and of themselves. Do a Google search for “fluffy pancakes” and over 16 million related results come up instantly, ranging from recipes to mixes on sale. Login to your Facebook account and search for the same phrase, and you’ll get a hundreds of articles, videos, posts and more, all related to that same pancake query.
Because social media channels are search engines, it’s critical to optimize your business’ profile as you would your business’ website so you can better capture search traffic and get more eyes on your brand. Clearly describe your business within the character restrictions of that specific platform and field. You may need to describe your business in just one sentence, so be sure to make every word count. What do you want someone to know who’s never heard of your brand before? What makes your business unique compared to your competitors? Incorporate keywords into your descriptions, too, for the search engines to pick up on.
The Content Game
It’s true what they say: content is king. The rule rings true across websites and across social media networks, too. Writing high-quality content will boost your website’s SEO, providing users with value and benefit. Along the same lines, social media can work hand-in-hand with that on-site text as a channel to promote it to your audience. Blog posts, too, are gold mines for the social world. You take the time to craft thoughtful, well-written blog posts to share on your blog – but don’t stop there. Get it out across your channels to spread brand awareness and drive traffic to your store.
Content doesn’t just include text – there’s also the visual component. Since most social media platforms are visually driven, this element is incredibly important for increased exposure. Users will be far more likely to notice your posts if they’ve got high-quality photos or video alongside them. Invest both resources and time in making your photos stand out, whether they are of products you sell or an event you attended.
Your social media presence will actually boost your website’s ranking in the eyes of search engines like Google. The bigger your audience of real, active users is across your social media profiles, the more likely it is that Google will refer users to your site. If Google notices your follower number growing, it’s more likely you’ll be seen as an authority in your industry.
So what are your action points?
- Fill in as much information as you can on your social media profiles. Whatever blanks the various platforms provide for you to fill in information about your business, make sure they’re populated.
- Publish regularly. Keep your accounts active with a goal of posting at least a couple times each week when possible.
- Stick with it over time. Don’t give up after just a couple of months. Social media is here to stay so keep at it if you want your brand to be, too.
- Promote your best content. If you’ve got any extra funds to spend, put them toward boosting your most relevant content that’s going to get the most engagement – and ideally, drive traffic back to your website.
There is no prescribed formula for ecommerce success. But maintaining active social media accounts and following search engine optimization best practices are sure to give your site that extra oomph, like a spot of whipped cream to top off your syrupy pancakes. Feel free to share any tips or thoughts on your experiences combining these two components of online marketing in the comments below!