One of the most engaging elements of the ConnectingDoorz meetings is the guest speakers we have who share their stories honestly and impart the lessons they have learned from starting and building their own businesses.
We call this part of our meetings ‘Lightbulb Moments’ as ConnectingDoorz members often take away valuable insights, ideas and motivation for their own businesses.
In this blog we will share some of the top tips from one of our May guests Aaron Rudman-Hawkins a specialist in SEO in Oxford who runs The Evergreen Agency a leading Oxford SEO Agency.
A brief bio
After more than 10 years working in the digital marketing space and gaining a wealth of real-world experience helping businesses of all sizes to launch and grow their brand awareness online Aaron launched The Evergreen Agency in 2013 . Over the past 5 years Aaron and his team have helped over 50 small businesses reach the very top of Google and dramatically increase their traffic, sales and enquiries.
Aaron specialises in helping small and medium sized businesses increase their online visibility and brand awareness. They guide their clients through the many digital marketing options available help them make informed decisions regarding Facebook advertising, retargeting and all other applicable aspects of digital marketing.
The Evergreen Agency are not only a local SEO company in Oxford, their client portfolio covers a wide range of clients and industries, not just in the UK but across the world. Aaron also speaks at conferences, hosts live workshops and participates in the wider SEO/digital marketing industry whenever he can.
When not working you can find Aaron tending his garden allotment and potting seedlings in his greenhouse or out for long walks with his wife and baby boy Henry.
Light bulb Moments
Aaron shared his 7 simple steps to a successful online presence for your business.
#1 Set up these free tools
Google Analytics – This free web analytics service offered by Google tracks and reports website traffic allowing users to review online campaigns by tracking landing page quality and conversions.
Google Search Console – Google Search Console (previously Google Webmaster Tools) is a no-charge web service by Google for webmasters. It allows webmasters to check indexing status and optimize visibility of their websites.
#2 Go Secure
Google rates websites with SSL certificates higher than those without. An SSL certificate costs in the region of £50-£100 per year but will give your rankings a boost as well offering visitors to your site reassurance that their data is secure. A secure site will show in the address bar as https://.
#3 Check if your website is mobile optimised
From March 2018 Google now only ranks your website from it’s mobile version. Use Google’s mobile page checker (a free tool) from your desktop to check if your website’s mobile version is up to scratch.
#4 Localise your website and it’s content
Including locations in your website content and description helps Google push your site up the rankings when your target customers are searching for your services.
#5 Set up a Google My Business Profile
Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use tool to manage your online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. If you’re just getting started with local SEO, your Google My Business listing is a great place to focus your early efforts.
#6 Create some local citations
Use national and local online business directories to create credibility in the eyes of Google for your website. A couple of good directory to start with are Thomson Local & Yell.com
Search out niche directories and geographic specific ones and aim to add your business listing to 3-4 a month.
#7 Ask for reviews
Google loves a good review and if you can get a few on your Google My Business listing it will boost your search engine ranking.
What our members thought…
“The presentation we had from Aaron was fantastic. I have always been an advocate of letting an expert do what they do and have always left things like SEO to the web designers but the information Aaron gave us not only opened my eyes to what I could do to help my online presence but also made me interested in SEO which, believe me, always made me groan. I will certainly be implementing Aarons advice.”
Hemma Mason – Hemma Mason Photography
If you want to know more about SEO Oxford and The Evergreen Agency the please do contact Aaron:-