Sarasota SEO, Sarasota Search Engine Optimization

A Guide for How to Rank on Google Search Page 1 - SEO Sarasota

S3DA receives many inquiries from Sarasota area businesses about how to improve Google search engine results. More specifically, how to get on Google search page 1 and SEO Sarasota. And while Google SEO is the primary goal, search engine optimization applies to all search engines, not just Google.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving the visibility and ranking of a website in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords and phrases. DIY websites, which are built using website builders or content management systems (CMS) such as Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress, can make SEO more difficult for several reasons.

  • Limited customization options: Most DIY website builders offer limited customization options, which can make it difficult to optimize your website for search engines. For example, you may not be able to add meta descriptions, change the URL structure, or optimize images for SEO.
  • Lack of technical knowledge: SEO requires technical knowledge, such as understanding how to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to optimize your website. If you don't have this knowledge, it can be difficult to optimize your website for search engines. The selling point of DIY systems is that they are designed for "dummies". Those who have the skills to optimize SEO don't need a DIY system.
  • Poor website structure: DIY website builders often have limited options for website structure, which can make it difficult to organize your website in a way that is optimized for search engines. For example, you may not be able to create a clear hierarchy of pages or use breadcrumb navigation.
  • Limited control over hosting and domain: With a DIY website, you may not have full control over your hosting and domain, which can impact your website's SEO. For example, if your website is hosted on a slow server or has a slow load time, it can negatively impact your website's ranking in search engines. This is something that S3DA commonly sees.
  • Lack of SEO tools: DIY website builders often have limited built-in SEO tools, which can make it difficult to optimize your website for search engines. For example, you may not be able to track your website's traffic or monitor keyword rankings. And if you can, these tools often come in the form of plug-ins and add-ons, which make SEO tougher in many cases. These add-ons are like training wheels - you don't see training wheels on bikes in the Tour de France. But add-ons are often how DIY websites make money - they sell these "training wheels" after hooking you on a "free" website.

These types of calls usually come from businesses that started with a free do-it-yourself (DIY) website from WordPress, Google, Wix, and Square Space. Sometimes, these same businesses have been sold an internet advertising campaign to go along with a free site.

S3DA specializes in organic google search results. We build mobile optimized, fast websites with the right technical specs so that our websites rank on the Google page 1 search engine results page (Search Engine Results Page). There is no need to invest in Google Adwords or other digital marketing campaigns to have a strong, findable, daily presence on the web.

While there are many strong use cases for Google Adwords, website SEO Sarasota optimization for Google page 1 search engine results is usually not the best long term match for a Google Adwords solution.

SEO Sarasota Search Engine Optimization

If you have the time, staff, technical skills, and are detailed oriented, it's possible to manage your website's Google SEO and Google search engine results yourself.

This SEO guide is intended to help Sarasota small business owners learn how to improve website and search engine optimization - Sarasota website SEO - results. We'll start with some context about which business models make sense for DIY websites

When does a DIY Website CMS Make Sense for Website SEO Sarasota?

When do DIY website builders make sense?

Sarasota SEO wix Website SEO Sarasota wordpress Sarasota Website SEO square space

The draw to DIY website builders is the cost - free. The commercials make the process look simple. A few clicks, drag-and-drop a few photos, and poof, 30 seconds later you have a “dope” website.

The reality is that while, yes, you can get a free website, if you want the kind of website that can support most businesses, the website and website design will not be free. If you want a nice looking, mobile optimized design, you'll probably need to buy a theme, template, or web design. You'll also need an SSL certificate, either directly or packaged in another option that the “free” website builder sells.

And if you want a professional looking domain name or email addresses, you'll need to buy a URL. A web hosting plan also adds more cost.

Plus, you'll do all work yourself. That's the most expensive part of the free website. A well designed, top ranking Google search website needs more than just the drag and drop shown on the commercials.

  • You'll write and proof text.
  • Photoshop photos.
  • Create layouts.
  • For every enhancement that you want, you'll research the technical details of how to manage.

Many small business owners have spent 40, 80, and 120+ hours on their free website. And that's before you begin the work on search engine optimization. And the website may still not look professional. And it may be buried on Google search page 6 even after you've spent hours on Google SEO.

So when does it make sense to use a free DIY website builder?

If you need a website for a club, hobby, or any other activity where others don't need to find you with a generic web search, a DIY website works great.

If your business space is not competitive or crowded, a DIY website may also work.

Does this mean that you can't create a Wix website the gets good search results in a competitive business space. Absolutely no. But the website will not be free. And the website will not be finished over a weekend. And you'll invest many, many hours doing research to develop the technical skills to build a competitive website.

Even then, a custom website with professional search engine optimization will outperform in Google search because there are technical handicaps and limitations to content management systems, which is essentially what Wix, WordPress, Square Space, and other similar DIY platforms are.

A good rule-of-thumb to help you decide when to go DIY vs a custom website, developed from scratch, is to use the following tests:

Do you prepare and file your business tax returns? If you have the time and skill to prepare and file LLC, S-corp, or C-corp tax returns, then you may be a good candidate to build and SEO optimize a DIY business website.

Do you handle all of your corporate legal work? Similarly, if you have the time and skill to prepare and file articles of incorporation, respond to lawsuits, and file small claims court documents, then you may be a good candidate to build and SEO optimize a DIY business website.

Do you have 30 to 60 minutes of spare time, three days a week? If you do, then you'll have the time to monitor your website's Search Engine Results Page rankings, research SEO adjustments needed to adapt to changing Google search results, and make SEO coding adjustments to your web pages.

S3DA is an elite Sarasota SEO company that provides one-time and ongoing SEO work for DIY websites. We have helped small businesses quickly overcome a history of poor Google search and SEO performance. Contact Us to schedule a free 15-minute review of your website and get a quote.

Who we are - Search Engine Optimization Sarasota

S3DA is an elite Sarasota SEO company with expertise in website design and search engine optimization serving Sarasota.

We work with clients in Sarasota, Bradenton, Florida, the southeastern United States, and all over the country.

Our two principals combine 50 years of Fortune 10 executive management, small business, and software development experience that allows us to solve business problems by mining your data.

Our clients include corporate departments, small businesses, and not-for-profits.

We are happy to consider pro bono and at-cost projects for worthy causes.

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