Author Archives: Dallas / Fort Worth SEO

Local SEO for Therapists: The Ultimate Guide for Therapy Pros

Blog Cover for Local SEO for Therapists

Mental health professionals who invest in Local SEO for Therapists are 317x more likely to generate consistent clients online. Still, many in the mental health industry lack awareness of search engine optimization.

What is Local SEO for Therapists?

Local SEO for therapists targets local mental health keywords through website development, content publishing, and Google Business Profile optimization. Typically, Local SEO helps therapists rank on Google Maps.

The Importance of SEO for Mental Health

Gone are the days of scanning the yellow pages for therapists, couples counselors, and addiction specialists. These days, if you don’t have an online presence as a therapist or mental health professional, it might as well be like you don’t exist. 

Whether your practice is in a small town or metropolitan area, you should invest in SEO to maintain a steady stream of clients. Once you establish a local online presence, you can build your reputation through online reviews.

In the following guide, Dallas Fort Worth SEO addresses the SEO needs of an often overlooked group of professionals: therapists. This Local SEO guide for therapists aims to inform mental health professionals in 2022.

Local SEO Pillars for Therapists

Infographic With Local SEO Pillars

Just like any other industry, your therapist SEO journey needs to start with good keyword research. Keywords are one of the most fundamental SEO ranking factors. 

From there, you progress towards other implementations like website development and content production. The ultimate goal is to generate traffic that converts into new clients.

Therapist Keyword Research

Keyword research is the backbone of local SEO. First, you must research the top keywords for your location and industry and categorize them by intent. Being mindful of what the patient is seeking can be a big help. 

For example, many people will search things like therapists in Tempe. Still, they intend to find the price of a therapist, the process of a typical therapist, average therapy session length, what a therapist can help with, and so on. 

Use keyword research tools like MOZ, Ahrefs, and SEMRush to find keyword volumes and difficulties. Remember, though, some of your best keyword opportunities come from your own experience with past patients.

Top 10 SEO Keywords for Therapists

  • therapist near me
  • mental health therapists near me
  • mental therapy near me
  • therapist near me for depression
  • how to find a therapist with my insurance
  • weekend counseling near me
  • therapists with weekend hours
  • social anxiety therapist near me
  • therapist for anxiety and depression
  • anxiety therapist near me

Google Business Profile

If you perform one action for Local SEO, it should be Google Business Profile optimization. This is because listing your practice on Google is the fastest way to appear in local search results on the Local Map 3-Pack.

At its core, Local SEO is about ranking within the Local Map 3-Pack for relevant keyword terms. Your clicks, calls, and inquires will increase substantially if you appear within the top 3 Google Maps results.

Creating a Google Business Profile is free. From there, make sure to verify your listing via postcard and update your profile with images, hours of operations, and frequently asked questions.

Content Marketing

Once you have target keywords, you must build content around those terms and phrases. If you have an existing website, you can better alter some of your pages and posts to target the terms and user intent.

Content marketing is a potent tool for local SEO for therapists. As we touched on earlier, people are looking to be educated on mental health issues online for the most part. 

By providing the information they need, you make it much more likely that they will turn to you when they are ready for therapy. Consider implementing the following:

  • Blog Posts: Structure blog content around keywords that you want to rank for and include them naturally, flowingly, and organically into your blog content. 
  • White Papers: Educational white papers are a great way to generate therapy leads and increase your search engine rankings. 
  • Social Media Posts: Social media posts about mental health can be beneficial for local SEO. You can share blog posts, post polls, ask provocative questions or entrench yourself in communities related to mental health.

Citations and Review Platforms

In contrast to other industries, therapists should not solicit reviews. Still, it is vital to list your practice on all of the mental health review platforms. You should also make sure the claim your Google Business Profile and list your practice on Psychology Today.

  • Google Business Profile
  • GoodTherapy
  • HealthGrades
  • ShareCare
  • Psychology Today 
  • Yelp

Online reviews can provide a haven for other people while maintaining their anonymity. For this reason, it helps your local SEO to be present on review websites like Google My Business, GoodTherapy, and even Yelp.

Local Link Building

The more websites (that aren’t your own) that point to your website, the more it signals to Google and other search engines that you have something of value to offer their users. 

Off-site links build your web authority which is excellent for SEO. Start with local business directories and try to get your site listed with them. Ask other professionals in your city to consider linking to your website.

As a therapist, you may appear in one or more medical or research journals. Make sure to list your website with these publications as well. You can also reach out to colleagues in other cities or disciplines.

How Local SEO Connects Therapists With Clients

SEO is a popular industry that helps businesses improve their online presence and grow their company. However, therapists’ relationship with the internet is incredibly constructive in enhancing mental health crises.

Here’s why:

Online Research is Anonymous

Many people are reluctant to talk about mental health issues. They fear ridicule or judgment from their peers, so it’s not like there are droves of patients asking their friends and family to refer them to a good therapist. 

For better or worse, many people take to the internet to search for local therapists to avoid embarrassment. 

People Seek Information Online

Content marketing is a massive part of local SEO for therapists. It involves composing quality online content that either entertains or informs visitors. 

Therapists creating content (blogs, video content, infographics, etc.) is educational. Why is this important? Because many people also take to the internet to learn more about mental health conditions and treatments. 

A large portion of your potential clients performs their own research online. So you must ask yourself, “are they finding my content?”

SEO Builds Trust 

For many people, the ability to trust a therapist is paramount. Therefore, practices that are good for SEO are also good for your therapy practices. 

Posting bios, credentials, pictures, and personal messages are great opportunities to include keywords that will boost your SEO. These methods also create trust between you and your prospective clients. 

Reviews and reputation management are powerful SEO tools. Patient reviews can also do a lot to make a potential patient more comfortable with you. 

As you can see, SEO plays a dual role by increasing your online presence and allowing patients to get a better feel for your practice. 

Posted: | Updated: Nov 22, 2021 | Categories: Local Mapping

7 Best SEO Companies in Arlington, TX (w/Tips for Businesses)

Blog Cover for Best Arlington SEO Companies Showing Arlington, TX Skyline

Which SEO companies are the best in Arlington, TX? Dallas Fort Worth SEO examines the top digital marketing agencies in the Arlington, Texas, area. As a local business owner, it makes sense to trust a local agency.

1) Dallas Fort Worth SEO

You might look at this ranking as self-serving, but DFW SEO is the best Arlington, TX SEO agency. We have written about why Arlington business owners can benefit from SEO and published a location page for Arlington-based services. You can see some of our benefits below:

  • Month-to-Month Agreements (No Long-Term Deals)
  • Custom Website Design for SEO Boosts
  • Extensive Keyword Research to Find Long-Tail Terms
  • Work With a Wide-Range of Industries

2) Digital SkyRocket

Run by Chad Barnes and Jacob Shulenberger, Digital SkyRocket has offices in both Tyler and Dallas, TX. But, of course, they also work with Arlington business owners, including those in the law, roofing, HVAC, and plumbing industries, among others. Some of their main benefits include:

  • Texas local (in Tyler and Dallas)
  • Work with an excellent range of niches
  • Offer SEO, web design, and content strategy

3) D3 Agency

D3 provides professional services that merge strategy consulting and technology. They offer specialized solutions across multiple marketing facets, including marketing, software development, and IT. D3 is among the most technically sound SEO providers in the entire nation.

  • Technically advanced agency
  • Combines SEO with technical solutions
  • Offers consulting along with services

4) SEOTeric

SEOteric offers SEO services for Arlington business owners despite being located out of state. Their agency specializes in attorneys, doctors, and franchises, making them a practical option for business owners in those categories: their services include design, SEO, and Google Ads.

  • Specialize in law firm and doctor SEO
  • Provide a diverse set of services
  • Award-winning Facebook Ads agency

5) JG Marketing

Jameson Grace Marketing provides SEO expertise in Arlington. They provide digital marketing options to help boost an online presence. Their agency stresses the reduction of advertising costs to maximize clients’ overall revenue. Some of their primary benefits include:

  • Link-building strategies
  • Budget optimization
  • A diverse set of services

6) Canz Marketing

Canz Marketing aims to accelerate growth for Arlington, TX business owners. As their case studies outline, they work with a wide variety of industries. Their services include WordPress web development along with local SEO and paid social media. Let’s review some of their benefits:

  • Wide-Range of Services
  • Wide-Range of Industries
  • Facebook Rapid Fire Testing Method

7) Ascend Web Media

Ascend specializes in email marketing, SEO, and social media, which gives Arlington businesses an excellent opportunity to improve their online presence. In their own words, they work best with small and medium-sized companies to help increase revenue with SEO.

  • Don’t guarantee rankings (a sign of honesty)
  • Work with small and medium-sized businesses
  • Provide email marketing services along with SEO

What to Look for in an Arlington SEO Company?

Choosing an SEO company can be stressful, especially with so many options. It helps to break down your potential choices into categories and go from there. Of course, you can filter your list down by considering:

Graphic Showing Statistic About Arlington SEO Companies

Price

Your budget will eliminate some providers from your list. Be sure to look for price ranges on their websites. If no such price is listed, submit a contact form or inquiry to get more information.

Customization

Does their website appear custom or a carbon copy of another website? Does it look like actual employees work there, or is it simply a lead generation agency? These are things you can find out on their site.

Experience

How long has the agency worked with clients? You can usually find that information on the website, but it’s best to confirm it by checking out their reviews and calling the agency yourself. Typically, a tenured agency will have an aged domain.

Fit

The best agency is not necessarily the best agency for you. The most important aspect of selecting an SEO provider is to make sure they fit your needs. Much of this depends on the type of company you run and what your online marketing goals will include in 2022.

Posted: | Updated: Nov 17, 2021 | Categories: Uncategorized

SEO for Medical Aesthetic Clinics: The #1 (2022) Strategy Guide

SEO for Medical Aesthetic Clinics (Blog Cover)

The medical aesthetic industry is booming. Today, it is estimated to be worth more than $86.2 billion. However, you may find that your medical aesthetic clinic is in a slump. If so, you must ask yourself one question: are you investing in SEO? 

Suppose you are not keeping up with how your customers are searching for medical aesthetic clinics. In that case, it doesn’t matter how lucrative the business is. 

SEO for medical aesthetic clinics is your ticket to landing new patients and, more importantly, keeping up with the times. SEO is the practice of optimizing your website and your online content so that people who search for your services online will be able to find you. 

And make no mistake about it; most consumers in 2022 are taking to the internet to find goods and services. 

You need to be visible where your customers are. So if you are in the medical aesthetics field and would like more customers, you need to seriously consider SEO. 

In the following guide, Dallas Fort Worth SEO takes you through essential and advanced SEO practices you can put into practice to make your clinic more visible online. 

What is SEO for Medical Aesthetic Clinics?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s a form of digital marketing that focuses on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo (mainly Google, though). The main goal of SEO is to drive more traffic to your website. But, of course, the more traffic to your site you get, the better the odds are that you will land a new customer. 

So how does SEO drive website traffic? Think back to the last Google search you did. Did you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page? Did you click on the second page of search results? Or maybe the 3rd? We’d be willing to guess that you didn’t. That’s because we know that less than 1% of people ever click on the 2nd page of search results. 

This holds true whether someone is searching for medical aesthetic clinics or a local bakery. So why is this important? People don’t even see your website if it ranks on the 2nd page of Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs. As a result, they have no chance to visit your website. If they don’t see your website, you have no chance of converting.

SEO will help you show up on the first page of SERPs and get you as high as possible on that first page. So now that you know what SEO does and why it’s important, let’s take a look at some of the most effective strategies.

Medical Aesthetic SEO Elements

Keyword Research

You can use any number of online tools to help you with your research. The Google Keyword Planner would be a good place to start because you don’t have to be an experienced marketer to figure it out and make use of it. Plus, it’s free, and that always helps. 

Start by entering the medical procedures you offer to your patients. Next, you will see a list of keywords related to the service and how many times it is searched a month. Keep in mind that the higher the search volume, the more competitive it will be to rank for that keyword. 

Competition shouldn’t deter you, but Google Keyword Planner also gives you a list of alternative keywords you can use for some short-term wins. Other factors like link equity, and branded authority, determine how quickly you can rank for more competitive keywords.

In the meantime, choose the most relevant keywords and start building your on-page content around them. Don’t overuse or “stuff” keywords into your content unnaturally. This will hurt your SEO rankings. Instead, use them organically in the content and remember to include them in your content’s meta titles, page titles, and headings. 

Medical Esthetician Near Me Suggestions

Google My Business

If your clinic isn’t already on Google My Business, stop reading and sign up right now. If you are on Google My Business, there are specific ways you can optimize it to drive more traffic. Here are some tips:

  • Include Pictures: Google loves pictures. Be sure there are high-quality, relevant photos on your Google My Business Page.
  • Accurate NAP: Make doubly sure that your clinic’s Name, Address, and Phone Number are listed correctly on your Google My Business page. Inaccurate or inconsistent NAP info is the quickest way to get docked in the rankings. 
  • Update Regularly: Google also loves fresh content. That’s why it’s a good SEO practice to update your GMB page regularly. We aren’t talking about significant overhauls – just minor tweaks here and there. Maybe updated hours, COVID policies, new services, new photos, or updated business descriptions. 
Medical Spas GMB Screenshot

Content Marketing

Google and other search engines may take into account how long people spend on your website. This is an example of an advanced SEO tactic because it appears to only affect the rankings of the top search results. 

However, having quality content on your site is essential no matter what. It will draw new users to your site and keep them on your site for more extended periods. Whether that’s a ranking factor or not, it’s always good for business because the longer a person stays on your site, the more likely it will be that they schedule an appointment. 

So what kind of quality content are we talking about? Blog content is an excellent start. Offer your potential patients valuable insight into the cosmetic surgery and medical aesthetics process. Maybe even knock up a welcoming video for new patients. 

Create engaging social media posts that will get people interested in medical aesthetics. Before and after photos are also effective content focal points in the medical aesthetics field. 

DFW Content Marketing Blurb

Reputation Management

In the world of medical aesthetics, patient reviews can make you or break you. If your clinic is still in business and you are reading this post now, we’re willing to bet that you have at least a few good patient reviews. It’s time to leverage those reviews to draw in more patients. Here are a few tips on how you can do that:

  • Reply to Reviews: People love when you reply to their reviews, whether good or bad. Potential patients will see your replies and get the sense that you care about the patient experience.
  • Use Good Reviews: You can use the reviews you already have in your website’s on-page content to attract new patients. You can also use them in structured data for more visibility.
  • Use Google Reviews: Use Google review links to get more reviews. Get a Google Review link and share it in your emails and text correspondence with patients.

This is really only the tip of the iceberg. For a more in-depth insight into SEO for medical aesthetic clinics and to earn new patients, reach out to us here at Dallas Fort Worth SEO.

 

Google Reviews Fort Worth Plastic Surgery

Medical Aesthetic SEO Services

Looking for SEO services for your medical aesthetics clinic? Dallas Fort Worth SEO provides full-service SEO including content marketing, reputation management, local SEO, and on-page SEO. Start improving your online presence with our suite of automated SEO tools that ensure keyword targeting for every procedure your clinic provides. Contact Us today to learn more about our pricing and discounts.

Posted: | Updated: Oct 22, 2021 | Categories: Uncategorized

HVAC SEO: A Search Ranking Guide for HVAC Companies

HVAC contractors share a common goal to generate leads for their business. Often times they are competing against contemporaries within their service area for the same customers. Traditional marketing methods like billboards and print advertising are no longer effective in achieving sustainable business growth in 2019. A newer and more intuitive marketing method has emerged onto the landscape in the form of Search Engine Optimization, known often as SEO. The objective of SEO is to rank a heating & cooling company on Google search results.

What is HVAC SEO?

HVAC SEO refers to a process of improving search rankings for an HVAC contractor or company. Although the task is most commonly associated with websites, there are several additional web entities that can rank on Google SERPs (Business Listings, Maps Listings, Social Media Pages, etc.)

Why Should HVAC Businesses Invest in SEO?

Of all the promotional techniques available to contractors in 2019, none is more effective over a long period of time than SEO. It’s no coincidence that search optimization is also one of the least expensive forms of marketing for heating & cooling companies. Investing in SEO is conducive to long-term success in the form of brand development, local trust, and most importantly lead generation. 95% of HVAC companies are looking for ways to generate leads, and SEO is quite simply the most attainable and cost-efficient route towards achieving that goal.

Elements of SEO

SEO can be broken down into 4 major elements. They are:

  • Local SEO
  • Off-Site SEO
  • On-Page SEO
  • Technical SEO

Throughout this guide you’ll learn why each element is important for search rankings and what kinds of tasks are involved in implementing them into a web presence. HVAC companies that perform well online utilize some form of each component into their internet marketing strategy.

HVAC SEO Elements

Local SEO

HVAC is a very local industry. Sure, there are a few national brands that provide services across the nation but even in those cases, a local hub is involved. To generate quality heating & cooling leads, one must target their local service area which is a defined radius within the general location of your business address. Google My Business and Google Maps, specifically, represent channels through which to capture coveted local leads. The two Google entities are connected to one another and have a major impact on SERPs. Aside from these two, there are also other measures that HVAC contractors can pursue to influence local search results online.

Google Maps

Google Maps determines the location of a HVAC business and modifies results based on relative geography. Searchers in Dallas, TX for example are more likely to see results for companies in Dallas, TX. This is true both in traditional organic results, but perhaps most importantly, in the Google Maps Pack. The Local 3 Pack is a SERP feature on many transactional search queries and serves as a convenient way to push a company to the top of search results and acquire more clicks. Google Maps uses markers to define precise location.

Google Maps Screenshot DFW

Google My Business

For a Google Maps listing to hold weight, it must be associated with a business, something that is achieved through Google My Business. By claiming a business on Google and verifying its address via postcard, HVAC companies can literally put themselves on the map digitally. By optimizing a GMB listing, you are giving your company a greater chance of ranking on the Local Maps Pack as well as increasing the conversions of visitors who come across your business online. Optimized listings also assist in legitimizing the trust and authority of your company.

HVAC Google My Business Screenshot

Google Reviews

Most local searchers check online reviews prior to making a purchase decision. Furthermore, Google Map Packs prioritize listings with a healthy number of reviews. So not only do reviews help increase visibility on SERPs but they also help convert customers who are in fact exposed to your listing. HVAC services become appealing to consumers when they can verify the company’s trustworthiness and conveniently contact them for a specific service. Reviews tie into Google My Business and Google Maps to consolidate all of those things in one presentation.

HVAC Google Reviews Screenshot

Local Reviews (Other)

Google is not the only platform on which reviews hold influence. While it is considered the most important review-type because of its connection to Google Maps and Google My Business, there are several others that should be monitored in addition. These include Facebook, HomeAdvisor, and Yelp to name a few. While you might look at Facebook as a social media network first and foremost, its popularity makes feedback more likely to be witnessed by prospective clients. Facebook supports business pages and has a verified review system.

Facebook Review Screenshot

Local Keywords

Keywords are a touchy subject in SEO for local businesses. The search volume collected from sources like MOZ and SEMRush are on a national level but there are a few ways to specify local intent. For example, a search of dallas ac repair provides a greater indicator of interest within the Dallas area than if the query had simply been ac repair. By extending the keyword with a local identifier i.e dallas, HVAC companies can better understand local search intent and need. These keywords can then be implemented within content, title tags, URLs and other SEO elements.

Dallas AC Repair Search Volume

NAP Citations

There’s countless business directories that exist online and they expand far beyond Google and Facebook. A known local SEO factor is the consistency and uniformity of contact information across these range of platforms. NAP stands for name, address, and phone number which have long been a signal of local trust. Directories pull their information from data mining sources like Acxiom which collect information from public records. Editing NAP information at the source (the data miners) can ensure it is properly distributed. You can also go through each listing individually.

Acxiom Listing Claim Screenshot

 

Off-Site SEO

When you think about SEO, you often think about changes made to your own web properties, especially your HVAC company website. But the truth is that many ranking factors involve elements that exist away from your main website. The optimization of these elements is known collectively as Off-Site SEO. There is some crossover between local and Off-Site SEO because NAP citations for example are a perfect example of off-page optimization elements. Any time an external domain is sending an inbound link or signal to one or more of your web properties, it can have an impact. Luckily there are measures contractors can take to improve Off-Site SEO.

Citations

NAP citations are part of local SEO but also off-site SEO. Citations come from external domains and if properly optimized showcase a link to your company website. This link is observed by Google as inbound. Although it is a NoFollow link, which means it doesn’t hold a great deal of link equity, it is still important enough to have a general influence over your web presence. While a single citation won’t do much for your SEO, enough of them will begin to make a collective impact that can translate into improved search rankings and greater authority and trust online.

NAP Citation Source Infographic

Inbound Links

Contrary to what many say about links, they heavily influence search rankings. It can be a tricky terrain to navigate for HVAC companies because link building often blurs the lines between white-hat and black-hat SEO. For those that don’t know the difference, black-hat SEO refers to manipulative SEO tactics while white-hat refers to straightforward and Google-approved methods. There are white-hat ways to build links and that’s what will be discussed in this guide. Engaging in black-hat methods can be dangerous for HVAC company websites. Spam links from blog comment sections for example, can prompt Google to manually penalize your site.

Inbound Links Screenshot

Link Building

There’s no shortage of legitimate link building opportunities for HVAC companies. Not all links carry the same equity however. NoFollow links are those that are established on business directories and social media networks. DoFollow links in contrast are secured on website pages within the body content, including on blog posts. DoFollow links carry more link equity, meaning they more heavily influence search ranking. NoFollow links can still hold value despite a lesser equity. NoFollow opportunities are plentiful since anyone can claim a business listing or share a blog post through social media. DoFollow chances are more difficult to find, but creating great content assets that are worthy of links is a great place to start.

Content Asset Screenshot

NoFollow Links

Since anyone can publish their website on their own social media page, Google can’t put the same equity in these links when ranking pages. These links are established by the company themselves and therefore are not a true indicator of endorsement or trust from a separate entity. Still, they do reveal at least that you as an HVAC company are active on platforms including business directories and social media networks and therefore still hold value. MOZ lists several of these link types on their local ranking factors study. Best of all, they are easy to establish because you can embed them manually.

NoFollow Links Screenshot

DoFollow Links

Links that require another person or company to cite your website or other web entity are known as DoFollow links. These types of links are the premium currency for online authority building. Since they cannot simply be added manually, they hold greater link equity. Someone going out of their way to link to your content, listing, or page, shows that it is providing value to their own visitors. These links are endorsements so to speak and therefore are naturally dependent on the quality of the domain that is linking to you. Ways to build DoFollow links include blogger outreach and content marketing.

DoFollow Links Screenshot

Social Media

There’s many social platforms through which to grow your HVAC brand off-page and it’s not just about link building. Many of your customers and potential future clients are using social media everyday. Whether it is Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, or YouTube, they are frequenting one or more of these networks everyday. Social media signals are considered a local search ranking factor but they also indirectly influence brand recognition, trust, and other qualities that help solidify HVAC companies within their local communities. They can even be a source of lead generation in best case scenarios.

West O Plex AC Tweet Screenshot

On-Page SEO

The process of optimizing your HVAC company website is known as On-Page SEO. Because the actions take place on-page, you have a greater control of them than you do with off-site SEO. When people think about SEO they often think about on-page elements, specifically the usage of keywords within content, headers, and titles. To properly implement On-Page SEO, preparation is required. Website optimization should start with research (competition, keywords, etc.) and then follow with a strategy which can later be implemented through tags, urls, etc. The overall presentation of a website, including content quality, is also considered an On-Page SEO factor.

Content Quality

Google discourages keyword stuffing, making content quality an important on-page factor. Although keywords must be included within pages, they can’t be at the expense of quality. Every page of content (blog posts included) should provide value to the reader. As an HVAC company who offers gas furnace repair services, the corresponding page should inform the visitor and help them understand why you can perform the service for them. It should also include a call to action (CTA) and make it reaching your office phone line extremely convenient. All content should pass Copyscape to prevent duplication.

Copyscape Screenshot

Header Tags

Headers have also been important for SEO because they organize content and provide Google with a clear indicator of what the content is about. Headers are categorized by number. H1s are the largest headers and also the ones that carry the most weight for SEO. H2s are also important not just for SEO but for content organization. H3s and above are more about formatting than they are SEO but since they can improve the user’s experience, can still have an indirect influence over search rankings. Headers should ideally include keywords but maintain relevance and readability.

H1 Example HVAC Website

Image Optimization

Images are an often overlooked SEO element but carry significant weight in Google’s eyes. The optimal process in using images for web is renaming the file to match its relevance and using lowercase letters and dashes. For example an image showing your HVAC company truck would be hvac-company-truck.jpg. This file would then be uploaded to the server, embedded on the page, and tagged with Alt Text. For those unaware, Alt Text is a description of the image. In this case it would be as simple as renaming the file in title case lettering. So HVAC Company Truck would suffice. Make sure photos are not too large or they will slow down loading speeds.

Image Optimization Screenshot

Keyword Placement

Keywords can be researched using MOZ and SEMRush and then inserted within on-page elements. The best keywords have high volume and relatively low competition. But most importantly, they are relevant to your HVAC company and indicate a user intent that is appropriate for your website. The goal is to attract relevant consumers who are looking for heating & cooling services in your area. Keywords should be placed within content, images alt text, meta descriptions, and title tags. Remember to avoid keyword stuffing and implement LSI keywords for semantic search. Google tends to favor sites that have a wide span of relevant terms within the content.

Air Quality Keyword Placement Screenshot

Meta Descriptions

A meta description is a brief summary of a page and should accurately describe to users what they are clicking on. Optimal descriptions are 120-158 characters or 920 pixels as of 2019. A meta description should include the primary target keyword but not more than once. Just like with page content, stuffing keywords into a meta description is discouraged by Google and can hurt your HVAC website’s overall SEO. As a local business, don’t be afraid to include a phone number within your meta description either. It gives the users the option to call you right away.

Meta Description Screenshot

Title Tags

SEO titles are a user’s first look at your web page. They are the blue links you see on organic results from a Google search. Titles should focus on click through rate, keywords, and relevance. In some cases, branding your title tag is also appropriate. An optimal title tag is between 50-60 characters and can be checked with MOZ’s Title Tag Preview Tool. Keywords are most effective when they are the first part of an SEO title. The keyword can be followed with a sales pitch of sorts which can improve click through rate, or a branded term like your company’s name. Remember too that each page has its own title tag, and they should all be unique.

Title Tag Screenshot

Technical SEO

Some aspects of SEO are not plainly visible to the user. These elements either exist behind the scenes or somewhere that users don’t normally consider. Collectively, these technical components of search optimization are known as Technical SEO. They are often fundamental to the success of a website and have to do with its construction and operation. Everything from codebase to URL structure is considered part of Technical SEO. While some aspects are not difficult to adjust, most technical optimization requires knowledge of CSS, HTML, and website design. Technical elements often influence search rankings in more than one way.

Codebase

A clean and SEO-friendly codebase goes a long way towards improving the ability to rank on Google. CSS and HTML are the most common forms of coding and are languages in of themselves. Not just anyone can write code because it requires extensive knowledge of programming. Template websites often use blocked code that bogs down a website and limits customization. In contrast, from-scratch or “custom” websites are written with unique code that can be altered in any way necessary to improve SEO and create the best possible presentation. Make sure your site is backed up before editing code. 

Codebase Example

Mobile-Friendliness

Most visitors of your HVAC website in 2019 will be arriving on a mobile device. With this in mind, the site itself must be mobile-optimized. That means the display must meet the needs of mobile users and the navigation as well. Google’s recent Mobile-First Index rollout demonstrates their prioritization of websites that meet the needs of mobile users. This can include anything from display to speed and everything in between. A call to action for example can improve mobile-friendliness. A clickable phone number that links the mobile device to your phone line is a common and poignant example.

Mobile Display Example

Schema Markup

A microdata language developed by schema.org helps Google parcel websites more effectively and subsequently promote them to the right searchers. The action of applying schema code to a website element is known as “marking up” hence the name schema markup. Insertions of these microdata tags are highly appreciated by Google and makes their crawling process much simpler and much more effective. Just about any type of data can be marked up with schema. Everything from your HVAC company’s contact information to the service type is fair game.

Schema Markup Screenshot

Site Speed

As attention spans have grown shorter, the need for faster websites has increased. Websites that are fast generally rank higher because users stick around instead of exiting immediately. Sites that don’t load within 3 seconds can expect to lose at least half of their would-be visitors, a number that is frankly conservative in nature. The likelihood is that the vast majority of users in 2019 will exit slow-loading sites, especially on mobile devices. Google offers tools like PageSpeed Insights and Test Your Mobile Site Speed to help contractors gauge their site’s current speed.

Test My Mobile Site Speed Screenshot

URL Structure

When Google crawls a page they are looking for a logical and hierarchical URL structure. As an HVAC company, this means breaking down service pages into categories. If you provide both AC and Heating for example, each could be a top-level category (parent page) while specific services like AC Repair and Furnace Maintenance can be lower-level categories (child pages) to their respective parents. When URLs are properly structured, users can more conveniently navigate the site, and Google can more easily crawl it. That makes it a win-win for contractors.

URL Structure Screenshot

Website Design

Design matters for SEO both from an aesthetic and technical standpoint. How users perceive a website will influence their behavior which influences metrics that Google uses to determine search rankings. For example, a site with an appealing homepage and a clear call to action is more likely to keep users on the site longer than one without those qualities. That being said, the front-end of a website is really only half of its value. The back-end involves the codebase previously discussed and can impact SEO just as much as display, if not more so.

HVAC Web Design Example

Part II: SEO Tools

SEO tools are necessary for every element. They assist with:

  • Content Management
  • Keyword Research
  • Performance Tracking

Below we will outline some of the most popular tools in each one of these categories. HVAC companies can take advantage of some of these tools for free while others will require a financial investment either in the tools themselves or a marketing firm who deploys them.

Content Management

Applying SEO is much easier with a Content Management System (CMS) which makes the process much simpler. Many of the most popular CMS’s are intuitive and user-friendly. They also allow people without extensive knowledge of coding to insert certain SEO elements. Keep in mind however that a truly custom website, will still require unique coding, even with a powerful CMS on your side. Some of the most popular software on the market today includes Drupal, Joomla, and the most prominent of all of them; WordPress. The majority of websites on the internet today are using WordPress in some capacity. It is something to consider going forward.

Drupal

Drupal is an open source CMS available free of charge. Although it is used on less than 3% of existing websites, many of them are among the most elite. For example, Drupal is used on many corporate and government-level websites and blogs. It is distributed under the General Public License (GNU). Drupal offers users the ability to manage content including meta descriptions, title tags, and more. It is considered one of the top available alternatives to WordPress in 2019. Drupal has a large community of open source developers for plugin development.

Drupal Screenshot

Joomla

Like Drupal, Joomla is a free and open source content management system. It is specifically designed for publishing web content and has won several awards for its convenience and usability. The estimated usage of Joomla on existing websites is very similar to Drupal at around 3%. Business websites (including HVAC) seem to be the most common users of Joomla with it making up 9% of existing business sites. Joomla provides SEO out of the box, meaning its structure is conducive to favorable optimization, even without an in-depth knowledge of the requirements.

Joomla Screnshot

WordPress

WordPress is the most popular CMS on the market by a large margin. Conflicting reports of its actual market share exist, but it’s likely that the web-based software is used on more than 50% of all existing websites. That is absurd when you consider the amount of websites published each day. WordPress is open source like Drupal and Joomla and is widely considered to most user-friendly CMS on the market. It makes everything from on-page to technical SEO tasks seem easy. Although WordPress was once most commonly associated with blogs, today it is considered the standard for any website.

WordPress Screenshot

Keyword Research

Keywords are arguably the basis for everything SEO aims to accomplish. Without targeting specific users, an SEO strategy is largely irrelevant. Keyword research helps define that target by providing search volume, difficulty, and competition. There’s several paid options for detailed keyword research tools available on the market, as well as some free ones that offer similar value. Countless websites have found success on Google by identifying high opportunity keywords and there’s no reason why your HVAC company can’t be next in line for 2019. Having the tools is very helpful for keyword research, but knowing what to target is equally as crucial.

MOZ Keyword Explorer

MOZ is a powerhouse in the SEO industry and their keyword research tool; Keyword Explorer is one of the reasons why. Not only does this tool provide search volume but it also showcases difficulty and priority. You will notice strong variations in volume from one tool to the next but MOZ is generally considered one of the more accurate indicators of true search volume. Other tools use data collected from PPC campaigns to inform their final numbers, which can be misleading to contractors who are looking for organic SEO keywords. MOZ charges a monthly fee for their entire suite of tools, including the Keyword Explorer.

MOZ Keyword Explorer Screenshot

SEMRush Keyword Overview

SEMRush is a paid option which like MOZ provides more than just a keyword research tool. What it is most known for however is its keyword research tool known as Keyword Overview. In fact, SEMRush is the most commonly used tool to define keywords in terms of volume, competition, and opportunity. For example, their research of the term ac repair near me shows 12.1 K monthly searches with a keyword difficulty of over 60%. This indicates a high volume keyword that is also rather difficult to rank for. It is still attainable with the right strategy in place.

SEMRush Keyword List Screenshot

UberSuggest

Don’t have the money to invest in a keyword tool? Use Neil Patel’s UberSuggest which is basically a free version of SEMRush. The number on this tool cannot be considered as accurate as its paid alternatives but it certainly provides a general idea of a keyword’s relative popularity. To show the contrast between SEMRush and UberSuggest, the latter shows 27.1 K volume while the former shows the aforementioned 12.1K. UberSuggest also lists SEO difficulty and projects the chances of ranking in the top 20 for the keyword which in this case is 69%.

UberSuggest Screenshot

Performance Tracking

The ultimate goal of SEO is to generate leads for HVAC contractors but it’s nice to know the data behind why you are or are not achieving your objectives. In 2019, there’s a myriad of ways to track website performance, social media performance, and more. There’s never been more tools at the disposal of companies with websites or the agencies that represent them. Many of these tools are available free of charge with Google Analytics being the most renowned example of this. Aside from measuring the data behind success or failure in digital marketing, performance trackers also identify both problems and more importantly, solutions to help campaigns find their footing and improve their process to get them on the right path to success.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is the most valuable performance tracking tool available because it comes straight from the source; Google themselves. Best of all it is free for anyone to use, so HVAC companies can install the tracking code on their website and begin to track all kinds of data, generate reports, and create measurable goals. Once installed, Analytics can reveal the number of organic clicks your website is receiving, the top pages visited, and all kinds of other useful data. The tool is also highly customizable so that data that’s most important to you can be highlighted.

Google Analytics Homepage Screenshot

MOZ Campaigns

MOZ Campaigns are part of the MOZ Pro SEO Suite which also includes the aforementioned Keyword Explorer. The campaign feature allows contractors to rack their website much like they can Google Analytics but also provides additional features that are useful to defining success. One such example of this is link tracking and domain authority. MOZ measures inbound links and their collective authority as it pertains to search ranking influence. Other campaign tracking focuses include historical keyword tracking which allows HVAC companies to notice spikes and drops in keyword rankings over the duration of their campaign, which can be years and decades. MOZ Campaigns can connect directly to your Google Analytics tracking as well for an even more informative tracking experience.

MOZ Campaign Screenshot

Open Web Analytics

Open Web Analytics is an open source web software that tracks and analyzes how users interact with your HVAC website. It is distributed under the GPL license and can be installed into your website’s codebase using JavaScript, PHP, and even API. OWL is among the most popular alternatives to Google Analytics and also comes in the form of a WordPress plugin. While its data will never be as accurate as Google Analytics since it is not straight from the source, some people prefer its dashboard and ease of use to the alternatives currently on the market as of 2019.

Open Web Analytics Dashboard

Source: Open Web Analytics

Digital Marketing Agency for HVAC Contractors

Throughout this guide we’ve mentioned marketing agencies as a possible solution to many of the challenges HVAC contractors face in 2019. Dallas Fort Worth SEO is the top Dallas SEO agency and can assist companies across the DFW Metroplex. With a team of 20 employees, diversely skilled in the full range of marketing specialties, we can provide a value to HVAC companies that few can compete with. Our expertise includes on-page SEO, off-site SEO, website design, content marketing, and reputation management. For a one-stop solution to all of your digital marketing needs, there is no superior choice to Dallas Fort Worth SEO. We work with contractors in Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, Irving, Plano, and more.

Content Writing Services

Where do you go to find white-SEO content for your HVAC website? DFW SEO is the answer. We have a full staff of professional writers including an editor who reviews all pages prior to publication. Each page passes Copyscape before being published and follows a predefined SEO strategy. Our writers are trained in the latest SEO best practices to ensure that sites are in the best position to rank Google search results. Pages are written for each of your services so that you can rank for a wide variety of keywords rather than only the primary terms within the industry. Many of the niche terms that other sites don’t write about, can be quickly ranked for on Google.

Custom Web Design Services

In this guide HVAC companies learned about the importance of custom design for SEO. Dallas Fort Worth SEO offers custom websites for each client, designed by a true professional. We integrate your company logo, color scheme, and original pictures (you provide to us) to create an appealing and conversion-friendly lead generator. Our sites utilize responsive design to ensure their mobile-friendliness and display calls to action to increase conversion rates on each page. Our protocol requires that your website is checked every 15 minutes for server connectivity and is backed up weekly to avoid the repercussions of any unfortunate and unforeseen errors.

SEO Services

Our goal is to rank your website #1 for as many terms as possible. We don’t go only for primary keywords but instead for any terms that can get people onto your website and ready to call. For this reason, we focus on terms with buyer intent and implement them into your SEO strategy. Each of our clients is fully analyzed prior to developing the strategy so that our goals are aligned and we are on the same page. We then incorporate on-page, off-site, and local SEO to give contractors the best opportunity to rank on Google for high conversion keywords. Our typical clients begin to see results within a month of working with us. Part of how quickly you rank will of course depend on market competition and the age of your domain. Keep in mind though that even new websites can rank for less competitive keywords if properly optimized.

Reputation Management

Our native reviews widget; Righteous Reviews makes managing online reputation easier than ever before. The power of this plugin cannot be understated. Not only does it populate real-time reviews from the most authoritative 3rd party platforms (Google, Facebook, etc.) but it provides convenience to customers who don’t have time for a complicated review process. The widget creates a Review Us link directly on your homepage and also sends text reminders with links to customers who agreed to leave feedback. The Righteous Review plugin from Dallas Fort Worth SEO is something that consumers have never before experienced, and is something every HVAC company should pursue immediately.

Call 800.231.4871 for HVAC Digital Marketing Services in Dallas – Fort Worth

Posted: | Updated: Feb 8, 2019 | Categories: SEO

7 Social Media Stats For Small Business Owners

Social media is constantly evolving, and small business owners in Dallas – Fort Worth must learn how to leverage this medium to enhance their marketing campaigns. Since social media marketing is available toe everyone, it is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to grow your local business online. But before delving into the most recent social media data for businesses, we first must concede that social media as a marketing platform is free-flowing, and therefore, ways to best utilize it are constantly evolving. Before examining the statistics, let’s take a look at the top social media platforms of 2018:

Pew Research Center Social Graph

 

% of U.S. adults who use the following platforms as of 2018:

Social Media Usage for US Adults GraphsFacebook: 68%

Instagram: 35%

LinkedIn: 25%

Pinterest: 29%

SnapChat: 27%

Twitter: 24%

YouTube: 73%

WhatsApp: 22%

  1. 1. Of the U.S adults who use Facebook, 75% of them access their profile on a daily basis

Analysis – This data is hard to apply because of Facebook’s recent shift in algorithm which all but eliminates the organic reach of business posts. Facebook has focused on peer to peer interaction rather than business to consumer. Still, with the amount of users continuing to access their Facebook profile each day, companies must still devote an appropriate amount of resources to their FB business page. While organic reach is no longer a path to lead generation, the presence of a well optimized business page remains important for brand awareness

  1. 2. Instagram’s usage among U.S adults has grown by 7% in only 2 years, an increase unrivaled by any other social network

Analysis – Instagram is unquestionably the fastest growing social network, and this is a trend we can expect to continue its ascendance for the foreseeable future. IG business pages are now fully supported by the platform, making it easier than ever before for small businesses to join and market on the network. Business profiles are free, and unlike Facebook, your content has a decent chance to reach your followers, assuming that you are able to grow a base of followers in the first place. It’s best to recalibrate your resources to account for Instagram’s growing base.

  1. 3. Of Americans with a college degree, 50% use LinkedIn, as opposed to the 9% non-graduate Americans who use the platform

Analysis – Since LinkedIn is an employment based networking platform, some might read these numbers as an indictment against the non-graduate. These numbers don’t imply that non-graduates aren’t looking for employment, they are just looking through other channels. But since small businesses are part of LinkedIn’s target audience, it makes all the sense to brand your company on the network. Building business to business relationships, as well as finding highly qualified employees, can only help your bottom line.

  1. 4. 41% of women use Pinterest as opposed to only 16% of men, highlighting the largest gender gap of any prominent social media platform

Analysis – Small businesses should study their audience demographics, including gender. Who’s most likely to contact your service, is it a male or female, and what is their age? These are all questions every business should be asking, and supporting via tracked data. If your business does in fact often receive inquiries from women, it’s a good idea to establish a brand on Pinterest, even if you wouldn’t otherwise think to use the platform for business purposes. Every percentage you can earn above your competitor, brings you closer to the level of success for which your marketing campaign aims.

  1. 5. 49% of SnapChat users access their account more than once per day

Analysis – Nothing to see here for most small businesses. Since the network’s demographic leans exceedingly young, only companies whose target consumer is within the 18-24 age range should distribute resources to the platform. The general consensus among industry experts is that SnapChat is a community made up predominantly of tennagers, which eliminates many small businesses from the equation. There are however outliers that of course have a younger demographic, and therefore should go with the data takes them.

  1. 6. 73% of Twitter users say they also use Instagram

Analysis – Target these users on Instagram, instead of Twitter. All the engagement research says the same thing. Twitter is a network for celebrity engagement, while Instagram empowers the individual and in this case, the small business. That’s not to say you should ignore Twitter entirely, there’s just considerable limitations to your organic reach on this network. Much like Facebook, reaching followers organically through business posts is unlikely. Besides, tweets are published so frequently, that they become old news within minutes. Use Twitter to brand your company and to syndicate announcements made on other platforms.

  1. 7. YouTube, on mobile alone, reaches more 18-49 year olds than any cable network in the U.S.

Analysis – This data is astounding, and points to the new normal for video marketing. You don’t have to be a major brand to get video content in front of viewers in 2018, because it can be done easily with YouTube uploads. Of course, because so many users engage with the platform, the competition is fierce. To really create engagement on your YouTube channel it’s going to take time and dedication, along with a consistent effort to produce high-quality content. With advancements in smartphones, recording videos is easier than ever before, and several free apps also support the editing and branding of videos.

Social Media Marketing For DFW Businesses

If any of these stats make you wonder about your own company’s social media strategy, you should get in contact with Dallas – Fort Worth SEO today. We provide social media marketing services to small businesses throughout the Metroplex. As a forward-thinking service, we’ve crafted adaptable social media strategies to many businesses over the past decade. Utilizing Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube, we’ve helped companies connect with their consumers on their preferred mediums.

Aside from social media marketing, DFW SEO also provides social media advertising, specifically on Facebook. Because of the network’s shift in philosophy, reaching consumers organically through brand posts has become all but impossible. One solution is to invest resources in Facebook advertising, which makes sure your business and its services are being seen by Facebook’s massive user base. Call 800.231.4871 for social media marketing or advertising service in Dallas, Fort Worth, TX and the surrounding area.

Posted: | Updated: Jul 10, 2018 | Categories: Social Media