Edmonton SEO Checklist: 7 Steps to Rank Higher (and Get More Customers)
by Aaron Janes, Founder
Okay, Edmonton business owners, let's get real.
You've got yourself an amazing business. You've worked hard, pouring your heart and soul into it, but... is anyone actually finding you online?
In a city buzzing like Edmonton, it's easy to get lost in digital noise. If people search for cafes, mechanics, coworking spaces, services, restaurants, and the rest, there are so many competitive options, and there's no way you're getting to the top of Google by doing the bare minimum.
This is a city where people work hard, and you need to meet and exceed expectations to get on top. And why shouldn't you? You deserve to stand out, to have those local customers flooding your website and your shop.
But here's the thing: getting seen on Google isn't just about luck. It's about strategy. And that's where SEO comes in. When you master the basics and embrace the more advanced strategies, you'll give Google all the green ticks that help position in the limited top five spaces.
To help with this, I'm sharing this rapid-fast, deeply detailed Edmonton SEO Checklist – 7 actionable steps to boost your online presence, climb those rankings, and watch your customer base grow.
More website traffic? Check. More leads? Absolutely. More sales? It's all here, so let's go.
Step 1: Nail Your On-Page Optimization
On-page SEO is simply about making sure your website's content is primed to rank high in search results. These are the fundamentals Google is looking for to know what your website is about, and to ensure you're legitimately offering a positive experience to your customers, and their users.
Here's the breakdown of the key elements:
- Keywords: These are the words and phrases people use when searching for businesses like yours. If you're an Edmonton bakery, your keywords might be "Edmonton bakeries," "custom cakes Edmonton," or "best cupcakes in Edmonton." Sprinkle those keywords naturally throughout your website copy.
Use platforms and tools like Ahrefs, Moz, SEMRush, and Google Keyword Planner to get the keywords and see precisely what people are searching for. I'll be posting a guide on this soon!
- Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: These are like your website's headline and short summary in the search results. Make them catchy and informative! Think of it as your elevator pitch to convince people to click on your link.
- Header Tags (H1, H2, etc.): These help organize your content and make it easy for both readers and search engines to understand. Plus, they make your website look way more professional and less like a giant wall of text.
- Image Optimization: Don't forget about your images! Use descriptive alt text (alternative text) that includes your keywords. This helps search engines understand what your images are about and can even get you ranking in image search results.
By getting these on-page elements right, you're giving your website a major SEO boost right off the bat. It's like laying a strong foundation for your online success!
Step 2: Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Right at the top of Google, whenever someone is searching for a business, you see a screen like this.
See how there's a ton of information about the business, plus entries into the map screen and so on?
That's where you want to be, because if you're not, you're not one of the first options people see and if they're already seeing top five-star services, they're not going to keep looking for you.
Put it this way - imagine someone in Edmonton is craving a juicy burger. They whip out their phone and Google "best burger joints near me." What pops up? The Google Maps results, right?
And there are all the burger joints ready to go.
That's what the Google Business Profile is all about.
Here's the action plan:
- Claim Your Listing: If you haven't already, go to Google Business Profile and claim your listing. It's like planting your flag in the digital map of Edmonton and saying, "Hey, I'm here, come find me!"
- Complete Every Section: Don't leave any blanks! Fill out every single detail – your address, phone number, website, hours of operation, photos of your business (mouth watering food pics if you're a restaurant!), and anything else that makes your business shine.
- Encourage Reviews: Reviews are like gold dust in the world of local SEO. Happy customers? Ask them to leave a review on your GB profile. Those glowing testimonials will not only boost your ranking but also show potential customers that you're the real deal.
By optimizing your GMB profile, you're giving your Edmonton business a prime spot in local search results. It's like having a flashing neon sign pointing right at your door!
Step 3: Build High-Quality Backlinks
Once you've got all the SEO fundamentals down, you've got some quality content on your website, and you're set up for success, the chances are you still won't get as much traffic or very high rankings on Google as you'd like.
This is because you don't have backlinks.
This is an age-old SEO marker Google has used to find quality websites. It's essentially high-quality websites or blogs that link to your website. Say, for example, a top food blog reviews your burger joint and puts a link to your website.
Because the blog has proven to Google to be a good website, then pointing a link to you showcases that you're a decent website too, and thus you rise up the ranks.
Now, here's the catch: not all backlinks are created equal. You want high-quality backlinks from reputable websites, especially those related to your industry or located in Edmonton. All rather than just getting as many as you can. Oh, and you should never buy them in bulk, as this is a big no-no in Google's books.
What Are Backlinks and How Do They Work?
Here are a few local link-building tactics to get you started:
- Edmonton Business Directories: Get listed in online directories specific to Edmonton, like the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Edmonton.
- Local Bloggers and Influencers: Connect with Edmonton-based bloggers or social media influencers who might be interested in featuring your business.
- Partner Up: Team up with other businesses in Edmonton for link exchanges. Maybe you're a coffee shop that can link to a local bakery, and they can link back to you. It's a win-win!
Building backlinks takes time and effort, but it's a crucial part of any successful Edmonton SEO strategy. Think of it as building your online reputation and credibility, one link at a time!
Step 4: Create Killer Content that Edmonton Wants to Read
You know how they say "content is king"? Well, in the world of SEO, it's the king, the queen, the crown jewel and everything else royal.
This not only helps your website rank highly for specific keywords (you write a post per primary keyword that people are searching for based on search data) and tells Google what your website is all about, but it also helps acquire backlinks as people link and share your content.
All in all, this is a lot of wins for your website.
But here's the thing: it can't just be any old content. It's gotta be killer content. Content that's so valuable, so engaging, so darn interesting that people can't help but read it, share it, and come back for more.
Here are a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing:
- Local Events and News: Is there a big festival happening in Edmonton? A new park opening? Write a blog post about it!
- Edmonton Guides: Create guides to the best restaurants, attractions, or hidden gems in the city. Become the go-to resource for all things Edmonton!
- Case Studies: Have you helped any Edmonton businesses achieve amazing results? Showcase those success stories with compelling case studies.
- Neighbourhood Spotlights: Highlight different neighbourhoods in Edmonton, showcasing local businesses and attractions.
By creating content that resonates with your Edmonton audience, you'll not only attract more visitors to your website but also establish yourself as a local expert. And that's SEO gold!
Step 5: Optimize for Mobile
Raise your hand if you've ever been frustrated by a website that takes forever to load on your phone or looks all wonky on that smaller screen. (Yep, my hand is up too!)
The world is a mobile-first world, and having a website that's optimized for smartphones and tablets isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have.
Google knows that most people are browsing on their phones, so they actually prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their search results. It's called "mobile-first indexing," and it basically means that if your website isn't mobile-friendly, you'll get left behind.
After all, over 50% of all internet traffic comes through mobile devices, so the chances are your users are coming via their smartphone or tablet!
So how do you ensure your Edmonton business website is mobile-ready? Here are a few quick tips:
- Responsive Design: This is the magic word! A responsive website automatically adjusts to different screen sizes, so it looks great on everything from a giant desktop monitor to a tiny smartphone.
- Fast Loading Times: Ain't nobody got time for a slow website! Optimize your images, streamline your code, and make sure your pages load lightning-fast on mobile devices.
- Easy Navigation: Make it super easy for mobile users to find what they're looking for. Use clear menus, big buttons, and a simple layout that's easy to navigate with a thumb.
By optimizing your website for mobile, you're not only improving the user experience but also giving your Edmonton SEO a serious boost. It's a win-win!
Step 6: Track Your Progress and Make Adjustments
Now, here's the thing about SEO: it's not a "set it and forget it" kind of deal. It's an ongoing process, a bit like tending a garden.
You plant the seeds (optimize your website), water them (create awesome content), and give them sunshine (build backlinks), but you also need to keep an eye on how those plants are growing!
That's where tracking your progress comes in. You need to know what's working and what needs a little extra TLC. Luckily, there are some fantastic tools that can help you do just that:
- Google Analytics: This is your website's best friend! It tells you everything you need to know about your visitors – where they're coming from, what pages they're looking at, how long they stay on your site, and much more.
- Google Search Console: Think of this as your direct line to Google. It shows you how Google sees your website, what keywords you're ranking for, and any issues affecting your performance.
Once you've got these tools set up, it's time to start analyzing the data. Are your keyword rankings improving? Is your website traffic increasing? Are those visitors turning into leads and customers?
If things are going great, awesome! Keep doing what you're doing. But if you're not seeing the results you want, don't panic! It's all about making adjustments along the way.
Maybe you need to tweak your keywords, update your content, or focus on building more backlinks.
The key is to be patient, persistent, and always learning. SEO is a marathon, not a sprint, but with consistent effort and a little bit of data-driven magic, you'll get there.
Step 7: Consider Professional Edmonton SEO Help
Okay, let's be real. SEO can be a bit of a beast. There's a lot to learn and a lot to do, and it can definitely take some time to see those results. If you're feeling overwhelmed or just don't have the bandwidth to tackle it all yourself, it might be time to call in the pros.
Think of it like this: you wouldn't try to fix your own plumbing or rewire your entire house, right? You'd call in an expert. Well, SEO is kind of the same. Sometimes, it's best to leave it to the specialists who eat, sleep, and breathe search engine optimization.
Here's the thing: a good Edmonton SEO agency can be a game-changer for your business. They have the experience, tools, and know-how to get you ranking higher and attract local customers faster than you can say "Google My Business."
Here are just a few of the benefits of hiring an SEO expert:
- Save Time and Resources: Let's face it, time is money. Instead of spending hours trying to figure out the ins and outs of SEO, you can focus on what you do best – running your business.
- Get Specialized Knowledge: SEO is constantly evolving. An agency stays on top of the latest trends and algorithm updates, so you don't have to.
- Achieve Faster and Better Results: With their expertise and proven strategies, an SEO agency can help you achieve your goals faster and more effectively than going it alone.