What Is SEO And Why Do I Need It?

Search engine optimization (SEO) can often seem like this mystical concept that is interpreted and approached in many ways. There are indeed different approaches, but it’s a lot less mystical than you may think. Simply put, SEO is a process of improving your website’s visibility in search engines.

This is achieved through a variety of best practices and strategic decisions that differ based on a company’s goals.

Some Of These SEO Best Practices Include:

Technical Optimizations

• Technical Optimizations – Technical optimization refers to the process of fixing technical issues on your website that may hinder its search engine visibility. This includes fixing 404 errors (pages not found), broken links, duplicate content, and other technical issues that may negatively impact user experience and search engine rankings. Optimize your website for fast loading times. Slow-loading pages can lead to higher bounce rates and lower search rankings. Compress images and enable browser caching to speed up your site.

Technical Issue	Why It Matters	What’s The Fix
404 Errors	Lowers user trust and SEO ranking	Implement redirects or fix links
Broken Links	Poor user experience	Regularly check and update links
Duplicate Content	Confuses search engines	Use canonical tags, revise content
Slow Site Speed	Increases bounce rate	Optimize images, leverage caching

Improve User Experience

• Improve User Experience – User experience (UX) refers to the overall satisfaction a user has when they interact with your website. A positive user experience can be achieved through various means such as fast loading times, a clean and organized layout, and easy navigation. Improving UX is important for both search engine rankings and user engagement. Make sure your website is easy to navigate with clear menus and logical page structures. Prioritize a clean and intuitive design to keep visitors engaged.

Aspect	Why It Matters	Real-World Impact
Fast Loading	Reduces bounce rates, increases engagement	Amazon’s pages load quickly, keeping users on the site longer
Clean Layout	Makes information easy to find and digest	Apple’s website layout showcases products elegantly and clearly
Easy Navigation	Helps users find what they need quickly	Google’s simple interface allows efficient searching and browsing

Site Structure And Accessibility

• Site Structure And Accessibility – Site structure refers to the way your website is organized and how content is presented to users. This includes using headers, subheadings, and other elements that help break up content and make it easier to read. Accessibility refers to ensuring that your website is easily accessible and usable by users with disabilities. Both site structure and accessibility are important for both search engines and users.

Aspect	Description	Importance For Search Engines	Provides a clear path for navigation and backtracking.
Headers	Use of clear and hierarchical headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to structure content.	Helps in understanding content hierarchy and indexing.	Facilitates easy scanning and understanding of content.
Subheadings	Subdivisions under main headers to organize content into manageable sections.	Aids in better content categorization and relevance.	Assists in finding specific information quickly.
Breadcrumbs	Provides a clear path for navigation and backtracking.	Enhances site structure understanding for indexing.	Ensuring the site can be navigated using a keyboard, is crucial for users with certain disabilities.
Alt Text for Images	Descriptive text for images, aiding in content understanding when images can’t be displayed.	Essential for image indexing and contextual understanding.	Crucial for visually impaired users to understand visual content.
Keyboard Navigation	Ensuring the site can be navigated using a keyboard, crucial for users with certain disabilities.	Not directly impactful, but contributes to overall site accessibility.	Vital for users with motor disabilities or those who cannot use a mouse.
Readable Fonts	Use of clear, legible fonts and adequate contrast between text and background.	Can indirectly influence user engagement metrics.	Essential for readability, especially for users with visual impairments.

Internal Linking And Backlinks

• Internal Linking And Backlinks – Internal linking refers to linking to other pages within your website, which helps users and search engines navigate your site. Backlinks refer to links from other websites to your site, which helps to improve search engine visibility and build trust and authority.

Aspect	Definition	SEO Benefits	UX Advantages
Internal Linking	Links from one page of a website to another page within the same website.	Enhances website navigation for search engines, aiding in indexing.	Facilitates user navigation, leading to better engagement and reduced bounce rates.
Content Relevance	Linking to related content within the website.	Improves content relevancy and context, boosting ranking for keywords.	Helps users find additional relevant information easily.
Anchor Text	Visible, clickable text in a hyperlink.	Helps search engines understand the context of the linked page.	Provides users with a clear idea of what to expect from a link.
Backlinks	Links from external websites pointing to your website.	Increases domain authority and trust, leading to higher search rankings.	Enhances credibility and trustworthiness from a user perspective.
Link Quality	Quality of the external site linking to your website.	High-quality backlinks significantly improve search rankings.	High-quality links can be seen as endorsements, increasing user confidence.
Link Diversity	Variety in the sources of backlinks.	A diverse backlink profile signals natural and authoritative site growth.	Varied sources of backlinks can expose users to a broader range of validating perspectives.

Lead Generation

• Lead Generation – Lead generation refers to attracting and converting potential customers into leads. This can be achieved through various means such as landing pages, forms, and calls to action. Lead generation is essential for driving conversions and growing your business.

Lead Generation Method	Description	Importance In Business Growth
Landing Pages	Specialized web pages designed to receive and convert traffic.	Central to capturing interest and encouraging engagement. Essential for targeted marketing campaigns.
Forms	Online forms used to collect information from potential leads.	Crucial for gathering contact details and qualifying leads. Enables personalized follow-ups.
Calls to Action (CTAs)	Direct prompts urging visitors to take a specific action.	Key to converting website visitors into leads by guiding them towards specific actions.
Content Offers	Providing valuable content in exchange for contact information.	Effective in attracting leads by offering useful resources. Helps in establishing authority and trust.
Email Marketing	Sending targeted emails to nurture leads and encourage conversion.	Vital for maintaining engagement and guiding leads through the sales funnel.
Social Media Engagement	Using social platforms to interact with and attract potential leads.	Increases brand visibility and enables direct interaction with prospects.
SEO and Organic Search	Optimizing website content for search engines to attract traffic.	Fundamental for long-term lead generation through increased online visibility.

Content Optimization

• Content Optimization – Content optimization refers to the process of optimizing your website’s content to improve its search engine visibility and user engagement. This includes optimizing landing pages, blog posts, videos, and social media posts. Content optimization is important for driving traffic and improving search engine rankings.

The Key For Increasing Brand Visibility And Direct Interaction With Audience	Optimization Process	Importance In SEO And User Engagement
Landing Pages	Tailoring content to be engaging, relevant, and action-driven.	Crucial for converting visitors into leads or customers. Enhances user experience and search engine rankings.
Blog Posts	Integrating keywords, ensuring readability, and providing valuable information.	Vital for attracting organic traffic and establishing authority in a topic area.
Videos	Using SEO-friendly titles, descriptions, and tags. Ensuring quality and relevance of content.	Enhances engagement and retention, offering a dynamic way to present information.
Social Media Posts	Crafting engaging and shareable content. Using hashtags and keywords effectively.	The key to increasing brand visibility and direct interaction with the audience.
Images and Graphics	Implementing alt tags and optimizing file size and format.	Improves page load speed and accessibility, enhancing user experience.
Infographics	Combining visually appealing design with informative content.	Effective in simplifying complex information and increasing shareability.

Keyword Research

• Keyword Research – Keyword research refers to the process of researching and selecting keywords that are relevant to your business and that users search for when looking for products or services similar to yours. Keyword research is important for improving search engine visibility and attracting the right audience to your website. Start with thorough keyword research to identify the terms and phrases your target audience is using to find products or services like yours. Tools like Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush can be incredibly helpful for this.

Aspect Of Keyword Research	Description	Importance In SEO And Audience Targeting
Identifying Relevant Keywords	Finding words and phrases that are most relevant to your business and the products or services you offer.	Essential for aligning website content with what users are searching for.
Analyzing Search Volume	Assessing how often these keywords are searched for in search engines.	Helps to gauge the popularity and potential traffic these keywords can bring.
Understanding User Intent	Determining what users are looking for when they search using these keywords.	Critical for creating content that meets the needs and interests of your audience.
Competitor Keyword Analysis	Researching what keywords competitors are ranking for.	Provides insight into market trends and opportunities to differentiate.
Keyword Difficulty Assessment	Evaluating how hard it would be to rank for these keywords, considering competition and search volume.	Aids in prioritizing keywords that offer the best chance of achieving high rankings.
Long-Tail Keyword Exploration	Focusing on longer, more specific keyword phrases that are less competitive but highly targeted.	Important for attracting a more precise audience, often leading to higher conversion rates.
Integration in Content Strategy	Incorporating the selected keywords into your website’s content, including web pages, blog posts, and metadata.	Ensures that the content is optimized to rank well in search engines and attract the right audience.

Content Creation And Repurposing

• Content Creation And Repurposing – Content creation refers to the process of creating new, relevant, and valuable content for your website. Content repurposing refers to the process of taking existing content and reusing or modifying it for different purposes. Both content creation and repurposing are important for driving traffic and improving search engine rankings. Develop content that not only informs but also engages and adds value to your audience. Solve their problems, answer their questions, and offer unique insights. Use relevant images, videos, and infographics to enhance your content’s visual appeal.

Process	Description	Importance In Driving Traffic And SEO
Content Creation	Developing new, pertinent, and engaging content for your website.	Essential for attracting and retaining website visitors. Provides fresh material for improved search engine rankings.
Types of New Content	This includes blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, etc.	Variety caters to different user preferences and broadens reach.
Content Strategy	Planning and structuring content to align with business goals.	Ensures that content serves a specific purpose and targets the right audience.
Content Repurposing	Adapting existing content for different formats or channels.	Maximizes the value of existing content, reaching new audiences.
Repurposing Examples	Turning blog posts into infographics, videos, or social media posts.	Helps to engage users across various platforms with varied content preferences.
SEO Benefits of Repurposing	Refreshing and updating content can improve its relevance and search ranking.	Keeping content current and relevant boosts SEO efficacy.
Audience Engagement	Reformatting content to suit different audience segments.	Enhances accessibility and appeal to a wider audience base.

Consistent Data Analysis

• Consistent Data Analysis – Consistent data analysis refers to the process of regularly analyzing website data, such as traffic, conversions, and search engine rankings to make informed decisions about your SEO and marketing strategies. Data analysis is important for making informed decisions and continuously improving your website’s performance.

Data Analysis Aspect	Description	Importance In SEO And Marketing Strategies
Traffic Analysis	Monitoring the number of visitors and their behavior on your website.	Helps understand audience engagement and identify popular content.
Conversion Tracking	Analyzing the rate at which visitors are completing desired actions.	Crucial for measuring the effectiveness of landing pages and calls to action.
Search Engine Rankings	Tracking the positions of your website for key search terms.	Vital for assessing SEO success and identifying areas for improvement.
Bounce Rate Analysis	Evaluating the percentage of visitors who leave the site after one page.	Indicates user engagement and content relevance.
User Experience Insights	Studying how users interact with the site and identifying usability issues.	Important for optimizing the website layout, navigation, and content.
Content Performance	Assessing which types of content are most effective in engaging users.	Guides content strategy and helps tailor future content to audience preferences.
Goal Setting and Tracking	Establishing specific objectives and measuring progress towards them.	Enables focused strategy adjustments and measures progress against business goals.

Local SEO

• Local SEO – Local SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website for local search engines, such as your Google Business Profile, to improve visibility for local searches. Local SEO is important for attracting local customers and improving search engine rankings for local search terms.

Local SEO Component	Description	Importance For Attracting Local Customers & Improving Rankings
Google Business Profile Optimization	Refining your Google Business Profile with accurate and detailed information.	Essential for visibility in local search results and Google Maps.
Local Keywords	Using location-specific keywords in your website’s content.	Helps to attract traffic from local searches relevant to your business.
Local Backlinks	Gaining links from local businesses and organizations.	Improves local search rankings and builds local authority.
Online Reviews	Encouraging and managing customer reviews on local directories.	Influences local search rankings and builds trust with potential customers.
Local Content Creation	Creating content relevant to your local audience and area.	Engages local customers and boosts relevance in local search queries.
NAP Consistency	Maintaining consistent Name, Address, and Phone number information across the web.	Critical for credibility and ensuring users find accurate information.
Local Directory Listings	Listing your business in relevant local online directories.	Increases visibility and helps local customers discover your business.

On-Page SEO Optimization

• Title Tags: Craft compelling, keyword-rich title tags for each page of your website. Keep them concise and relevant to the content.
• Meta Descriptions: Write informative meta descriptions that encourage users to click through to your site.
• Header Tags: Use header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to structure your content logically and make it more readable.
• Keyword Placement: Incorporate your target keywords naturally throughout your content, including in headings, subheadings, and body text.

Mobile Optimizations

Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and responsive. Google places significant importance on mobile optimization for search rankings.

Now when it comes to the question of “Why do I need it?”, the answer is simple. It’s the most effective way to increase your website’s visibility and grow your business online. In today’s digital landscape, SEO is a crucial factor in establishing domain authority and outperforming your competition in the St. Louis area and beyond. Whether you’re a small business or a Fortune 500 company, everyone can benefit from SEO.

Without it, your site could become a lost ship in the endless ocean that is the internet. So long story short, you need SEO.

Our St. Louis SEO & Content Process

So at this point, you’ve probably decided that it’s time to bite the bullet, hire us as SEO consultants, and get an SEO strategy put in place. Unlike other St. Louis SEO agencies, we provide SEO services in the form of a monthly agreement. Instead of blindly choosing from a menu of services, we offer a customized experience based on keyword research, competitor analysis, and analytical data provided by our SEO experts.

We pull from a monthly pool of hours which allows us to allocate our time toward the most pressing issues that will help move your digital marketing needle forward the most.

What Makes Our St. Louis SEO + Content Services Different?

We approach search engine optimization from a holistic standpoint meaning that we integrate all Internet marketing elements into our strategy. This includes the best practices we mentioned above along with other services including website design, copywriting, pay-per-click, email marketing campaigns, PR, social media, print ads, etc. Our goal is to help manage and streamline these elements so that they’re integrated effectively with your website.

We’ve found that the most effective strategies take into account all online marketing efforts and ensure that they’re all interconnected and maintain consistent branding strategies. These things set us apart as the top SEO company in Missouri.

The Dream Team Of St. Louis SEO Experts – Why Choose Matchbox Design Group As Your St. Louis SEO Company

We Provide Customer-Centric Approaches That Boost Sales

Our team at Matchbox Design Group comprises dedicated SEO consultants and marketing professionals, each passionate about helping businesses thrive online. In today’s world, simply collaborating with a generic digital marketing agency isn’t sufficient. You need a partner that genuinely invests time in understanding your business’s objectives and messaging, and also plays a pivotal role in achieving the desired outcomes, ensuring your business maximizes its return on marketing investment. Many agencies in the digital marketing space fail to deliver on these aspects. Below are some factors that set us apart: Let’s meet some of our key players:

Matchbox Design Group, a prominent St. Louis SEO company, is dedicated to the success of its clients. We offer our specialized skills and resources to deliver a tailored and potent array of St. Louis SEO services to your business. Our team is committed to putting our client’s objectives at the forefront. By combining our expert St. Louis search engine optimization techniques with your invaluable insights, we aim to collaboratively enhance your business growth and boost your revenue. Together, we form an unbeatable team, delivering the best possible results for our clients.

Testimonial

Matchbox Design Group Reviews

Matchbox Case Studies

STL BEDS WEBSITE REBUILD & SEO Case Study

Delivering Dreams Since 1986.

STL Beds is a family-owned mattress store located in St. Louis. Doug, manager of STL Beds, came to us looking for advice on how to improve his digital presence and drive more sales. Unlike some of our other website rebuilds, this project started with search engine optimization and eventually evolved into a website project. This unconventional approach proved extremely valuable as we were able to uncover a plethora of deep-rooted issues related to site health and user experience on his preexisting site. Once these issues were unearthed, we had two options:

1. Spend countless months slowly but surely uncovering and fixing hundreds upon thousands of errors in a manner quite similar to defusing a bomb or…
2. Create a new website in a much healthier and user-intuitive way that would set him up for long-term success by addressing customer needs and increasing sales

Let’s just say it was a no-brainer. Rebuilding the site meant that we could reorganize its content, update the site’s design, remove any messy plugins or unnecessary code from the back end, and improve the overall user experience as a whole. View the entire STL Beds case study here.

VOLPI FOODS WEBSITE REBUILD & SEO

Elevated Meats Crafted With Care

Family-owned and operated for over 117 years, Volpi Foods has handcrafted fine-cured meats using only traditional methods to give their customers the fullest flavor and finest quality. Their secrets are simple: all-natural ingredients that are always fresh, never frozen — locally sourced from farmers they trust. They slow cure in small batches using family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Beautifully slow-aged prosciutto and cold fermented salami deliver incredibly rich flavor every time. They’ve shown us that delicious food doesn’t need to be complicated.

Volpi first came to us in need of an SEO partner to help optimize their site and increase their rankings for industry-specific keywords. We made as many improvements as we could within their existing site template but found it to be very problematic when trying to implement design and technical changes due to functional limitations. After about a year of SEO service, they finally decided that it was time for a new site. This provided the perfect opportunity to create a more intuitive experience on both the front end and back end. The end result was an elegantly designed portfolio site that was superior in both functionality and design.

SEO + Content Services

As mentioned above, our relationship with Volpi Foods started in the form of an SEO agreement. Their overarching goal was to increase sales and improve their rankings for industry-specific keywords such as “specialty cured meats” and “charcuterie boards”. We started with creating a solid foundation which included things like implementing technical fixes in order to improve site health and making sure all existing content was well-optimized. From there we were able to build upon this foundation by making design changes to improve user experience and creating new content pieces. You can view the full Volpi Foods Case study here.

Matchbox St. Louis SEO Accolades And Trust Badges

Key Takeaways

Is SEO Dead – Brent (Co-Owner) and James (Senior Digital Strategist) Discuss

St. Louis SEO FAQs

In summary, when exploring SEO options in St. Louis, investing in a reputable and experienced agency like Matchbox Design Group can offer substantial benefits for your business. While cost is a consideration, the focus should be on the value, effectiveness, and return on investment provided. Partnering with experts who understand the dynamic landscape of SEO and tailor strategies to your specific needs can lead to top search rankings and a strengthened online presence.

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St. Louis SEO Links That Might Be Helpful

If you would like to start a new SEO project with Matchbox Design Group, please contact us by phone at (314) 849-6969 or using the form below.

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Here Are A Few SEO Resources To Help You

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