Ultimate SEO Guide: On-Page Optimization, Google & Bing Setup & Live Website Reviews

Introduction (00:00:00)

• The discussion will cover simple and quick tips for SEO, including on-page SEO and tips for Google and Microsoft Bing, and will also review different sites that have been shared to identify potential areas for improvement (00:00:00).
• The main focus of the discussion will be on live SEO audits, which will provide an in-depth look at sites and offer suggestions for improvement (00:00:11).
• Basic pointers will be provided on on-page SEO, which involves making changes directly to a website, as well as other tips related to Google and Bing's webmaster tools (00:00:23).
• Additional resources will be shared, including previous tips of the week from past webinars on SEO, which contain useful information (00:00:37).
• After covering the basic tips and resources, the discussion will move on to reviewing sites live to provide a more detailed analysis of their SEO (00:00:48).

On-Page SEO Essentials (00:00:51)

• On-page SEO essentials include several key factors that can be implemented directly on a website, such as ensuring the site is not in staging mode, as this prevents search engines like Google and Microsoft Bing from indexing the site, and this setting can be checked in the general settings under website status, where it should be set to live mode (00:01:27).
• Adding a page intro to the homepage and other important pages is crucial, as it provides context for search engines and should include primary keywords in 2-5 natural sentences that describe what the website is about and what users can do on it (00:02:02).
• Page headlines are also important and should be optimized, as the BD system automatically adds H1 tags to the primary headline of web pages, but it is still necessary to ensure the headline is descriptive and includes relevant keywords, especially for landing pages (00:03:52).
• Providing context to search engines is essential, as they need to understand what a website is about, who it is for, and why it exists, in order to index and rank it properly, and this can be achieved by including primary keywords in the page intro and headlines (00:03:11).
• It is common for people to forget to remove their website from staging mode or to not include their primary keywords in the page intro, which can negatively impact their SEO and prevent their site from being indexed by search engines (00:01:51).
• Having a well-optimized website is important, as there are likely to be competitors trying to outrank it, and by providing context and optimizing headlines and page intros, a website can improve its chances of ranking well in search engines (00:03:35).
• To optimize a webpage, it is essential to include primary or main keywords in the headline, such as "find trusted attorneys in Los Angeles" or "top ranked attorneys," to help with ranking for specific keywords (00:04:20).
• Page meta tags, including title and meta descriptions, should be set for each page to narrow down the keyword search phrases and provide an opportunity to include keywords and locations, with titles aiming for a 60 character range and descriptions summarizing the page content (00:04:55).
• When creating titles and descriptions, it is crucial to include keywords and locations without keyword stuffing, and to keep descriptions to a couple hundred characters, summarizing what the page is about (00:05:26).
• Internal linking is vital, as it involves linking to other pages on the website, such as categories or registration pages, to help search engines like Google and Microsoft Bing understand the site structure and pass ranking power to linked pages (00:05:51).
• Internal linking also signals to search engines that the linked pages are important, as it indicates that they are relevant and useful for users, which can improve their ranking (00:06:24).

Google & Bing Setup Basics (00:06:35)

• Registering a site with Google and Bing is essential, as it proactively informs them of the website's existence and prompts them to start crawling, indexing, and adding it to search results, with links to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools to be shared (00:06:35).
• Submitting a site map to Google and Bing is helpful, as it preemptively informs them of all the web pages on the domain, although they will only index pages with good, unique, and meaningful content, and not duplicate or similar content (00:06:58).
• Having a large number of web pages on a site does not guarantee that Google and Microsoft Bing will index all of them, as they will pick and choose pages based on the quality and uniqueness of the content (00:07:11).
• Keeping a site fresh with fresh content is important, and can be achieved by adding new content or refreshing existing content, such as by moving paragraphs around, adding new paragraphs, or updating the publish date (00:07:34).
• Connecting Google Analytics is a great way to monitor and see traffic insights, providing valuable data on traffic, popular pages, and trends, and allowing for informed decisions and updates to be made to the site (00:08:06).

Two Great Resources (00:08:51)

• There are two great previous tips of the week that can be useful for optimizing a website, one of which is for optimizing a BD website from top to bottom, covering every possible aspect of the homepage, and the other is about adding custom content to search results pages (00:08:51).
• The search results page, such as the member directory, can be optimized by adding custom SEO content, including an H1 title, and this can be done not just for the main search results page but also for individual search results pages (00:09:17).
• Adding custom content to search results pages can help bolster efforts to improve search engine rankings, and this can be done by adding rich content that search engines and AI bots prefer to see, such as information about local businesses in a specific location like London (00:09:38).
• A website likely has thousands of search results pages, considering all the locations, categories, and variations, but the beauty of BD is that these pages are dynamically created, allowing users to pick and choose which pages to optimize and create a system for doing so (00:10:06).
• To optimize search results pages effectively, it is recommended to create a routine, such as dedicating time each week to bolster a few search results pages, and using AI prompts to make the process easier, which will be shared later (00:10:23).
• By putting in a little time and effort to optimize search results pages, users can likely see good results over time, and it is important to avoid setting it and forgetting it, but instead, to regularly review and improve the pages (00:10:34).

Website Review #1 (00:10:41)

• A review of a website, Christian Church, is being conducted to assess its search engine optimization, and a search for the site's name is performed to see what comes up, with competitors such as Churchfinder and Faith Street appearing in the results (00:10:46).
• The site is not immediately found in Google search, but when the correct spelling is used, Google's results show that it likes the site, displaying more than just the domain, and the site has a significant number of pages indexed by Google (00:11:27).
• A tip is provided to check how many pages of a site Google has indexed by using the "site:" operator followed by the domain name, which can help determine the site's visibility in search results (00:11:54).
• The owner of the Christian Church site, Fred, is asked to share the keywords he is trying to rank for, as this information is important for optimizing the site, and the site's homepage is reviewed to identify areas for improvement (00:12:23).
• The homepage's H1 tag is examined, and it is suggested that the tag should include keywords related to the site's purpose, such as "find a church" or "search churches," to provide context for search engines and improve the site's ranking (00:13:15).
• The importance of including relevant keywords in the site's content is emphasized, and it is recommended that the keywords be sprinkled throughout the text to improve the site's visibility in search results (00:14:00).
• The site's hero divider is mentioned, and it is noted that it exists by default, but no further action is taken regarding this element (00:14:24).
• The hero divider is a feature that comes with all BD sites and is used to provide content that search engines like, and it can be modified to include more context, such as "browse Christian Church directory" or "join the church directory", to better optimize for search engines (00:14:37).
• The area where the hero divider is located can be expanded to include two or three lines of text, such as "Find local churches in your area to do X, Y, and Z" or "List your church and connect with more visitors", to provide more information and improve search engine optimization (00:15:07).
• The site's featured churches section can be optimized by including the target keyword, such as "churches", and providing more context, such as "Discover nearby places to worship and belong", to improve search engine rankings (00:15:30).
• The latest articles and news section can be given a title that includes the target keyword, such as "Christian news", and the "want to join" section can be modified to "want to list your church" to better target the intended audience (00:15:51).
• A Google doc was created to provide SEO content, which includes a prompt that can be used to generate content using a tool like GPT, and internal links can be added to the content to improve search engine optimization (00:16:23).
• The focus of the website is to find churches and places of worship, and the target keywords can be used to generate content using a tool like GPT, with internal links to pages such as the join page, search results page, and contact us page (00:17:20).
• The generated content can be used to create a page on the site, and the HTML code provided by the tool can be used to add the content to the site, with tweaks to avoid AI detection (00:18:40).
• To optimize a website for search engines, context is key, and having valuable content higher up on the page is more valuable, so a shorter blurb can be placed at the top, and a centered blob of text can replace the hero divider, with an example to be shown later (00:19:08).
• The design settings of a website can be accessed to add new sections, such as custom content, to the homepage, and the editor can be used to add HTML content, which can be copied and pasted into the code view (00:19:41).
• The added content may not be visually appealing, but it can provide a good starting point for search engine optimization, and it can include sections such as "who we are", "what we do", "why use us", and "how to join" (00:20:20).
• The content can be generated using AI, and it can include information such as the benefits of using the website, how it compares to competitors, and what results users can expect (00:20:58).
• Meta tags, such as the meta title and meta description, are important for search engine optimization, and they can be accessed and edited in the SEO settings tab of the website builder (00:21:40).
• The meta title is the title that appears in search engine results, and the meta description is the brief summary that appears below the title, and they should be written to accurately reflect the content of the website (00:22:02).
• The meta title and meta description can be pasted into the SEO settings tab, and they can be edited to better reflect the focus and purpose of the website (00:22:50).
• The website builder provides a decent default meta title, but it may need to be edited to better reflect the specific content and purpose of the website (00:22:56).
• The current metatitle of a Christian directory website is "Christian directory find Christians christristianarch.com", which may be unclear as it does not specify whether it is for finding individual people or churches (00:23:26).
• The website's description is "Search the most complete Christian directory. Find Christians", which is considered too broad and may not be effective in search results, as the keywords "find Christians" are likely used by many other websites (00:23:39).
• To improve search engine optimization, it is recommended to make the metatitle and description more specific, as seen in competitor websites that have more targeted titles such as "Churches near Orange County" and "find a congregation" (00:23:59).
• Analyzing competitor websites can provide valuable tips for improving one's own website, such as using more specific keywords and phrases in the metatitle and description (00:24:05).
• The example of the Christian directory website is used to illustrate the importance of having a clear and specific metatitle and description to improve search engine rankings and visibility (00:24:14).
• The website's metatitle "Christian directory find Christians christristianarch.com" is compared to the metatitle "Explore thousands of Christian churches and places of worship", which is considered stronger and more descriptive (00:23:12).

Website Review #2 (00:24:23)

• The website StorageContractors.com is being reviewed, and a Google search for "storage contractors" shows that people are advertising against this term, indicating its popularity (00:24:31).
• The website is a WordPress site, and a search for the domain name "storagecontractors.com" is performed to see how many pages of the website Google has indexed, with at least 60 pages found (00:25:45).
• The website appears to be a directory for self-storage contractors and service providers, but the context is not immediately clear, and it is suggested that more context be added to the H1 tag to help search engines understand the site's purpose (00:26:41).
• The website has a tag cloud, which is good for internal linking, but it is recommended to limit the number of categories to four or five top ones, and the search function is also available (00:27:15).
• The site's context is still unclear, with mentions of general contractors, ADA remodels, and self-storage pros, making it confusing to determine the site's main purpose (00:27:59).
• The site owner, Bert, provides context that the site is a directory for customers who are storage facility owners and contractors, and it is recommended that this information be clearly stated on the homepage for search engines to understand (00:29:44).
• The website is a directory for customers to find professionals, and it is suggested that the language used be more literal and explanatory to help search engines understand the site's purpose (00:30:07).

Website Review #3 (00:30:18)

• The website being reviewed is Memorialconnect.com, which is a platform for booking singers for funerals or memorial events, and it has a simple and clear purpose that is well-conveyed to users (00:30:33).
• A site search on Google reveals that the website has its homepage, FAQ page, and search results page indexed, which includes a category of search results, and this is a good starting point for search engine optimization (00:30:46).
• Analyzing the website's keywords, it appears that "book singers for funerals" is a relevant phrase, and other websites like Gig Salad and Yelp are using similar keywords like "funeral musicians" and "singer and pianist", which could be useful for Memorial Connect to include (00:31:08).
• The website's current title tag is "Memorial Connect book singers and musicians for funerals", but it is suggested to switch the order to "book singers and musicians for funerals" and make it a bit longer to include more relevant keywords like "funeral live music" or "funeral music" (00:33:35).
• The character limit for title tags is typically 60-80 characters, but having longer titles with good keywords up to 120 characters can still be beneficial for SEO, as long as the keywords are of good quality and related to each other (00:34:04).
• To further improve the website's SEO, it is recommended to add more content, get backlinks from other websites, and submit the site to Google Search Console and Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tools, which can help increase the website's visibility and credibility (00:32:51).
• The website's meta tags, such as the title tag, can be improved by including more relevant keywords and making them more descriptive, while also ensuring that the website's name is included at the end of the title tag to maintain a clear focus on the website's purpose (00:34:57).

Website Review #4 (00:35:00)

• The website being reviewed is familyfriendly.com.au, and it is noted that the site has approximately 40 pages indexed by Google, which could be improved for a directory site (00:35:23).
• The site's titles are considered generic, such as "Holiday guide for families with kids", and it is suggested that including the location, in this case, Australia, could improve the titles and make them more specific (00:35:39).
• The site has 152 listings, which is a good sign, but each listing lacks detailed information, typically only including a name and a city, and it is recommended to add more context to these listings (00:36:14).
• The homepage of the site is found to be lacking in content, with only basic categories such as dining, accommodations, and activities, and it is unclear what the site owner hopes Google will rank the site for due to the lack of substantial content (00:36:50).
• The site has a mascot, Outback Grand Adventures, and links to various pages, including "Australia members" and "familyfriendly recommended venues by location", but these pages also lack sufficient content and SEO optimization (00:37:14).
• To improve the site's SEO, it is recommended to add more content, especially regarding what the site is about, its benefits, and why users should use it, as well as incorporating relevant keywords and phrases that the site owner wants to rank for in Google searches (00:37:50).
• The site owner, Terry, is thanked for sharing the site, and it is hoped that the provided tips will assist in improving the site's SEO and overall performance (00:38:16).

Website Review #5 (00:38:23)

• A Google search for "go local Arizona" yields a result with site links, indicating that Google views the site as seasoned, with over 10 pages and a high level of indexing, which means Google trusts the site and it is out of the six-month sandbox period (00:38:23).
• New sites are placed in a sandbox period by Google, and delaying the connection of a domain to a site can hinder SEO efforts, so it is recommended to submit a site to Google as soon as possible, even if it is still under development (00:38:50).
• The site "go local Arizona" has a metatitle that could be improved by placing the site name at the end and using a more literal title, such as "find local Arizona businesses - go local Arizona", to increase keyword value (00:40:22).
• The site's description could also be improved by starting with the keywords "find local Arizona businesses" and then adding a descriptive phrase, such as "Arizona small businesses have a new home", to provide more context for search engines and visitors (00:41:03).
• Adding an H2 tag to the site with the purpose of the website and what it offers can add value, and breaking up content into smaller sections with headings, such as "search Arizona businesses by name" and "search Arizona businesses by location", can make the site more aesthetically pleasing and provide more context (00:41:25).
• Incorporating keywords into the "newest members" section of the site can also improve its visibility and provide more context for search engines and visitors (00:41:54).
• The importance of having a specific and niche-focused website is highlighted, as it allows for easier connection with prospective members and a more straightforward selling process, particularly when targeting a specific profession or location, such as a lawyer in Los Angeles (00:42:38).
• Using a combination of a city and a profession can be effective, but it's not necessary to be too literal, and being more broad can also work, as long as the site can resonate with the target audience and serve their needs (00:43:13).
• Having top categories, such as home service providers or legal services, can help with ranking for specific keywords, like "Arizona attorneys," and using custom blocks to highlight major cities can also be beneficial (00:43:52).
• Creating a hierarchy of content, with more general information on the homepage and more specific details on internal pages, can help with internal linking and user navigation, allowing users to search for specific businesses, like lawyers, in major cities like Scottsdale or Phoenix (00:44:28).
• The strategy of not having a main menu on the homepage, but adding it once the user is inside the site, is effective in focusing the user on the main purpose of the site, which is conducting a search for local Arizona businesses (00:45:20).
• Adding a feature to check if a business is listed can create a sense of fear of missing out (FOMO) and encourage businesses to ensure they are listed, similar to how they would want to be listed in the Better Business Bureau (00:45:36).
• The use of branding colors, such as purple and green, can be effective in creating a visually appealing and recognizable brand identity (00:45:52).

Website Review #6 (00:46:01)

• The website howtohelp.au is being reviewed for its SEO, and it has around 80 pages indexed by Google, with some pages having minimal content, but still being indexed, such as the search results page for Redcliffe, Queensland (00:46:35).
• The title tag of the website is "Charities, non-forprofit, and social enterprise directory", which could be improved to be more literal and descriptive, such as "Find charities and nonprofits to donate to, nonprofit and charity directory" (00:47:01).
• The website's H1 tag and subheading could also be improved to be more descriptive and literal, such as "Find charities and nonprofits to donate to" and "Help make the world a better place by donating to charities you care about" (00:47:32).
• The website's design could be improved by making the dropdown menus full width, rather than constrained, to give more breathing room and make the content easier to read (00:48:13).
• The website has a large number of categories, which can be a pitfall, as it can create an uphill battle to fill all the categories, and it's recommended to keep things simple and be an expert in 10 categories or less (00:49:06).
• Having too many categories can make marketing efforts more difficult and less focused, and it's recommended to specialize in a few areas, such as attorneys and home service providers in Arizona, to make the sales pitch more effective (00:49:41).
• It's suggested to review the categories on the website and consider pulling some back to make the website more focused and easier to manage (00:49:56).
• The website being reviewed has a search function that allows users to search by cause, and it is suggested to use more abstract terms instead of directly using words like "charity" or "nonprofit", and to vary the terms used, such as "database" and "directory", to add keyword variation to the site (00:50:02).
• The website has a clear purpose and SEO content, but it is recommended to ensure that the what, who, why, and how are all included with the desired keywords, and to focus on a specific region, such as Australia, if that is the target audience (00:50:39).
• The content on the website is only useful if the target keywords are included, and it is suggested to circle back and ensure that the keywords are sprinkled throughout the content, with the website being reviewed mentioning the word "charity" 10 times and "nonprofit" 8 times (00:51:05).
• The keywords should be moved higher up on the page to increase their SEO value, and the website should clearly explain its purpose and benefits to users, such as what they will get by joining or logging in (00:51:32).
• Another website, stagehands.live, is reviewed, and it is suggested that the website is too broad in its description, and should be more specific about what it offers, such as connecting freelance stage hands with event producers and clients (00:51:45).
• The website stagehands.live is blocking Google with a login request on the homepage, and it is recommended to remove this and instead provide a clear explanation of the benefits of joining, such as what users will get by signing up for the standard, pro, or premium options (00:52:38).
• The website stagehands.live should provide more context and explanation about what it offers, such as what "tier three in search results" means, and should consider moving the frequently asked questions section to the homepage to provide a clearer understanding of what the platform is and what it does (00:53:02).

Website Review #7 (00:53:18)

• The website being reviewed needs to have certain concepts on its homepage, and the plans should be named more literally to indicate who they are for or the type of visibility they will get, such as "Free listing", "Top visibility", or "Premium visibility" (00:53:18).
• The website appears to be for brokers and businesses, possibly providing stage hands and other services, but the context is not entirely clear, and it is unlikely that search engines would understand the site's purpose (00:53:44).
• Upon checking what has been indexed by Google, it was found that the site has at least 80 pages indexed, including some profiles and PDFs, which is surprising, and Google indexes PDFs as well (00:54:13).
• Some pages on the site are indexed in Google, but cannot be accessed from the homepage, likely due to a site map or internal link, and Google can find these pages once it has a link to them, unless the site owner does not want them to be indexed (00:54:37).
• The website's business model choice to force a login may be limiting its visibility, and following some of the suggestions provided in the webinar could be beneficial (00:54:57).