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SEO

6 Key Benefits of SEO for Your CBD Business

By on

February 21, 2023

- Category : SEO

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

Only 63% of small businesses are utilizing a strong SEO strategy despite the proven benefits of search engine optimization. In an increasingly digital economy, your online presence matters now more than ever.

Because CBD has achieved mainstream popularity in the past few years, many CBD businesses are fledgling. How you market your business in those first few years can have a huge impact on your long-term success.

Today, we want to share the benefits of SEO for CBD companies. Due to factors like high competition and limitations on paid advertisements, you won’t want to miss out on this chance to boost your CBD business marketing.

Read on for six key benefits of adopting an SEO strategy for your CBD business.

1. Compensation for Ad Restrictions

If you’ve started your CBD business in the recent past, you may not realize that you’re facing an unusual challenge. Most popular advertising platforms put strict limitations on the CBD products you can advertise using paid ad services. For example, most will not allow paid ads for non-topical CBD products and all CBD products that contain THC. 

Google has made slight adjustments to its restrictions, but only if you’re operating your business from California, Colorado, or Puerto Rico. For all other businesses and businesses that want to advertise to a national or global audience, paid ads are largely off the table.

The good news is that with a strong SEO strategy, you can still boost your search engine ranking to grab the attention of internet users searching for CBD products. Without the boost from paid ads, it’s crucial that your business gets the spotlight on popular search engines like Google.

2. Becoming a CBD Thought Leader

Because CBD is a new product to many consumers, most people are still trying to understand the benefits and potential drawbacks of using CBD. Research and studies are still in their early phases, which means that there is a lot of conflicting information out there.

One way to boost your SEO is to develop a high-quality blog where you share your thoughts and research-backed information about your products and other relevant topics. By using high-ranking keywords, you can get your blog posts in front of an audience that is seeking answers. This can position you as a thought leader in a budding industry and put you on the cutting edge of CBD marketing and research. 

3. Creating Trust

All businesses should care about creating trust with consumers. However, this is especially important for businesses selling consumable products. Consumers need to know that they can trust the quality of your CBD products and the integrity of your brand before they make a purchase.

Search engine optimization is more complicated than it seems on the surface. Search engines like Google will crawl your website to make sure that it is offering quality information, fast loading speeds, and intuitive navigation. In other words, in the process of improving your SEO, you’ll improve your entire website, creating something professional, usable, and trustworthy.

Plus, increased SEO means that your brand will get more views. Research has proven that increased brand awareness increases consumer trust. 

4. Boosting Web Traffic

Once again, CBD businesses face unique challenges due to the nature of the products they sell. As a CBD seller, you won’t be able to take advantage of some of the top e-commerce marketplaces like Amazon. Instead, you’ll have to rely on your own shop and website for all of your sales.

The purpose of SEO is to help your website rise to the top of major search engines. The goal is for interested consumers to stumble across your website with ease the moment they decide to search for CBD products. Because you can’t rely on major online marketplaces, you need that web traffic to land sales, and high levels of web traffic are practically guaranteed to boost sales. 

5. Maximizing Marketing Costs

Chances are, you already put money into your marketing efforts. You work hard on your social media campaigns and your email newsletter. You put time and effort into generating strong product listings and content to bulk up your website.

The problem is that without an SEO strategy, a lot of those additional marketing efforts fall flat. SEO incorporates all of those individual approaches to marketing with a focus on boosting visibility. Make sure that your CBD products and expertise get the audience they deserve by boosting your search engine rankings.

6. Increasing Competitive Strength

Though CBD is a newly popular product, the competition is fierce. In fact, many companies launched because there was so much room for new business in your expanding market. Some predict that the global CBD market is worth about $3 billion because so many companies have started selling CBD products.

When faced with tough competition, the best thing you can do is rise to the top. If your website and social media are overshadowed by other companies offering similar products, it’s time to work with the algorithms, rather than letting the algorithms bury you.

As we mentioned earlier, a lot of small businesses aren’t adopting an SEO strategy. As a CBD business backed by SEO, you’re bound to become the fiercest competitor. 

Don’t Overlook the Benefits of SEO for CBD Sales

Are you running a CBD business without an SEO strategy? It’s time to pay attention to the benefits of SEO for CBD sales. The best part is that you don’t have to become an SEO expert overnight to improve your business’s search engine optimization.

Instead, partner with the experts at Forge Digital Marketing. We have both SEO and CBD marketing experience, making us your perfect match. Contact us and let us know which of our digital marketing services you’re interested in so we can start customizing your campaign.

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SEO

5 SEO Trends to Look Out for in 2023

By on

November 21, 2022

- Category : SEO

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

With over 1.5 billion websites on the internet, there are bound to be plenty that advertise the same products as you. There’s only one way to make sure your website is the one potential clients find. 

SEO. 

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of customizing your content to boost your site’s priority on search engines. Each year, different SEO trends emerge as the best ways to get people to flock to your site. Getting on the top 2023 SEO trends is a great way to get a head start on your competition. 

This article will walk you through the top digital marketing SEO tips to make sure your SEO soars in the new year. 

1. User Intent 

SEO is going to explode in 2023. Everyone wants to get in on this innovative form of marketing. So if you want to succeed, you’re going to need to focus on giving people exactly what they want. 

Rather than making use of general keywords, try to find exactly what your customer is looking for. The more precisely your keywords relate to your customers’ search words, the more likely they are to end up on your site. 

Make sure your pages have links to other pages that also contain relevant information that your customers would appreciate knowing. Understanding just how much content they want is key to keeping them hooked on your site. 

Put yourself in the mind frame of one of your potential customers. When you look for a piece of information or a product, you want to get it from a website that’s laid out clearly and is easy to navigate. 

Make sure that each of your web pages has these qualities. Otherwise, your clients will go elsewhere. 

2. Video Marketing

Video marketing has been skyrocketing in popularity since the dawn of the internet, and it’s only going to become more popular in 2023. 

You might wonder how does video marketing work in the world of SEO? Isn’t SEO all about keywords an inherently linguistic form of communication? 

What you need to remember is that video content doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Any piece of visual media is surrounded and framed by words. Videos have comment sections, descriptions, and most importantly, titles. 

All of the above linguistic opportunities can be used to generate SEO content. 

Keep in mind that SEO isn’t only about keywords too. Integral to your site’s SEO is the amount of time that people spend on your website. The more time that people spend on your site, the higher your SEO ranking is going to be. 

This means that creating quality video content is key. Create content that people are likely to sit completely through, or that will make people want to watch more. 

3. Voice Search 

Voice search features are only becoming more popular and more accurate. Increasingly, people would prefer to search for things hands-free if they can. 

This means a landslide for the world of SEO marketing. 

Key to SEO is not just what people are looking for, but the precise phrases people use to look for them. SEO experts have to be highly specific and detailed in their research. Any shift to the landscape of search engines can cause vast consequences in the world of SEO. 

Voice search doesn’t make use of any sort of different algorithm. It does, however, impact the words people use to search. 

When people search using their voice, they’re more likely to take on an informal, conversational tone. They’re also more likely to use more words than they would if they were typing. 

This less precise, more conversational way of searching isn’t matched by many people’s sites. Start incorporating keywords that make use of these tactics, and you’re more likely to succeed.

4. Mobile SEO

As the years roll on, more people are satisfied to search for what they want on their phones. Just like voice search, people are likely to search for things differently when they’re entering a new world of search.

In the mobile world, people are often typing with only one hand, or are searching for something on the fly. This means they’re going to be less precise, and use different words when searching for certain things. 

Websites also appear differently when they’re encountered on a phone than when they’re encountered on a computer. A page that appears normal on the computer might take forever to scroll through on the phone. Just think of the different sizes of screens! 

Make sure you specifically design your pages for mobile users; otherwise, people will leave your site fast. This sort of interaction is known as a “bounce” and it’s very bad for your SEO. 

Review the principles of web design, which will help you design a great mobile site. 

5. Authority

The internet is more overstuffed than ever, and people want to make sure that the content they consume comes from a reliable source. 

If you want to succeed in 2023, you’re going to need to hire experts or make sure you come across as an expert to your customers. Become a thought leader in your field by focusing on quality over quantity. If you’re the voice that people in your community turn to, customers are far more likely to trust you. 

Make sure people know who creates your content, and why the content is being created. By being upfront with your customers, you’re far more likely to be trusted. 

Understand These SEO Trends

As you can see, there are many SEO trends that you can follow in 2023 to increase your business. Master the above tactics, and you’re on your way to success. 

For more information on SEO and digital marketing, contact us today. 

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Advertising, SEO

A Quick Guide to Digital Marketing for Your Cannabis Company

By on

November 21, 2022

- Category : Advertising, SEO

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

Cannabis is no longer the countercultural staple it used to be. With legalization sweeping the nation and statistics saying that nearly 1/5th of all Americans have used cannabis, this substance is becoming an essential part of our everyday lives. 

If you run a cannabis company, you might be wondering how to use cannabis marketing ideas to boost your business. The legal cannabis business is new, so there aren’t many tried and true marketing plans out there.

Keep reading, and we’ll give you the top cannabis marketing tips to succeed in the market today.

Get Everything Online

First things first, you need to make sure you’re making use of online marketing. 

Attention simply just doesn’t go out into the “real world” anymore. You can buy the biggest billboard in the world. People won’t notice it because their attention is all on their phones. 

Digital marketing can be as complicated as a pay-per-click plan or as simple as making posts on social media. No matter what your budget is, you can promote yourself through the world of online marketing.

Consider Using SEO

SEO, or search engine optimization, is a little marketing technique you’ve probably never heard about. But to make it big in the digital age, you’ll have to understand SEO tactics.

SEO is all about optimizing your page to appear high on search engine results. Plenty of businesses are buried just because people don’t want to scroll down a page. Less than one percent of all users make it to the second page of a search engine result. 

If you want to stand out, you have to be one of the top results. 

The key to SEO is “keywords.” These are the specific phrases that people use when searching for a particular good or service. Search engines look at specifics, not generals, so you’re far more likely to succeed if you can figure out exactly how your potential customers are searching for your products.

There are many tactics to improve SEO, but the most common is to produce blog content that repeatedly embeds specific keywords into the content to boost search engine results. However, don’t use too many; Google calls this process “keyword-stuffing” and will punish your ranking for this.

Seek out Display Advertising

It’s hard to get the reach and impressions you deserve when marketing cannabis on Facebook or Instagram isn’t possible due to community guidelines. Cannabis companies face marketing challenges and adversity online. But there are solutions specifically tailored to advertising Cannabis or THC products online. 

One of these solutions is Programmatic Display Advertising. This solution allows us to run ads for our cannabis clients to those with interests in all things THC! We can target those with search intent to prospect new customers or run retargeting ads to those who have already visited your site to encourage them to come back and check out, often times with a click-enticing offer.

Set up Email Automation

Your foundation for a well operating THC company selling online should be strong email marketing and email automation practices. Klaviyo is our favorite ecommerce email marketing platform and bonus points: they whitelisted cannabis to run on their platform (as long as you’re not making outlandish medical claims of course).
Through establishing proper flows like a welcome sequence, abandoned cart flow and customer winback sequences, as well as ongoing timely email campaigns you can expect 20-30% of your revenue to come from this channel. 

Brand You or Your Company

Running a company doesn’t mean running a brand. A brand has a specific identity; a company is made into an identity. 

Making yourself into a brand is key to spreading your business. You’re letting your customers advertise for you by branding your business correctly. 

Just take a look at the perfect example of branding apple. Their sleek designs align with their message of simplicity, progress, and efficiency. In their stores, employees wear t-shirts and are instructed to speak to customers casually. 

The result of this is that every apple product is immediately identifiable. It relates to a way of living. As soon as someone sees one of these products, they’re reminded of Apple. 

You can create a great brand by making advertisements that don’t just focus on the bottom line but are memorable, quotable, and feature unique visuals. You can even put these visuals on shirts, creating walking advertisements. 

Know Your Customers Well

Cannabis is so popular now that you can’t rely on one type of person to populate your business. 

Many cannabis businesses focus on a sort of “stoner” image. This can work if your customers are young, countercultural figures. However, it’s not the only game in town. 

More and more older people are using cannabis to aid symptoms of certain health conditions. This means a discomfort-relieving, family-friendly image is possible for new cannabis companies. 

You’re engaging in niche marketing when you find out exactly who your customers are and market to them. In the 21st century, this is a crucial tactic. People are tired of big, general advertisements aimed at everyone; they want someone to appeal to them. 

Take the time to get to know your regular customers by name. If you can identify them and provide them with specialized services, they’re more likely to recommend their friends. 

Don’t Make Claims Without Evidence

While cannabis is legal in many states, it’s not legal everywhere. It’s also a drug. We don’t mean this in a moral way; it’s a medical product, just like Nyquil or Advil; drugs have certain restrictions placed on them. 

You have to make sure that you don’t make any claims that cannabis can treat things that it hasn’t been proven to treat. Anecdotal evidence is not enough, and any story, book, or documentary about cannabis “curing cancer” should not be followed; you need to go by scientific studies. 

Generally, cannabis hasn’t been found to cure anything. However, it can treat the symptoms caused by plenty of problems. When it comes to conditions like arthritis or anxiety (where the symptoms cause medical issues), it’s highly effective.

Make sure you don’t claim that cannabis treats “pain”; you’ll enter some murky legal territory. Instead, suggest that it “alleviates discomfort.”

While claiming certain things like this will undoubtedly increase attention, it’s not worth it for the legal ramifications. 

Marketing for Your Cannabis Company

As you can see, marketing for the world of cannabis obeys many of the same principles as marketing for the rest of the business world. The big exception is that there are specific claims you can’t make for cannabis.

For more information on marketing, whether for a cannabis company or otherwise, contact us today.

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SEO

How to Incorporate Cannabis SEO Into Your Website

By on

June 1, 2022

- Category : SEO

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

Over 50% of all website traffic starts on a search engine. Unfortunately, 75% of search engine users don’t bother checking the second page of search results.

With search engine optimization (SEO), you can help more people find your cannabis website. Not sure how to use cannabis SEO? Read this cannabis SEO guide to gather the information you need for an effective strategy!

With these tips, you can give your cannabis digital marketing strategy the boost it needs. Light it up with these tips today.  

Gather Audience Research

In order to improve your search engine rankings, you need to gain a better understanding of your target audience. Then, you can create content that appeals to the consumer’s search intent. Their search intent indicates what they’re looking for while online.

For example, maybe they’re looking for marijuana or CBD products to purchase. Maybe they want to learn about the different types of CBD or marijuana strains.

Maybe they want to read reviews other consumers have posted about your CBD store. 

Don’t assume you understand who your customers are or what they care about. Instead, gather audience research. First, define your target audience based on demo- and psychographic research.

For example, you might consider:

  • Age groups
  • Gender
  • Buying behaviors
  • Interests
  • Hobbies
  • Pain points
  • Location
  • Marital status
  • Income
  • Education
  • Career

Break your larger audience into smaller groups. Then, gather keyword research based on the search terms each group uses when researching CBD and marijuana.

You can use tools like SEMRush, Answer the Public, Google Trends, and Google Keyword Planner to develop a list of keywords. Look for long-tail keywords that include four or more words. These phrases can help you understand the user’s search intent.

Then, you can start creating content that appeals to their search intent. Appealing to the consumer’s needs can help you attract them to your website. As they click on your content on search engine result pages (SERPs), your clickthrough rate will increase.

Improving your clickthrough rate can boost your rankings on SERPs. Higher rankings can benefit your entire marijuana digital marketing strategy. You can generate more brand awareness and website traffic before boosting leads and sales. 

Update Your Website

Google will also review your website before determining your SERP rankings.

First, make sure your site is mobile-optimized (run it through Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check). Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it will look at the mobile version of your site first.

Next, run your site through Google’s PageSpeed Insights and Core Web Vitals. Make sure your site is fast, secure, and user-friendly.

If you haven’t updated your website in a while, hire a cannabis digital marketing agency before using the rest of this cannabis SEO guide. They can improve your cannabis website design with SEO in mind. Then, you can use technical SEO to boost your rankings. 

Claim Your Listing

Claim and optimize your Google Business listing. Your listing will help consumers find your:

  • Business name
  • Hours
  • Phone number
  • Address/directions
  • Customer reviews
  • Photos/videos
  • Recent posts

Make sure the information on your listing matches exactly what appears on your website. Google will compare the two to determine the accuracy.

Ask your customers to post their reviews on your listing. Positive reviews can boost your brand’s reputation and credibility. If you receive negative reviews, don’t delete them.

Instead, respond right away to show consumers you’re willing to help solve their problems.

Otherwise, add fresh photos, videos, and posts to your listing. Keeping your listing up-to-date can benefit your local SEO strategy. Then, you can attract more people to your website and storefront. 

Create Quality Content

Use your keyword research to create quality blog content. Answer the questions your customers are asking to demonstrate your expertise. You could become a go-to resource for all their cannabis questions and needs. 

Optimize your posts for on-page SEO by including your target keyword in the:

  • URL
  • Page title
  • Opening and closing paragraphs
  • An H1 header
  • Image file name
  • Image alt text
  • Body text
  • SEO title
  • SEO description

Make sure your title and description are engaging. These elements will appear on SERPs. Remembering, generating more clicks could boost your rankings.

Try adding video content to your content marketing strategy this year. Google displays videos as featured snippets, which appear at the top of SERPs.

Generate Backlinks

Backlinks will send readers on other websites to your cannabis website, allowing you to generate more traffic. Backlinks are one of Google’s top ranking factors. You can start generating backlinks by guest blogging on other websites. 

Otherwise, consider working with an experienced marijuana digital marketing agency. Their backlink-building services can help you boost your rankings. 

Share Your Content

Make sure you’re sharing your blog content on other websites.

For example, you can send subscribers an email newsletter directing them to your blog posts. You can also reformat your posts for social media to generate traffic. 

As more people visit your website, your rankings could improve.

Track Trends

As you begin using cannabis and CBD SEO strategies, make sure to keep track of new trends. Tracking SEO trends could help you discover new ways to get ahead of competing brands. 

For example, about 48% of consumers use voice search for general web searches. You can appeal to voice searches by focusing on long-tail keywords that are phrased as questions. About 40.7% of voice search answers come from featured snippets.

Featured snippets appear at the top of SERPs, helping you generate more web traffic and leads. 

You can work with an agency to make sure you never fall behind SEO trends. 

Analyze and Adjust

Once you begin using these tips, review your Google Analytics. Which posts do your customers read the most often? Look at the post type (video, blog posts, infographic, etc.), topic, and target keyword.

Review your data to make informed changes to your cannabis SEO strategy in the future. 

Light It Up: Boost Your Cannabis SEO Rankings Today

Developing a strong cannabis SEO strategy can help you reach new customers online. Then, you can expand your reach, generate more traffic, and boost sales. Use this cannabis SEO guide to help your business grow.

Remember, you don’t have to develop your SEO strategy alone. Consider working with a cannabis digital marketing agency this year instead. 

Ready to get started?

Contact our team today to learn more!

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Marketing, SEO

What Is a Done for You Marketing Agency?

By on

December 29, 2021

- Category : Marketing, SEO

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

About 72% of marketing chiefs now say that the importance of marketing has increased in the last year. It’s no wonder global advertising revenue is forecasted to hit a record 2021 billion in 2021. That figure will grow even more in 2022.

Effective marketing can help you connect better with consumers, keeping you ahead in an increasingly competitive marketplace. But with the marketing world so dynamic and always changing, many business owners find it challenging to keep up.

One way to stay on top of marketing in your company is to partner with a top marketing agency. Many businesses already do so, with 54% of today’s companies using third-party agencies to connect with customers.

But before you hire a marketing company, it helps to know what such a company can do for you. In this blog, we highlight eight key areas a marketing agency can help you in. 

Let’s delve right in.

Branding

Your brand identity is vital to your business. It serves as a unique representation of your business and can help strengthen your relationship with customers. A strong brand identity can help make you more competitive.

Your marketing agency works with you to determine which marketing strategies can best represent your vision and brand identity across different marketing channels. They help you create an individualized brand voice, as well as a perfectly designed logo and unique graphics for your company site. 

Ultimately, your branding agency helps you forge a brand identity that stands out in the marketplace. They also help ensure that your branding stays clear and consistent across all your marketing channels.

Content and Copywriting

One of the top 2022 digital marketing trends will be the focus on high-quality content. That’s why you need to review your current content marketing strategy to check whether it’s up to snuff. 

Marketing companies are experts when it comes to creating content that engages with audiences. They can help ensure that your content boosts your business’ position as a thought leader within your industry.

The right marketing agency will have seasoned wordsmiths that help create top-quality copies for your company blog. Such content helps give your company a unique and powerful brand voice. Whether it’s emails, landing pages, web pages, newsletters, or press releases, you can count on your marketing agency to come up with content that communicates effectively with your audience. 

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Having a wealth of top-quality content does you no good if the content is not visible online. That’s why SEO is an indispensable part of any successful digital marketing campaign. SEO helps ensure that your website, content, and offerings show up quickly in SERPs.

A marketing agency has the SEO experts you need to carefully audit your website and content. These experts implement effective strategies to optimize your site. In doing so, your content gets to rank higher in major SERPs, which in turn drives organic traffic to your company website. 

Website Design

Your website’s design plays a massive role in how users view you. About 94% of visitors will form their impression of your overall website based on its design alone. When you hire a marketing agency, their web developers will get to work bringing its current design to the next level, so it serves your company well.

Some of the web design services that you can expect from your marketing agency include:

  • Graphic design
  • HTML coding 
  • Web interface development (UI)
  • SEO

With superior web design, you can reduce bounce rates and enhance click-through rates.

Social Media

A top marketing company will also provide social media marketing services. The vast majority of internet users are active on social media platforms, with billions visiting these sites every day. A solid social media marketing strategy can help you connect with these users.

The marketing agency you hire will most likely provide professionals who can effectively get your business’s social channels up and working. They will help you curate top-notch content and media that keep users highly engaged on your social platforms.  They can also help ensure that you have a knowledgeable person to manage your social media platforms at all times. 

PPC Marketing

Pay-per-click advertising is among the most effective tools you can use to advertise your company’s products or services. This concept involves paying publishers whenever a user clicks on your advertisement link.

Your marketing agency can provide a professional who’s an expert in PPC to help create top-grade ads on search engines and social networks. They can help identify which channels are the most cost-effective and productive for your PPC campaign.

Email Marketing

The benefits of email marketing are many, including the fact that it has one of the highest ROIs in the world of marketing. A robust email marketing strategy can help you boost your sales tremendously. 

Let a professional marketing agency take over your email marketing efforts. They can help design your messages to ensure that you’re engaging well with every sector of your audience. Among the email marketing services you can expect from the agency include:

  • The creation of email blast
  • Email automation
  • Newsletters
  • A/B testing 

A marketing agency adds a professional touch to your email marketing, helping optimize its unquestionable power.

Take Your Marketing to the Next Level With a Marketing Agency

One of the most powerful marketing tips available to businesses is to work with a marketing agency. These agencies use their expertise, experience, and resources to create a marketing campaign that delivers tremendous results. With their support, you can be sure to meet and exceed all your marketing goals.

Are you interested in elevating your marketing campaign? Contact us today and learn how we can help.

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SEO

How to Find the Best Local SEO Company in Los Angeles

By on

November 24, 2021

- Category : SEO

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

Search engine optimization (SEO) can help more people find your business online. As your search engine rankings improve, you can generate brand awareness, website traffic, and leads. You could set your business up for lasting success as a result.

In fact, nearly 70% of online activities begin with a search engine. Most people (75%) never look beyond the first page, though. Without top-of-page rankings, customers might not even realize your brand exists.

With help from the best SEO company in Los Angeles, you can improve your rankings and reach more customers.

Not sure which agency to hire? Here are seven simple tips that can help you find the “best local SEO services near me.” With these tips, you can streamline your entire search.

Instead of wasting time searching, you can spend more time improving your rankings.

Discover the best local SEO services with these easy tips today. 

1. Look for Experience

Consider starting your search by consulting other business owners. Ask professionals within your network if they’ve worked with an SEO company in Los Angeles. If they have, ask for their firsthand account.

Their experience could help you determine which SEO companies to hire or avoid. 

Make a list of questions you want to ask. For example, determine what services the client requested. Ask if the agency was able to help, too.

If you don’t know any business owners who hired SEO agencies in the past, that’s okay. Start searching online instead. You can Google “best local SEO services near me” to get started.

Look at the businesses that appear at the top of the page. These SEO agencies are successfully using their own services to boost their rankings. You can feel confident that these agencies have the ability to boost your rankings, too.

To narrow down your options, learn more about each company’s history.

Determine when each company was established. Consider how long they’ve run and operated in Los Angeles, too. If you’re hiring a digital marketing agency, consider how long they’ve offered local SEO services. 

Look for a team with years of hands-on experience offering SEO services. Determine what businesses they’ve helped in that time, too. Try to find an agency that’s helped businesses within your industry.

Their prior experience could benefit your SEO strategy. You could save valuable time.

Make sure the SEO company in Los Angeles you choose is experienced with the latest SEO trends as well. A team familiar with the latest trends will have an easier time improving your rankings. 

2. Consider Their Services

As you Google “best local SEO services in the USA,” consider the specific services you need. Your SEO strategy will involve different tactics for improving your rankings.

First, you’ll need to gather audience and keyword research. Look for an agency that can gather this research for you. Their research will better inform your content marketing strategy.

Otherwise, you might create content that fails to align with the user’s search intent. If you’re not matching the user’s intent, your content might not appear.

Determine how the SEO agency will improve your local rankings, too.

For example, they can start by updating your Google My Business rankings. They can also help by creating location-based content.

As part of your SEO strategy, it’s also necessary to update your website. If your website isn’t mobile-optimized, fast, or secure, your rankings could drop.

Choose a local SEO agency that offers the services you need to accomplish your goals. 

3. Ask About Their Process

Once you find an agency that offers the services you need, ask about their work process.

First, they should determine who your customers are based on demographics and psychographics. They should gather keyword research before creating your content, too. 

Determine how the agency will help you create backlinks. Backlinks are one of Google’s top three ranking factors. Generating more backlinks will boost your SEO rankings.

Learning about the company’s process will help you determine if they have the know-how you need. If they don’t have a plan in place, they might waste your time and money. They might use blackhat SEO tactics to cut corners, too.

Blackhat SEO tactics could result in website penalties. You won’t appear for relevant searches if that’s the case. 

4. Review Their Tools

Ask each agency about the tools they intend to use. For example, how do they gather their keyword research? They might use tools like SEMRush, Answer the Public, Google Trends, or Keyword Planner.

A company that uses the right tools will help you make a more calculated SEO strategy. 

5. Request Case Studies

If you want to find the best local SEO services, ask for case studies. Case studies will prove the agency can help accomplish your goals. Determine what key performance indicators they tracked.

For example, the agency might determine how they helped clients generate more website traffic over time. Perhaps they track search engine rankings. They might focus on clickthrough rates and dwell times, too.

If they haven’t helped their previous clients improve their rankings, search for a different SEO agency.

6. Read Reviews

You can also learn more about each agency by speaking with their previous clients. Ask for references or client reviews. Check their Google My Business or BBB listing for reviews, too.

If the company doesn’t have a Google My Business listing, scratch them off your list. An optimized listing is essential for local SEO. Remember, you’ll want to choose an agency that utilizes its own services. 

Reading reviews can help you determine if the agency is capable of meeting a client’s expectations.

7. Discuss Pricing

Ask at least three different agencies for quotes. Gathering more than one estimate for local SEO services will help you gauge the average price. If someone’s pricing seems too good to be true, scratch them off your list.

An agency that charges a vastly reduced price might cut corners when offering services. 

Stunning SEO: 7 Tips for Finding the Best SEO Company in Los Angeles

Finding the best SEO company in Los Angeles shouldn’t feel like a hassle. Instead, use these tips to streamline your search. With these tips, you can find the best local SEO services in the USA!

With their help, you can boost your rankings and reach more customers than ever before. 

Eager to get started? We can’t wait to help!

Contact us today to discuss your local SEO strategy. 

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SEO

How to Choose the Best SEO Company for Your Business

By on

November 24, 2021

- Category : SEO

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

Did you know that Google’s algorithms continuously change over time? Google processes trillions of searches each year and it might be hard to stand out if you’re not staying up-to-date on their continuous changes. 

While it might be overwhelming to keep track of these changes and rank higher, the good news is that someone else can tackle this for you. If you look for the best SEO business in your area they can help you rank within your niche. 

How can you choose the right company for you to ensure that you see results? Read this guide on how to choose the best SEO company for your business today!

Set a Goal

Google processes over 40,000 search queries per second! When wondering how to choose an SEO company, you’ll first need to set a clear goal.

Whether you’re looking for pay-per-click management along with SEO series, an SEO audit, or ongoing help with SEO. This will help you in determining whether or not a provider could help you. 

Check Out Who They Work With

The best SEO companies for small businesses could either help a range of companies or help a specific niche. See if they’ve helped out someone within your niche in order to make sure that they have the experience necessary.

Ask them for references and case studies to see if they’re right for you. Also, if they have a blog, check it out and see what information they have to say about past and current clients. 

Metrics That Work

It’s important to find out how they measure results and make sure that it works for you. Find out what their end goal for ranking specific keywords is. 

You and your SEO company need to be on the same page when it comes to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Since KPIs can be numerous, it could be easy to track the wrong ones. 

The right SEO for service businesses will understand what to track. Information can be difficult to understand, that’s why you need a company that’ll break it down for you. 

Keyword Ranking

One important metric is your overall keyword ranking. Notice whether or not your keywords are ranking ever since hiring your SEO firm. 

Conversion Rate

This is the percentage of people who sign up for your newsletter, buy your product, etc. You want this number to rise after hiring an SEO expert. These are just a couple of examples but there are many more important metrics out there.

Company Knowledge

The company that you use must have plenty of knowledge on SEO and its changing processes. Along with this, you’ll want a company that’s strong in reporting, thought leadership, customer service, etc. 

Look at Past Work

Whether or not the SEO company has case studies, you’ll want to look at their performance of past and current work. Look at their client testimonials, case studies, portfolios, etc.

Industry awards could be a positive as well. Instead of finding a company that knows what to say, choose one that has proven results that they can show you. 

Meet and Greet

When you’re wondering how to find the right SEO service for your business, it’s important to have a meet and greet, whether on or offline. Have questions ready that you’ll want to ask as well. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, the right agency will expect them and be able to answer them. 

Some questions could include: 

  • How much their services cost
  • When you can expect to see results
  • What experience they have within your industry
  •  

They’re Within Budget

First, think about your budget and what you can spend overall. Take a look at the different SEO companies and see who fits within your budget.

A common mistake that companies make is choosing the most inexpensive option. SEO companies that have low rates tend to underdeliver what you’re looking for.

Set a realistic budget and stick to it. Take a look at the average price that SEO experts charge per month. Remember that the price can vary based on your company size and strategy. 


Positive Reviews

Check out their reviews on their site and on search engines. While one bad review isn’t necessarily a bad sign, watch out for a common theme. If you’re curious about our reviews, check them out on our testimonials page and on our Google Business listing.

Check Their Specialties

SEO companies might claim that they could handle every task but that’s not always the case. It’s a good idea to check out SEO agencies that have specialties in mind that you’re looking for. This could include voice search optimization, Bing ads, etc. 

Avoid Black-Hat Agencies

Watch out for companies that promise you results right away. SEO is a long process and takes a few months to see the fruits of your agency’s labor.

Black-hat SEO is when a company uses unethical practices to get you results fast. While you might see results fast, you could easily fall from the top spot or even be banned from Google. Look for white-hat SEO agencies in your searches. 

Finding the Best SEO Company for Your Needs

After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of how to find the best SEO company for your needs. Take your time thinking about what you’re looking for and if they match your needs.

Are you dreaming of accelerating your overall SEO results and increasing conversions? Contact us today! We’ll come up with an action plan that meets your needs.

Do you have questions? We’ll answer any questions that you might have before and during the process!

good SEO companies

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SEO

This Is How to Use Google My Business for SEO

By on

November 15, 2021

- Category : SEO

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

Nearly 50% of all Google searches are local. Without a local search engine optimization (SEO) strategy, however, you might not reach local consumers. They could struggle to find your storefront, website, or phone number online.

Before you risk losing customers, consider optimizing your Google My Business listing. What is Google My Business, exactly? It’s an online listing that can help consumers find your business online.

As part of your overall SEO strategy, your Google My Business listing can help you rank higher on Google. Higher rankings will help you reach more customers than ever before.

Not sure how to optimize your listing? Here are seven tips on how to use Google my Business for SEO.

Experience the benefits of local SEO firsthand! Get started with these seven Google My Business optimization tips today!

1. Claim Your Listing

Before you can optimize your Google My Business (GMB) listing, make sure you’ve claimed your business online. You can claim your listing here.

As you work through these steps, make sure you’re using a Google account that’s dedicated specifically to your business. Don’t use your personal account as you complete this process. If you don’t have a business Google account, create one.

When you create a new Google account, you should see an option that reads “to manage my business.” Select that option before following the remaining prompts.

Once you’ve claimed your Google My Business listing, you can make updates and improvements to your profile. Then, you can use your GMB listing as part of your overall SEO strategy.

Why is SEO important for your business? SEO can help you rank higher on Google search pages. When someone searches for your product or service, your website and GMB listing could appear.

Ranking higher on Google can help you gain more brand visibility. As you generate brand awareness and recognition, you can remain top-of-mind. When someone needs your product or service, they could recall encountering your brand.

Understanding the importance of SEO can also allow you to experience benefits such as:

  • More website traffic
  • Increased leads and sales
  • A higher ROI
  • Positioning yourself as an industry thought leader
  • Generating brand trust and loyalty
  • Ranking higher than competitors

Many consumers don’t look beyond the first page of a search. Reaching the top of the page will ensure they see your brand first. 

2. Complete Each Section

Once you’ve claimed your GMB listing, you can learn how to use Google My Business for SEO effectively. Start by filling out every section of your profile.

As you work through this step, make sure to confirm each section is complete and accurate. Make sure the information matches what appears on your website, too. If your business appears on other online directories, match the information exactly.

For example, you should use the same abbreviations (“St.” versus “Street”) or formatting.

Neglecting to maintain consistency could impact your online presence. Your local SEO rankings might drop, too. If your rankings drop, interested customers might struggle to find you online.

Your Google My Business profile will ask for your:

  • Business name
  • Business category
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Website URL
  • Photos and videos
  • Attributes
  • FAQs
  • Description
  • Business hours

Double-check and confirm that each piece of information matches what appears on your website. If the information is inconsistent, you could risk confusing customers.

For example, customers might try to call your business, only to dial a number that’s not in service. They might want to visit your store, only to find you’re not at that location. If you waste their time, they might choose a different business instead. 

3. Optimize the Description

Once you’ve added the necessary information to your profile, make sure to optimize your description.

Start by gathering keyword research. What keywords do people search online to find your product or service? Look for a longtail keyword that’s more precise than “flowers” or “t-shirts.”

Then, add your target keyword to your business description. Optimizing your description could help your listing appear for relevant searches. You might have an easier time generating website traffic or visitors to your store.

Try to communicate the offers, benefits, or features your business can offer customers. Focus on your unique value proposition to stand out from competitors, too.

You only have 750 characters for your description! Make sure it’s clear, creative, and concise.

4. Choose a Category

When learning how to use Google My Business for SEO, many business owners neglect to choose the right business category. The right category will help consumers find your business. You’ll increase your chances of appearing for non-branded category-specific queries.

Then, you can generate more website traffic or foot traffic, even if customers aren’t searching for your specific business.

If it applies, consider adding a secondary category to your business listing as well. 

5. Add Imagery

A picture says a thousand words, right? Optimize your listing further by adding eye-catching images. You can add both photo and video files to your GMB listing.

If you have a storefront, make sure to add photos of your shop’s interior and exterior. Consumers might have an easier time locating your business.

If you move, make sure to update the imagery.

6. Request Reviews

About 95% of people read reviews before making a purchase. Another 93% read reviews to determine the quality of a local business. Generating reviews could help brand trust grow, helping you generate leads and sales.

Ask your happy customers to post their reviews on your GMB listing. Then, use a plugin to feed those reviews to your website.

Generating fresh reviews could help with ranking higher on Google.

7. Share Regular Updates

Keep customers informed by sharing regular updates on your GMB listing.

For example, you might want to let them know if you’re closed for a holiday or event. Perhaps you want to inform customers of new products or a change in your business hours.

Sharing these updates will improve the customer experience. 

How to Use Google My Business for SEO: 7 Optimization Tips for Success

Learning how to use Google My Business for SEO shouldn’t have to feel like a hassle. Instead, use these seven optimization tips to get started. Otherwise, consider working with our experienced SEO agency.

We can help boost your rankings, allowing you to reach more customers online. 

Ready to start optimizing? We can help.

Contact our team today to get started.

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SEO

How to Do SEO for Ecommerce Websites: 9 Effective Tips

By on

November 15, 2021

- Category : SEO

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

Does your eCommerce website appear when consumers search for your products? If not, you might want to use eCommerce search engine optimization (SEO). SEO for eCommerce websites can boost your search engine rankings. With higher rankings, you can generate more website traffic and sales to boost your ROI. In fact, 68% of all online activity begins with a search engine. Only 25% of people click beyond the first page, though. If your eCommerce site doesn’t appear at the top, people might not find your store. Here are nine tips that can help you use eCommerce SEO on your site. With these tips, you can boost your rankings. In time, you can appear ahead of competing stores. Set your business up for long-term growth. Start optimizing with these nine search engine optimization tips today.

1. Research Your Audience

First, it’s important not to make assumptions when developing your search engine optimization strategy. Instead, begin by gathering research. Your research will ensure you focus on the right keywords and create personalized content.  Personalization can help you show consumers you understand their interests, pain points, and needs. About 80% of consumers say being treated like a person is important to winning their business. Over 70% get annoyed when content doesn’t align with their interests. Meanwhile, 52% of customers switch brands if they fail to personalize communications. Personalizing your content could lead to a 10% lift in sales. In order to personalize your eCommerce SEO content, you need to understand who your customers are and what they care about. Start by reviewing your website analytics. Then, segment your audience into smaller buyer personas. You can distinguish customers based on:
  • Pain points
  • Interests
  • Hobbies
  • Buying behaviors
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Location
  • Household income
  • Language
  • Education
  • Marital status
For example, you might sell clothing for both men and women on your website. You can create content that appeals to each gender.  Perhaps you sell exclusive, expensive products. You might focus on consumers with a higher household income.  Understanding who your customers are will help you appeal to their search intent. The customer’s search intent indicates what they expect to find during a search. If you don’t appeal to their intent, your content might not appear for that search. 

2. Gather Keyword Research

Once you understand your audience, start gathering keyword research. Your eCommerce SEO keyword research will inform your content strategy. You can use these tools to start gathering a list of keywords:
  • SEMRush
  • Keyword Planner
  • Google Trends
  • Answer the Public
  • Ahrefs
Focus on long-tail keywords that are phrased as questions. Then, you can focus on answering the customer’s questions within a blog post. Long-tail keywords are more precise. You’ll have an easier time appealing to their search intent. Shorter keywords like “shirts” are too broad. The customer might want to find “how to tie-dye shirts” or “shirt design company.” You could struggle to appeal to the right search intent. 

3. Update Your eCommerce Website

In order to effectively use SEO for eCommerce websites, it’s important to audit your website. Google prioritizes websites that offer a positive user experience (UX). If your eCommerce site is difficult to use or navigate, consumers might leave. If they leave without exploring, your bounce rate could rise. A high bounce rate on your site can hurt your search engine rankings. Lower rankings will make it more difficult for shoppers to find your eCommerce store during a search.  Start auditing your site by running it through Google’s PageSpeed Insights, Mobile-Friendly Test, and Core Web Vitals. Make sure it’s fast and mobile-optimized for all users. Nearly 40% of people will stop interacting with a poorly designed site. Another 40% stop engaging with slow websites. A poor UX will drive 50% of people to your competitors, too. Consider working with an experienced web design and development agency to improve your site with the UX in mind.

4. Create Quality Blog Content

Creating high-quality, engaging blog posts can help you attract more customers to your eCommerce website. Start by reviewing your keyword research. Choose a single focus keyword for each blog post. Then, create content that appeals to the user’s interests. Experiment with different types of posts, including:
  • Infographics
  • eBooks
  • Videos (Q&A, product demos, how-to, etc.)
  • Blog posts/articles
  • Polls
  • Quizzes
  • VR/AR
Make sure your posts are informative and helpful. Provide readers with information they can’t find anywhere else.

5. Optimize Your Pages

In order to use SEO for websites, you’ll need to optimize your content with keywords. Make sure each page has a unique focus keyword. Then, include your keyword in the:
  • URL
  • Page title
  • Meta description
  • Opening and closing paragraphs
  • Body text
  • An H1 header
  • Image alt text
  • Image file name
Avoid keyword stuffing by using synonyms and related keywords on each page. Make sure to optimize each product page, too!

6. Generate Links

There are three types of links that can enhance your eCommerce SEO strategy. Internal links send readers to other pages on your website. For example, you can link to a product page within one of your blog posts. External links send readers to other websites. You can link to studies, research, or other blogs. Backlinks are links that send readers on other websites to your eCommerce store. Backlinks with a high domain authority can boost your SEO rankings. Consider guest blogging or working with an influencer to generate backlinks. 

7. Track SEO Trends

Google’s search engine algorithm changes throughout the year. Make an effort to track the latest SEO trends. For example, featured snippets and voice search are gaining popularity. Video content is becoming more popular, too. Appealing to these trends can further boost your SEO rankings. 

8. Share Your Content

Once you start creating blog posts, share them! Send an email newsletter or share your content on social media. Sharing your content will help you generate more traffic. Generating more organic traffic could further boost your SEO rankings. 

9. Work With an SEO Pro

You don’t have to develop an eCommerce SEO strategy alone. Consider using SEO services this year. Working with an SEO professional can help you further boost your SEO rankings. Then, you can experience the benefits of SEO like an influx of traffic and sales!

SEO for eCommerce Websites: 9 Tips for Higher Search Rankings

Higher search engine rankings can help you reach more customers online. Consider using SEO for eCommerce websites this year. With a strong SEO strategy, you can generate more sales than ever before. Boost your rankings with these tips today.  Need help getting started? We’re here for you. Contact us today to discuss your eCommerce SEO strategy.
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Email Marketing, Influencer Marketing, SEO, Website Design & Development

Weed 101: 5 Dispensary Advertising Techniques

By on

November 1, 2021

- Category : Email Marketing, Influencer Marketing, SEO, Website Design & Development

- Tags : 2022, agency, automation, beauty

Did you know that the global cannabis market is prepared to hit $166 billion by the year 2025?

The industry is fast growing and public opinion on cannabis products is shifting towards acceptance. Dispensary advertising is difficult, but by no means impossible. 

Since cannabis finds itself in a unique situation when it comes to marketing, we have to get creative. Finding the right channels to advertise your dispensary through is a challenge that needs facing.

With the right marketing strategies, you can reach a wide audience inside your geo-targeted area and beyond. 

Keep reading to find out several dispensary advertising techniques that you can start using right now! 

1. Social Media

Social media is tricky when trying to advertise your dispensary. Most social media websites will not permit you to advertise anything cannabis-related, even legal CBD. 

Yet, it is still advised that you create a social media presence for your brand. When speaking about digital marketing, social media is one of the best ways to connect with your audience. 

You may not be able to advertise your products, but there are many ways to get around social media’s advertising restrictions. 

On Instagram, many dispensaries post user-generated content, quality photos of their products, team member profiles, and details about upcoming events. 

LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook have other similar opportunities. You can build a community without advertising. 

2. Digital Ads

Almost no digital advertising platforms allow advertisements related to cannabis. Because of this, dispensary advertising often has to be done by reaching out to publications and websites directly. 

Publications within the cannabis industry are your best bet for securing a deal and reaching your intended audience. Most companies will allow negotiations concerning advertising rates on a CPC or CPM basis. 

Sometimes, advertising with cannabis-friendly platforms or individual publishers is a more successful alternative to large networks.

3. Cannabis SEO

Digital presence is the best way to get recognition for your brand.

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all have restricted the promotion of products related to cannabis. You have to be sure your brand is at the top of google for a search like “cannabis near me”. 

What you can do is create a website for your business. Then, drive people to your website. Create web pages with helpful content that answers questions you know your customers have.

Finding relevant SEO keywords for your website and its content can be difficult. They are marked as prohibited content by Google and other search engines. 

These search engines choose not to display data on keywords like cannabis. Likely, because the product is federally illegal. 

You can improve your search and online presence by investing in your website. Make it mobile-friendly, include your menu, and add your store’s hours. 

Additionally, you can get your business listed in directories. There are both local directories like Yelp or cannabis-related directories like Weedmaps. 

Don’t forget to ask for customer reviews. Customer reviews are often the difference between choosing you or someone else a mile down the road. A good review can go a long way to bring in more customers.

4. Brand Ambassadors 

Many dispensaries rely on brand ambassadors and word of mouth to promote their brand. This has been a very successful approach to bridging the gap that is limited advertising options. 

Cannabis retailers benefit from reaching out to their most influential customers. They have social media accounts with followers that match their customer profile. 

By identifying influencers who match your brand you can reach a larger audience. An audience that is already interested in the product you are selling.

You can collaborate with brand ambassadors or social media influencers to increase your sales. It also helps you build a trusted brand that brings in long-term profits. 

Consider encouraging new customers brought in by brand ambassadors to stay. This can be done with influencer-specific discount codes and/or a loyalty program. 

5. Billboards

Billboards are a popular way to advertise dispensaries. In most legal states, billboards are the best way to direct customers in your area to your store with little effort. 

Live in or visit a legal state that allows billboards for cannabis-related products. You’ll see dispensary billboards all over. That’s because they work! 

Still, billboard advertising for marijuana is illegal in many states or it is highly restricted. Before designing or buying a billboard for your dispensary, be sure you know the regulations in your state. 

Why Marketing Cannabis Is Difficult 

Marketing cannabis is difficult for the reason that it is not legal federally.

Many platforms do not allow marijuana-related advertisements on their pages. And, some states have strict advertisement restrictions for cannabis products. 

It’s especially tricky because most dispensaries are only looking for customers locally. Unlike chains, many companies that sell cannabis only need to appeal to locals within their state.

State regulations on advertising are different from one state to the next. In Maryland, a state with legalized medical usage, cannabis ads of any kind are not allowed. Yet in Washington, you may advertise on billboards. 

Knowing your state’s regulations on advertising for cannabis is highly recommended. Fines can be expensive for those who go too far.

This relatively new industry finds itself in a unique situation when it comes to marketing. That’s why we have to get creative. Finding the right channels to advertise your dispensary through is a challenge that needs facing.

Dispensary Advertising for You 

There’s no doubt that cannabis marketing is difficult. With a little bit of creativity and finesse, though, your dispensary can stand out in a state that is competitive with cannabis products.

Reaching target audience with dispensary advertising. Use hyper-local tactics and hire a great digital marketing and advertising agency. 

Contact us at Forge Digital Marketing today. Start discussing how we can help you advertise your dispensary successfully. 

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