Are you looking to grow your small business? Today Cori George and I are visiting with Holly Homer to talk about beginner SEO tips for Creative Businesses. What is SEO? Why do you need to know SEO? We’re answering those questions and more.
SEO is an important part of any online business and we’re going to answer questions you may have that are preventing you from getting started.
This information comes from episode 7 of Crafting for Profit Live. If you’ve missed our earlier episodes you can catch up today. We have episodes discussing the best ways to sell sublimation crafts, sell at craft fairs, adopt a business mindset, and the truths behind craft business myths.
In this article, I’m going to answer some questions about SEO and share some tips. Press play on the video below to watch the full episode of Crafting for Profit Live as it includes additional information including examples that you don’t want to miss.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. This is what helps people find your products online. Google, Etsy, and even Amazon use SEO to match products and articles with what people are searching for.
Why is SEO Important?
First of all, we do not want you to be scared of SEO. It isn’t as scary as people make it sound. You know SEO, you likely use it when you’re doing your own searches. Adding descriptive words to your search is a form of SEO. You’re increasing the likelihood that you’ll find what you’re searching for.
What Sites Use SEO?
Every site uses a form of SEO. Google uses SEO to match you with what you’re looking for. Are you looking to purchase an item or for more information about an item? Google will use how you worded your search to show you where to buy items or to an article that gives you more information.
Amazon, Etsy, and other websites use SEO to help you find the items you’re looking for within their platform. The more descriptive your search the more focused the results will be. Sellers use SEO within their listings to help buyers find their items.
Simple SEO Tips for Creative Businesses
Let’s take a look at some of the top tips from the episode above!
SEO Tip #1 – The Difference in Doing SEO for Blog Posts, YouTube Descriptions, Etsy Listings, etc
Yes, these sites do use SEO Differently. Google and YouTube for example use SEO to not only help you find the item you’re looking for but they are also using SEO to decide if you’re looking to buy something or just learn more about it.
For example, if I search for “Size 9.5 Cowboy Boots” Google is going to show me where to buy size 9.5 cowboy boots. With that information, Google thinks you’re ready to make a purchase.
If I search “Cute Cowboy Boots” I will get a mix of results. Some may include boots for sale with Cute in the listing but some may be articles about cowboy boots or cute outfits that work with cowboy boots.
If I take it one step further and search “History of Cowboy Boots”, I’ll get information on how cowboy boots are made or what material cowboy boots are made out of.
Websites like Amazon or Etsy are going to use the listing descriptions to best match what you’re searching for. Because those websites know you’re there to purchase they don’t have to decide your intent they just need to help you find the item that best matches your search.
SEO Tip #2 – How to Get Started Writing an SEO Description
It can be really hard to stare at a blank screen and come up with something to say. One way to write an SEO description is to use AI. You can give AI a brief description and ask it to write you a product description.
If you don’t want to use AI, you can also look at the product and think about how you would describe it if you couldn’t use the name of the item.
For example, if you’re selling a flower tumbler how would you describe the item if you couldn’t say Flower Tumbler. Those are words you would want to use to help people find your specific flower tumbler.
SEO Tip #3 – The Use of Local SEO to Sell Locally
Google treats local SEO differently from regular SEO. If you can have a page on your site that lets people know where you can be found locally, that can give you a leg up when people are shopping last minute.
Whether you’re going to be at a local Farmer’s Market or your items can be found in local boutiques make sure you are listing those locations so Google knows where you are and can point potential consumers to you.
SEO Tip #4 – Other Ways to Let Google Know You Are Here
Google sees everything. I think we’ve said that before. But Google sees everything so use those tools.
Having those links in Google Drive or in a spreadsheet isn’t going to help you conquer SEO but those are an additional link giving your listing some authority.
If you have an email list and you send out new product links to that list, if people click those links Google is going to see them. You can also leverage social media. Link to your products on your social channels including Pinterest.
Please, start an email list! If you don’t have one, start one today.
Craft your future by turning your passion into a paycheck! With more than 25 years experience and a DIY community of more than 1.5 million, Angie Holden and Cori George share handmade business strategies, craft business insights, and inspirational stories. Every other Monday, you’ll learn from experts how to use your crafts to financially support a creative life.
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SEO Tip #5 – Build Authority
Another thing to be aware of is EEAT. EEAT stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Google uses this framework to rate the quality of the content on your site. Someone who has actually used an item vs. someone who is just telling you about an item is going to have more experience and trustworthiness.
Building a robust about me page is one way to let Google know that you have experience and that you are who you say you are.
SEO Tip #6 – Does Google, Etsy Search, Amazon, etc Hate Me?
First of all, remember that Google and these other platforms are not humans. They do not hate you, they have no feelings for you at all. You are numbers to them.
There are many reasons why Google and others may not be finding you.
- You’re brand new.
- You don’t have any authority.
- You don’t have history.
- People have come to your site after searching and clicked back because they didn’t find what they were looking for.
Make sure that you are selling what you say you’re selling. Don’t use trending descriptive words that do not fit the item you’re selling. Getting people to your site with false descriptions can get you dinged by Google.
SEO Tip #7 – Tracking the Effectiveness of SEO Adjustments
You can use Google Analytics, Google Search Console, or other analytic software to find out what people are searching that brings them to your page.
If people are finding your items by searching “Flower Tumbler with a Straw in Bright Pink and Purple”, there are probably not many people searching for that. That is a long-tailed keyword meaning someone would need to search all of those words.
As you’re working on your keywords, try to find shorter keywords that describe your item. The shorter the keyword the more it will show up in people’s searches.
Beginner SEO Tools
Google Analytics is free and can be used to help you see how people are finding you. Google Analytics used to be easier to use. I recommend watching some videos on how to use it before you begin.
Google Search Console is another free site that will help you see all the different keywords that are sending people to your page. Knowing this information allows you to use those keywords to target your customers in other ways like email.
These two tools are for Google. There are tools specifically for YouTube, Etsy, and other sites. If you use those sites, look for the tools for those sites.
I hope these tips have helped you understand beginner SEO better and how you can use it for your craft business. For more information on each of these SEO tips, tune in to the full podcast. The additional examples may be helpful for you.
If you’re a small business owner or you’re considering starting a small business, sign up here to be notified when we have new episodes of Crafting for Profit Live.
