In times of economic downturn, small and local businesses may be feeling a bit put off and stressed about the future of their organization. However, it is important to remember that when you serve your customer, as the best way to eventually sell them, you retain healthy marketing relationships, which will do you a huge favor in the long-run (and in slumps, such as the one we’re in).

The good thing about slumps is that the space created can help get professionals thinking in new and creative ways (not to mention efficient!). Take this as an opportunity to go through your network of contacts, geographic location and the advantages that come with it. And let’s not forget your online presence – especially your search engine visibility.

We’ve compiled 8 great SEO (search engine optimization) tips to help boost your online website visibility and generate buzz about your business.

Tip 1 – Define Your Optimized Key Phrases

The equation to SEO success: Your Business or Service + Location or Region = Optimized Key Phrase

You should make use of optimizing page titles, meta tags, internal and external links, all of which will help bring the right customers to your website.

Tip 2 – Educate. Build Trust and Credibility

As a small business owner, you are passionate about what you do and the products and services you offer. Use online content to transform your passion and knowledge into an authoritative voice. Offering educational materials, content and tips will make you a credible source, from whom consumers would be keen to learn from.

Tip 3 – Craft Valuable Content that Communicates Location

Content is King. Your content can fuel search indexing, build indexed pages for your web site, serve your consumers and boost your visibility.  Adding geo-specific key phrases (if you are a geo-specific business!) to your press releases, blogs and social media platforms helps maximize search visibility.

Tip 4 – Build Internal and External Links

A simple way to boost search engine visibility is to create internal links within content to link back to other pages with your website. To boost external links, take advantage of your contacts and local community to request links in local directories, blog roll of local bloggers and non-competing local websites.

Tip 5 – Low-Cost/No-Cost Local Search Opportunities

Add your business listing on local sites for little to no charge. You should consider Google Maps, MSN Live, Yahoo Local, and Yellow Pages among many more.

Tip 6 – Place Contact Information in Visible, High-Sight Places

This tactic is easy-peasy and will help boost your search visibility. Add names and addresses, even a short geographical description where it fits on pages (doesn’t only have to be the contact page!).

Tip 7 – Re Purpose Your Marketing Assets and Collateral Online

Share your videos, photos and great content on free websites such as eHow.com, blogs and newsletters. When writing your own press releases, make sure you re-post them on free PR wires online. Reuse and recycle your marketing collateral to increase exposure and gain that buzz.

Tip 8 – Web Marketing is NOT About the Tools – it is About HOW you use the Tools

Blogs, social media platforms, banners and ads are great web marketing tools – but the point is not having these tools under your belt, but HOW you use them. Your small business strategy should focus on how to build awareness, maximize relationships and boost your business. Web marketing collateral is a brilliant part of your strategy as it’s low-cost to no-cost and lives online forever (or until you remove it!). Invest in your website and ensure your web marketing builds trust by communicating who you are, what you believe in and what you can offer the consumer.

Read the full (and FREE) eBook “Eight Great SEO & Web Marketing Tips For Business Owners” for details on these 8 tips and lots of helpful web therapy examples!

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