How and why great sites rise to the top of search engine rankings
Our motivation to improve our skills and knowledge in online optimization are determined by the actions taken by search engines to develop their performance in order to present users with the most relevant results. It is our duty as SEO specialists to keep up with the changes made by Google because the folks over there know very well what satisfies the needs of searchers around the web. Search engine-friendly websites have several traits in common, which 411Locals strives to focus on:
- Easy to navigate, use, and understand
- Offer actionable information which is direct and relevant to the query
- Accessible and designed for modern browsers and operating systems
- Legitimate, credible, and high quality visual and written content
If you are at least a bit familiar with Google and its algorithms, you will know that they are rarely beneficial for small business owners who want to pop up on the map and be on the top of the local search results. There are different media sources that have ramped up the pressure and frustration among the Internet community with conclusions like “millions of small businesses will be crushed” by the newly adopted algorithm. However, we feel that the matter must be resolved and explained properly so that there is no confusion.
Content creation should go beyond your website. For most businesses there is value in letting the customers or clients know that you are an authority in your area, and that means that your expertise should be on display online as well as in the shop. This is also one of the essential elements in online placement. The more quality content that is associated with your products and your business, the more likely it is that those online pages will be ranked high in various searches related to your business, and the better the chances that any links from those pages to your site will help to bump up the placement of your actual website. That’s a huge plus.
1. Pricing and why. Finding pricing is as easy as calling or checking out your competitor’s website, but also look for any hidden fees for services if applicable. Many industries are notorious for this. That information can be helpful in marketing materials for example. It can also give you an idea of where your business is at by comparison. That’s the easy part. Next, try to find out why competitors charge what they do. Maybe they have to charge X due to overhead and other costs, maybe they are able to charge more because they are better known or more trusted, maybe they charge less than you are able to. Whatever the case, understanding why they set their prices where they do will let you know what your options are. Maybe you can start charging more. Maybe you need to figure out ways to lower your prices or to better justify prices. Maybe you’ll discover methods that will allow you to lower your prices. This information will change regularly, so try to keep up to date. 
1. Provide a good service or product.
1. One of the first things designers and writers learn is this; you can show them something, or you can tell them something, but you can’t do both. Images and content need to complement one another, but they should not overlap. If you have a picture of an apple, don’t write the word apple under it.