Advice on making my Kauai weddings site more competitive?

[Jon_Gibb]

This post is deleted!

[GlobeRunner]

Looks like you're off to a good start. What I would concentrate on is getting some more links to the site--I preliminary check is that you've got only a few links from other sites to your site. I would take those competitors and look up what links they have and see if there are any that you can acquire, as well. In order to compete, you'll need more quality links.

I would also use the power of social media to help your site's SEO. Since you're a photographer, and you mostly deal with images (and typically not a lot of text on  your site), then you should use Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook to share your photos (as long as you get permission from the bride/groom, etc.). Adding the social media element is going to be key to getting better organic rankings.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Jon!

Congratulations on committing to learning more about SEO to benefit your business. You will greatly strengthen your hand via this effort, particularly if you focus on studying Local SEO, as your business is a local one.

I have some resources for you here that should really help you get focused on what needs doing:

1. https://www.google.com/search?q=ultimate+local+seo+audit&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 This resource will help you audit your current site and instantly point out areas that need improvement. Right now, your website is lacking some basics, so going through a thorough audit should really help.

2. https://moz.com/learn/local This one will get you up to speed on the basic components of Local Search Marketing. You need all of them.

3. Looks like you've got some citation building ahead of you. Check out your business on our free Check Listing tool: https://moz.com/local/details/JTI1NUIlMjUyMkJhbGklMjUyMEhhaSUyNTIwUGhvdG8lMjUyMiUyNTJDJTI1MjI5NjcyMiUyNTIyJTI1MkMlMjUyMkJhbGklMjUyMEhhaSUyNTIwUGhvdG8lMjUyMCUyNTI2JTI1MjBWaWRlbyUyNTIwS2F1YWklMjUyMiUyNTJDJTI1MjIyMTQlMjUyQyUyNTIwNDQ4MCUyNTIwS2ElMjUyMEhha3UlMjUyMFJkJTI1MjIlMjUyQyUyNTIyOTY3MjIlMjUyMiUyNTJDJTI1MjI4MDgzNDYyNzU0JTI1MjIlMjU1RA==

4. Remember that strong, local content is extremely important both for customers and search engines. Check out this inspiring Whiteboard Friday: https://moz.com/blog/why-good-unique-content-needs-to-die-whiteboard-friday

Hopefully, these things will get you off to a good start. Good luck!

[Jon_Gibb]

Thank you very much for all the great resources Miriam!

This will be a huge help as they get checked off the to do list!

Ive been reaching out to local businesses to send content (photo's videos etc) with a few great leads so far to build some external links up.

I will also be taking your (excellent and much appreciated!) advice on refining my local business on Google as well as everything else you've listed asap.

I did have a question with local business on Google. I am assuming that all refinements/corrections to my site will help with the SEO, but will Local business SEO be as useful and as effective when the majority of my clients are from out of state and far off places across the US? Im almost positive it will greatly help but curious to know why (guessing better content, more interaction with my business community as a whole?).

Many thanks again Miriam! -Jon

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Jon,

It's my privilege to help! Yes, local is key for you, because your mainland clients who want to get married in Hawaii need to be able to find that you are in Hawaii. This is critical to understand. Your clients will be searching for things like 'wedding photographers Kauai', 'wedding ideas Kauai', 'wedding services Kauai' and you want to rank for all of those things. Once you've got your specific local ducks in a row, I'd suggest branching out with awesome content that is state focused, in case people have not yet made up their minds about which part of Hawaii they'd like to be married in. There is a ton of opportunity there, I'd think.

But, so, yes, even though your customers come from elsewhere, it is where YOU are that is the baseline of your company's existence and marketing. Hope that helps!

[Jon_Gibb]

Miriam, you are awesome!!

Thank you very much (again) for awesome info that can be put to practical use, right now. I went through Moz Local and have been building upon all the recommendations from there as well as working on all the recommendations you suggested as well.

If I cant get this site running perfect I would be very happy to have your company have a look and see what can be done for my business as a client if you are accepting new ones!

Again many thanks Miriam, your help is greatly appreciated!

[MiriamEllis]

I'm so glad to help, Jon   And that's very kind of you to say you'd hire me - how nice to hear! I'm actually all booked up right now, but we do have a great list on our Moz Local Search Ranking Factors 2015 survey of widely-recognized local SEO experts, should that need arise. If you look in the Contributors box on the right of that page, nearly all of the participants run or work at Local Search Marketing firms and all are recognized experts. Might be something to keep in mind if you need extra help when you've done all you can on your own.