Let's start off with the basics. What is SEO (Search Engine Optimization)? It is the process of getting website traffic "organically" from major search engines, such as Google, Bing & Yahoo. Webpages and other content are shown and ranked based on what a search engine determines to is most relevant to users. We have compiled a list of 10 factors that we believe are vital to improving your SEO.

Using keywords throughout your website is one of the most important SEO tactics. Think about how someone would search for information about your service or product. Keep in mind that over using keywords can be flagged as spam. No one likes spam. Search engines are smart; they are programmed to identify "keyword-stuffing".

Aka alternative text descriptions. Images and videos on your site can have descriptive words added to its imprint. ATL Tags help search engines located your page using the keywords found in your image and video descriptions along with the text within your site. By adding these tags you increase opportunities for your site to be found.

A site map is a list of pages on your website. We recommend using a site map generator such as XMLsitemaps. It will allow for search spiders to locate pages quicker. Both spiders and users can reach their intended "destination" with fewer clicks.

In 2015, Google ​did a study that confirmed mobile search officially surpassed desktop search worldwide. It's not surprising that, in 2017, a study by BrightEdge showed that 57% of all online traffic comes from a mobile or tablet device. What does this mean for your website? You site should give viewers the best user experience from all views; desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.

If you are building or rebuilding your website choosing a WordPress over a Flash-bases site will automatically increase your ranking with Google.

Boost your SEO by updating older content and consistently produce new content. When you do this on a regular basis search engines consider this to be an indication of your site's relevancy. Blogging is a simple way to get that extra bump.

Your URL is the first thing that search engines use to determine your page ranking. Make your URLs short and relevant to the page topic.

Aka Natural Links are when other webmasters, bloggers or website owners link to your content. If other websites link back to your content it is because they think that it is useful for their users and add value to their page. Learn more about Link Building. 

Be sure to track your SEO success. You won't know if what you are doing is working if you do not keep track and monitor your progress. 

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Want to BOOST your Instagram's visibility? Add hashtags to your Story!

Like many of us, you have invested a heavy amount of resources into your social media platforms. Creating, capturing and crafting the PERFECT Instagram account. Putting yourself into some delicate situations to get the best shot. Spending hundreds of hours testing different filters and coming up with amusing captions. 

When you "do it for the GRAM" the goal is to get the most views for your incredible content. By adding hashtags to your Story, you can give you content a higher chance of being discovered by new audiences. As users search for popular hashtags on Instagram they will be able to view active, real-time Stories on that specific hashtag's page. 

Instagram LOVES hashtags. It makes sense that they would make the Instagram Story feature 100% capable of supporting hashtag use.

In order to add hashtags your Story you can:

1. Use the hashtag sticker - this method can only add one hashtag at a time.
2. Use the text tool - the text tool can add up to 10 hashtags at a time.
3. Use the location sticker - this method can tag a specific location like West Palm Beach, FL.

Hashtags can be placed directly on the image. Instagram allows you to use a little creative freedom when using text or stickers, with options like changing the font type, stylization, alignment, and much more.

Remember that over using hashtags in any form can come off looking "spammy," so be strategic with how you use these methods. 

With the good, comes the bad. Placing hashtags in your Instagram Story (even if your profile is set to public) does NOT guarantee that your images or videos will be included in the Story of a specific hashtag page. The aggregation of the hashtagged Stories depends on your page's engagement and quality of content.

That being said, adding hashtags to your Story is definitely worth the try. Personally I have experienced 3x the amount of engagement when my Instagram Story has been included in the hashtag Story pool. With these features you have the potential to reach audiences in the thousands. Its no longer a question of if you should use hashtags in your Instagram Story, but how do you to use these techniques to your advantage.