Essential Tips for DIY SEO Architects
Attention all DIY SEO architects! If you’re like most of the brilliant architects we speak with, you’ve got a passion for your projects and are looking to make your mark with more than just buildings – you want your name to be your legacy. And you believe in trying things your way, first. We love that!
You’ve got attention to detail and think in images, but not necessarily story. In nearly all cases, an architecture firm will set up a website that’s merely a portfolio or gallery that clients get sent to. The missed opportunity here is that the website becomes a passive asset. You have to do the work of getting homeowners, investors, and developers to see it.
But what if your webpages could be activated so that they can hunt for your audience without you lifting a finger? What if your website copy told an emotionally charged story about your passion for the experience and results you create?
A robust SEO strategy makes it happen, and it’s an essential component of attracting clients and staying competitive in the market. This article delves into strategies and tactics tailored to architects looking to improve their online visibility and attract more clients. From optimizing images, creating sound website architecture (yeah, that’s a thing), creating a compelling SEO architects blog, and mastering local SEO, we’ve got you covered.
Image Tips for DIY SEO Architects
Images obviously play a pivotal role when showcasing your architectural projects online – but the pictures themselves are not enough. Think of them as the elevation – It’s what is seen at face value, and there’s more to it than that. The digital foundation of those images is almost always overlooked and equally important.
Let’s get right to it. Here’s just a few actionable best practices that will contribute significantly to your architecture website’s SEO:
High-Quality Images Matter
Make your images count. Don’t use blurry screengrabs. You’re better than that, and your clients expect more. If you don’t have a high-end camera, consider getting one or investing in a professional photographer to accompany you to project locations. High-quality images impress potential clients and boost your website’s SEO by reducing bounce rates and increasing user engagement.
In other words, high-quality images will captivate your audience, boost conversions, and keep users (SEO-speak for site visitors) on the page longer. Google loves increased session time and remembers how long your visitors stay on the page. Google thinks, “Hm. If someone is on this page for X amount of minutes, it must be important. I better make sure I put it on page 1 for others to see, too.”
Optimize Image Alt Text
Search engines can’t”see” images, but they can read alt text. Ensure that each image on your website has descriptive alt text that includes relevant keywords. This not only makes your website more accessible but also improves its search engine ranking with proper website architecture.
This is that digital foundation we were talking about a moment ago. Alt texts are one of the most overlooked (and essential) SEO techniques, which will only take seconds to execute.
Whether your site is on WordPress, WIX, Squarespace, or something else, you’ll want to go to your image archive. Usually, just clicking the images will open another page where you can enter search engine-optimized alt text into the alt text field. If you need help with how to do this or what optimized keywords are best, email us, and we’ll gladly tell you.
Use Descriptive Filenames
Before uploading images to your website, rename them to reflect their content. Instead of “IMG_12345.jpg,” use filenames like “Modern-Residential-Design.jpg.” Search engines consider these filenames when indexing your site and determining user relevance.
You can rename a file right on your desktop or from the image gallery on your website’s backend.
Another bonus of this SEO strategy is appearing on page 1 image carousels. While your articles might take a little longer, your images have a great shot at cutting the line. And if the pictures are high-quality, as discussed, you’ll get the click and the customer.
Compress Images for Speed
Large image files can slow down your website, negatively impacting user experience and SEO. Use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality. Check out this easy-to-use free tool that will optimize your images in seconds without sacrificing quality. In general, aim for sizes less than 1MB.
Implement Structured Data
Structured data, such as schema markup, can help search engines understand the context of your images. This can result in rich snippets in search results, enhancing your website’s visibility.
While implementing schema is more of an advanced SEO strategy, you can use this resource to check your code before implementing it on your website. If you don’t have someone at your architecture firm comfortable with this, our developers are happy to help build proper site architecture.
Optimize For Mobile
Modern search engine optimization is all about making things mobile-friendly. More and more users come to your site on a tablet or smartphone, so you want to make sure that your text and images play nicely.
Most CMS platforms make adjusting margins, spacing, and padding easy. Be sure to preview all of your changes and save your work as you go. Make sure to look at your site once you hit publish to ensure things appear as intended.
Create an SEO Architects Blog
In the last section, we talked about images and the more technical side of site architecture. But let’s shift gears for a moment and talk about you.
Images are nice. But if your audience is shopping, they’re looking at tons of architecture firm websites with loads of pictures, just like yours.
So, how do you do better? You tell them your story. At the end of the day, more than the final project, your clients are buying you. The written word is how you express what makes you unique so that you can align with the perfect-fit clients eager to find you.
A blog is a great place to do it. While your homepage and key service pages will go relatively unchanged, your blog will continually have updated content. This critical ranking factor appeases the Google gods and gets you to page 1.
Here’s how to create and maintain an influential SEO architects blog:
Build A Solid Content Strategy
Develop a content strategy that focuses on topics related to your architectural niche. Consider writing about design trends, project case studies, or tips for homeowners. Dive into keyword research relevant to your audience and incorporate them naturally into your blog posts and other channels like social media.
Remember to have your subcategories menu available next to your blog articles. If your users are looking for more information, this is a great way to help them find it.
Keep A Consistent Posting Schedule
Consistency is vital when it comes to blogging. Create a realistic posting schedule and stick to it. Regular updates keep your audience engaged and signal to search engines that your website is active and relevant.
Remember To Engage Your Audience
Encourage comments and discussions on your blog posts. Engaging with your readers can lead to valuable connections and provide insights into their needs and interests. Make sure your articles are shareable across social channels – and, conversely, use your social media to promote your articles.
And, Of Course, Optimize for SEO
Each blog post should be optimized for search engines. Use relevant keywords in your page titles, page headings, and throughout your content. Make sure your URLs and site architecture are also optimized. For instance, an optimized URL for”commercial architect” might look something like yourdomain.com/commercial-architect. Proper URL structure and website architecture are essential to ranking fast.
Let’s talk about links for a second. This is an essential element to a successful site structure that boosts crawlability. What does that mean? Search engine spiders follow strategic sitelinks, which act like a table of contents. In other words, links will tell a Search engine like Google what your site architecture is about.
Internal links are the easiest to create. Use anchor texts with the proper SEO criteria to point to other relevant pages on your website.
Also, consider contacting your strategic partners to link your sites to each other. These intra-site links, called backlinks, are essential to site architecture, and Google loves seeing them as they indicate website authority.
The Ultimate Local SEO Architects Playbook
Local SEO is an essential digital marketing strategy and game-changer for architects looking to attract clients in their area. Here’s a comprehensive guide to mastering a local SEO content plan:
Claim Your Google My Business Listing
A Google My Business listing is essential for local SEO. Ensure your business information is accurate, including your address, phone number, and website. Encourage clients to leave reviews, as positive feedback can boost your visibility. Remember to respond to comments, celebrate your architecture awards, include project pages, and more. All of this will boost your website traffic when done correctly.
Optimize for Local Keywords
Use location-specific keywords in your web page content, meta descriptions, and blog posts. This helps search engines connect your business with local search queries. Think in terms of “Sustainable Architecture Firm in South Florida” or “Award-Winning Architecture Firm near me.”
Pro tip: make sure you use search terms with the correct keyword value for your site. Generally, don’t try to rank for higher KD terms if your site is low on authority. Let us know if you need help determining the best keywords; we’re happy to help.
Build Local Citations
Consistent business information across online directories and platforms can improve your local SEO. Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) details are consistent everywhere. If you’re wondering what local citations are, you’re not alone. Most people ignore creating them because, frankly, it’s a chore. However, if local authority is a top business goal, this SEO strategy should not be overlooked. If you’d like to learn more, drop one of our experts a line.
Don't Forget About Mobile Optimization
We talked about this a little while ago, but many local searches happen on mobile devices. Think about it. Your dream clients are likely thinking about their future home while at a cafe or on their boat. Make sure your website architecture is mobile-friendly for a seamless user experience.
Create Local Content
Create a news section with content highlighting your involvement in the local community, such as projects you’ve completed or events you’ve sponsored. This helps build trust with local clients. Add guest posts featuring project descriptions to expand your advertising services.
Lighthouse Digital has been a pioneer with local SEO for years, and we have some cutting-edge insights and tactics that skyrocket our client’s ranking on the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
Lighthouse Digital Marketing. Your Team of SEO Architects
If you’ve made it this far, we trust you’ve found some or all of this information useful. If you’ve decided that these details are better left to the professionals, we’d love to see how we can help.
You want your architectural firm to stay ahead of the curve so you can be recognized for all you’re capable of. So why not trust an artist and strategist like yourself – just in a different medium – to make it happen for you?
You’re an artist, and your work deserves to be seen. With the right SEO position on Google, you can transition your website from a passive resource to a 24/7/365 sales agent that finds your dream projects while you sleep. With the right website architecture, you can ensure optimal visibility and discoverability.
Isn’t your legacy worth it?
