How to Boost Your Website's SEO Through Strategic Social Media Posting: A Simple 5-Step Guide
Social media isn't just about engaging with customers – it's a powerful tool to improve your website's search engine rankings and generate more leads. At VS Marketing, we've developed a straightforward 5-step formula that any small business owner can follow to create effective social media posts that drive traffic and boost SEO.
The Power of Social Signals
While Google doesn't directly use social media engagement as a ranking factor, active social media profiles that drive traffic to your website send positive signals about your business's relevance and authority.
When you share links to your website on social media and people click them, it creates real user traffic that Google notices. This engagement shows Google that your content is relevant and valuable to real people.
Additionally, when people discover your content through social media and then share it on their own websites, blogs, or online platforms, it creates natural backlinks – one of Google's most important ranking factors.
Social media also helps Google discover and index new content on your website faster, since search engines regularly crawl social platforms for new links. Think of social media as creating pathways that lead both users and search engines back to your website.
Our clients who consistently post using this formula see an
average 40% increase in website traffic within three months.
Step 1: Keep It Authentic
Authenticity cuts through the noise of social media and builds trust with potential customers. Instead of promotional language, share real stories and insights.
Bad Example: "Get the best plumbing services in town! We're #1 for a reason! Call now for amazing deals!"
Good Examples: "Just finished helping the Johnsons fix a tricky pipe leak that three other plumbers couldn't solve. Swipe to see how we identified the problem and saved their hardwood floors in the process."
"Today's before-and-after: Transformed this 90-year-old Victorian home's bathroom while preserving its vintage charm. Check out that clawfoot tub restoration!"
The difference? The good examples share specific experiences and demonstrate expertise rather than making empty claims.
Step 2: Always Include a Website Link
Every post should direct followers back to relevant content on your website. This drives traffic and helps search engines understand your website's relevance to specific topics.
Key linking strategies:
- Link to relevant service pages
- Create blog posts that expand on social media topics
- Build landing pages for specific offerings
- Link to your portfolio or case studies
- Direct people to contact forms or booking pages
Pro Tip: Use a link shortener like Bitly to track clicks and understand which posts drive the most traffic.
Step 3: Master Local Hashtags
Local hashtags connect you with people actively searching for services in your area. Research shows posts with local hashtags get 79% more engagement than generic ones.
Example hashtag strategy for a Portland area bakery:
- Location-based: #PDXfood #PortlandEats #PortlandFoodie
- Neighborhood-specific: #PearlDistrict #NWPortland #DowntownPDX
- Industry + Location: #PortlandBakery #PDXdesserts #PortlandWeddings
- Local events: #PortlandFarmersMarket #PDXfoodcart #PortlandSaturday
Research popular local hashtags by:
- Checking what successful local businesses use
- Following local business organizations
- Monitoring community event hashtags
- Using tools like Hashtagify to find related tags
Step 4: Visual Content That Converts
Posts with images get 2.3 times more engagement than those without. Videos get even more. But not all visual content is created equal.
Effective visuals include:
- Before/after photos
- Behind-the-scenes footage
- Team members in action
- Customer success stories
- Product demonstrations
- Local landmarks or events
Tips for better business photos:
- Use natural light when possible
- Show people using your products/services
- Capture authentic moments
- Include your branding subtly
- Keep backgrounds clean and relevant
- Use consistent filters or editing styles
Step 5: Focus on Benefits, Not Features
People don't buy products or services – they buy solutions to problems. Every post should highlight how you make customers' lives better.
Feature-focused (Wrong): "Our new pressure washing system operates at 4000 PSI with variable nozzle settings."
Benefit-focused (Right): "Restore your home's curb appeal in just 2 hours! This driveway went from grimy to pristine, adding instant value to our client's home. Swipe to see the transformation."
More benefit-focused examples:
- "Sleep better tonight knowing your security system is protecting your family. Here's how our latest installation gave the Smiths peace of mind..."
- "From cluttered chaos to organized calm - see how we transformed this home office into a productive workspace where our client actually enjoys spending time."
- "Cut your energy bills by 30%! That's what happened when we installed these energy-efficient windows for a client last month. See the full project..."
Putting It All Together: A Weekly Posting Schedule
To make this system work, consistency is key. Here's a simple weekly schedule:
Monday: Share a recent project success story
- Before/after photos
- Link to your portfolio
- Local project hashtags
- Focus on specific problems solved
Wednesday: Post a helpful tip or insight
- Quick video demonstration
- Link to related blog post
- Industry-specific hashtags
- Highlight your expertise
Friday: Customer spotlight or team feature
- Photos with real customers/team
- Link to testimonials page
- Community hashtags
- Emphasize relationship building
Measuring Success
Track these metrics monthly:
- Website traffic from social media
- Time spent on linked pages
- Contact form submissions
- Post engagement rates
- Hashtag reach
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Inconsistent posting
- Forgetting call-to-action elements (e.g., call us, click here, learn more, etc.)
- Using generic stock photos (people truly can tell)
- Neglecting to engage with comments
- Over-promoting without providing value
Getting Started
Begin with these steps:
- Audit your existing social media presence
- Research local hashtags for your industry
- Create a content calendar
- Take photos of your next few projects
- Write benefit-focused descriptions
- Start posting consistently using this formula
VS Marketing Can Help
While this system is designed to be DIY-friendly, many business owners find they lack the time for consistent execution. Our social media management services handle everything from content creation to engagement monitoring, ensuring your social media presence consistently drives traffic and leads to your website.
Contact us for a free social media audit and learn how we can help amplify your online presence while you focus on running your business.
Remember: Social media success isn't about being everywhere or posting constantly. It's about being consistent, authentic, and strategic in your approach. Follow these five steps, and you'll build a social media presence that not only engages your audience but also improves your website's SEO and generates more leads for your business.
