To make sure your accounting firm stays successful, as an accountant, you need to have a steady stream of clients. In today's world, this is where top SEO services for accountants comes in.

SEO, or search engine optimization, is a proven way for businesses to get more attention on the internet. While word of mouth is still important for professionals like accountants, SEO is also crucial for getting more clients. It's something you should pay attention to if you want to be more visible online and attract more clients.

If you want to know more about SEO for accountants, here are 5 steps you can start using today.

STEP 1: Google Business Profile -  The Key to Local SEO

We understand that not all small accounting firms have websites, and it can be tough for those with basic sites to compete with larger firms that have more advanced and well-maintained websites with strong SEO.

If you're an accountant without a website or with a basic one, don't worry! You can start by setting up a Google Business Profile.

Google Business Profile is a free listing provided by Google. It's like a modern version of the traditional yellow pages, where you can share details like your business name, service areas, operating hours, services offered, and more. You can also upload photos of your office or logo and receive star reviews from clients, which adds credibility to your business.

Your Google Business Profile shows up on Google Search and Maps. But how do you make sure your profile stands out? First, ensure all the information on your profile is complete and consistent with your website and other platforms.

For instance, if your website says your office is in Edmonton but your Google Profile says Red Deer, Google might struggle to verify your business, hence, lowering its rank. Secondly, encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews on your profile. Positive reviews help boost your visibility on Google and show potential clients that they can trust your services.

Setting up Google Business Profile is really easy, but if it is something you don’t want to add on your plate, you could always hire a professional digital marketing agency in Edmonton to do it for you.

READ MORE: Reputation Management 101: Why Are Online Reviews Crucial for Small Business Growth?

STEP 2: Set up your Website - The Proof of Credibility in Digital World

Having a website is super important for accounting firms so more people can find out about your services online. You don't need to be a tech expert to make a simple website. Just follow these easy steps.

First, pick a website builder like Wix, WordPress, or Squarespace that's easy to use. Choose a nice template that fits your business and customize it with your firm's name, logo, and what services you offer.

Next, create a menu with pages for services, about us, contact, and testimonials. Write in simple words about what you do and show some pictures of your office or team.

Make sure people can easily contact you by adding a form or email address. Use words that people might search for on Google so they can find your site. Test your site on a computer and phone to make sure it looks good.

When everything's ready, hit publish and tell people about your website on social media or your business cards. By following these steps, you can make a basic website that helps your accounting firm get noticed online and attract more clients.

RELATED: Website Cost: How Much Is A Basic Website Costing Your Accounting Firm Per Year?

STEP 3: Be Mobile-friendly

In today's world, almost everyone has a smartphone. These devices are not just for communication but are also used to find businesses, make purchases, and access information. With the majority of the population discovering businesses online through social media, search engines, and ads, having a mobile-friendly website is crucial for boosting SEO for accountants.

Search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their rankings because they provide a better user experience for people browsing on their phones or tablets. A website that is optimized for mobile devices loads quickly, has easy-to-read content, and is simple to navigate. This positive user experience leads to lower bounce rates and longer time spent on the site, which are factors that search engines consider when determining rankings.

Having a mobile-friendly website not only improves SEO but also helps accounting firms reach a wider audience. With more people using their smartphones to search for services or products, a website that is mobile-responsive ensures that potential clients can easily find and access information about the firm. By catering to the needs of mobile users, accounting firms can enhance their online visibility, attract more visitors, and ultimately drive more business.

STEP 4: Write high quality content

Accountants might prefer working with numbers over writing articles, but creating high-quality and useful blogs can actually help accounting firms improve their SEO. By addressing common questions that their target audience has, they can boost their credibility, authority, and visibility online.

When accounting firms write blogs that provide valuable information and tips on topics like accounting practices, tax preparation, or financial reporting, they not only showcase their expertise but also attract more visitors to their website. Search engines like Google love websites that regularly produce fresh and relevant content, so by consistently publishing informative blogs, accounting firms can improve their search engine rankings.

Additionally, when potential clients see that an accounting firm is sharing helpful insights and knowledge through their blogs, it builds trust and credibility. This can lead to more engagement, shares on social media, and ultimately more traffic to their website. By focusing on creating blogs that answer the questions and concerns of their target market, accounting firms can establish themselves as a go-to resource in their industry and stand out from competitors.

STEP 5: Keyword Research

Now that you have authoritative and high-quality content, it's time to take it up a notch with keyword research. If you're handling SEO for your accounting firm yourself, keyword research is essential but may require some time to learn and tools to execute. If you'd rather not tackle it on your own, you can always hire a professional digital marketing agency in Edmonton to handle it for you. 

Keyword research is crucial for accounting firms looking to boost their SEO because it helps them understand what terms and phrases their target audience is using when searching for accounting services. By identifying and incorporating these relevant keywords into their website content, blogs, and meta tags, accounting firms can improve their visibility in search engine results pages.

Keyword research doesn't have to be complicated, and you can do it yourself using free tools available online. Here's a simple way to conduct basic keyword research:

• Start by thinking about words or phrases that your potential clients might use when searching for accounting services. These are your initial keywords. For example, "tax preparation services" or "small business accounting."

• Next, use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to expand your list of keywords. Simply enter your initial keywords into these tools, and they will suggest related terms that people are searching for.

• Look at the search volume and competition for each keyword. Search volume tells you how many people are searching for that term, while competition indicates how many other websites are also using that keyword.

• Choose keywords that have a decent search volume but lower competition. These are the keywords that can help you rank higher in search results.

• Once you have a list of relevant keywords, incorporate them naturally into your website content, blog posts, and meta tags to improve your SEO and attract more visitors to your site.

By following these simple steps and using free tools, you can conduct basic keyword research to enhance your accounting firm's online visibility and reach more potential clients.

Takeaway

In conclusion, SEO may seem complex, but accountants can definitely benefit from it. For small firms, starting with these 5 introductory steps to SEO is simple, practical, and achievable on their own. They can lay the foundation for stronger SEO strategies and seek assistance from a professional digital marketing agency in Edmonton to further enhance their online presence and attract more clients.