An Essential Guide to Website SEO for Beginners in Art & Media
By Jan Crystal
In today’s age of technology, creativity within the world of art and media knows no bounds! As artists, content creators, and models, our online presence is a canvas waiting to be painted with vibrant, unique strokes. The way we present ourselves and our brands online is an essential part of attracting clients and customers. In this guide, we will explore the fascinating realm of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), tailored specifically for beginners in the art and media industry. Get ready to learn how to elevate your digital presence through SEO and make your artistic endeavors shine!
The Art of SEO
Photo by Stanisic Vladimir | Adobe Stock
SEO might sound like a technical buzzword, but at its core, it is a creative and highly useful form of marketing. It is all about making your work discoverable amidst the vastness of the internet and other artists in your industry. Think of it as the curator of your online gallery, ensuring that your creations don't remain hidden in the shadows.
There are many different ways to create your website SEO strategy, and it all depends on your time, budget, and areas of necessity. The first step you must take before diving into the technical side of things is to identify your brand and target audience. Once you have a clear vision of your brand’s purpose and uniqueness, it is essential to always remain on-brand with your marketing. This helps keep things simple, especially when it comes to promoting your website and business.
Identifying your target audience goes hand-in-hand with identifying your brand. Most artists dream about accumulating millions of fans and world-wide recognition. While that dream is possible, you must start with identifying who your website and business benefits or interests the most; whether it’s young artists seeking mentorship or couples in need of a wedding photographer. There is a famous quote by Trent Shelton, “You can’t be everything to everybody, but you can be everything to somebody.” ¹
If you cast too wide of a net, you’ll create more work for yourself and miss out on connecting with your core audience. Remember that the primary goal of your website is to communicate your business or art to your tribe, which will help to keep your brand and content authentic throughout your journey.
Keywords
Just as an artist carefully selects their color palette, you too must choose your keywords thoughtfully. Identify the words and phrases that resonate most with your art, style, and target audience. These keywords will be the brushstrokes that paint the path for your audience to find you.
Consider using Google Trends or similar tools to find keywords with a higher demand. Build a keyword list, starting with 10-15 relevant phrases, then save it to your Google Drive, Notion app, or anywhere the list can be easily accessible later on. While adding keywords to your website or blog is important, remember to make it pleasant for the reader. “Keyword dumping” is a practice that’s discouraged by Google and is often confusing for the reader.
Photo by maroke | Adobe Stock
Crafting Compelling Content
Your website is your virtual exhibition, and the content you create is at the heart of it. Engaging, relevant, and authentic content not only captivates your audience, but also captures the attention of search engines. Dive into the world of blogging to showcase your artistry and take your audience behind-the-scenes of your creative process!
Blogging does not have to consume all of your time and energy. Start with 3 articles that speak to your audience, while including relevant keywords. A blog is a tool that can be incredibly useful, particularly on social media, as it gives your followers another way to see your work and learn from you. Once you have your first 3 articles, start sharing them on social media! This will help drive traffic to your website, which is also something Google uses to rank websites and show them to people who may be interested in your content.
The Power of Visuals
As visual storytellers, you must understand the impact of images. Optimize your visuals for search engines by using descriptive file names, alt text, and captions. This not only enhances the user experience, but also ensures that search engines recognize and index your visual content effectively.
Descriptive alt text also helps to make your site more accessible to screen readers for the disabled. Many websites, unfortunately, are developed with accessibility barriers that make them difficult or even impossible for those with disabilities to use; you’d be expanding your reach to all of these individuals just by incorporating the simple tips mentioned above. ²
Photo by MclittleStock | Adobe Stock
Mobile-Friendly Magic
In a world where everyone is constantly on the move, it is essential to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly. Search engines love mobile-responsive designs, and so do your audience and buyers. A seamless mobile experience will not only boost your SEO, but also keep viewers engaged, no matter where they are.
Many web builders provide preview buttons, which allow you to view your site on smartphones, tablets, and desktop screens. Another pro-tip is to left-click the mouse on your computer, then tap ‘Inspect’ or ‘Inspect Element' to see how the page looks on different devices. There is a dropdown menu at the top which lets you select a device to view the site as it would appear on that particular screen. This feature is available on both Macs and PCs. From there, you may make any adjustments to the mobile design if need be.
Building Bridges With Link Building
Just as artists collaborate to create something extraordinary, websites collaborate through links. Establish connections with other artists, influencers, and relevant websites within your industry to maximize your reach. Quality backlinks act as endorsements, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.
Congratulations! You are now ready to increase your website’s online presence with these helpful SEO tips. Embrace this digital realm as an extension of your creative expression, and watch as your creative business grows. Remember, the world is waiting to discover the magic you create, and with a website SEO in place, you can get back to focusing on creating your art. Now, go forth and let your artistic brilliance shine!
References:1 - https://quotefancy.com/trent-shelton-quotes2 - https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-intro/
