SEO is one of those things we all have on our to-do list. Whether it’s writing more blog posts, adding alt-text to our images, or simply educating ourselves on the rules and processes of search engine optimization.
But, because SEO can feel like a scary subject, we sweep it under the rug, hoping Google will favour us and share our content anyway. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. And if you want to rank higher on Google, you need to focus on the SEO for your wedding & events business website
However, it’s not all bad [read: scary, intimidating, or overwhelming]. SEO doesn’t need to be something you “check off” the to-do list. It’s a long-term strategy you can build upon according to your timeline and priorities.
And, in this blog post, I’m sharing what you need to know to start implementing SEO best practises for your wedding & events business.
What is SEO?
SEO, or search engine optimisation is how you optimise your website for search engines.
Good search engine optimisation means you have a better chance of ranking higher on search engines, like Google. And bad SEO limits the likelihood that you’ll be found through organic search.
An easy way to think of SEO for your wedding & events business is how much Google likes you — and you want Google to like you a lot!
What’s organic search/traffic?
People who visit your site without you spending money to get them there. If people find your website through SEO, this is organic traffic because you haven’t paid for ads to promote your site and increase the chances of people clicking on it.
Why does SEO for wedding & events businesses matter?
Receive more leads for your wedding & events business
While SEO might not be a priority for your wedding & events business right now, there’s no denying it’s an incredibly powerful marketing tool.
If you want more dream clients to discover your business, view your website, and book with you, you need more traffic. And ranking higher on Google increases the likelihood that people will click on your site and increase your traffic.
Of course, you need to make sure your website copy is conversion-friendly too!
Side note: I was speaking to a friend of mine who got married last year and she said she didn’t even consider planners/vendors who didn’t have a legitimate website! And she’s definitely not the only one.
SEO is long-term
I have a love-hate relationship with Instagram like most business owners. Social media marketing is a part of my strategy, but I view it as the “right now” strategy, not necessarily the long-term process.
While your IG post has a lifespan of no longer than 48 hours, your SEO efforts can last for years. A blog post you wrote two years ago that includes appropriate keywords and is SEO-optimised will continue reaching people year after year!
Bonus tip: Go back to your old SEO blog posts that are gaining traffic and update them (that’s what I’m doing in this post right now!)
SEO Puts you above your competition
You’re competing with hundreds of businesses in your area and thousands across the country. Standing out online can be difficult, especially if you’re relying on social media trends to get you to the top.
If your website is well-optimised, you don’t need to worry about hopping on the latest viral reel or posting on stories 24/7 because Google has your back.
When your ideal client is ready to book, they’ll do a quick Google search, and you’ll be front and centre because of your SEO efforts! And your website will be so captivating thanks to your incredible copy and design that your client will forget the competition exists.
Local SEO for your wedding & events business
Local search engine optimization is one of the best things you can do to grow your community, become an established business in your area, and be the go-to wedding and events business in your city/state.
Even if you travel for events, you will still benefit from being known in your local area. Plus, it’s nice having people close to you who you can connect with and maybe work with. Wednesday morning coffee break with your favourite client? Yes, please!
If you’re looking to book more destination weddings using SEO, this blog post is for you!
Tips for location-based SEO for wedding businesses
- Set your Google up on Google Business using your address
- Add location-based keywords to your content and website copy
- Hone in on one specific area in your city/state
- Write valuable blog posts for couples looking to marry in this area
How to improve SEO for your wedding & events business
You’re confident with what SEO is. Now it’s time to introduce it to your marketing strategy.
As I mentioned, SEO is a long game, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t see results straight away. Start laying the groundwork for your website SEO and build upon it every week.
Blogging & SEO for wedding & events businesses
You won’t be surprised to hear that my biggest recommendation for improving your search engine optimisation is blogging regularly.
Blogging enables you to rank for those all-important keywords your ideal client is typing into Google, It shows search engines you’re active. And it proves to potential clients and the algorithm that you’re serious about serving and providing value in your space.
Make sure your website is indexed
Indexing is when a search engine ‘crawls’ your site looking for keywords and assessing the value of your content. If search engines aren’t crawling your site (or your site performs badly), you won’t rank successfully for your target keywords. Set up your Google Search Console and request Google crawls your site.
Conduct regular keyword research for your blog and website copy
Keywords Everywhere and Keyword Surfer are my favourite resources for this!
Add alt text to your images.
A small but mighty action that’s often overlooked.
Alt text is another way for you to sneak those searchable keywords into your content.
Add meta descriptions
Meta descriptions tell Google and your readers what your post is about. Make sure to make your meta description engaging and include your target keyword.
Make sure your writing is high-quality
Just like your readers, Google wants high-quality, well-written content, so make sure you’re using Grammarly and consider outsourcing to a copywriter if you know writing isn’t your strong suit.
Add backlinks
Backlinks are another way search engines assess your value. Linking to and being linked by credible sources enhances your credibility.
When creating content, consider how valuable it is (people are more likely to share insightful and useful content!)
Make sure your title is relevant and includes your target keywords
I use Monsteringhts Headline Analyzer to check this.
SEO for wedding & events businesses conclusion
Search engine optimization for your wedding and events website will take time. It’s a process that you need to dedicate yourself to if you want to receive long-term benefits.
Producing regular content and ensuring its search engine is optimized with keywords, alt texts, and meta descriptions is the best way to show Google you’re a business that’s active, ready, and excited to serve.
Before publishing your content, consider the points outlined above and spend time researching and reviewing the content you’re putting out there— is it valuable to your ideal client? Does it include regularly searched keywords? Is your writing high quality?
If you play by the rules and have fun improving your SEO efforts, you’ll notice increasing website traffic, more leads, and a growing community of brand advocates for your wedding & events business.
Frequently asked questions about SEO for wedding & events businesses
Will SEO help me book more clients?
Yes— SEO is about increasing your visibility. And with better visibility comes more leads and bookings!
Do I need SEO for a successful wedding & events business?
You decide how you want to market your wedding business. SEO might be an avenue you choose, it might not. However, I do highly recommend it for businesses that want more organic traffic over a long period, not just quick wins on social media platforms!
Can you help me with SEO for my wedding & events business?
Yes, I can help you write SEO blog posts and website copy for your wedding and event business! You can click here to learn more.
And if you have any SEO or website copywriting questions, let me know here — I’m here to help!