Google Web Stories are one of Google’s newer search results and don’t have a lot of people talking about them yet.
In this article, I’ll talk about what they are, how to optimize your content to rank in them, and what you can do to make the most out of the results they provide.
Here are the top 5 things you need to know about Google Web Stories before you get started.
An Introduction to Google Web Stories
With more and more web development companies popping up in various corners of the globe, it can be hard to know where to go when you need a website built.
But that all changes with Google Web Stories. If you’re not familiar with them, here’s what you need to know: Web stories are content that’s designed specifically for smartphone browsers and they show up on mobile search results as well as in web design company directory listings.
By optimizing your content appropriately, the chances of your site showing up on these web stories will increase exponentially. Keep reading below for tips on how you can do just that!
Step 1: Understand your Search Query Intent
Websites come in all shapes and sizes, but what most of them have in common is a need to have content that matches the search query intent.
Optimizing your content for web stories has never been easier with many tools and web development services readily available. A good place to start is to understand your search query intent.
A basic definition of a search query intent is what somebody wants from a search engine.
The next step is looking at data from Google Web Search (GWSE), which will help you better understand what type of content your target audience desires to satisfy their intentions. You can find this information in GWSE’s built-in section, Search Terms Tool.
Step 2: Understand your Audience
Many businesses that have invested in a web development company in Calgary, Canada now understand the necessity of optimizing their content.
Web stories are a new type of search result on Google that need special consideration when you’re posting or publishing content.
Web stories rank highly on the SERPS, but there’s some vital information that must be included to rank well. So where do you start?
1) On-page factors: Ensure your page title, H1 tags and description are optimized for both long and short titles as these will appear in search engine results.
Step 3: Create an SEO Strategy
Keyword research and SEO strategy are important for any online campaign, but these steps are even more crucial when you’re writing Web stories that can generate traffic from a higher ranking in Google search results.
For example, web development services, Calgary web design company, and Toronto web design company will be top-of-mind searches if they’re included in your content.
Keep this in mind as you write each piece of content on your site and make sure to include keywords often enough that it won’t seem like you’re stuffing the page with nonsense but not so much that it’s the main focus of your story.
Step 4: Formulate an Outline based on SEO Research
Title: Provide a title. This will be used as the title of your piece, as well as on your profile. * Headline: *** Provide a concise headline in line with SEO best practices.
*Introduction: **Introduce the topic with a sentence or two and describe what information you’ll cover. ** Body: **The meat of your content, is broken up into sections (e.g., Steps).
You can also use headers to break up the text visually so it’s easier to read and scan through. ***** Conclusion: **Offer any concluding thoughts or comments on your content as needed. **
Step 5: Create a Story Map
Web design is one of the key ingredients that can make or break your website. The interface, aesthetics, and usability factor into how well your site is received and whether it gets noticed on the web.
With this in mind, it’s not surprising that people take a variety of routes when designing their sites. Let’s take a look at what are called web stories.
This is the most popular way people search on the web because they want something that gives them all the information they need in a convenient package. They’re also interested in finding an answer quickly and easily with as little hassle as possible.
Step 6: Write Great Copy
All website design companies are not created equal. You need a web design company that is passionate about their work, understands your needs and has the expertise to create the perfect look and function for your business.
Web Design in Toronto features talented web designers who use their experience, creativity and innovation to provide clients with an unsurpassed level of service.
A web designer will create content optimized for Google Web Stories based on your specifications, gather feedback and make changes until you’re 100% satisfied. Get in touch today!
Step 7: Add in Supporting Images, Videos and/or Infographics
For a web design services company, this can be done by linking out to the work they’ve done in their portfolio, adding calls-to-action, and editing the titles and headings of your articles.
Many web development companies post visuals that serve as testimonials. You could also ask for feedback from other agencies or entrepreneurs in your field to see what images have garnered engagement with readers on social media.
One website has put together an infographic about ‘website essentials’ that provides quick tips on what people need to know when starting a new website.
Step 8: Engage with Shares & CTA Buttons
What are web stories? They’re the little snippet at the top of search engine results pages that includes a photo, name and link to the web page.
And it’s important for those results pages because about 70% of all users never scroll past the first organic result. How do you optimize your content for web stories?
Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy and each situation is different. For example, if you want readers to click on a link on a site related, then write an SEO-optimized headline with relevant keywords in it.
Step 9.1 (Optional): Add Video Transcripts for Additional Promotion Potential
Video Transcripts will allow you to provide a transcript of your video. This enables people who don’t understand the language in your video (or are deaf) to understand it better.
It also gives more context for those not watching the video, but rather just read the transcript of what is being said.
For example, let’s say I make videos about popular movies and I don’t speak English fluently, so my videos would be in Spanish.
If I add video transcripts then someone who speaks English can understand what is happening because they can read the translated text while they watch my videos.
