SEO tips for your Catholic website [Webinar]

Want to improve your website's SEO ranking? Look no further.

Whether you're new to the world of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), or if you're looking for resources to help incorporate common SEO practices in your eCatholic website, this webinar is for you!

Click the "play" button on the recording above to learn about built-in eCatholic website tools as well as practical strategies for improving your site's SEO ranking.

Pro Tip #1: Use eCatholic's built-in SEO tools.

Every eCatholic website comes equipped with the following built-in tools to improve your site's SEO ranking without ever touching a line of website code or metadata:

1. Site Title: Located in the "Browser" tab under your website’s Admin Settings.
2. Site Description: Located in the "Google / head" tab under your website’s Admin Settings.
3. Customize Posts Shared to Facebook: Located in the "Social" tab under your website’s Admin Settings.

Pro Tip #2: Label your images

Search engines like to "read" text descriptions of your photos, so they rely on file names and alternative text (or, "alt text") to understand more about your website. Try making these changes in order to provide good information for search engines:

1. Use keywords in file names: Try using descriptive file names for your images, such as "Father-Joe-celebrates-Mass.jpg".
2. Add Alt Text to images: Use the Alt Text feature to quickly add alternative text to any photo on your eCatholic website.

Pro Tip #3: Direct more traffic back to your website

Websites with a high volume of traffic are prioritized by SEO. When your number of site visitors increases, so does your SEO ranking. Here are a few strategies you can use to direct more traffic back to your website:

1. Utilize external links: Consider contacting other organizations that could feature an external link to your website within their digital content. Here are a few suggestions of organizations you may consider reaching out to:
   • Local Municipalities or Chamber of Commerce websites
   • Local newspaper or information and tourism websites
   • Local businesses websites that support your parish, school or ministry
   • Local organizations your partner with for fundraising or community outreach, such as a food pantry
   • Your diocesan website
2. Utilize Social Media: Remember to use social media as a tool for directing new and returning visitors back to your website. Short messages and updates that contain a link can help grab attention and direct potential visitors where you'd like them to go.

Pro Tip #4: Evaluate your website's visitor experience

Finally, remember that a good browsing experience can help improve your site's SEO as well. Search engines will prioritize websites with a quality mobile experience and tight security in their search results. So, start by asking these questions:

1. Is my website mobile-friendly?
2. Is my website secure (does my website URL include "HTTPS")?

If you're already using an eCatholic website, then the answer to both of those questions is YES!

If you're not using an eCatholic website yet, start your 30-day FREE trial, and we'll set you up with a website that is automatically mobile-friendly and encrypted, no strings attached.

Bonus Tip: Use these FREE tools from Google

Google provides two free and easy-to-use tools that will help you go even further with your website's SEO.

1. Google Analytics: This tool provides you with data that can help inform your decisions about website management and content.
2. Google My Business: This tool allows you to manage how your organization looks on Google Maps and in Google Search Results.

That's it! You're primed and ready to rock the world of Search Engine Optimization. If you've found any of these tools or practices useful, or have anything to add to our conversation, please share about your experience in the comments below!