So you’ve just started your new business.

Your new website is up and running and it looks great.  But you have a problem.  No one can find you. Your friends and family are searching for you in Google but they are coming up with similar businesses but not you. What do you do?

Here are five simple tips that can help  you to be found on-line…

1. Put your business name in your website title tag

To this day, I still see new websites with the default “Home” in the title tag. The title tag is the most important on-page factor for search engine optimisation. To be blunt, if your business name isn’t in your title tag then it will take longer for you to come up in search engines. Just put your business name in there without the Pty Ltd.  Here is an example of a title tag.

2. Create a Linkedin account with a company profile

Linkedin is an online networking tool for the corporate market. One of the quickest ways of coming up in search engines is to create a company profile on Linkedin. As one of the worlds highest trafficked websites, it is indexed frequently and your company profile should come up in search quite quickly.

3. Register your business on Google Places

Anything you can do to register your website address with Google you should do. Google Places will help your business get found on local search results on both Google Search and Google Maps.  This is particularly important if you have a shop front and is an absolute must for any new business.

4. Register on free local business directories

Free business directories such as True Local provide free listings for small businesses. The only draw back is that you will get phone calls from sales people trying to get you to upgrade your listing. If you can put up with that then this is a good way to get your details on-line quickly.

5. Register on social media sites using your business name as your handle

As a new business, you should be looking into social media as a cost-effective way to market your business.  This means having a Twitter account and a Facebook fan page. Rather than using your personal name, try to register your business name as your handle if it is available. For example your Twitter id should be @yourbusinessname and your Facebook page should be facebook.com/yourbusinessname.  Facebook and Twitter are the second and tenth most popular sites in the world respectively. Because they are indexed frequently it will help you come up in search results.

So there you go. Five simple tips so people can find your business on-line.  Please feel free to share any others by making a comment below.