Here's a blog post reworded from the conversation you provided, aimed at local business owners:
Is Your Website Truly Yours? Owning Your Online Presence as a Local Business
Imagine this: you've invested in a website for your local business. It looks great, and it attracts customers. But what if something happened to the person who built it? Could you still access and update your site?
This is a crucial question for local businesses that rely on their online presence. This blog post dives into website ownership and how to manage your local SEO (search engine optimization) effectively.
Website Hosting, Maintenance, and You
There are two parts to a website: the hosting and the content management system (CMS). The hosting is the computer where your website lives, while the CMS is the tool you use to edit and update your site's content.
When someone builds a website for you, they're typically responsible for both the hosting and the CMS setup. But what happens if they're no longer available? Here's where website maintenance comes in.
Website maintenance includes keeping the software updated, fixing broken links, and ensuring your site functions properly. It's like regular maintenance for your car – essential to keep it running smoothly.
The key thing to remember is that you, the business owner, should have access to both your website's hosting and CMS. This allows you to make changes or manage your site even if the person who built it is no longer available.
Taking Control of Your Local SEO
Local SEO is all about making your business visible in local search results. This includes things like managing your Google My Business listing and citations across various directories.
Many web designers offer local SEO services. They'll typically build your citations and manage them for a monthly fee. But here's the catch: if you don't have direct access to these listings, you're essentially handing over control of your online presence.
The ideal scenario is to have ownership of your citations and be able to manage them yourself. There are free and paid tools available to help you do this.
Finding the Right Balance
We understand the value of working with a professional web designer or SEO expert. They can provide valuable knowledge and save you time. However, it's crucial to maintain ownership of your website and online listings.
Here's a suggested approach:
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- Work with a web designer to build your website and set up your initial SEO.
- Insist on having access to your website's hosting and CMS.
- Consider learning the basics of local SEO management, or find a tool that simplifies the process.
This way, you can leverage professional expertise while maintaining control of your online presence.
The Bottom Line
Your website is a vital asset for your local business. By ensuring ownership and taking an active role in managing your online presence, you're laying the groundwork for long-term success.
