Basic YouTube SEO Techniques for your Small Business

As a small business owner, you may be struggling to attract viewers and increase engagement on your YouTube channel. That's where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in - by optimizing your video content for YouTube's search algorithm, you can increase visibility and attract more viewers to your channel.

In this article, we'll cover six basic YouTube SEO techniques that you can use to improve your Youtube channel's name and search ranking and attract more viewers. From keyword research to promoting your videos on other platforms, we'll provide actionable tips and best practices that you can implement today.

But before we dive into the specifics, it's important to keep in mind that YouTube SEO is an ongoing process. It requires consistent effort and experimentation to find what works best for your channel and audience. However, by implementing these basic techniques, you'll be well on your way to improving your channel's visibility and attracting more viewers.

Keep in mind, if your small business is hyper-local in a small town, then it might be better to focus on Facebook or Instagram campaigns based on a local audience. For example, if you are a Colorado home inspector in a small town, then focusing on YouTube might be a waste of valuable time and advertising dollars that can be used elsewhere.  

So without further ado, let's dive in and explore these basic YouTube SEO techniques for your small business!

 

1. Keyword Research

Keyword research is a critical component of YouTube SEO that helps you understand what your target audience is searching for on the platform. By identifying the keywords that your audience is using to find videos similar to yours, you can optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags to increase visibility and attract more viewers.

To conduct keyword research, start by brainstorming a list of keywords related to your video topic. You can then use YouTube's search bar to see what other related keywords and phrases are suggested. Additionally, tools such as Google's Keyword Planner or TubeBuddy can help you identify the most popular and relevant keywords for your video.

When optimizing your video for keywords, be sure to include them naturally in your title and description. Avoid "stuffing" your video with too many keywords, as this can be seen as spammy and may hurt your search ranking. Instead, focus on using relevant and specific keywords that accurately describe the content of your video.

 

2. Optimize Video Titles and Descriptions

Your video title and description are two of the most important factors that YouTube's algorithm uses to determine whether your video is relevant to a user's search query. Therefore, it's important to optimize them with your target keywords and provide a clear and concise summary of what your video is about.

When creating your video title, keep it short and attention-grabbing. Use your primary keyword as close to the beginning of the title as possible, and include additional keywords if they fit naturally. Avoid using clickbait or misleading titles, as this can lead to a higher bounce rate and hurt your overall search ranking.

In the video description, use the first few lines to provide a brief summary of the video's content and include your primary keyword. Use the rest of the description to provide more detail about the video, including additional keywords and relevant links. Be sure to include a call to action encouraging viewers to like, comment, and subscribe to your channel.

 

3. Use Relevant Tags

Tags are another important element of YouTube SEO that can help increase the visibility of your video. Tags help YouTube understand the content of your video and its relevance to a user's search query. When selecting tags, be sure to use keywords that are relevant to your video's content and that accurately describe what the video is about.

To select tags for your video, start by identifying your primary keyword and selecting tags related to that topic. You can also use tools such as TubeBuddy or VidIQ to find popular tags related to your topic. Be sure to include both broad and specific tags to help attract a variety of viewers.

Avoid using tags that are irrelevant or misleading, as this can hurt your search ranking and lead to lower engagement. Additionally, be sure to only use tags that are relevant to your video's content. Overusing tags or using unrelated tags can be seen as spammy and may result in penalties from YouTube's algorithm.

 

4. Add Closed Captions/Subtitles

Adding closed captions or subtitles to your videos can not only help improve accessibility for viewers, but it can also improve your video's search ranking. Closed captions can help YouTube better understand the content of your video and increase its relevance to a user's search query.

When adding closed captions or subtitles to your video, be sure to use accurate and relevant text that reflects the spoken content of the video. Avoid using automated captions, as they can often contain errors and may hurt your search ranking. Instead, consider using a professional captioning service or manually adding captions yourself.

In addition to improving search ranking, adding closed captions or subtitles can also help increase engagement and watch time for your video. Viewers who may have otherwise skipped over your video due to a language barrier or hearing impairment can now enjoy your content, leading to increased views and engagement.

 

5. Encourage Engagement through Comments, Likes, and Shares

Engagement metrics such as comments, likes, and shares are important signals that indicate the quality and relevance of your video content. YouTube's algorithm uses these metrics to determine the popularity of your video and its relevance to a user's search query. Therefore, it's important to encourage engagement from your viewers.

To encourage engagement, be sure to ask viewers to like, comment, and share your video in the video itself. You can also include calls to action in the video description or use YouTube's end screen feature to prompt viewers to take action.

Additionally, be sure to respond to comments and engage with your audience to foster a sense of community around your content. This can help increase engagement and encourage viewers to return to your channel for future content - especially if you have a cool YouTube channel name that is catchy and grabs quick attention from users.

 

6. Promote Your Videos on Other Platforms

Promoting your videos on other platforms such as social media or your website can help increase visibility and attract more viewers to your content. Be sure to share your videos on platforms where your target audience is most active, and consider using paid advertising to reach a wider audience.

When promoting your videos, be sure to use attention-grabbing headlines and thumbnails that accurately represent your video's content. You can also include calls to action encouraging viewers to watch the video and engage with your channel.

Remember that promoting your videos on other platforms is just one piece of the puzzle. Be sure to continue optimizing your videos for YouTube's search algorithm and encouraging engagement from your audience to maximize the visibility and success of your channel.