Ever wonder how some flower shops pop up higher on Google, Bing, or even when someone uses their phone to search? It’s not just about beautiful bouquets; it’s also about some behind-the-scenes online work. Think of it like spreading the word about your flower shop in the digital world!
Our eMarketing team can help you learn how to help more people find your lovely flowers online. Two important ones are “keyword references” (using the right words people search for) and something called “off-page SEO.” Let’s break down off-page SEO in a simple way.
What Exactly is “Off-Page SEO”?
Imagine your flower shop is the heart of your business. “On-page SEO” is like making sure your shop window looks inviting and has all the right signs inside. “Off-page SEO” is what happens outside your shop to bring more people in. It’s about getting other trusted places online to talk about you and point customers your way.
Think of it in three main ways:
- Backlinks: Like a Digital Thumbs-Up. When another website links to yours, it’s like them giving you a thumbs-up. If that website is well-respected (like a local wedding venue or a popular community page), it tells search engines like Google that your website is also trustworthy and has good information. The more “thumbs-up” you get from reliable sources, the better your shop looks to these search engines.
- Citations: Getting Your Name Out There. These are like online mentions of your shop’s name, address, and phone number on different online directories (like Yelp or local business listings). It’s like making sure you list the shop’s details correctly in all the local phone books – but online! This helps search engines confirm you’re a real, local florist.
- Social Mentions: Word-of-Mouth Online. When people talk about your flower shop on social media – maybe they tag you in a picture of a beautiful arrangement or share your post – it helps spread the word. While not a direct ranking factor, it increases your visibility and can bring new customers to your website.
Think of these three things – backlinks, citations, and social mentions – working together to build your shop’s good reputation online, making it easier for new customers to find you!
How Teleflora Can Help Your Shop Bloom Online
Being a Teleflora member means you get access to our eMarketing experts! We can help you understand how to build these “digital thumbs-ups” and list correctly online. We work with important platforms like Google Business Profile (that little box that shows up on the right of Google searches), Yext (a tool to manage your online listings), and we can help you navigate social media platforms. To learn more about how we can help, visit www.myteleflora.com.
Simple Steps for Florists to Get Found Online
Here are a couple of easy things you can focus on:
1. City Pages: Your Local Calling Cards
Think of “City Pages” on your website as little notes telling people exactly where you deliver and what kind of flowers you offer in those areas. For example, you might have a page called “Flower Delivery in Chicago” or “Wedding Flowers in Edmonton.”
These pages should include words that local customers might search for, like “florist in [your town name]” or “same-day flower delivery [your ZIP code].”
Here’s a smart tip: On these City Pages, you can also mention local partners you work with, like “We proudly deliver to [Name of Local Funeral Home]” or “Beautiful wedding flowers for [Name of Wedding Venue].”
Even better, try reaching out to these local places and see if they would be willing to mention your flower shop on their website. These links from their websites to yours are those valuable “backlinks” we talked about! Search engines see these as strong endorsements.
We’re here to help you create these City Pages! Just call our eMarketing team at 866-983-3932, option #3 (you need to be a Teleflora member).
2. Get Social! Share Your Beautiful Blooms
Having a Facebook and/or Instagram page for your flower shop is a fantastic way to show off your beautiful work and connect with local customers. Make sure you include a link to your website.
When you post on social media, try tagging local venues you’ve worked with. For example, if you provided flowers for an event at the [Name of Local Event Venue], tag them in your post! This can help you reach their audience.
Also, use hashtags (those words with the # symbol) that include the venue’s name, your town, or the type of flowers you’re featuring. This helps people searching for those things find your posts. When people share your posts or talk about your shop online, it gets your name out there and can build trust with potential customers.
3. Keep Your Google Business Profile Fresh
Think of your Google Business Profile as your free billboard on Google Maps and local search results. It’s often the first thing potential customers see when they search for florists in your area. Make sure your profile is always up-to-date with your latest hours, address, phone number, and photos of your stunning arrangements.
An easy way to boost your visibility is to regularly post updates, special offers, seasonal bouquets, or even photos of your happy customers (with their permission, of course!). When you add fresh content, it signals to Google that your business is active and engaged with your community. And most importantly, make sure your website link ([Your Website Address Here]) is prominently displayed on your Google Business Profile so customers can easily click through to place an order or learn more.
In a Nutshell
Think of off-page SEO as building your reputation and connections across the internet. By getting other trusted websites to link to you (backlinks) and making sure your shop’s information is listed correctly everywhere online (citations), you can make it easier for new customers in your community to find your beautiful flowers. And don’t forget the power of sharing your work on social media!
