Chances are you already have a business website and spend time on social media. But do you know how to boost search engine optimization (SEO) and manage your online reputation to convert sales?
About 65 percent of people consider online searches the most reliable way to find out about businesses, and 93 percent of those who do these searches will not look for results beyond the first page, according to Forbes. That’s why understanding SEO is an absolute must for business owners to ensure that they are in control of their business’s narrative and get the right content front and center in search results.
“Understanding SEO is essential for floral professionals to improve their online visibility, attract targeted traffic, gain a competitive advantage, save on marketing costs, provide a better user experience, and adapt to ever-evolving search engine algorithms,” says Greg Peck, strategic sales specialist at Flower Shop Network. “By implementing effective SEO strategies, floral professionals can grow their online presence, attract more customers—and ultimately increase their business’s success.”
Peck will be sharing SEO strategies for floral professionals at SAF’s 1-Day Profit Blast on July 23 in Boston. The event, sponsored by Flower Shop Network and Jacobson Floral, will also feature education sessions about creating celebration of life floral designs and strategies to effectively connect with customers. The event also includes time for networking and a supplier showcase.
Leveraging Effective SEO Strategies
One of the strategies Peck will teach at the 1-Day Profit Blast is how to create and execute an effective content plan that boosts a business’s presence on search engine results and connects with customers so they’ll be lured into the shop.
“Creating relevant content that ranks well on Google and captures potential customers’ attention requires a combination of strategic keyword optimization, high-quality content creation, on-page optimization, link building, and effective promotion,” says Peck. “By consistently following these strategies and adapting to search engine algorithms, floral professionals can improve their online visibility and attract a steady stream of targeted organic traffic.”
Reputation Management
Organic search traffic alone isn’t enough to make an impact. Peck says it’s also important for florists to consider their online reputation while increasing their visibility.
“Remember that your digital presence is now much more important than your physical presence,” says Peck. “Improving online reputation management takes time and consistent effort. By addressing customer concerns, engaging with your audience, encouraging positive reviews, and providing exceptional customer service, florists can gradually improve their online reputation and build a positive brand image.”
Learn and Grow
The education at Profit Blast is designed to give florists knowledge to help improve and streamline their businesses and everyday tasks. Taylor McBride of Arapahoe Floral in Greenville Village, Colorado, attended the Denver Profit Blast in 2022, and says she still uses what she learned from a session about delivery on a regular basis.
“The speaker taught us how to calculate our cost per mile for delivery,” she says, a method she’s used since, rather than estimating delivery charges. “It was also great to connect with other local business owners, as well as vendors. It can be hard to remove myself from the shop for a full day, but I’m glad I did.”
Another major benefits of attending the event, says McBride, is being able to stay abreast of the latest trends in the floral industry, which goes a long way toward making your shop more attractive to customers — particularly the younger shoppers.
“It is always important to stay ahead of the curve on trends; it helps attract the younger generation that is moving into our area,” McBride says.
For more information about the upcoming 1-Day Profit Blast and to register with early bird pricing, click here.
Kenya McCullum is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.