Why Bing Matters for Your Business
When it comes to search engines, most businesses focus on Google. And while Google is undoubtedly the most popular search engine, it’s essential not to overlook Bing. Bing may not have the same market share as Google, but it still accounts for a significant portion of search traffic. In fact, Bing currently holds around 10% of the search engine market share in Canada. This means that optimizing your website for Bing can help you reach a whole new audience and drive more traffic to your business.
Also, with Google’s recent slip ups with privacy and bias in AI and search results, some savvy consumers are moving away from Google search on their personal devices, and switching their default search engine to other popular tools like Bing and DuckDuckGo.
It’s never been more important to ensure your business ranks on more than just Google Search. Let’s dive into Bing, and how to show up successfully for customers there too.
How to Rank on Bing
If you want your business to rank well on Bing, you need to focus on search engine optimization (SEO). Here are a few key strategies to help you improve your Bing ranking:
Optimize your website for Bing’s algorithm:
Bing has its algorithm, which means that the factors it considers when ranking websites may differ from Google’s algorithm. Make sure your website is optimized for Bing by including relevant keywords, high-quality content, and a user-friendly design.
Bing’s search algorithm differs from others like Google in several ways:
- Keyword Matching: Bing tends to be more literal in its search results, favoring exact keyword matches. This means that Bing might prioritize pages that contain the exact phrasing of a search query, whereas Google has become more context-focused.
- Social Media Integration: Bing has been known to integrate social media signals into its search algorithm. It considers how often a piece of content is shared or liked on social media platforms.
- Page Layout: Bing places a higher emphasis on the visual layout of a page. It favors pages that are visually appealing and easy to navigate.
- Backlinks: While both Bing and Google consider backlinks in their algorithms, Bing places a strong focus on the quality of the backlinks. It values fewer, high-quality backlinks over a large number of lower-quality ones.
- Local Search: Bing places a strong emphasis on local search results. This means businesses with a strong local SEO strategy may perform better on Bing.
- Meta Keywords: Bing takes into account meta keywords, which Google has publicly said it does not anymore.
Build high-quality backlinks:
Just like Google, Bing looks at the quality and quantity of backlinks to your website when determining its ranking. Focus on building high-quality backlinks from reputable websites to improve your Bing ranking.
Getting high-quality backlinks that can boost your Bing ranking involves a combination of strategies:
- Content Creation: Create high-quality, unique, and informative content that others will want to link to. This could be blog posts, infographics, videos, or research reports.
- Guest Blogging: Write guest posts for other websites in your industry. You’ll usually get a backlink in return, either within the content or in your author bio.
- Business Directories: List your business in reputable online directories. This can not only generate backlinks but also increase your visibility to potential customers.
- Partnerships and Collaborations: Partner with other businesses, influencers, or bloggers in your industry. They might link back to your website in their content.
- Social Media: Share your content on social media platforms. While Bing doesn’t count these as traditional backlinks, it does index social media content and uses it as a signal in its ranking algorithm.
- Press Releases: If you have newsworthy events happening in your business, write a press release and distribute it to press release websites.
- Forums and Community Sites: Participate in industry forums and community sites. But remember, your primary goal should be to provide valuable input, not just to generate backlinks.
Always prioritize the quality of backlinks over quantity. Bing values backlinks from reputable, high-authority websites. Also, ensure your backlinks are relevant to your industry or niche, as Bing considers the relevance of the sites linking to you.
Use Bing Webmaster Tools:
Bing offers a set of tools specifically designed to help webmasters improve their website’s visibility on Bing. By using Bing Webmaster Tools, you can monitor your website’s performance, identify any issues that may be affecting your ranking, and make the necessary changes to improve your visibility on Bing.
Most business owners may not have the time to go this deep – which is why they partner with a trusted marketing and lead generation expert, like Sica Marketing. Consider outsourcing this type of work to an expert so you can continue focussing on what you do best.
More than ranking high on Bing is required. How do you capture the lead?
Ranking high on search engine results is undoubtedly a crucial part of online visibility, but it’s just the start. Once a visitor lands on your website, the goal is to convert them into a lead, and ultimately, a customer. This is where effective lead capture techniques come into play.
One highly effective lead capture technique is offering high-quality, relevant content in exchange for contact information. This could be an informative eBook, a detailed whitepaper, or an exclusive webinar. By offering something of value, you give visitors a reason to share their details. This content should be targeted to your audience’s needs and interests, positioning your business as a valuable resource.
Another technique is using well-placed, compelling call-to-action (CTA) buttons. A CTA guides visitors on what to do next, whether it’s “Sign Up,” “Contact Us,” or “Download Now.” The design, color, and placement of your CTAs can significantly impact their effectiveness.
Pop-up forms can also be an effective lead capture tool when used sparingly and strategically. For instance, exit-intent pop-ups appear when a visitor is about to leave your website, offering them a reason to stay or providing a value proposition that encourages them to share their contact information.
Live chat and chatbots offer another avenue for lead capture. These tools provide immediate responses to visitor queries, improving customer service and engagement. They can also gather contact information and learn more about visitor preferences, helping to nurture leads more effectively.
Effective lead capture techniques are crucial in converting this traffic into viable leads. These methods should be part of a broader, holistic digital marketing strategy that prioritizes both visibility and conversion.
Why Choose a Marketing and Lead Gen partner
Small businesses should consider partnering with an agency for their SEO needs because they can provide expert knowledge and tools to improve visibility on search engines like Bing and DuckDuckGo. SEO is a complex field that requires a deep understanding of ever-changing algorithms, keyword research, and analytics. A nuanced approach to SEO that takes into account these platforms’ unique algorithms becomes increasingly important.
If you’re a business owner in Saskatoon looking to improve your online visibility and drive more traffic to your website, Sica Marketing can help. Our team of experienced digital marketers specializes in SEO and can help you optimize your website for Bing and other search engines. With our proven strategies and personalized approach, we can help you reach your target audience and achieve your business goals.
Don’t let your business get lost in the search engine shuffle. Contact Sica Marketing today to learn more about how we can help you improve your Bing ranking and grow your business online.
