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    Tag: SEO strategy

    SEO for Vacation Rentals: Tips for Airbnb, Hostels and Rental Apartment Owners

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    If you own a rental property, you know how challenging it can be to advertise your apartment, Airbnb or vacation rental. Perhaps you already have an online marketing strategy in place, or maybe you have tried a few tactics that need some refinement. The pillar of every rental and Airbnb SEO strategy is a targeted approach. Our emphasis here is on the word ‘targeted.’ We’re going to discuss the importance of local SEO to help your property be found more easily in search results.

    cozy apartment with brick walls

    What Vacation Rental SEO Challenges Do Property Owners Face?

    If you’ve ever searched for a local area + a property type, such as “Vancouver apartments for rent,” or “Lake Ontario cabin rentals,” you know how hard it is to compete against aggregator websites that take up the majority of search results. But if you have an Airbnb listing and their site shows up for a relevant search, isn’t that good? Yes, but you also want your own website to be visible for your main searches. You want people to visit your site to learn about you and so you can build relationships with them.

    man using a google map before his ride

    Local SEO Tips for Vacation Rental Listings​ 

    The first step to being competitive, is to have your Google Business Profile fully optimized, complete with a current property description, clear, attractive photographs, and contact information. 

    How to Effectively Target Consumers

    The deeper you go with what is called “long-tail key phrases,” meaning phrases containing several words, the closer you can target your ideal rental audience. For example, if you build off that “Lake Ontario cabin rentals” phrase, and create pages, blogs, FAQs and more resources on phrases such as “Lake Ontario cabin rentals pet friendly,” or “Lake Ontario cabin rentals long-term,” you can zero in on exactly who you’re trying to reach.

    How to Stay Competitive Online

    Local SEO, including specialized long-tail key phrase strategies and mobile-local focused SEO, is an ongoing process. Your competitors are constantly building their online visibility. Aggregator websites push all the time for more organic (free listings) and paid listings in search engines. You can build authority in a variety of ways. One is through focused and consistent content production and publishing. 

    getting some blog inspiration

    How Content Builds Your Authority

    We have established that local SEO is essential to build online visibility for rental owners. Content marketing features SEO and more online elements. It is an ongoing effort that builds on itself to develop trust. It demonstrates to your target audience why they should choose your property versus another property. 

    As you continually post content that provides solutions to people’s questions (examples: ‘why rent a vacation home in Vancouver’; ‘three steps to renting the ultimate British Columbia Airbnb’), renters will learn to look to you as the authority. 

    People buy from those they trust. Content that aligns with local search keywords and answers user questions best, drives traffic to your website, helping you attract your ideal rental audience.

    Seasonality is a big driver of rental revenue for many property owners. Local SEO, including long-tail targeted seasonal key phrases, can help you break through the grip large websites have in search results. You can become the authority on answering specific questions, and rise above sites that feature fluff blogs and other thin content.

    Example: You own an Airbnb in Whistler, or a hotel or vacation rental in Gatlinburg. There are thousands of competitor listings for these types of rentals. How do you break through the noise? 

    Ensure your Google Profile is built out, detailing all the features you offer. Build resource pages and articles for your website aligned to top searches, such as: “Whistler house rentals long term,” “Gatlinburg vacation rentals with pool.” Don’t stop there–create your content to really delve into those topics–you want to be the authority people trust.

    How to focus your content: Okay, so your vacation rental has a pool; so do lots of other rentals. If your pool is specially made, or is open at unusual hours, or you offer several pools that meet a variety of needs, create content around these features. Show people why your rental is the one they should book. 

    Example: In the case of Whistler, answer questions new vacationers to the area have. Also go deep with content for frequent visitors, such as “Off the Beaten Path Places to Visit Just Outside Whistler.” Work to be the authority with all the content you create. Include first-hand travel diaries, user generated content, audio, video and photos to turn your content from average to must-see.

    Your superior content shows you care about your target audience. You want people to have a great time in your rental, so you learn about what they want and create content around those desires. Then tell them how great your property is and why it’s the perfect rental for that area, to encourage them to book with you. People can easily spot disingenuous salesmanship. You need to create genuinely helpful content to instill trust. Trust helps build goodwill and revenue.

    analyzing marketing tools

    Trek Marketing Provides the Visibility You Need to Connect with Rental Customers

    Airbnb SEO tips, and overall SEO tips for vacation rental listings,​ can help you stand out from the crowd online and drive bookings. The challenge is consistently applying these techniques over time. So, whether you need SEO for apartment listings, hotel SEO, or a local SEO campaign for any rental property, you need Trek Marketing. 

    We’ll not only provide the latest digital strategy to help you increase visibility, we’ll audit your website to ensure no barriers to search engine indexing exist. Plus, we’ll find relevant locally-themed sites and directories where your site needs to be listed, and get you included, to further build your authority in searchers’ and search engines’ estimation.

    You’re busy running your rental business. You need a knowledgeable and experienced digital marketing agency to build your online visibility. Get your phone ringing and your reservation forms pouring in. Contact Trek Marketing now!

    The Power of User-Generated Content in 2025: How to Leverage It for Business Growth

    Posted on by Nurul Afsar
    A man and a woman standing in front of a whiteboard brainstorming user-generated content marketing strategies

    The Evolution and Impact of User-Generated Content in 2025

    In the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing, one thing remains constant: the power of authentic voices. User-generated content (UGC) is not just a passing trend; it’s a marketing evolution. UGC encompasses anything from candid photos and rave reviews to blog posts and social media mentions created by consumers rather than brands themselves. In short, if users are behind it, it’s UGC.

    Major brands like Fenty Beauty, GoPro, and Starbucks have long harnessed UGC for advertising campaigns. As we advance into 2025, this form of content is positioned even more favorably within SEO and tech algorithms. UGC isn’t merely a supplement to brand messaging; it’s a critical element that can drive conversions, enhance brand loyalty, and improve search visibility.

    Why Businesses Must Leverage User-Generated Content

    Person using laptop leaving a customer review online, reinforcing brand trust and credibility

    UGC acts as a form of social proof, instilling trust and credibility in potential customers. Today’s consumers are more discerning and skeptical about traditional advertising methods, making it imperative for brands to adopt strategies that resonate on a personal level. Authentic user-generated content provides this connection. When potential buyers see real people positively interacting with a brand, they’re far more likely to convert than if they were only exposed to polished brand advertisements.

    With Google’s increasing focus on E.A.T.—Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness—the importance of UGC takes center stage. Brands that can cultivate genuine conversations and build communities around their products will naturally excel in search rankings. UGC serves as an indicator of a brand’s market presence and relatability, effectively boosting its credibility in the eyes of search algorithms.

    Diverse Forms of User-Generated Content

    Red and white social proof wall decor highlighting the power of user recommendations in marketing

    User-generated content comes in various forms, each offering unique promotional opportunities for brands. Popular types include:

    • Social Media Posts: Customer posts featuring your products provide instant visibility.
    • Reviews and Testimonials: Hands-on reviews provide in-depth information for consumers doing product research.
    • Photos and Videos: Visual content captured by users offers an authentic depiction of product use.
    • Blog Posts and Articles: In-depth content sharing personal opinions or experiences strengthens authority.
    • Quizzes and Polls: Putting the spotlight on your users helps push engagement up.

    Each of these types can be repurposed for marketing efforts, allowing brands to maximize the impact and reach of user-generated content by showcasing real customer experiences.

    The Value of User-Generated Content in 2025

    Couple holding hands, symbolizing consumer engagement and trust in brands leveraging UGC

    As we enter 2025, the value of UGC has never been more pronounced. Search engines are now finely tuned to prioritize brands that engage in two-way conversations with their customers. Google, for instance, has updated its algorithms to favor businesses that foster genuine community interactions. This means that brands actively encouraging and showcasing UGC are more likely to rank higher in search results.

    Encouraging User-Generated Content

    Assorted-color social media signage representing platforms where UGC thrives

    User-generated content doesn’t just happen; it needs to be encouraged. Here are some proven strategies to inspire customers to create and share content:

    • Contest and Challenges: Hosting contests and challenges encourages creative expression among your users.
    • Branded Hashtags: Creating a branded hashtag is a simple yet effective way to encourage UGC.
    • User Spotlights: One of the most effective ways to encourage UGC is by publicly acknowledging and rewarding it.

    Measuring the Success of Your UGC Strategy

    Graphs of performance analytics on a laptop screen for tracking UGC impact on SEO strategy

    While implementing user-generated content strategies is crucial, measuring their impact is equally important. Without proper metrics, you won’t know what’s working and what’s not, making it challenging to optimize your efforts.

    The Unstoppable Force of User-Generated Content

    As we navigate 2025, one thing is clear: user-generated content is here to stay. Its role in modern marketing is more than essential; it’s the foundation. Brands that recognize and harness the power of UGC will not only survive but thrive in the dynamic digital landscape.

    Don’t just observe the trend—leverage it. Contact Trek.ca to integrate UGC into your marketing strategy. Together, we’ll ensure your brand not only captures but also amplifies the authentic voice of your customers.

    5 tips for creating an SEO roadmap

    Posted on by Alex Wilks

    Having a robust SEO strategy is a fundamental aspect of any online marketing presence. However, its success depends on the creation of a successful SEO roadmap as the foundation for attaining elevated search engine rankings and directing organic traffic toward your website. Listed below are five essential tips to ensure that once implemented, your SEO strategy is headed in the right direction.

    Keyword research is the foundation of your SEO strategy 

    The heart of any successful SEO strategy lies in thorough keyword research. Identify and target relevant keywords that align with your business objectives. We recommend using tools like Google Keyword Planner to discover high-traffic keywords with lower competition. Then, you can Integrate these keywords into your content, meta tags, and headers to enhance your website’s visibility. 

    Create quality and relevant content

    Crafting high-quality, relevant content is pivotal for a successful SEO strategy. This allows you to develop engaging and informative content that caters to your target audience. By regularly updating your website with fresh content, you have more power to keep users and search engines coming back for more. Remember, the more valuable your content, the higher your chances of earning backlinks.

    Optimize on-page elements for enhanced SEO

    A well-optimized website is more likely to rank higher in search engine results. Focus on optimizing on-page elements such as meta titles, meta descriptions, and headers. Ensure that your content is easily readable and your website’s structure is user-friendly. Utilize descriptive URLs and include relevant keywords naturally within your content to improve your site’s SEO performance.  

    Backlink building should be a pillar within your SEO strategy

    Building a robust backlink profile is essential for a successful SEO roadmap. Seek opportunities for guest posting, collaborate with influencers, and engage in social media promotion to increase the visibility of your content. Quality backlinks from authoritative sources signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy, contributing to higher search rankings. This element of an SEO roadmap is a Trek Marketing specialty!

    Regular SEO audits keep your strategy in check

    SEO is an ongoing process, and regular audits are crucial for success. By monitoring your website’s performance using analytics tools, you can identify areas that need improvement, track keyword rankings, and stay informed of algorithm changes. As part of our SEO service, we manage the regularly updating and refining of your SEO strategy, based on these insights, tol keep your roadback effective and adaptive. 

    What are your plans for creating your own SEO roadmap? Drop a comment below to share your vision. 

    How to write great SEO titles as part of your overall strategy

    Posted on by Alex Wilks

    Did you know that your search engine optimization (SEO) title is your website’s gateway to higher click-through rates? Since the SEO title is a potential customer’s first point of contact with your business, it must work to rank you as high as possible on search engine results pages (SERPs). While simply ranking high allows readers to see you first, it’s typically the title that will capture their attention. This blog will assist you in creating engaging headers, which in turn will take your SEO strategy to the next level. 

    Tips for creating titles that are optimized 

    Here we will provide some best practices for coming up with SEO titles and subheadings that will be optimized: 

    • Utilize a/some keyword(s) throughout the content: Aside from mimicking what competitors are doing, you can invest in your SEO strategy by researching the right keywords to help your content rank better. Be sure to remember that using too many technical words might confuse the reader, so when writing a title, be sure to stick to direct, concise words that are used by the general public. The keyword(s) you select work best when included in the title as well as within the content. 
    • Consider how long it is: While titles should be descriptive to attract readers, you want to make sure that they won’t get cut short on a SERP.
    • Emotional hooks are key: Not only do content titles possess the power to hook a reader emotionally but they should also evoke a response emotionally. For example, excitement or interest. When your title is fun and engaging, a reader thinks, “Oh, I want to know more about that.”
    • Don’t forget to sprinkle in your brand when you can: Now, this tip doesn’t mean that every title should include your company name. However, when it’s appropriate to do so, be sure to use add the name and stick to words that fit your brand voice to promote consistency throughout your site. 
    • Know your capitalization: If you capitalize incorrectly, your title will look spammy and not achieve the best ranking possible. Plus, no one wants to read or take tips from an author who leaves errors in their titles. As a rule of thumb, either capitalize all of your words or just the first one—don’t forget to capitalize the names of people, countries, etc. 

    Consistency and professionalism are key in formatting the titles that are used within the content on your website. So, if you’re looking to revamp your SEO strategy moving into the new year, consider the above tips.

    Which tip did you find most helpful and plan to implement into your SEO strategy? Drop a comment below to share. 

    Tight marketing budget? We recommend starting with SEO

    Posted on by Alex Wilks

    There’s no denying that digital marketing is essential for e-commerce businesses, and in a deep sea of competition, the best way for your companies’ website to get noticed is by investing in your online presence. While there are a variety of ways to find success digitally, search engine optimization (SEO) is the best source of action for small business owners who’re on a tight budget and need to put all their eggs in one basket. 

    What is search engine optimization? It’s the process of sorting your website via search engines, which is the best way for consumers to find your brand. However, there needs to be a consistent effort into improving your SEO to ensure its lasting success. Here’s why SEO is the right choice for those operating with tight marketing budgets. 

    Digital marketing value is maximized

    We’re aren’t suggesting that you pour every penny of your rainy-day fund into SEO, but if you can only spend your marketing budget on one service, SEO is the way to go! 

    What is search engine optimization? SEO is a cost-effective marketing strategy that’s great for tight budgets. While improving the quality and quantity of website traffic through popular search engines, SEO targets consumers with unpaid, direct traffic methods rather than paid traffic methods, meaning that through the use of searched key terms, content is formulated shifting your website up organically to be found when phrases are typed under the search bar. Although it can take time to start ranking, the results generated bring the best possible target audience to your shop front. 

    Another great element that makes SEO valuable is that it doesn’t require you to pay for advertising space or clicks. In fact, it can be free if you have the skills and time to do so. That said, if you’re skeptical about SEO strategy, you can work with an SEO strategist to make appealing changes to the website for a set budget. 

    Want to look further into the benefits of SEO for business? 

    The beauty of SEO is that it’s accessible for all. Instead of paying for traditional advertising, time is taken to formulate content that follows SEO basics, which is a greater value for your business long-term. 

    Here are a few reasons why you should find room for SEO in your marketing budget: 

    • It offers a greater opportunity for customers to find your website organically
    • It helps to create a trustworthy web experience for all
    • It encourages businesses to place a greater focus on user experience
    • It helps to improve brand awareness
    • It’s easier to conduct with a wide range of budgets
    • It’s easy to track
    • It benefits a variety of other marketing initiatives

    Are you convinced yet? Drop a comment below if you have any SEO-related questions.

    What’s the difference between SEO content writing versus SEO copywriting?

    Posted on by Alex Wilks

    Search engine optimization (SEO) is a digital marketing practice that enhances a search query for a website or page’s ranking order by improving its visibility on popular search engines like Google or Bing. Since the number one goal of SEO is to improve the user experience, this practice allows search engines to display the most relevant topics, products, and services based on the searched keywords. That said, if you want to take your website to the next level it’s important to employ the correct style of writing to achieve your desired results. 

    What is SEO content writing?

    Based on the explanation of how SEO works in the introduction above, it’s easy to see how SEO content writing plays a key role in where a page or website will be positioned. When users are on the hunt for specific information, they enter their queries into the search engine hoping to find places where their questions will be answered, problems will be solved, or where they can be entertained or educated on a specific subject. Creating high-quality, key-word focused content that ranks well in these search engines will help to generate organic traffic to the desired website or page.

    What is SEO copywriting?

    On the contrary, SEO copywriting is slightly different than SEO content writing. While it’s capable of doing many of the same things, the primary difference is that SEO copywriting is used to convert traffic into leads and sales. 

    While the two types of strategic writing often have the same result, listed below are some examples of how you can distinguish between them:

    • SEO content writing gets the page found, whereas SEO copywriting explains it in more professional detail.
    • SEO content writing is sometimes repetitive to get a higher ranking, whereas SEO copywriting is higher quality. 
    • SEO content writing drives the search intent based on keywords, whereas SEO copywriting distinctively expands on the website’s page, service, or product information. 

    How do you hire someone to handle both SEO content writing and SEO copywriting?

    The truth is, depending on the needs of your project, you may want to hire an SEO specialist to manage your organic traffic needs and a copywriter separately to use keywords to write optimized content. While an SEO specialist understands search engines and knows how to write relevant copy that drives clicks, attracts backlinks, and directs users to an internal page, they aren’t always the most effective when it comes to writing content with an intent to drive conversions, which is why it’s essential to have both people collaborating to find the best success.

    What do SEO specialists do:

    • Increase keyword rankings
    • Drive clicks from search engine results pages (SERPS)
    • Attract high-authority backlinks
    • Convert visitors into buyers or leads

    What do copywriters do: 

    • Write SEO-friendly blog posts using keywords
    • Write SEO-friendly service pages using keywords
    • Handle SEO business content
    • PPC landing pages
    • Link-building content
    • Provide guests posts

    Choosing the right digital marketing team to work with is essential for the success of your online business, so be sure to read reviews of the company and look through the online portfolio. 

    Did you learn anything new after reading our blog above? Please share the information in the comment section below. 

    6 essentials for making the perfect SEO report

    Posted on by Alex Wilks

    Although implementing search engine optimization tactics is what you do best, creating reports for the clients can sometimes be a daunting task. Since every patron and business possesses their own unique goals, it’s important to provide a robust report that lets them know how well your campaigns and strategies are performing to boost their website. That being said, if you have no idea where to start with your upcoming SEO reports, here are six essential elements that are worth including. 

    #1: Website Traffic

    Since most businesses prioritize increasing organic traffic to their websites, traffic should be one of the first elements highlighted in your SEO report. To show your digital marketing agencies’ value, you will want to utilize the source/medium feature of Google Analytics. This component allows you to pinpoint specifics that can be used within your traffic report, which provides key details about where the traffic is coming from. Not only does this allow you to share your efforts with business owners, but it also enables you to place them on display and offer advice on where time and money can be spent to better the digital strategy in the future. 

    #2: Conversion rate 

    Your client’s website could have all the traffic in the world, but if visitors aren’t inclined to make a purchase, it may seem like your efforts are wasted. Keep in mind that while it may take some time before your work starts converting, it’s still important to include it all in your SEO report. After all, conversions show how much money the website is making based on your efforts, and in the coming months when ordering increases, you want to ensure that credit is given where credit is due. The best way to illustrate conversation rates to your clients is through goal tracking, which measures how often users are completing specific actions. This includes the open rate, the click-through rate, and the number of conversions on your client’s site. On a side note, once you know the conversion rate, it will help you better explain other details of your report to the client.

    #3: Page traffic

    Knowing that visitors are reaching your client’s website is a great starting point, but it’s even better to know where they’re going from there. Whether someone reaches the website through an organic search result or they find a recent blog post, pinpointing these trends is a fantastic addition to any SEO report. Aside from knowing that your efforts are working, it also helps the client know that it’s worth investing in added content to improve other pages or product/service descriptions on the website.

    #4: Page speed

    While this metric is often overlooked on SEO reports, it’s an important asset like any other highlight. The success of any search engine optimization service depends on the website’s ability to perform and give the user a great experience, and if the site takes too long to load or is slowed down due to an overflow of content, it could be causing critical technical issues to the SEO performance. So, if there is room for improvement, remember to include it in your next report. Your client will thank you for your additional efforts!

    #5: Time on site/bounce rate

    This metric is an extremely important extra that in our opinion, goes above and beyond what’s expected from most SEO reports. While you have already spent time explaining the efforts that are working to increase your client’s website traffic, conversions, and visibility, the time that’s spent on the website and the bounce rate are metrics that delve deeper into the minds of their target audience, giving insights into many areas that have room for improvement. Be sure to check if their landing pages include outbound links and focus added attention on core pages, like pages, and other pages that feature rich content, such as videos. If the website isn’t retaining the user’s attention, perhaps include some ideas at the end of this section of your SEO report. 

    #6: Rankings

    While keyword rankings are the most popular choice, there are other types of data based on a variety of factors like history, personalization, and even where the users are searching from. Be sure to show your value by tracking your position, but also remember to highlight the overall performance of the other elements of your work as well. 

    Are there any other recommendations that you have to ensure digital marketers are crafting the best SEO reports possible? Drop a comment below.

    Three things we learned from last month’s SERP glitches

    Posted on by Alex Wilks

    For those who’re well enveloped in the world of digital marketing, you likely caught wind of Google suffering a massive indexing glitch last month. Since this bug dejectedly impacted the search quality among users for many hours, it’s worth discussing how this kind of disruption can affect business owners and those who work alongside companies performing their digital marketing services. 

    What does the term “SERPS” refer to?

    Search engine results pages (SERPS) are web pages that are served to users when they search for keywords using a search engine, such as Google or Bing. The user will enter their search query using specific terms and phrases, upon which the search engine will load and present them with a SERP. 

    Each SERP is very unique, as many search queries are performed on the same search engine using the same keywords at the same time. This is also because virtually all search engines will customize the experience for their users by presenting SERPS based on a wide range of factors aside from their search terms, such as the user’s physical location, browsing history, and social settings. This ensures that users get a more intuitive, responsive experience because while two SERPS may appear identical and contain some of the same results if you look closely, they will often feature subtle differences that might better appeal to that searching user. 

    Why SERPS matter for SEO

    If you’re looking to find out “why SERPS matter for SEO”, then you’ve come to the right blog. Think of SERPS as a search engine optimization (SEO) opportunity that shows users your site’s value by offering them passage with a clickable title and inviting page description. 

    Since the order of the pages that appear in the SERPS are determined by a complex algorithm that’s formulated by the search engine used, it’s easy to see how SEO is important. The search engine will judge each website based on a variety of factors that help to determine the relevance and value it shares to the searched phrase or keywords. Often, search engines will also make changes to their algorithms and offer users some insight into how the update impacts SERPS, to allow them to make changes and have a competitive advantage over other businesses who’re also looking to strike an appearance on page one. 

    What did digital marketing experts learn from August’s SERP glitches?

    On Monday, August 10, 2020, the SEO community noticed massive ranking changes in Google’s search results. While it initially appeared that Google updated its algorithm, it was way too far off to not be a glitch. Google confirmed that it was a bug and that it would be a few hours before search engine results were back to normal. Needless to say, while defects in the system are uncommon, they do happen, which is why your SEO team needs to be prepared for the potential of future glitches.

    Three things we learned from last month’s SERP glitches:

    • Beware of your analytics: If you’re checking your analytics and notice that Google’s organic search traffic experiences a huge shift from the day prior, you should remember that bugs happen and disregard the reporting instead of creating unwarranted stress. Keep in mind to follow up the next day to see if the glitch has been fixed. 
    • Rankings change: Search engine rankings are changing all the time, especially on a popular search engine like Google. If it happens on a large scale, assess online to see if they’re any reports from other SEO experts. 
    • SERPS matter: While you likely already know the powerful impact of appearing high on Google’s SERPS, now you better understand how the loss of traffic, new customers, and potential revenue greatly impact the success of your business. Investing in SEO really does matter!

    Was there anything else worth mentioning? Drop a comment below if there was something important that we missed.