by Jonathon Hyjek | Nov 4, 2012 | Online Marketing, Search Engine Optimization
In today’s digital age, your business’s online presence is not just an asset—it’s a necessity. When potential customers search for your company or services, the digital trail you leave behind, often referred to as your digital footprint, can make or break their decision to engage with you.
This footprint encompasses every listing, profile, and piece of content associated with your business that you can control or influence. A robust digital footprint establishes credibility, builds trust, and amplifies your reach, ensuring that your business stands out in a crowded online marketplace.
This article explores the concept of a digital footprint, why it matters for businesses, and how to strategically build and manage it to dominate search engine results. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to enhance your online presence and attract more customers.
What Is a Digital Footprint?
Your digital footprint is the collection of online content associated with your business that appears when someone searches for your company name or related keywords. Think of it as a virtual pathway that leads potential customers directly to your business. This pathway includes your website, social media profiles, business directory listings, review platforms, and any other online platforms where your business has a presence.
When customers search for your business, they typically fall into one of two categories:
- Discovery Searchers: These are people who don’t know your business but are searching for products or services you offer. They use broad keywords like “SEO company” or “local bakery near me.”
- Direct Searchers: These individuals already know your business name, perhaps through a referral or advertisement, and search for it specifically, such as “Jonathon Hyjek SEO Services.”
While search engine optimization (SEO) is critical for capturing discovery searchers, building a strong digital footprint is equally important for direct searchers. A well-crafted digital footprint ensures that when someone searches for your business name, they find a wealth of credible, consistent, and professional information about you.
Why Your Digital Footprint Matters
A strong digital footprint serves multiple purposes, each contributing to your business’s success:
1. Establishes Credibility and Trust
When potential customers search for your business and find a well-maintained website followed by active profiles on LinkedIn, Yelp, Google Business Profile, and other platforms, it signals that your business is legitimate and engaged. A sparse or inconsistent online presence, on the other hand, can raise doubts about your reliability.
2. Amplifies Your Reach
By occupying multiple spots on the first page or two of search engine results, you increase the likelihood that searchers will interact with your business. Even if they don’t click on your website immediately, they may visit your LinkedIn page, read Yelp reviews, or explore your social media, all of which can lead them back to you.
3. Enhances SEO Performance
Many online profiles and directories allow you to include links to your website. These backlinks can improve your website’s authority in the eyes of search engines, boosting your organic rankings for both branded and non-branded keywords.
4. Shapes Your Narrative
A strong digital footprint lets you control the story told about your business. By creating and optimizing profiles, you can highlight your strengths, showcase customer testimonials, and address potential concerns before they arise.
Building Your Digital Footprint: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a comprehensive digital footprint requires strategy, consistency, and patience. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Secure Your Website as the Foundation
Your website is the cornerstone of your digital footprint. When someone searches for your business name, your website should ideally be the first result. To ensure this:
- Optimize for Your Brand: Include your business name in your website’s title tags, meta descriptions, and content. For example, “Jonathon Hyjek SEO Services – London, Ontario” is more effective than a generic “SEO Services.”
- Ensure Accessibility: Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, fast-loading, and easy to navigate.
- Claim Your Domain: Use a domain that matches your business name (e.g., jonathonhyjek.com) to reinforce brand consistency.
If your website isn’t ranking at the top for your business name, you may need to investigate technical SEO issues or competing listings, such as outdated directory profiles.
Step 2: Claim and Optimize Key Online Profiles
Beyond your website, create and optimize profiles on platforms that align with your industry and audience. These platforms fall into three main categories:
Social Media Platforms
- LinkedIn: Create a company page and a personal profile for key team members. Share industry insights, case studies, and company updates.
- Twitter/X: Use your business name as your handle and post regularly about your services, promotions, and industry news.
- Facebook: Build a business page with complete contact information, customer reviews, and engaging content like photos or videos.
- Instagram: Ideal for visually-driven businesses, such as restaurants or retailers. Share high-quality images and use hashtags to increase discoverability.
Business Directories
- Google Business Profile: Claim and verify your profile to appear in Google Maps and local search results. Include accurate business details, photos, and regular updates on your Google Business Profile.
- Yelp: Optimize your Yelp page with a detailed business description, photos, and prompt responses to customer reviews.
- Manta, Weblocal, and Yellow Pages: These directories are particularly valuable for local businesses. Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) is consistent across all platforms.
Industry-Specific Platforms
- Quora: Answer questions related to your industry to establish expertise and drive traffic to your website.
- Houzz or Angi: For home improvement businesses, these platforms are essential for showcasing projects and collecting reviews.
- TripAdvisor: Critical for hospitality businesses like hotels or restaurants.
When creating profiles, use consistent branding (logos, colors, and messaging) and include links to your website. Avoid creating profiles on low-quality or spammy directories, as they can harm your reputation.
Step 3: Create Valuable Content
Content is a powerful tool for expanding your digital footprint. By publishing blog posts, videos, or infographics, you can occupy more search engine real estate and engage potential customers. Consider:
- Blogging: Write articles on your website about topics relevant to your audience. For example, an SEO company could publish “Top 10 SEO Mistakes Businesses Make.”
- Guest Posting: Contribute articles to reputable industry blogs, including a link back to your website.
- Video Content: Create short videos for YouTube or TikTok that showcase your expertise or behind-the-scenes looks at your business.
Step 4: Manage Online Reviews
Reviews on platforms like Yelp, Google, and Facebook are a critical part of your digital footprint. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and respond promptly to all reviews, positive or negative. A thoughtful response to a negative review can demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.
Step 5: Monitor and Maintain Your Footprint
Building a digital footprint is not a one-time task. Regularly:
- Check for Accuracy: Ensure your business information is up-to-date across all platforms, especially after a rebrand or change in contact details.
- Monitor Search Results: Search for your business name periodically to see what appears. If undesirable results (e.g., outdated profiles) show up, take steps to suppress or remove them.
- Engage Actively: Post updates, respond to comments, and interact with followers to keep your profiles active and relevant.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While building your digital footprint, steer clear of these mistakes:
- Spamming Search Engines: Creating dozens of low-quality profiles in a short period can trigger search engine penalties. Build profiles gradually and focus on reputable platforms.
- Inconsistent Information: Discrepancies in your business name, address, or phone number can confuse customers and harm your SEO.
- Neglecting Maintenance: Outdated profiles or inactive social media accounts can make your business appear unprofessional.
Measuring the Impact of Your Digital Footprint
To gauge the effectiveness of your efforts, track key metrics:
- Search Engine Rankings: Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor where your website and profiles rank for your business name and related keywords.
- Website Traffic: Analyze referral traffic from social media, directories, and other profiles using Google Analytics.
- Customer Engagement: Monitor likes, comments, and shares on social media to assess audience interaction.
Final Thoughts
Mastering your digital footprint is an ongoing process that requires strategy and diligence. By securing a strong website, claiming key profiles, creating valuable content, and actively managing your online presence, you can dominate search engine results and build trust with potential customers. A well-crafted digital footprint not only makes your business appear larger and more credible but also ensures that customers can easily find and engage with you, no matter how they search.
Start today by auditing your current online presence and identifying gaps. With consistent effort, your digital footprint will become a powerful tool for driving growth and establishing your business as a leader in your industry.
by Jonathon Hyjek | Aug 22, 2012 | Search Engine Optimization
You don’t have to look very hard to find an SEO company to help you improve your rankings. Just Google the term “SEO company”, do a search on Twitter or check out Linkedin and you will be faced with hundreds or thousands of results for SEO companies and independent consultants who claim to all be able to get your website onto the front page of Google.
How do you know which company or consultant to trust? How do you know what they’re telling you is true?
SEO is a field that technically doesn’t have right or wrong answers because there isn’t a formal/official body that oversees the industry. It’s not like doing a safety check on a car or wiring a house where there’s a right way and a wrong way. There’s a standard list of do’s and don’ts.
SEO isn’t like that. There are tactics and strategies that one SEO company will use and another will avoid. Each company has their own way of doing things and it may vary slightly from what another company does. At the end of it all, there isn’t an official body or group that oversees and makes sure that SEO is done right because in one sense, it’s like nailing jello to the wall!
SEO is Evolving
SEO is an ever-changing and evolving field and what worked 12 months ago may not work as well today, or might not work at all. That in itself isn’t a bad thing as it keeps professional SEO consultants and companies on their toes. Daily reading of whats happening in the industry and with Google is just part of understanding the field.
Bad SEO Companies Use Old Methods
With the SEO world changing so rapidly, what sets a good SEO company apart from a bad one is updated information. Good SEO companies are always learning, reading and testing to keep up with the changes and evolving their techniques and strategies as Google rolls out changes to their search algorithm.
SEO Company Tactics to Avoid
If you ever see phrases like this, you might be dealing with a company that “thinks” they know SEO, but they clearly do not.
“We will submit your website to search engines”
“We will submit your website to hundreds of web directories”
“We will submit hundreds of articles to article directories”
“We guarantee #1 rankings”
Other Warning Signs
If an SEO company is secretive about their methods and they aren’t able to answer your questions, you might want to look elsewhere. While every SEO company isn’t going to know everything there is to know, if they can’t or aren’t willing to talk specifics about your SEO campaign, it’s probably time to find another SEO company.
Work with Someone You Can Trust
If you find a good SEO company that you feel that you can trust, settle in for the long haul. Don’t look at it like a one-time transaction, but rather a long-term relationship.
by Jonathon Hyjek | Jul 18, 2012 | Search Engine Optimization
This is a topic that I have researched myself for obvious reasons and one that I find very interesting and confusing at the same time. The reason that I find it so interesting is because there’s such a wide variety of prices represented in the SEO field. There are local companies that charge rates that I think are a little high, others that I believe charge far too little and then large, national companies that charge rates that would seem like highway robbery.
Google the term SEO prices and you will likely come up with websites from SEO companies located around the globe and prices that span a wide range. From as low as $50 per month to over $10,000 per month for monthly rates. Many individual SEO professionals however charge by the hour, anywhere from $50 per hour to $1000 per hour and it may be difficult to tell what the difference between the services and service providers is. Clearly something is wrong with this picture!
Let’s compare…
SEO is still a fairly young industry and therefore doesn’t have a long track record. When you go to a local auto repair facility and have your car fixed, you expect to pay between $75 and $100 per hour. It’s the going rate for that type of service. It’s unlikely that you will find a mechanic that charges $10 per hour and unlikely you will find one that charges $1500 per hour.
There are a few industries that have a wide range of prices, like the SEO business. One of them is hairstylists. You can drop by a local hair salon chain and get a haircut for under $20 or you can find an exclusive salon that charges $400. It’s seemingly the same thing that you’re getting at both businesses, so how can one charge 20x more than another?
So why is the SEO price range so wide?
Three words come to mind when I think of SEO prices: Expertise, Value & Exclusivity.
Expertise: How long has the SEO consultant been in the business? It takes a year or two of trying, testing, failing, testing, failing and trying some more to truly understand the ins and outs of SEO. An “expert” in the field may not have formal education, but they will have spent time to build their knowledge. They will spend time everyday reading and keeping up on the trends in SEO and they’re highly adaptable. There are a few different “certifications” for the SEO industry, but not one that stands out like most other industries have, so beware of someone claiming to have a certification. For $89 an SEO can get a book, read it, write a test and get the “certification,” however it’s value is questionable. Real life experience is far better.
Value: This is something that is hard to put a number on, but there’s something to be said for the value that an SEO can bring to a project. For example, imagine an SEO is contacted by a fortune 500 company for SEO services. The value that he/she may bring to helping them with their SEO could easily generate millions of dollars in extra revenue for the company. It’s highly unlikely that this type of work is going to be done for $500!
Exclusivity: Along with value, there are some SEO experts that have built a name for themselves, they have a proven track record of success and therefore are asking a lot of money for their help. It wouldn’t be out of the question to pay $500 or more per hour for their services, but on the other hand, this is money well spent if you can afford it.
A word about price
Just like everything in life, there are low priced items and high priced items and they aren’t the same. Watch out for SEO services that are priced very, very low. It may be tempting to jump on board with a low price, but watch out; You might be doing more harm than good. Often low priced SEO services are also attached to people who are using old methods and they believe there are magic tricks they can do to get your great search engine rankings overnight. Truthfully, they can’t so don’t buy their line. They most likely can’t get your website into the #1 position in a week or two, although it might be possible. Just watch out for a deal that is too good to be true.
A good quality, reputable SEO knows their value and will charge accordingly.
by Jonathon Hyjek | Jul 13, 2012 | Search Engine Optimization
One of the websites that I co-own and manage is enjoying some wonderful long tail keyword success! I love logging into Google Analytics each day and looking at how people found the website.
On a side-note, it’s always fun to look at what people actually type into Google to find a website. Some people really don’t get search engines…
The website in question has a lot of content on it and I suspect that’s why it’s getting the long-tail keyword searches. With enough content on almost any website, it’s almost inevitable that you end up with traffic from long-tail keyword searches. In fact, it makes one take a good look at all the content on a website and ensure that there’s enough of it to tempt the search engines to rank the website well for these searches.
Of course there’s that list of coveted keywords that every website wants to rank for, but maybe we (myself included) spend far too much time optimizing for those few valuable keywords, all the while, missing out on the vast amount of traffic that’s available for the taking from those odd long-tail searches.
The best thing about the long-tail success that I am having, is that it’s accidental so it means the website doesn’t look spammy. I didn’t try much at all; It just happened.
What’s the key to long-tail keyword success?
1 word: CONTENT
It’s as simple as that. No blackhat SEO tricks, no keyword stuffing, no spammy content. Just real, quality, fresh content and lots of it.
by Jonathon Hyjek | Jun 19, 2012 | Search Engine Optimization
For small businesses scraping by on tight budgets, the idea of hiring an SEO company can feel like a pipe dream. Monthly retainers for SEO services—designed to push websites up the search engine rankings—often seem out of reach when every dollar is spoken for.
And I get it. You’re looking for a cheap SEO strategy.
As I’ve written before, SEO isn’t some mystical shortcut or a silver bullet you can fire and forget. It’s a grind. It takes time, effort, and persistence to see your website climb the ranks and stay in Google’s good graces.
But here’s the part that might surprise you: many small business owners don’t realize how much power they have to improve their website’s performance without shelling out for an expert. SEO agencies might not shout this from the rooftops (it’s their livelihood, after all!), but you can make a real dent in your rankings with a DIY approach—if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves.
In 2025, with search engines smarter than ever, the fundamentals still hold true: give Google what it wants, and it’ll reward you.
So, what does Google want? Let’s break it down into the core elements you can tackle on your own, even if your budget is next to nothing. I’ll give you a detailed roadmap, actionable steps, and a plan to see results in just 60 days—all without spending a dime.
Content: The Heartbeat of Your Website
If there’s one thing that’s stood the test of time in SEO, it’s content. Google loves websites that consistently deliver fresh, high-quality material that’s relevant to their audience. But “high-quality” isn’t just a buzzword—it’s measurable.
Google tracks how long people stay on your page, whether they bounce right back to the search results, and how often your content gets shared or linked to. Translation? You can’t fake it with keyword-stuffed gibberish or thin, pointless posts.
Instead, lean into what you know. Your business has a story, expertise, and value to offer—so share it. Write about your industry, your process, or your customers’ pain points. Not sure where to start? Think about what your audience might want to know: tips related to your services, updates on your offerings, or insights into how your business operates.
For instance, you could write about seasonal trends in your niche, explain a common problem your customers face, or highlight a new feature you’ve added to your lineup. Aim for two to three posts a week—about 300-500 words each is plenty to start, although if you can write a longer piece and keep it quality, do it. Long-form blog posts (over 1500 words) have been found to rank better overall.
Don’t overthink it; just make it useful and authentic.
Here’s a bonus: add a call-to-action at the end (e.g., “Sign up for our newsletter” or “Follow us on X for updates”) and include social sharing buttons. When readers spread your content on platforms like X or LinkedIn, it amplifies your reach and sends Google a signal that your site’s worth noticing. The more your content resonates, the more traction it’ll gain—both with people and with search engines.
Social Media: Your Megaphone to the World
Let’s talk social media—yes, even if you’d rather avoid it. Platforms like X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and whatever’s trending in 2025 aren’t just distractions; they’re free tools to boost your SEO. Google and other search engines pay attention to how active you are online. A vibrant social presence tells them your business is legitimate, engaged, and part of a living, breathing community.
Start simple: every time you publish a new post on your website, share it across your social channels. But don’t stop there—mix it up. Post a quick tip related to your industry, comment on a trending topic, or reshare something valuable from your niche.
The key is variety and consistency. For example, one day you might share your latest blog post with a catchy teaser; the next, you could ask your followers a question or post a fun fact tied to your business. Log in daily, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Engage with followers, reply to comments, or reshare relevant content. And double-check that every profile links back to your website—those connections matter.
Social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s less about posting constantly and more about showing up regularly. Over time, this activity builds a web of signals that search engines can’t ignore, reinforcing your website’s credibility and reach.
Your 60-Day DIY SEO Blueprint
Ready to put this into practice? Here’s a step-by-step plan to kickstart your SEO without spending a penny. It’s straightforward but requires commitment—think of it as a two-month challenge to transform your online presence.
-
- Ramp Up Content Creation: Commit to publishing a new blog post or article on your website 1 to 3 times each week. Set a schedule and stick to it. Write about what your customers care about or what showcases your expertise. If you’re stuck, brainstorm a list of ideas upfront: common questions you get, behind-the-scenes looks at your work, or practical advice tied to your industry.
- Share Like Clockwork: After each post goes live, share a link on your social platforms—X, LinkedIn, Facebook, or all of them. Don’t just paste the URL; add a hook. For example: “Struggling with [problem]? Our latest post has 3 fixes you can try today.” This takes five minutes per post but makes a big difference. Experiment with timing—morning posts might work better for some audiences, evenings for others.
- Stay Socially Active: Log into your accounts every day. Post something original a few times a week—maybe a quick thought, a question for your followers, or a photo of your work. Spend the rest of your time engaging: like comments, answer questions, or reshare content from others in your field. Aim for 10-15 minutes daily—it’s a small investment with a big payoff.
- Add Basic Optimization: You don’t need to be an SEO pro, but sprinkle in a few easy wins. Pick a main topic or keyword for each post (something your customers might search for) and use it naturally in your title, a subheading, and once or twice in the text. Keep URLs clean (e.g., yoursite.com/topic-name) and add an image with a descriptive filename (e.g., “topic-name-image.jpg”). These tweaks help Google understand what your content’s about.
- Measure Your Success: After 60 days, check your results. Pull up Google Analytics (it’s free—just set it up if you haven’t) and look at organic traffic (visitors from search engines), time on site, and referral traffic from social media. Compare it to the 60 days before you started. You should see growth—maybe a modest bump at first, but it’s a sign you’re on the right track. If the numbers don’t move, reassess: Are your topics relevant? Are you posting enough?
This approach works because it aligns with what search engines crave: fresh, useful content and an active online presence. It’s not instant—Google needs time to crawl your site and register your efforts—but it builds momentum. Stick with it, and you’ll see the needle move.
The Pitfall: Falling Off the Wagon
Here’s where most people stumble—and it’s completely understandable. You might crush it for the first two weeks, posting diligently and staying active on social media. Then life kicks in. A big project lands, an unexpected expense hits, or you’re just too wiped out to write. Suddenly, it’s been three weeks since your last post, and your social accounts are gathering dust. Sound familiar?
This is why SEO companies thrive. Managing content and social media isn’t hard, but it’s relentless. It’s like exercising—you don’t see results if you quit after a few sessions. If you’re determined to DIY, set yourself up for success: block off an hour a week to draft posts, use a scheduling tool for social shares, or jot down ideas whenever they strike. Consistency trumps perfection. Even two solid posts a week with regular social activity beats sporadic bursts followed by silence.
Beyond the Basics: What’s Next?
Once you’ve got this foundation locked in, you can layer on more if you’re ready. Speed up your website (Google hates slow load times—aim for under three seconds), chase backlinks by reaching out to industry blogs, or fine-tune meta descriptions to boost clicks from search results. These take more time or technical know-how, and you might eventually want help, but they’re not urgent. The plan I’ve outlined here is enough to get traction—and it’s entirely within your control.
Troubleshooting: What If It’s Not Working?
If 60 days pass and your traffic’s flat, don’t panic—it’s a chance to adjust. Ask yourself: Is your content hitting the mark? Search online or on X for what your audience is talking about, and tailor your posts to match. Are you posting enough? Two posts a week is a minimum; three or more is better. Are you engaging online? Sharing without interacting is like shouting into a void. Tweak, experiment, and keep going—SEO rewards persistence.
The Bottom Line: You’ve Got More Control Than You Think
SEO doesn’t have to be a budget-buster or a black box. You don’t need a fat wallet or a fancy contract to start climbing the search engine ladder. With a little grit and a lot of consistency, you can boost your rankings, draw more visitors, and grow your business—all on your own terms. Start this week. Commit for 60 days. Check your stats. You’ll be amazed at what you can pull off. Google’s watching—and so are your future customers.
