![SaaS: use SEO so everyone can find you on internet [SEO checklist]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-seo-checklist-2_929c79cd-fb36-4532-b32d-6922bb8dfa97.png?v=1715867387&width=1100)
SEO isn't just for tech giants and e-commerce platforms—it's a powerful tool that the best SaaS companies use strategically to attract and retain customers.
We understand that you're busy developing and improving your software, and the thought of optimizing your website might feel like an additional burden.
But here's the deal: you don't need to be an SEO expert or spend a fortune to make it work. Just a few simple steps can significantly improve your online visibility and bring more users to your platform.
To help you out, we have built a free SEO checklist - also, for a full action plan, please check our comprehensive guide to marketing tactics and strategies for SaaS businesses.
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What is SEO for SaaS exactly?
Simply put, SEO is all about making your SaaS platform more attractive to search engines like Google.
When someone searches for "best project management software" or "top CRM tools," SEO helps your SaaS platform show up in the results. The goal is to get your website higher up on the search results page so more people can find and use your software.
Why is SEO Important for SaaS Companies?
SEO is incredibly important for SaaS companies, and here’s why:
- Increased Online Visibility:
The higher your website ranks on search engines, the more people will see it. This means more potential customers discovering your software online, especially when they're looking for solutions that your SaaS provides.
- Higher Rankings on Search Engines:
Most people don’t look past the first page of search results. By optimizing your site, you can climb those rankings and beat out the competition. Imagine someone searching for "best time tracking software" and finding your platform right at the top!
- Attracting More Targeted Users:
SEO isn't just about getting anyone to your site—it's about getting the right people. Targeted SEO helps ensure that when someone searches for a specific software solution, your platform pops up. This means more qualified leads and potential subscribers.
Key Components of SEO
Now, let’s break down the main parts of SEO specifically for your SaaS platform:
On-Page SEO
This involves making sure the content on your website is optimized. It includes things like:
- Keywords:
Using the words and phrases people are searching for in your titles, descriptions, and content. For example, if you offer project management tools, make sure you use phrases like "best project management software" or "top project management tools" on your site.
- Content Quality:
Providing useful, engaging, and fresh content about your software. Share your features, benefits, case studies, and user testimonials.
- Meta Tags:
Using meta titles and descriptions that are relevant and appealing to searchers. For instance, a meta description for your homepage could be "Discover [Your SaaS Name], the top-rated project management software for teams of all sizes."
Off-Page SEO
This focuses on actions taken outside your website to impact your rankings:
- Backlinks:
Getting other reputable websites to link to your site, which signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy and relevant. This could be from tech blogs, industry news sites, or partner pages.
- Social Media:
Being active on social media with your SaaS platform’s page can drive traffic to your site and improve your online presence. Share your latest features, customer success stories, and industry insights to engage with your audience.
Technical SEO
This ensures your website meets the technical requirements of search engines:
- Site Speed:
Making sure your website loads quickly. No one likes to wait, especially potential customers looking to learn more about your software!
- Mobile-Friendliness:
Ensuring your site looks and works well on mobile devices. Many people search for software solutions on their phones while on the go.
- Secure Website (HTTPS):
Having a secure website that users (and search engines) can trust. This is especially important if you have an online demo or subscription system.
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Which keywords should you target for your SaaS company?
Business owners, like you, must target specific keywords in SEO because it helps your SaaS platform appear in search results when potential customers look for the type of software solutions you offer. This increases the chances that people will find and subscribe to your service.
For example, if you specialize in project management software, targeting keywords like "best project management tool" or "project management software for small businesses" helps attract customers searching for those terms. This makes it easier for people interested in project management solutions to find your SaaS platform online.
Here are some keyword ideas for you. If you want a more developed strategy with actionable steps, go check out our strategy pack for SaaS businesses.
| Keyword | Competitiveness Level | Tips and Initiatives |
|---|---|---|
| Best [Software Type] for [Industry] | High | Optimize your website with detailed feature descriptions, gather customer testimonials, list on software review sites, and use industry-specific SEO strategies. |
| Top [Software Type] for [Specific Use Case] | Medium | Create blog posts or case studies highlighting successful use cases, use keywords naturally in content, and engage with industry influencers. |
| Affordable [Software Type] for startups | Medium | Highlight affordable pricing plans and features on your website, use keywords related to cost-effectiveness, and promote special offers on social media. |
| Best [Software Type] for small businesses | Medium | Feature small business success stories prominently on your website, use local SEO tactics, and promote your software's benefits on social media. |
| [Software Type] for [Specific Function] | High | Highlight unique functionalities of your software, create SEO-friendly content about your features, and engage with the online community in your niche. |
| Top-rated [Software Type] for [Industry] | High | Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, optimize your website for mobile, and ensure accurate information on software review platforms. |
| Best [Software Type] for remote teams | Low | Highlight features that support remote work on your website, use keywords related to remote work, and promote remote work benefits on social media. |
| Where to find [Software Type] for [Industry] | Medium | Use industry-specific SEO strategies, create content around popular features, and ensure your website is optimized for mobile users searching nearby. |
| Popular [Software Type] for [Industry] | Medium | Use social media to share popular features, engage with industry influencers, and gather customer testimonials to build credibility. |
| Best [Software Type] for teams in [Industry] | Low | Create team-focused content, highlight collaboration features on your website, and host webinars or events to generate buzz. |
What really matters when you do SEO for a SaaS
Actually, we think that SEO often follows the 80/20 rule, meaning that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. For SaaS providers, like you, this means it's crucial to focus on the right strategies to maximize impact without feeling overwhelmed.
| Action / Initiative | Why It Matters / How It Helps Bring New Customers |
|---|---|
| Optimize Google My Business profile | Ensures your SaaS appears in local search results, provides essential information (hours, location, services), and collects reviews to build trust. |
| Gather and respond to online reviews | Positive reviews build credibility and trust. Responding to reviews shows you value customer feedback, encouraging more people to try your software. |
| Create high-quality content with targeted keywords | Helps your website rank higher in search results for relevant queries, attracting customers looking for specific software solutions. |
| Optimize for local SEO | Ensures your SaaS shows up in local searches (e.g., "software solutions near me"), driving traffic from nearby potential customers. |
| Ensure website is mobile-friendly | Most users search for software on their phones. A mobile-friendly site provides a better user experience, leading to higher engagement and conversions. |
| Use high-quality images and videos of your software in action | Attractive visuals entice potential customers, showcasing your software's features and benefits, which can significantly influence their decision to try it. |
| Include detailed product descriptions with keywords | Allows search engines to index your offerings, helping you appear in searches for specific software features, and makes it easy for customers to understand what you offer. |
| List your SaaS on software directories | Increases your online presence and backlinks, improving your search engine ranking and making it easier for customers to find you. |
| Engage with industry bloggers and influencers | Generates buzz and word-of-mouth, reaching a wider audience and attracting customers who trust these industry voices. |
| Promote special offers and free trials | Creates a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging potential customers to try your software for unique experiences. |
| Utilize social media to share updates and engage with customers | Builds a community around your SaaS, keeps customers informed about new features, and drives traffic to your website. |
| Ensure accurate and consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all platforms | Prevents confusion, helps search engines trust your business information, and improves your local SEO ranking. |
| Offer online demos and webinars | Makes it convenient for customers to see your software in action, leading to increased interest and sales. |
| Create blog posts about your software and industry trends | Attracts visitors to your site through informative and engaging content, improving SEO and showcasing what makes your SaaS unique. |
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What is always useless when you do SEO for a SaaS
We have studied a lot of SaaS companies when we built our strategy pack and we saw a lot of SEO-related initiatives that don't help attract new customers. We explain here why they might be a waste of time or even counterproductive.
| Action / Initiative | Why It Doesn't Matter / How It Doesn't Help Bring New Customers |
|---|---|
| Using meta keyword tags | Search engines no longer use meta keyword tags to rank pages, so focusing on them doesn't improve SEO for your SaaS business. |
| Keyword stuffing in feature descriptions | Overusing keywords in feature descriptions makes them hard to read and can be penalized by search engines, turning away potential customers. |
| Paying for backlinks from unrelated websites | Backlinks from non-tech related or low-quality websites don't improve your SEO and can even hurt your ranking if considered spammy by search engines. |
| Using exact match domains like bestsaasplatform.com | Having an exact match domain has minimal impact on SEO and can appear spammy, especially if it doesn't reflect your brand well. |
| Creating multiple pages for the same features | Duplicate content confuses search engines and can dilute your SEO efforts. Focus on one high-quality page for each unique feature or topic. |
| Using Flash for demo or signup pages | Flash is outdated, not supported by many devices, and negatively impacts SEO. Modern alternatives like HTML5 should be used instead. |
| Focusing only on desktop optimization | Many customers search for SaaS solutions on mobile devices. Ignoring mobile optimization leads to poor user experience and lower search rankings. |
| Using automated link-building tools | These tools often create low-quality or spammy links that can be penalized by search engines, hurting your SaaS company's SEO efforts. |
| Ignoring structured data for features | Structured data helps search engines understand your features better. Ignoring it means missing out on potential SEO benefits like rich snippets. |
| Not updating your feature list regularly | Outdated feature information can frustrate customers and harm your SEO. Regular updates keep content relevant and maintain search rankings. |
| Using irrelevant stock photos on your site | Low-quality or irrelevant images can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use high-quality photos or graphics that accurately represent your SaaS product. |
| Over-optimizing anchor text in links | Using exact match keywords for every link appears unnatural and can be penalized by search engines. Use varied, natural anchor text instead. |
| Ignoring page load speed for your website | Slow-loading pages frustrate users and can lead to higher bounce rates, negatively impacting your SaaS company's SEO. Ensure your site loads quickly. |
| Using too many ads above the fold on your homepage | Too many ads at the top of the page can be off-putting for users and may be penalized by search engines, impacting your SEO negatively. |
Should you pay someone for the SEO of your SaaS company?
Well, we will be transparent. Here’s the thing: SEO can get pretty complex, and having some support can really make a difference. Imagine trying to juggle developing your SaaS product, managing your team, keeping your users satisfied, and then on top of that, diving into the world of search engine optimization. It’s a lot, right?
Having someone handle your SEO means you can focus on what you do best—building and improving your SaaS. SEO experts know the ins and outs of getting your website to rank higher on search engines. They stay updated on the latest trends and algorithms, which means your site will be optimized correctly and consistently. This can lead to more people finding your SaaS online, and ultimately, more users signing up for your service.
- But here’s the kicker: there are a lot of low-hanging fruits in SEO that you can tackle on your own, even if you don’t know much about it.
You will find a lot of low-hanging fruits that cost nothing, are quick to implement, and will make your SaaS’s website much more visible in strategy pack for SaaS founders.
Simple actions like optimizing your Google My Business profile, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly, and using relevant keywords can significantly improve your online presence. These tasks don't require deep technical knowledge but can make a big impact.
So, should you increase the marketing budget of your SaaS and pay someone to manage your SEO? If you can do it, it’s a worthwhile investment. But don't underestimate what you can achieve on your own. Start with the basics, see the results, and then decide if you need more specialized help.
Make your SaaS company more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best SaaS in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Useful tools SaaS developers can use for their SEO
Here are some essential tools that our team has collected and listed, to help you improve your SaaS platform's online presence and SEO.
| Tool | How It's Useful |
|---|---|
| Google My Business | Ensures your SaaS platform appears in local search results and Google Maps, provides essential information (hours, location, services), and collects customer reviews. |
| SEMrush | Helps identify the best keywords for your SaaS platform, analyze competitors, and track your search rankings. Provides insights to improve your content and visibility. |
| Yext | Manages your SaaS platform's listings across multiple directories, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information to boost local SEO. |
| Google Search Console | Monitors your SaaS website's performance, identifies issues, and provides data on search traffic and keywords to optimize your SEO strategy. |
| Capterra | Collects customer reviews and ratings, which improve your SaaS platform's online reputation and visibility in search results. |
| BrightLocal | Offers tools for local SEO audits, citation building, and review management, helping your SaaS platform improve its local search presence. |
| Moz | Provides keyword research, link building, and site audit tools to enhance your SaaS platform's SEO efforts and improve search engine rankings. |
| Ahrefs | Analyzes your SaaS platform's backlink profile, identifies top-performing content, and tracks keyword rankings to boost your SEO strategy. |
| Screaming Frog SEO Spider | Crawls your SaaS website to identify technical SEO issues, such as broken links and duplicate content, helping improve site health and rankings. |
| AnswerThePublic | Generates content ideas by showing what people are searching for related to your SaaS platform, helping you create relevant and engaging blog posts and pages. |
| Canva | Helps create visually appealing social media posts and graphics for your website, which can improve user engagement and indirectly boost SEO. |
| Hotjar | Provides insights into user behavior on your SaaS platform's website through heatmaps and session recordings, helping you optimize user experience and reduce bounce rates. |
Copy the SEO tactics of the best SaaS developers
We understand why many SaaS founders might shy away from SEO and marketing.
Running a SaaS business is already a full-time job, and the concept of SEO can seem vague and foreign. The terminology can be confusing, and it often feels like marketing is a luxury only big corporations can afford.
Plus, there's the constant worry about costs and whether any marketing efforts will actually pay off. We get that you prefer to focus on immediate, tangible improvements to your software rather than dive into something that seems complicated and uncertain. No need to deteriorate your SaaS budget here.
That's why we've created a "marketing toolkit" specifically for SaaS founders like you.
Our toolkit is designed to address all these concerns head-on. It includes easy-to-follow guides that break down SEO and marketing into simple steps, so you don't need to be a tech expert to understand. We offer cost-effective strategies that fit within tight budgets, and our step-by-step plans ensure that you can implement a good marketing strategy for your SaaS without feeling overwhelmed.
Plus, we've included real-life examples and tips that have worked for other small SaaS companies, so you can see the tangible benefits before you even start.
Our goal is to make marketing accessible and practical, helping your SaaS thrive without adding extra stress to your already busy life.
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