I get asked all the time, several times a week in fact, by friends and competitors, how our store performs so well in search results. It's no secret formula and it is not something you can buy. You can't trick Google and other search engines into ranking you higher. There is one fundamental action you can do to rank higher, consistently, and drive traffic to your store's website:

Content

There is something that sets me apart from most stores, and that is my experience in the industry. That experience is valuable to those who are looking for advice from an expert. Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other search engines are looking to send users to sites which offer answers, well-written answers, to their queries. As the owner of Nest Bedding, I not only am the owner of a mattress store, but I work with customers every day, and have years of experience doing so. I provide help to hundreds and over the years, thousands, looking for a mattress and more importantly, a solution to their sleep related issues.

By sharing this valuable experience and insight on my blog on a daily basis, I am making my blog sort of a wikipedia for the masses. When someone types in "organic mattress" or "memory foam sleeps hot" they are directed to information-rich pages discussing these products and issues.

So, my advice to my friends and competitors? Provide relevant, well-written content on a daily basis. Don't hire a webmaster, be your own webmaster. Take control of your website and don't make it read like a boring catalog. Share your personal stories, experience and insights. Then you will start to see a steady flow of visitors finding you as your website becomes more valuable in the eyes of search engines.