Tara Claeys is a seasoned website designer and developer with a marketing background going back over 25 years. She began her career in advertising and marketing before “digital” was a thing.

As technology and the internet evolved, Tara discovered website development and WordPress and transitioned to building custom websites for local businesses.

Founded in 2010, Tara’s agency, Design TLC, specializes in WordPress websites and digital marketing for small schools, enrichment programs, camps, and education-focused nonprofits. Tara combines her marketing and technical experience with the perspective of a parent whose children attended both public and private schools, and participated in various camps and enrichment programs.

Tara has presented on website design, SEO, and essential tools for productivity, and she is active in the WordPress community. She was awarded the 2016 Arlington, Virginia Chamber of Commerce Best Technology Business and is a founding member of AwesomeWomen.org, a women's entrepreneurial business group.

Tara Quoted

“SEO is trying to increase your authority in order to get you ranked higher in search results.”

“Google knows people are trying to game the system.”

“After working on your SEO, you should be able to see a difference in 30-90 days.”

“Sometimes Google changes their algorithm. We try not to overreact.”

“Google will say your meta description doesn’t affect ranking, but we think it does.”

“You own your data with Wordpress and you can host it wherever you want.”

“One-third of websites in the world are made with Wordpress, including The New York Times.”

“Wordpress is very affordable and works well for small schools with smaller budgets.”

“Site speed is important for Google. Keep it at or under 3 seconds.”

What You’ll Learn

What is SEO, how to use it, and why it’s important to your website.
What are keywords, longtail keywords, backlinking,
What EAT is.
How to improve your SEO.
How brand affects your SEO.
What is SERP and how you can improve it.
What is Wordpress?

Resources

Keywords Everywhere Extension

KW Finder (Mangools)

Ubersuggest

InspirED’s podcast with Simon Noakes

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Featured

Rob Norman

Best Boy, InspirED School Marketers

Rob has 25 years of independent school marketing experience as principal of Turnaround Marketing Communications, a branding and marketing firm specializing in independent schools. Rob shares his experience on InspirED School Marketers by blogging, editing the Daily Jolt, and by podcasting with fascinating independent school movers and shakers. As InspirED's Best Boy — a term borrowed from theater, Rob's longtime passion — Rob loves to be out and about, meeting with school marketers, learning their needs, and helping them overcome challenges. Be sure to ask Rob about his golf game.

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