Category: Search Engine Optimization Blog

Welcome to TESSA’s SEO Blog

Welcome to TESSA’s SEO blog — practical, agency-tested writing on search engine optimization for businesses that need their sites to actually show up. We’ve been doing SEO since 2012, and this blog is where we share what’s working right now, what’s changed, and what’s coming next in search.

If you run a business and need real results from SEO — not theoretical tactics, not regurgitated best practices, not the same advice every SEO blog has been recycling for a decade — this is the SEO blog for you.

What You’ll Find on This SEO Blog

Our SEO blog covers the full range of search optimization topics that matter for growing a business in 2026:

SEO fundamentals. Keyword research, on-site optimization, content strategy, technical SEO. The foundation hasn’t changed even though the tactics have.

Local SEO. Google Business Profile optimization, local pack rankings, review management, and how to dominate search in your service area.

AI search optimization. How ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Brave Search are changing how customers find businesses — and what to do about it.

Industry-specific SEO. SEO for software companies, law firms, manufacturers, nonprofits, ecommerce — what works differently in each vertical.

Agency picks and platform reviews. Honest evaluations of the tools, hosts, and platforms we use across client work. What’s worth the money. What isn’t.

Awards, case studies, and results. When our SEO work wins awards or delivers measurable client results, we share what we did and why it worked.

Why TESSA’s SEO Blog?

Every post on this SEO blog comes from real client work. TESSA has been an SEO agency since 2012 — through every major algorithm update, every shift in search behavior, and now through the AI search transition. We’ve worked with hundreds of businesses across local services, software, ecommerce, nonprofits, and enterprise. When we write about SEO, we’re writing from experience, not theory.

We don’t publish for SEO traffic alone. We publish to help business owners and marketing leaders make smarter decisions about search. If you find this SEO blog useful, you’ll probably find our SEO services useful too. If you’re trying to learn SEO yourself or evaluate an agency, our pillar guides on what SEO is and how to choose an SEO agency are good starting points.

Browse the latest SEO blog posts below, or book a free 30-minute strategy call if you’d rather just talk through your situation.

Search Engine Optimization Blog

Keyword research for SEO

July 19, 2013

Keyword Research for SEO: The 2026 Guide Keyword research for SEO is the foundation of every successful search engine optimization…

Search Engine Optimization Blog

White Hat SEO Used Exclusively by this Virginia SEO Company

July 12, 2013

White Hat vs. Black Hat SEO At TESSA, a Northern Virginia internet marketing company, we only use White Hat SEO.…

Search Engine Optimization Blog

Ten Common Mistakes of SEO for Software Companies

April 24, 2013

SEO for Software Companies: 10 Mistakes That Cost Tech Companies Millions I founded and was CTO of a software company…

Search Engine Optimization Blog

Why Your Business Needs An Effective SEO Strategy

November 20, 2012

If you have a business, then you have probably heard the phrase "Search Engine Optimization" or SEO mentioned as a…

Rated 5 out of 5 stars from 70+ business owners and marketing teams.

TESSA Marketing & Technology is rated 5.0 out of 5 based on 70 reviews from around the Web.

2025-09-25

Fantastic group to work with.

Jon P.
2025-03-15

It’s a pleasure to work with Matt and Kevin. Their SEO strategies are thorough and highly customized to help each client’s particular needs. I highly...

Lilian C.
2025-03-14

Tessa is an amazing company they have done an amazing job with SEO and managing Google Ads. Matt and his team are wonderful at what they do, and you can...

Mario D.
2024-04-19

Since I've partnered with them on my SEO and PPC campaigns, my rankings have soared! I could not be happier.

Mark H.
2024-04-16

Great company that achieves results and is very easy to work with.

Carrie W.
2023-08-08

We had a great experience. They assisted us with our new website. It looks great and is easy to use. Kevin was helpful and patient. We get lots of...

Helen K.
2023-05-18

Tessa has handled our digital marketing for years and helped us establish ourselves in a competitive market. I recommend them to many friends who also own...

Michael B.
2023-01-04

Tessa is excellent to work with. They are knowledgeable, organized, and communicative. I cannot recommend their services enough!

Raymond R.
2022-10-14

Kevin and Matt at Tessa do a great job with online marketing and SEO. They have a wealth of experience and superior technical knowledge, but they can also...

David K.
2022-10-13

Amazing service. They know what they can do. It helps your company to rank higher.

Michael
2022-10-10

Highly recommend it as the best digital marketing agency in Virginia.

MURAT Y.
2022-10-09

They know what they are talking about. Which is good, because I don't. You are in great hands if you work with TESSA!!!!

Astri W.
2022-10-07

His insight and knowledge give him much credibility!

Michael H.
2022-06-03

I have been working with Tessa for the past 5 years+They helped grow my business and cater to my business changing needs.Very professional, I am extremely happy with their service.

sameh k.
2022-05-01

Professional and Performance driven. Our web site has continually improved its ranking in all categories every month.

Danny P.
2022-01-18

Very Good Service.

Hossein A.
2022-01-14

TESSA designed a our new website and we are very happy with the results. Everyone we worked with was highly professional and responsive.

Sundance P.
2021-07-19

TESSA has been working with us for over half a year now and they've been phenomenal every step of the way.

Marissa Van C.
2021-07-16

By far the most trusted SEO, marketing, and no BS group I’ve dealt with. I went through 3 or 4 SEO companies before I found them.

Jason D.
2019-03-23

Love these guys!

Paul D.
2019-02-27

Kevin and the whole staff at Tessa were very helpful in working with me to develop our new website. Price was reasonable as well.

Darren G.
2018-12-11

Great team to have on your side when competing for business.

Richard B.
2018-12-11

They were very good with working on us with what we were looking for in our website.

Becky P.
2018-11-16

TESSA Marketing & Technology are full of amazing insight.

Richard S.
2018-09-28

A pleasure to do business with.

Curtis G.
2018-07-27

I know the owners of a number of the companies Tessa has done work for, and every one of them has been thrilled with the difference Tessa has made in their business.

Kevin C.
2018-07-23

I have a steady flow of clientele due to their SEO services.

Heather S.
2018-07-20

The crew at Tessa is one-of-a-kind. I trust them completely and so should you.

Joshua B.
2018-07-11

Great group of people! The rates are fair and they offer a great service base. I recommend them to lots of people who also uses them.

Jason S.
2018-07-11

Thank so much TESSA, you made me look good and made the launch of my client's website an awesome experience for everybody involved.

Paul G.
2018-06-27

Their team has been absolutely amazing!!! They have been very accommodating with all of my special requests.

Farida F.
2018-05-25

Kevin and Matt always go above and beyond and I highly recommend their services.

Michelle W.
2018-05-24

This company is great to work with. They have provided SEO services and website services for us.

Michael R.
2018-05-22

Tessa provides a good variety of services to enhance your web presence depending on your needs.

Jordan K.
2018-05-22

We are also getting unsolicited positive comments on our website as well for being easy to navigate and very professional.

Jerry H.
2018-05-22

Talented and exceptional customer service.

Diane S.
2018-05-21

I highly recommend them to anyone looking for reliable, dedicated, professional and friendly business partners.

GeneralRecreationInc
2018-05-18

Tessa is very easy to work with; are dependable, and knowledgeable. We don't use any other company now.

Diane L S.
2018-05-18

Our "go to" company to send potential SEO clients to.

Steve I.
2018-05-18

Resourceful, good customer service.

Christine W.
2018-05-10

Tessa has done an outstanding job for us. Great SEO work and new website design and development. We are getting thousands more website visits per month since we started working with them. They do a great job!

Andy C.
2018-05-10

A great routing company with a lot of experience.

Kevin B.
2018-05-10

Expert knowledge in a difficult field - Kevin creates real, measurable results.

Ron D.
2018-04-27

Eric is an amazing internet marketer. They know their stuff and got our website on the 1st page of Google much quicker than expected.

Jackie R.
2018-03-20

Kevin Callen and his team are highly experienced and professional. I am confident you will be pleased when you choose to work them.

Jessica K.
2018-02-08

Kevin provided excellent outsourced SEO services for NFG, and I worked with him at least twice a week during our partnership.

Gordon M.
2018-01-18

I have had the pleasure of working with Kevin in a business relationship for the past several years and have found him to be a man of high integrity, someone I know I can trust!

Marilyn B.
2018-01-04

They have an amazing depth of knowledge about online marketing and SEO and the diligence and conscientiousness to follow through on execution.

David K.
2017-12-13

TESSA's ability to solve complex web development problems is unsurpassed. SEO and security are also areas where TESSA excels in.

Paul G.
2017-12-13

Kevin and the team at TESSA are deeply experienced with SEO, SEM, and website/software development. They're also great people!

Pete L.

Category: Search Engine Optimization Blog

Welcome to TESSA’s SEO Blog

What You’ll Find on This SEO Blog

Why TESSA’s SEO Blog?

Keyword research for SEO

White Hat SEO Used Exclusively by this Virginia SEO Company

Ten Common Mistakes of SEO for Software Companies

Why Your Business Needs An Effective SEO Strategy

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