There are so many recommendations and things to do to build your brand online, it can seem overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. This list is far from exhaustive, but each of these “must-do” SEO tips will improve your brand’s standing on search engines, social platforms, and more.
1. Do Think About the Algorithm
There is a lot of contradictory advice out there about Google’s algorithm and search engine optimization (SEO).
Many posts recommend not focusing on the algorithm at all. They say to create content for the audience first and foremost, and that the algorithm is secondary.
While it's true that the audience is king, it’s also important to factor in what the algorithm is looking for. What should you do to appease search engine algorithms without becoming completely beholden to them?
Produce High-Quality Content
The goal of these SEO tips is that you aren't only providing value to the reader -- you also want to ensure that your content gets shared. Like the cream in a cup of coffee, the more your content is shared and linked to, the more likely it is to rise to the top.
Who wouldn’t enjoy this content?
Keep an Eye on Google Algorithm Updates
Tracking Google's algorithm updates doesn’t mean obsessing over every little change. But it means staying up-to-date so that if your traffic drops you'll be able to figure out why. For example, follow Google SearchLiaison to keep your finger on the pulse.
And check out Moz from time to time. If something goes wrong unexpectedly, Moz shows all the Google algorithm changes and updates.
2. Do Think About the Audience
Reaching your audience effectively is the overarching goal of SEO. But how can you think about them and hit SEO targets?
Who are they and what are they thinking?
Here is how:
- Write about a wide range of topics inside a topic.
- Make the page user friendly, organised, and interesting.
- Know your audience, know their needs, and meet those needs.
- Think long term, the experience customers have impacts the likelihood of coming back again.
- Find your best-performing pages and analyse why they are the best.
- Answer questions that they will have, even before they have them.
- Keep content new, interesting, and engaging.
- Become an authority.
3. Do Start to Optimize for Voice
According to a number of sources, optimizing for voice assistants will be essential as users adapt to this new technology.
Although some statistics, like “50% of searches will be done by voice assistants in 2020” are not necessarily reliable, there is a clear movement in that direction.
For example, one recent study found that 57% of people prefer to speak to their digital assistant, while 34% type and speak. Only 9% type their queries exclusively.
An important factor holding back larger usage is trust issues. But as tech companies deal with these issues, trust in them grows, and so does usage.
According to Microsoft’s 2019 voice report on eCommerce, 40% of respondents tried to make a purchase using their voice through either their digital assistant or smart home speaker.
When you start to optimize for voice it is important to remember voice searches are longer than text queries. They also usually feature a question.
4. Do Use Social
Although it is not completely clear (yet) how much social pages impact SEO, Google has started to recognize social search results as a factor in their rankings.
It's important to remember that when you post on social media, the engagements and shares that lead people to your website will also improve your SEO results. The bigger your social media presence is, the more your SEO rankings -- and brand awareness -- will benefit.
Social media ‘About’ sections should be completed correctly. This includes using words or phrases that describe clearly the business and industry you’re in so users can find your company.
Also, try to engage with active followers. This is a signal that helps Google know what you have to offer is a valuable resource.
Use insights from social media and SEO tools to see what is resonating with the audience you want to reach. Once you have this information use it to keep that audience engaged with your content.
5. Do Use Video
Google and other search engines have bumped up the value of video content in their algorithms. Further, Google has increased the number of video answers they give to questions typed into the search box.
Follow Google’s instructions to make your videos easy for users to find. (There’s even a video to watch about your videos.)
What viewers are watching - image source
When you implement videos as part of your SEO strategy, you’ll see a marked change in traffic over time. Video usage should also drive conversions and improve your bounce rate, which are good for search engine rankings.
Although there are some crazy statistics out there about how much more likely a video is to get shared, and you can’t believe it all, there is real evidence to suggest videos do get shared more often. The point: Video can help to drive new customers to your site.
SEO Tips BONUS #6) Do Use Infographics
It might be surprising, but infographics can help boost SEO. Why? Because once they’re shared, infographics have a huge reach. And they are more likely to be shared than many other forms of content.
Infographics are easier and quicker to read thus making them more desirable. They also serve to gather backlinks. This in turn helps to reach a higher SEO.
There is also important news for B2B. Infographics have had the biggest usage increase among B2B marketers in the last four years. If B2B is your focus, then Infographics should be too.
Snippet from "How to perfectly Optimize your Website for Google" infographic - image source
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