SEO stands for search engine optimization, which is used to get any website at the top ranking of the search engine. If you’re an SEO marketer, or if you’re interested in raising your brand’s ranking on Google search, then you have come to the right place. Here is what to do and what to avoid to ensure your SEO efforts keep you on the right side of Google this year.
Don’t Set an SEO Strategy Without Intent
According to My SEO Sucks (myseosucks.com), customers are 8.5 times more likely to click on organic search results than paid results. You can’t rely on targeting an audience alone, and you can’t expect paid advertising to do the work for you.
This means that you have to create unique and insightful content and set a search intent that serves as a solution to a problem. Otherwise, your searches will come across as empty and are less likely to be seen.
Do This Instead
Search intent refers to the purpose of the search. If someone searches “SEO”, they’re most likely looking up the definition. It’s too broad and difficult to rely on that alone. However, a search with intent will pair keywords, such as “SEO services” or “SEO expert”, which means that they are looking for the expertise of a person or company. Therefore, you should aim to target keywords that will provide a solution.
Don’t Ignore Branded Anchor Text
A branded anchor is any anchor that uses the brand name as a hyperlink text that leads to your website. Link building strategies play an essential role in SEO; ignoring it will cause your brand to lose recognition and sink lower in searches due to the lack of leverage.
Do This Instead
Use branded anchor texts to your brand authority and recognition. Make sure to place them on websites and content that are relevant to your target page. For more leverage, use primary keywords or other variations close to your link. When done correctly, not only will you be discovered more often, your brand may increase in ranking as well.
Don’t Ignore Structured Data and Other Important Search Features
Structured data is coded in a format that search engines can understand. Search engines read the code and use it to display search results in a more detailed and eye-catching style. You may come across one if you do a search right now.
Look up “SEO techniques” on Google, and the first couple of results will appear as featured snippets. Ignoring structured data code and other tools will make you miss the opportunity to stand out.
Do This Instead
Look for a website or tool that offers structured data markup supported by the search engines. There are collections of codes that you can copy and adapt to your specifications. Then, you can add it to the website yourself, or you can use a plugin if you’re not the best at coding. All you’ll have to do is fill out some details, and the structured data will be generated for you.
Don’t Stick to Traditional SEO Techniques
You’ll often hear “stick with what you know” and “stick with what works”, but here, we highly advise against using SEO techniques from years ago. Google gets smarter every day, so it may detect you and have you penalized for it. The days where you could climb the ranks by using keyword stuffing and other shortcuts are gone.
Do This Instead
Don’t see algorithm changes as a means to punish websites; it’s there to enhance the user experience by promoting relevant content and always providing the best answer possible. Keep up with algorithm updates through tools like Google BERT and adjust your SEO technique accordingly. Following major updates will prevent you from falling behind and losing valuable traffic in the process. SEO has developed and changed its method, and so should you.
Don’t Ignore Conversion Optimization
The main goal for SEO is to be discovered and selected by customers, but many ignore the next essential step: conversion. If you only concentrate at the initial stages of your funnel, your strategy will mean nothing if you’re not turning your visitors into paying customers.
Do This Instead
Use conversion optimization techniques so that you’re generating revenue as well as attracting them. Once they come across your website, you want to improve your website and make everything they want and need readily accessible. Conversion optimization is where to show the customer why clicking on your website was the best choice.
Creating Your SEO Strategy for 2024
Searches are a race between millions of results fighting to come on top and becoming the first and more relevant answer. It won’t be easy, but with a high-quality SEO strategy, it’s possible for your business to appear what your prospective clients are looking for.
Also Read:
Mistakes happen all the time, and with technology advancing faster than we can learn it, it’s easy to fall into outdated strategies. Keep up-to-date with modern SEO techniques to stay one step ahead of your competition. Most important of all, be as specific about your goals as possible, don’t be afraid to change it up and provide top-tier content. That way, you’re sure to stay visible and grow your online revenue.
This post was last modified on November 21, 2023 10:45 AM