Before we begin, we should note that complete search engine optimization is a lengthy and time-consuming procedure.
Even if your site is properly optimized today, Google may make changes to the algorithm tomorrow, knocking you from the top place and into oblivion.
Fortunately, there are a few techniques for optimizing search results and ranking higher on Google:
1: Conduct your (keyword) research.
Before you can optimize anything on your website, you must first choose which keywords you will be optimizing for. Otherwise, you’re grabbing at straws, and your efforts may or may not yield results. Keyword research is critical because it allows you to focus your efforts on the searches that are most important to your bottom line.
Here are some fundamental tips for performing your research:
- Begin broad, then narrow your focus. First, consider the search volume for generic terms and phrases. Then, seek for keywords that drill down into your unique value proposition, making it simpler to rank in the top five spots.
- Consider volume trends – Some keywords increase in popularity over time, while others decrease. Consider a keyword’s history to establish its value for long-term success.
- Use Google’s “People Also Ask” feature for extra keyword research suggestions. By looking at the questions that users ask about your target keyword, you can determine their intent and select secondary keywords accordingly.
2: Create a solid site framework.
One of the most important aspects of Google search is the crawlers, which the engine utilizes to index every page on your website.
These crawlers need to be able to properly index your site, so make it simple to comprehend and navigate. When aiming to rank higher on Google, you must establish a dependable and relatively straightforward site structure.
The hierarchy of pages should be clear and understandable, with a logical chain of command.
Alternatively, if your website is a jumble of published and unpublished pages with broken links, Google will have a far more difficult time indexing it, resulting in your site languishing at the bottom of the results page (or worse, on the second page).
3: Create valuable material.
As previously said, Google became the number one search engine by giving value to the user.
For example, if someone searches for flight information for a forthcoming trip, Google understands that they want the greatest bargain. The individual may also be interested in hotel accommodations or advice for what to do at their final destination.
To that aim, Google provides access to a wealth of useful and relevant stuff. So, if you want to rank better on Google, make sure your content is as helpful as possible. To prove its worth, investigate your target audience and answer the question, “What do they want to get out of this interaction?”
From there, you may create a better website that will instantly attract your target market.
Finally, understand that content does not only apply to blog postings. Videos, e-books, webinars, and infographics are all types of material that can and should be optimized. Taking a multimodal approach makes it easier to reach consumers from various backgrounds.
Luckily, services like WriterAccess can assist you in this attempt. There is a large pool of freelancers available to write great content for your brand.
4: Create a link network.
Google knows how to rank a site highly based on the number of backlinks. Backlinks are links to your website from other websites on the internet. For example, suppose you own a restaurant and appear in a blog’s “best of” compilation post. When it comes to creating a link network, you must be proactive in soliciting backlinks from other websites and blogs.
Furthermore, you must ensure that they are legitimate and will not cause any issues with the algorithm.
For example, if a website’s security certificate has expired, it will most likely not appear in search results.
In addition to backlinks, you must connect to internal and external pages. The more internal connections you include in your post, the easier it is for web crawlers to index your pages.
Then, having high-quality external connections boosts your site’s reputation since you’re eager to exchange links and pass the benefit on.
5: Conduct A/B testing.
Because SEO is a continuing activity, you should never think, “I’m done with it.”
Instead, you must constantly adjust your approaches and message to guarantee that they reach the intended audience and generate the desired quantity of traffic.
A/B testing is the most effective technique to alter your SEO marketing since it allows you to see which version receives the most traffic and rises the quickest in SERPs.
Once you have the data to back it up, you can remove the second version and concentrate on the efforts that will deliver the best results.
6: Increase page load speed.
Research indicates that 25% of visitors abandon websites that take more than 4 seconds to load, regardless of reputation. If a page takes five seconds to load, the bounce rate climbs by four times that of a page that loads in two seconds. A high bounce rate has an impact on how Google sees a page and how it ranks in the SERPs. Reducing the number of CSS and JavaScript files on your page, as well as optimizing picture size and format, can all help increase page load speed.
Another effective method is to enable browser caching, which means that static files such as images and CSS are stored in the user’s cache. As a result, the next time they visit your website, it will load quickly.
Step 7: Optimize your website for mobile devices.
With the growing popularity of smartphones and tablets, it is critical to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly. Americans spend more than five hours every day on their mobile devices, checking their phones approximately 96 times. Google considers mobile optimization a ranking factor, thus it’s critical to deliver a fluid browsing experience for mobile consumers.
Make sure your website is responsive, loads quickly, and has an easy-to-use layout on mobile devices. Also, make sure the font size is appropriate, the forms are easy to fill out, and the input fields are mobile-friendly (use drop-down buttons and date pickers, for example).