Blog Layout

BACK
SEO Best Practices
Taylor Tunnison • Aug 19, 2022

Few actions impact a website's performance like SEO best practices. Over time, they can help dramatically improve both web traffic and user experience. Sadly, SEO often feels more like an art than an exact science. Google ranks websites based on hundreds of factors, and it can be tough to know which ones are most important. However, SEO is a long game, and it’s critical to get started early to achieve the best results possible. Here are our top recommendations for SEO best practices.

1. Google Business Profile Updates

You probably know by now that Google is the most popular search engine. In fact, it accounts for over 90% of worldwide search volume, and most web traffic can be traced back to it. This is why the first item on our list of SEO best practices involves a Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business).


Simply put, a Google Business Profile (GBP) is like a business social media profile. Companies can create and claim one to display basic contact information like their address, phone number, and hours of operation. This profile can also track phone calls and feature photos, reviews, directions, and links to a website and major social media platforms.


Claiming a GBP is just the first step. For it to significantly affect your website’s SEO, you must update it regularly. We recommend posting an update at least every week, ideally with a picture, detailed description, and link to a website or social media profile.

2. Local SEO

Local SEO is all about accessibility and covering your bases. Whether consumers choose to use a PC, smartphone, search engine, or mobile map application, a good local SEO strategy can help them find your company more easily. It will allow you to meet them where they already are, regardless of their unique browsing preferences.


An updated GBP is a great place to start. However, consider the fact that Apple devices are the most popular smartphones in the United States. This is why we also recommend creating an Apple Maps listing for your business. Doing this will ensure that local iPhone and iPad users can easily find your company on their Maps applications.


Other factors that may impact local SEO include mobile optimization, keyword research, and high-quality website updates.

3. Keyword Research

Any solid SEO strategy involves careful keyword research. Keywords are what webpages rank for when users search for answers on platforms like Google. Not all keywords are created equal, though, especially when it comes to businesses.


Keywords and keyphrases are the terms search engines consider most relevant to specific topics. They can be as simple as “movies” and “insurance” or as complex as “how to change an oil filter in a riding lawnmower.” Finding the right keywords for SEO takes some strategy and diligence. Try to put yourself in a potential customer’s shoes. What are they searching for, and what words do you want your company to be associated with online?


With a little time and effort, you can create a comprehensive list of keywords to include on your website. Distributing them across page titles, section headings, and within blog posts will signal to Google that your website contains the information its users seek.

4. Website Structure

Now things get a little more complicated. The best websites are easy to navigate, especially for first time users. Ideally, SEO goes hand-in-hand with website design and development. They’re two sides of the same coin, and it’s tough to change one without affecting the other.


Good company websites follow a straightforward structure. They feature a homepage, individual service pages, a contact page, and possibly an about page or gallery of completed projects. That way, an impactful, descriptive keyword or keyphrase can be associated with each page. Not only will this improve user experience, it also helps Google interpret a website’s content and how relevant it is to users’ searches.


Every company website also needs a blog page. That’s because regular content updates are one of the most important SEO best practices. We recommend publishing a minimum of one original blog post each month that features at least one popular keyword-based topic. This will signal to Google that your website is active, up to date, and valuable to users. Consider designing your blogs around pillar and cluster pages that closely relate to each other.

5. Mobile Optimization

Another one of the most important SEO best practices is mobile optimization. That’s why we recommend hiring a professional web developer to design your website with mobile devices in mind. The goal is to deliver a consistent user experience across a wide variety of devices.


Google recently implemented mobile-first indexing. This simply means that it looks at a website’s mobile version before its desktop alternative. Google likely made this shift because over 50% of global website traffic now comes from mobile devices, and many internet users prefer to browse on their smartphones.


When optimizing a website for mobile, consider page load times. Use small file formats like JPEG whenever possible. Also, refrain from excessive popups, widgets, and elements. Try to include most of the same content as your website’s desktop version, as long as it’s clearly organized into tabs, dropdowns, and accordion menus.

Ask Us about SEO Best Practices

If all of this sounds like too much to manage on your own, then don’t worry! We’re here to support all your company’s SEO needs. Feel free to browse our blog for more tips, and contact us today to learn about our SEO service.

Are You Interested In More?

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Share This Post With Your Friends

Latest Posts

By Rachel Hayden 31 Oct, 2024
Let’s face it - we all probably spend a lot more time online than we actually should. Since we spend a lot of time online, businesses are constantly seeking ways to improve their online presence to engage their audience and increase their conversions. Whether you're driving traffic to your site through paid ads, organic search, or social media, the ultimate goal is to turn those visitors into loyal customers. This process relies on two elements: user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). Let’s get into how you can maximize conversions through seamless UX and smart web development. The Importance of UX in Digital Marketing  User experience (UX) is the foundation upon which every successful website is built. Immediate satisfaction and convenience have become the new norm, so users have little patience for websites that are slow, hard to navigate, or confusing. A seamless UX allows users to explore your site, find the information they need, and take action—whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting your sales team. Here’s how a smooth UX affects conversions: 1. Fast Loading Times Even a one-second delay in page load time can lead to a significant drop in conversions. A fast-loading website improves user experience and helps with SEO rankings, driving more organic traffic to your site. 2. Intuitive Navigation When visitors come to your website, they should be able to find what they’re looking for with little effort. Thoughtfully designed menus, prominent calls-to-action (CTAs), and logical flow all contribute to a smooth experience. Clear navigation allows users to easily move through your site, increasing the chances that they’ll follow through on your conversion goals. 3. Responsive Design With the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s essential that your website is responsive and optimized for all screen sizes. A mobile-optimized website guarantees that visitors have a smooth experience, regardless of the device they’re using. 4. Clear Calls-to-Action A clear and persuasive CTA stands out and encourages users to take the next step—whether it’s signing up, making a purchase, or contacting your business. The placement, color, and copy of your CTAs should align with the user journey and make it easy for visitors to take action. Smart Web Development to Drive Conversions While great UX is essential, it’s only part of the equation. The technical aspects of web development play a role in ensuring that your website functions efficiently. 1. Optimized Code and Performance The foundation of any high-performing website lies in its code. Clean, well-optimized code allows for fast loading times and a better user experience. Deleting unnecessary scripts, optimizing images, and utilizing modern coding frameworks can help you create a website that performs at its best. 2. SEO Best Practices Effective web development goes hand in hand with search engine optimization (SEO). From the technical setup of your site’s build to ensuring proper use of meta tags and alt text for images, smart web development makes it easier for search engines to index your content and rank your site higher. Higher rankings lead to more organic traffic, giving you a greater chance of converting those visitors into customers. 3. User-Centric Design with Personalization Web development isn’t just about functionality—it’s about crafting a personalized experience for each user. Try incorporating elements like dynamic content, custom recommendations, and personalized user flows to create an experience that speaks directly to the needs and interests of your target audience. Personalized experiences lead to increased engagement, which in turn drives higher conversion rates. 4. Analytics and Conversion Tracking To optimize your conversions, you should track and analyze user behavior on your site. Smart web development involves integrating analytics tools so you can gain valuable insights into how users interact with your site. You can monitor metrics like bounce rate, click-through rate , and conversion paths so you continuously refine your website to maximize its effectiveness. How True North Technologies Helps Maximize Conversions At True North Technologies, we combine seamless UX with smart web development practices to help your business achieve its digital marketing goals. By understanding your target audience and objectives, we create websites that not only look great but also perform at their best. Our goal is to deliver a digital experience that engages visitors and drives results. Contact True North Technologies today and let us help you maximize conversions and boost your digital marketing strategy.
By Rachel Hayden 08 Oct, 2024
Facebook, as one of the largest social media platforms, frequently updates its algorithms and features, impacting how users reach their audiences and measure success. Because of the fast-paced updates, it’s important to stay up to date about platform changes in order to keep an effective online presence. Understanding how Facebook updates impact your metrics can help you navigate the world of social media successfully. The Shift in Content Prioritization One of the most notable changes has been Facebook's shift in prioritizing content from your friends over public posts from businesses. This adjustment means that even well-crafted posts from business pages may not reach their intended audiences as expected. As a result, many companies are seeing a decline in organic reach, which directly affects engagement metrics like their likes, shares, and comments. The Rise of an AI-Powered Algorithm Facebook's algorithm is now fully AI-powered and more complex than ever before. It looks at many different factors to determine what content is shown to users, like user's engagement history, post relevance, and user behavior. Each piece of content is assigned a "relevance score," which influences its visibility in the News Feed. Content that fits well with user interests and creates meaningful interactions is favored. Clickbait and Spam Reduction Facebook has added measures to reduce the reach of clickbait and spammy posts in its effort to improve user experience. If your content is perceived as misleading or low-quality, it may be docked in the algorithm. Try focusing on producing authentic and valuable content to avoid falling into this category. Understanding the Click-Gap Metric Another big update we’ve seen is the introduction of the " Click-Gap " metric. This metric assesses the popularity of posts on Facebook compared to their performance elsewhere online. If a post is gaining traction solely on Facebook without external validation, its reach might be limited. Promoting content across multiple platforms will help establish credibility and encourage broader engagement. Plus, you might be missing out on a part of your target audience if you’re not utilizing multiple relevant social media platforms. Content Saturation and Paid Advertising The large amount of content shared on Facebook daily creates a competitive environment where individual posts can easily get lost. As organic reach declines, the importance of paid advertising has grown. Facebook’s promotion of paid posts can decrease your organic reach as well. To make sure your content is seen by the right audience, it’d be a good idea to consider investing in targeted ads. Why Engagement Metrics and KPIs Matter Engagement metrics are key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect how well your content resonates with your audience. High engagement rates indicate that your posts are being seen and appreciated, offering you valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. Engagement builds community and brand loyalty within your audience and serves as a KPI for measuring the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Ways to Navigate Facebook Update Consider using these strategies to navigate the impact of Facebook updates on your metrics: Create Relevant Content: Focus on producing content that encourages meaningful interactions with your audience. Use engaging visuals, informative posts, and storytelling to catch your audience's attention. Use Facebook Stories: Stories are a popular feature that allows for more immediate engagement. Use them to share quick updates, behind-the-scenes content, and promotions to encourage interaction. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages to add a more personable touch to your online presence. Ask questions and create polls for user participation. Invest in Paid Advertising: Consider investing in targeted Facebook Ads or other social ads to boost visibility and reach your desired audience, especially when organic reach is declining. Track Performance Regularly: Use Facebook Insights to monitor your metrics closely. Identify which types of content perform best and adjust your strategy accordingly. Data-driven marketing is always more effective! Let True North Refresh Your Social Strategy Understanding how Facebook updates impact your metrics is essential for anyone looking to succeed in their social media marketing. Adapting to changes in the algorithm and focusing on quality engagement will help you navigate your social strategies more effectively. At True North Technologies, we’re here to help you refine your social media strategy and maximize your impact on Facebook. Contact us today and see how we can help you reach your goals!
By Rachel Hayden 03 Sep, 2024
In marketing, simply casting a wide net and hoping for the best is like shooting arrows in the dark. Rather than throwing messages out there and hoping it resonates with someone, a data-driven approach allows you to allocate your efforts more effectively. By taking advantage of data collection, you can target your audience with precision, optimize your budget, and refine your strategies based on real performance metrics. Here’s why data-driven marketing is more effective: 1. Precision Targeting and Personalization Data-driven marketing allows for precise audience targeting . Businesses can segment their audience more accurately and tailor their messaging by analyzing consumer behavior, preferences, and demographics. This level of personalization increases the relevance of your marketing efforts, making it more likely that your message will resonate with individual consumers. Personalized marketing boosts engagement and enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty. 2. Improved ROI and Budget Allocation A key benefit of data-driven marketing is the ability to measure and optimize return on investment (ROI). With access to detailed analytics, you can track the performance of your campaigns in real-time and make data-backed decisions to allocate your budget more effectively. By identifying which channels and strategies yield the highest returns, you can focus your resources on the most impactful areas, ensuring a more efficient use of your marketing budget. 3. Enhanced Decision-Making and Strategy Data-driven marketing empowers businesses to make informed decisions based on concrete evidence rather than intuition. Data helps you understand what works and what doesn’t so you’re able refine your strategies. The ability to adapt to changing market conditions, emerging trends, and shifting consumer preferences will ensure your marketing efforts remain relevant and effective. 4. Real-Time Performance Tracking With data-driven marketing, you gain access to real-time performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), offering immediate feedback on your campaigns. This instant visibility into KPIs allows you to identify and address issues swiftly, make necessary adjustments, and capitalize on opportunities as they arise. Real-time tracking of these key metrics helps you maintain the agility needed to stay competitive in a dynamic market environment. 5. Better Customer Insights Data analytics offer valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences , helping you understand your audience on a deeper level. Analyzing patterns in customer interactions, purchase history, and feedback can uncover trends and insights that inform your marketing strategies. These insights help you meet customer needs and create stronger consumer relationships by delivering relevant and timely content. More Than Marketing At True North Technologies, we specialize in data collection and analytics to drive marketing success. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you leverage data analytics to create targeted, personalized, and effective marketing strategies that deliver measurable results. From advanced analytics and performance tracking to strategic optimization, we provide comprehensive solutions to elevate your marketing efforts.
Share by: