If you want to boost your website’s traffic this year, then you need an SEO strategy. That’s because search engines like Google direct a large majority of web traffic. SEO is the long-term process of organizing a website’s content to make it more visible on search engines. Companies that take advantage of this fact better position themselves for success both now and in the future. Any solid SEO strategy involves many moving parts, but it’s never too late to get started.
Search engines attempt to match user intent with the most relevant online content. So, take some time to jot down about 10 core topics that define your business. List various terms that relate to your company’s products or services. Put yourself in a customer’s shoes and try to imagine what they want to find online.
Finding the right keywords for your company is an essential part of a good SEO strategy. It will greatly improve the quality of your web traffic by targeting users who are most interested in what you offer. Employ an SEO tool like The Hoth’s to test out variations of your core topics and see what’s popular and relevant. Use metrics like search volume and competition to weed out terms that have little impact. Search trends change often, so remember to revisit your keyword research at least every quarter.
Settle on the top 10 broadest keywords about your business to inform your pillar pages. Then, find at least 5 specific long-tail keywords related to each to serve as cluster pages. For example, some auto detailers offer ceramic coatings for their customers. “Ceramic coating” would be a good pillar page keyword in this case, while “types of ceramic coating” or “benefits of ceramic coating” are better suited for cluster pages.
The best SEO strategies focus on constantly improving a website’s architecture. This makes it easier for search engines to discover related content and present it to users. It’s important to have pillar and cluster pages because websites that include them tend to rank highly on Google.
First, create pillar pages or blog posts centered around the broadest keywords related to your business. These will basically serve as tables of contents for users. Provide a high-level overview of each main topic, whether it’s a product, service, or critical idea. Whenever you post new content on a related subtopic, always link back to the main pillar page. This will signal to Google that you’re giving comprehensive answers to common questions. Don’t forget to also include relevant long-tail keywords in your subtopic pages and posts.
The best websites are visible to local communities on search engines. They clearly display contact information and business addresses for both new and returning users. A great local SEO strategy will ensure your company website shows up for searches from consumers in your local area.
An optimized Google Business Profile (GBP) will vastly improve any website’s local SEO. It will allow users to connect online, see what you offer, visit your website and social media profiles, as well as find you on Google Maps. Create and claim your GBP if you haven’t yet, and fill out as many fields as possible. We recommend updating your GBP often to give users accurate information and a great overall experience.
Many Americans use Apple smartphones, so don’t forget to create an Apple Maps listing, too. The process is similar to creating a GBP and it can be completed in a matter of minutes. Visit the registration page, log in and search for your place, then claim it or add a new one. Simply follow the instructions and include important company data to inform local Apple users about your company.
No website is complete without mobile optimization. This process ensures that smartphone and tablet users can easily access its content on the go. Mobile optimization is critical for SEO because it improves user experience, Google employs mobile-first indexing, and 63% of organic search engine visits come from mobile devices.
We’ve covered mobile optimization at length before, but here are some general best practices. Design your website’s mobile version as efficiently as possible. Don’t include excessive widgets or elements, and always place calls-to-action deliberately. Feature high-contrast colors to catch users’ attention and resist the urge to use more than a few of them. Also, ensure your website loads quickly by only including JPEG images with small file sizes. Just remember that less is more when it comes to mobile websites, so do what you can to keep content simple and user-friendly.
If you have any questions about SEO or would like more information, contact us or read about our SEO service. Our team will gladly walk you through our process and help to increase your website’s organic traffic today.
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