DIY Search Engine Optimization Strategies That Are Easy And Effective
SEO is a complex business; however it doesn’t mean that you can’t learn the basics and make some very worthy alterations yourself. Here are some strategies that are easy and effective.
1. Plan The Hierarchy And Structure Of Your Site
To build a site that meets the needs of your visitors, you first need to understand what those needs are. By looking closely at the keywords they are using, you can build targeted pages that provide the information that they need.
To get your website off on the right foot, begin by mapping out the hierarchy ahead of time. This includes identifying all of your main pages and sub-pages, based on the keywords your customers are using. Experts in SEO from a Boston SEO agency say that the keywords that are used the most frequently should each have their own dedicated page on your site.
Don’t forget about longtail keywords, as well. These longer search phrases don’t get as much traffic. However, they are a great way to bring more visitors to your site. They work especially well when added to your FAQ or when included in posts on your blog. Examples of phrases like these include “how to remove ink from leather” or “where can I buy metal coat hangers”.
2. Focus On Optimization
Once you have the structure mapped out, you can begin putting together the pages. If you have the time and are familiar with your website’s platform, you may be able to handle this on your own. Otherwise, consider outsourcing at least a portion of the work.
Make sure that your site works well on mobile devices since mobile users make up a large percentage of the online population. In fact, Google recently stated that over 50% of online searches are coming from mobile devices. You need to make sure that people using those devices have a good experience when they land on your site.
Another reason to focus on making sure your site performs well on mobile devices is that it can affect your standing in the search results. Google uses mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor. This includes prioritizing sites that load quickly.
3. Frequently Update Your Site
Once your site is out there, don’t just ignore it. You don’t have to update your content daily. However, you should periodically add updates to your site. Ideally, you should try to put new content on your site once a week. At a bare minimum, you should aim for once a month. Whatever schedule you decide on, try to stay consistent.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the only content you can post is text-based. You can also add photographs or videos. For example, if you deal with architecture, posting photos of a recent project is a great way to add content to your site. If you have a real estate business, on the other hand, you could post a video tour of one of your listings. Think about the type of content that your visitors want to see.
4. Get On Board With Networking
Search engines like Google still use incoming links as one of their major ranking factors. If you try to buy links, however, it can wind up backfiring, getting your site penalized instead. A much better option is to put your public relations skills to work.
Start by building a site that people will naturally want to link to. If your content is good enough, getting incoming links is easy. In fact, this is the method that Google recommends when people ask how to get more links.
Think about the types of content you could create that could get picked up by other bloggers or media outlets. If people start talking about your content, it naturally results in more incoming links.
Use the research that you did earlier to figure out which media resources, websites, and blogs are the most influential in your industry. This will give you a good idea of which sites to target with your content.
5. Get Busy On Social Media
If you haven’t already, set up a profile on Twitter. Then, pick a couple of other social networks that interest you. Popular options include Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Using social media outlets like these is a great way to connect with your visitors.
Developing strong relationships with other people through social media can positively impact your website over time. Chances are, some of your followers will mention your site when writing online, which could result in extra exposure and more incoming links.
