In the vast realm of the internet, where billions of websites vie for attention, one question often lingers in the minds of website owners and digital marketers alike: “How can I rise to the top?”
The answer lies within the complex yet fascinating world of SEO ranking factors.
SEO, or search engine optimisation, is the secret sauce that can propel your website from obscurity to prominence in search engine results.
And at the heart of any successful SEO strategy lies a deep understanding of the ranking factors that search engines consider when deciding who reigns supreme on the search engine results pages (SERPs).
But wait, what exactly are SEO ranking factors? Why does understanding these ranking factors matter? How does it make a difference in the grand scheme of things?
In this blog post, we will delve deep into the world of SEO ranking factors. We will unveil the secrets behind climbing the ranks and explore the strategies that can catapult your website to the top.
On-Page SEO Ranking Factors
A. Keywords: Unlocking the Language of Search
Understanding the significance of keywords and how to optimise their usage is a crucial step towards achieving higher rankings in search engine results.
First and foremost, keyword research acts as the compass in your SEO journey. It allows you to identify the words and phrases your target audience uses when searching for content related to your website.
By delving into the depths of keyword research, you can unearth valuable insights that will inform your content strategy and fuel your rise to search engine stardom.
Optimising the use of keywords in your content is akin to weaving a beautiful tapestry of relevancy. Gone are the days of keyword stuffing, which only leads to penalties by search engines.
Instead, it’s all about sprinkling your keywords strategically throughout your content, in a way that feels natural and seamless.
By striking the perfect balance between keyword density and readability, you create an engaging experience for your readers while sending a clear signal to search engines about your content’s relevance.
But keywords don’t just stop at the body of your content.
They extend their influence to the very structure of your website. Ensuring proper keyword placement in meta tags and headers helps search engines understand the context and relevance of your pages.
This includes crafting enticing meta titles and descriptions that entice users to click, as well as incorporating targeted keywords into header tags to highlight the main topics of your content.
B. Content Quality and Relevance: The Fuel for Success
Content reigns supreme as the currency of influence. It is the life force that determines whether your website will soar to new heights or remain lost in the abyss of obscurity. When it comes to on-page SEO ranking factors, creating high-quality, relevant content becomes the rocket fuel propelling your website towards the stars of search engine success.
The first element in this equation is uniqueness. In a crowded online landscape, where countless websites compete for attention, standing out is paramount.
By crafting content that is truly one-of-a-kind and distinctive, you grab the attention of both users and search engines.
Unleash your creativity, offer fresh perspectives, and provide insights that are not easily found elsewhere. This uniqueness not only captivates your audience but also signals to search engines that your website is a valuable destination.
However, quality is not just about being unique. It is also about providing real value to your visitors. Ask yourself:
What problem does your content solve? What information or entertainment does it offer?
By delivering valuable content that fulfils the needs and desires of your target audience, you establish your website as an authoritative resource in your niche.
But content quality doesn’t stop at mere value—it must also align with user intent. Understanding what users are searching for and tailoring your content to match their intent is essential. Put yourself in their shoes.
What are they looking to achieve? What questions do they have?
By comprehending user intent and crafting content that directly addresses their needs, you create a seamless connection that leads to higher engagement, longer dwell times, and ultimately, an improved ranking in search results.
To further enhance your content’s magnetism, consider embracing engaging formats. Videos, infographics, podcasts – these dynamic mediums captivate and enthral audiences in ways that simple text cannot.
By creating unique and valuable content, ensuring it aligns with user intent, and embracing engaging formats, you position your website as a guiding light amidst the digital darkness.
C. Website Structure and Navigation: The Blueprint for Seamless Exploration
A website’s structure and navigation act as the guiding stars, leading both users and search engines on a seamless journey of discovery.
As we dive into the realm of on-page SEO ranking factors, understanding the importance of a clear site architecture and optimising navigation becomes essential in unlocking the true potential of your website.
By carefully planning and designing your website’s structure, you make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your pages.
But a well-structured website is not just for the search engines’ benefit—it also enhances the user experience. Users crave intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that allow them to navigate effortlessly through the cosmos of your content. Ensure that your navigation menus are clear, concise, and prominently displayed.
Utilise logical categories and subcategories that reflect the themes and topics of your content.
By providing an easily navigable website, you empower and engage your visitors, keeping them immersed in your cosmic creation.
Another crucial aspect of website structure lies in optimising your URL structure and permalinks.
URLs that are concise, descriptive, and keyword-rich signal relevance to search engines and provide users with a glimpse of what to expect when clicking on a link.
Aim for clean and user-friendly URLs that reflect the content and hierarchy of your website.
This not only aids in on-page SEO efforts but also boosts click-through rates, as users are more likely to click on URLs that provide a clear snapshot of the page they will be directed to.
Off-Page SEO Ranking Factors: Building Bridges to Online Prominence
Off-page SEO ranking factors, with backlinks being the most critical component, play a pivotal role in elevating your website’s prominence.
By understanding the value of quality backlinks and implementing smart strategies for building them, you can pave the way for enhanced visibility and increased organic traffic.
Backlinks are like cosmic bridges that connect your website with other online entities, signalling to search engines that your website is a credible and authoritative source.
But not all backlinks are created equal; quality is key. Aim for links from reputable websites that aren’t overly reliant on paid link-building schemes.
Sites with high Domain Authority scores are ideal, as they signal strong visibility and credibility.
In building these cosmic bridges, the key is to focus on natural and relevant backlinks. Make sure the websites linking to you are in the same niche or industry, and that the linking content is topically relevant to your website.
By taking a smart and strategic approach to link building, you signal to search engines that your website is a valuable resource that deserves attention.
However, it’s not just about building links—it’s also about analysing and disavowing potentially harmful ones. Some sites that link to you may be of low quality or spammy, and these links can have a negative impact on your website’s search engine rankings.
Regularly conduct backlink analyses and disavow links from spammy or irrelevant websites. This helps ensure that the cosmic bridges you are constructing provide value and legitimacy, rather than detracting from your online reputation.
By understanding their value, implementing smart strategies for building them, and analysing your backlink profile to disavow harmful links, you send a powerful signal to search engines that your website is an authoritative and valuable online destination.
A. Social Signals: Unleashing the Power of the Social Universe
Social media has emerged as a force that not only shapes our online interactions but also influences the trajectory of search engine rankings.
Yes, you heard it right—social signals play a pivotal role in determining the prominence and visibility of your website.
By understanding the influence of social media on SEO rankings and implementing strategies to encourage social sharing and engagement, you can harness the power of this cosmic phenomenon to propel your website to new heights.
The connection between social media and SEO might seem galaxies apart, but their interplay is intricate. Search engines, like Google, consider social signals as indicators of popularity, relevance, and user satisfaction.
When your content resonates with users and sparks social sharing and engagement, it sets off a chain reaction.
Each share, like, comment, and retweet sends a signal to search engines that your content is valuable and deserving of attention, resulting in improved rankings and increased organic traffic.
But how can you unlock the potential of social signals and propel your content to the next level? It all begins with the creation of share-worthy content.
Craft compelling, informative, and visually appealing content that captivates your audience and leaves them yearning for more. From engaging blog articles to fascinating videos, tailor your content to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and inspire users to hit that share button.
However, it’s not enough to create exemplary content—you must also actively encourage social sharing and engagement.
Additionally, prompt your audience to take part in discussions, ask questions, and share their opinions.
By fostering a sense of community and generating social interactions, you create a feedback loop that strengthens social signals and boosts your website’s visibility in the digital galaxy.
Furthermore, collaboration with influencers and industry thought leaders can amplify the power of your social signals.
Engage with key players in your niche, participate in relevant conversations, and establish genuine relationships.
When influencers share or engage with your content, their vast networks become conduits of social signals, rocketing your website’s visibility and credibility.
B. Online Reputation and Authority: Building Trust in the Digital Realm
In an era where information flows freely and opinions are readily accessible, establishing a strong online reputation and authority is crucial for the success of your brand.
This powerful duo acts as the cornerstone of trust, allowing you to build meaningful connections with your audience and elevate your website’s prominence in search engine rankings.
By understanding the importance of brand credibility and reputation, and implementing smart strategies for building online authority, you can pave the way for long-term success in the digital realm.
Consumers rely heavily on the opinions and experiences of others to inform their purchasing decisions. A strong online reputation signals to your audience that you are trustworthy, reliable, and deliver exceptional value.
It acts as a magnet, drawing potential customers to your brand and setting you apart from the competition.
By consistently delivering on your promises and providing exceptional products or services, you lay the groundwork for a positive online reputation that resonates with your audience.
One effective strategy for building online authority is harnessing the power of reviews and testimonials.
Positive reviews and testimonials are like golden nuggets that showcase the satisfaction of your customers and provide social proof for your brand.
Actively encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms such as Google My Business, Yelp, or industry-specific directories.
Additionally, leverage testimonials on your website to showcase the positive experiences of your happy customers.
When potential customers see that others have had a positive experience with your brand, it builds trust and enhances your online authority.
Another way to establish your online authority is by positioning yourself as an industry expert or thought leader.
Share your knowledge and insights through blog articles, podcasts, webinars, or social media content. By consistently providing valuable and informative content, you showcase your expertise and establish yourself as a trusted source of information.
This not only boosts your online authority but also attracts a loyal following of engaged and interested visitors.
Building relationships with influential figures in your industry can elevate your brand’s reputation and authority. Engage with industry leaders through social media, participate in relevant discussions and events, and seek opportunities for collaborations.
When influencers endorse your brand or collaborate with you, their credibility rubs off on your brand, instantly boosting your online reputation and establishing your authority in the industry.
Technical SEO Ranking Factors: Igniting your Website’s Speed and Performance
The speed and performance of your website can make or break the user experience and influence your search engine rankings.
Understanding how site speed impacts user experience and rankings and implementing effective strategies to optimise your site’s speed and performance, is crucial in today’s competitive online landscape.
When it comes to user experience, every second counts. A slow website not only frustrates your visitors but also creates a ripple effect that leads to higher bounce rates, lower engagement, and a negative impact on your conversions and revenue.
In contrast, a fast-loading website delights users, keeps them engaged, and encourages them to explore further. It’s a magnet that attracts visitors and keeps them hooked, ultimately improving the overall user experience.
Not only does site speed impact user experience, but it also plays a significant role in search engine rankings. In a bid to deliver the best possible results to users, search engines like Google take site speed into account when determining search rankings.
A slow website is considered a red flag, as it indicates poor user experience. On the other hand, a fast and responsive site sends positive signals to search engines, improving your chances of higher rankings and increased organic traffic.
So, how can you optimise your site’s speed and performance to deliver a stellar user experience and boost your search engine rankings?
Start by conducting a thorough audit of your website’s speed and identifying areas for improvement. Compressing images, minifying CSS and JavaScript files, and leveraging browser caching are just a few techniques to streamline your site’s load time.
Another effective strategy for optimising site speed is improving server response time. This can be achieved by reducing server load, optimising your database, and using caching plugins.
By minimising the time it takes for your server to respond to user requests, you significantly enhance the overall speed and performance of your website.
Furthermore, optimising your website for mobile devices is essential in today’s mobile-first world. Mobile users expect fast and seamless experiences, and search engines prioritise mobile-friendly websites.
Ensure that your website is mobile-responsive, optimised for different screen sizes, and follows best practices for mobile performance, such as lazy loading images and using a responsive design.
A. Mobile Friendliness: Unlocking the Power of Responsive Design
The importance of responsive design for mobile devices cannot be overstated, as it not only enhances the user experience but also plays a pivotal role in search engine rankings.
With smartphones and tablets becoming the devices of choice for browsing the internet, catering to the mobile audience is no longer optional – it’s a must.
Responsive design is the key to unlocking the power of mobile friendliness. By implementing a responsive design, your website automatically adapts to different screen sizes and resolutions, providing a seamless experience across all devices.
This means that whether a user is browsing your website on a desktop, a smartphone, or a tablet, they will enjoy a consistent and aesthetically pleasing experience. This not only keeps users engaged and satisfied but also sends positive signals to search engines, helping improve your rankings.
To create a mobile-friendly website, it’s essential to adhere to certain guidelines that optimise the user experience on mobile devices. Firstly, aim for simplicity and minimalism in design.
Mobile screens have limited real estate, so it’s crucial to keep your design clean, clutter-free, and easy to navigate. Use large, legible fonts, and ensure that buttons and links are easily clickable, even on smaller screens.
By focusing on a seamless user experience, you’ll keep visitors happy, engaged, and more likely to convert.
Secondly, prioritise load times. Mobile users are often on the go and have limited patience for sluggish websites. Optimise your website’s load speed by compressing images, minimising CSS and JavaScript files, and leveraging caching techniques.
By delivering a fast-loading website, you create a positive impression, boost user satisfaction, and increase the likelihood of conversions.
Additionally, make sure your website’s content is easily consumable on mobile devices. Long paragraphs and dense chunks of text can be overwhelming and difficult to read on smaller screens.
Break up content into smaller, digestible chunks, and use headings, bullet points, and white space to make it scannable. This facilitates a pleasant reading experience and keeps users engaged with your content.
A crucial aspect of mobile-friendliness is ensuring that your website is touch-friendly. Design elements such as buttons and navigation menus should be big enough and spaced appropriately to allow for easy tapping and swiping on touch screens.
Remember, the goal is to eliminate any frustration or difficulty in navigating your website on a mobile device.
Lastly, don’t forget the importance of mobile optimisation for search engines. Google and other search engines prioritise mobile-friendly websites in their rankings, as they aim to provide the best possible user experience for mobile users.
Implementing responsive design and following mobile-friendly guidelines signals to search engines that your website is optimised for mobile devices, resulting in improved visibility and organic traffic.
B. Metadata and Schema Markup: The Secret Sauce to Enhanced Search Visibility
When it comes to boosting your website’s visibility in search engine result pages (SERPs), metadata and schema markup are like the secret sauce that helps your content stand out and capture the attention of both search engines and users.
By optimising your meta tags and utilising structured data through schema markup, you can enhance your search visibility and increase the chances of attracting organic traffic.
Meta tags play a crucial role in signalling to search engines what your web page is about. By optimising these tags, you can provide concise and relevant information that entices both search engines and users.
The two main meta tags you should focus on are the title tag and the meta description.
The title tag is the headline that appears as the clickable link in search results. It’s essential to make your title tag compelling, concise, and keyword-rich to capture users’ attention and accurately represent the content of the page.
Craft a title tag that not only includes relevant keywords but also entices users to click and explore further. Remember, the goal is to create a title that is both search engine-friendly and user-friendly.
Next up is the meta description. While it may not directly impact search rankings, the meta description serves as a brief summary that appears below the title tag in search results.
This is your opportunity to convince users that your page has the answers they are seeking. Craft a compelling meta description that accurately represents the content of your page, uses relevant keywords, and triggers curiosity in users.
By optimising your meta description, you can entice users to click through to your website and increase organic traffic.
Structured data, enabled through schema markup, takes metadata optimisation to the next level. While meta tags provide written signals to search engines, structured data offers a way to provide more in-depth, machine-readable information about your content.
Schema markup enables you to mark up your content with specific tags that tell search engines what the page is about, providing valuable context and enhancing search results.
With schema markup, you can enrich your search listings with additional details, such as star ratings, prices, availability, and more.
For example, if you run an e-commerce website, implementing schema markup for product pages can display product reviews, ratings, and pricing information directly in search results, making your listings more visually appealing and enticing to users.
Beyond enhancing search listings, schema markup strengthens your website’s visibility in specific areas, such as local SEO and rich snippets.
For local businesses, implementing schema markup for business address, phone number, and opening hours can help improve visibility in local search results and attract more foot traffic.
Meanwhile, structured data for articles, recipes, events, and other types of content can help your website appear as rich snippets, providing users with instant access to relevant information.
Conclusion
Understanding SEO ranking factors is crucial for improving your website’s rankings in search engine result pages.
Keyword research, on-page optimisation, backlinks, mobile friendliness, and metadata/schema markup are all essential SEO ranking factors.
Keyword research involves finding the right balance between search volume and competition and incorporating those keywords into your content.
On-page optimisation includes optimising title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags to make your web pages more discoverable by search engines and engaging for users.
Backlinks play a crucial role in signalling authority and credibility, and acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable sources is key.
Responsive design and mobile optimisation are critical in today’s mobile-first era to enhance the overall user experience and achieve higher search engine rankings.
Metadata and schema markup provide a way to provide more in-depth, machine-readable information about your content, enhancing search results and capturing the attention of both search engines and users.
Continually educating yourself and adapting your strategies as search engines and user behaviours change is essential to stay on top of the latest trends and best practices.
By implementing these best practices, you can improve your website’s rankings, attract more organic traffic, and achieve your online goals.
We’ve got a secret weapon to share with your business: strategic search engine optimisation (SEO).
Today, having a strong online presence is no longer a luxury – it’s an absolute game-changer. Picture this: your potential customers actively searching for products and services like yours, and with the magic of SEO, your business appears right at the top of their search results.
What does that mean? More visibility, more traffic, more conversions, and ultimately, MORE SUCCESS.
In this blog post, we will explore five key aspects of SEO that business owners should focus on to maximise their success: organic search, content optimisation, paid search advertising, blogging, mobile optimisation, and content ranking.
Organic Search: Driving Quality Traffic Through Search Engine Optimisation
Did you know that organic search drives 1,000% more traffic than organic social? This staggering statistic highlights the importance of optimising your website to rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs). By improving your website’s visibility and ranking organically, you can attract highly targeted and quality traffic to your website.
Optimising your website for keywords relevant to your business and industry is key to ranking higher in search results. This is like preparing a gourmet meal for your customers, where you carefully select the finest ingredients – this case, keywords, add a pinch of creativity and serve it with a side of valuable information. Just like a delicious meal leaves your customers craving for more, an engaging website content strategy keeps them coming back for more.
To accompany your SEO efforts, it’s important to engage with social media. This is like hosting a networking event where you can set up shop and share some valuable insights. Sharing valuable content related to your industry can help drive traffic and improve your brand’s visibility. Incorporate engaging emojis and use SEO-focused hashtags to attract your target audience and increase your reach.
Content Optimisation: Creating Engaging and Valuable Content
It’s no secret that content is king in the digital marketing world. In fact, 55% of marketers and business owners believe that posting more content is crucial to improving search rankings. High-quality and valuable content not only helps improve your organic search rankings but also engages your audience, increases brand credibility, and drives conversions.
To optimise your content, consider the length of your articles. Research shows that the average first-page search result contains 1,447 words. By creating comprehensive and in-depth content, you increase your chances of ranking higher in search results. Additionally, incorporating relevant keywords and providing informative and engaging content can help attract and retain your target audience.
Remember to always focus on providing value to your audience. By addressing their pain points, answering their questions, and providing helpful insights, you establish your brand as a trusted authority in your industry.
Paid Search Advertising: Maximising Visibility and Reach
Paid search advertising is the modern-day equivalent of up a flashy billboard in the busiest part of town. It catches the attention of passers-by who are actively looking for what you offer. Just like a captivating billboard convinces people to visit your store, a well-crafted paid search ad persuades potential customers to click and explore your website.
While organic search is essential, paid search advertising can be a powerful tool to complement your SEO efforts. With over 40,000 search queries per second on Google alone, it’s crucial to have a strong paid search strategy to maximise your visibility and reach your target audience.
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising allows you to target specific keywords and demographics to ensure your ads are seen by the right people at the right time. By bidding on relevant keywords and creating compelling ad copy, you can increase your chances of attracting high-intent customers who are actively searching for products or services like yours.
To optimise your paid search ads, it’s important to stay up to date with industry trends and changes in search engine algorithms. Utilise SEO tips and strategies to improve the effectiveness of your paid ads and maximise your return on investment (ROI).
Blogging: Driving Traffic and Building Authority
By providing valuable insights and advice through your blog posts, you establish yourself as a knowledgeable authority in your industry. People are drawn to you, seek your expertise, and trust your recommendations.
When creating a blog strategy, it’s important to focus on topics that are relevant to your industry and align with your target audience’s interests. Conduct keyword research to identify high-demand topics and ensure your content is optimised for search engines. Additionally, incorporating internal and external links within your blog posts can improve your website’s overall SEO.
In terms of content length, aim for comprehensive and detailed articles. Research shows that longer articles tend to rank higher in search results. By providing in-depth information and addressing your audience’s needs, you establish your brand as an industry expert and build trust with your readers.
Mobile Optimisation: Meeting the Needs of Mobile Users
With the proliferation of smartphones, optimising your website for mobile users is crucial. In November 2022, mobile phones accounted for 47.78% of web traffic in the UK, signalling a significant shift in browsing habits and emphasising the importance of catering to mobile users. To provide a seamless user experience and maximise your website’s potential, it’s important to prioritise mobile optimisation.
Start by ensuring your website is mobile-friendly and responsive, meaning it adapts to different screen sizes. This helps improve user experience and reduces bounce rates. Additionally, optimising your website’s speed is crucial for mobile users. Slow-loading pages can drive potential customers away, leading to lost opportunities and revenue. By optimising your mobile site’s speed, you can reduce bounce rates and improve conversions.
Content Ranking: Creating Content That Ranks
Content ranking is like running a marathon. It requires consistent effort, endurance, and strategy. Just as a marathon runner focuses on pace, stamina, and a well-planned route, you need to focus on creating valuable content, incorporating relevant keywords, and building authoritative backlinks to reach the finish line and earn a top ranking.
Keyword research plays a significant role in content ranking. By identifying relevant keywords with high search volume and incorporating them strategically into your content, you increase your chances of ranking higher in search results.
However, it’s important to strike a balance between keyword optimisation and providing valuable and informative content. Search engines prioritise user intent and satisfaction, so make sure your content addresses your audience’s needs and offers a unique perspective.
In addition to keyword optimisation, backlinks also play a crucial role in content ranking. High-quality and authoritative backlinks from reputable websites signal to search engines that your content is trustworthy and valuable. Invest time in building relationships and earning backlinks from relevant websites in your industry.
Let CREATIVE in TiME Level Up Your Digital Presence with Search Engine Optimisation
Strategic Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a powerful tool that can significantly impact the success of your business. By optimising your online presence and improving your website’s visibility, you can attract more organic traffic, increase conversions, and ultimately maximise your business success.
At CREATIVE in TiME, we are a creative digital marketing agency that specialises in SEO. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping businesses like yours harness the full potential of SEO to achieve remarkable results. With our in-depth knowledge, innovative strategies, and tailored approaches, we can elevate your online visibility and drive targeted traffic to your website.
Don’t let your business get lost in the digital realm. Contact us today at CREATIVE in TiME to discuss how our SEO services can help you maximise your success and take your business to new heights.
Are you looking to improve your website’s ranking on search engines like Google? If so, then you need to know about SEO link building. It’s a critical component of digital marketing that can help you increase your online visibility and attract more traffic to your website. But what is SEO link building, and how does it work?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the importance of link building, discuss effective strategies, and reveal how to boost your website’s rankings. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!
What is SEO Link Building?
Link building is an essential part of SEO. It’s how you can tell Google that your site is relevant and trustworthy, which will help it rank higher in search results.
Links act as votes of confidence from other websites, telling Google that your content is high quality and valuable enough to link back to it. They also give you more opportunities for people to learn about your site, which means higher traffic and more leads for your business!
SEO link building refers to acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own. These links act as a vote of confidence from other websites, indicating to Google that your website is a trustworthy and authoritative source of information. As a result, your website’s ranking in search engine results pages can improve.
But not all links are created equal. Google places a lot of emphasis on the quality of links. Therefore, acquiring high-quality links from reputable sources is essential to improve your website’s ranking. Some common link-building strategies include guest posting, broken link building, resource link building, and the skyscraper technique.
Effective SEO Link Building Strategies: A Closer Look
There are many different methods of link building from making sure your business is on the relevant directories to posting on other websites (with a link back of course) that are in the same industry. To help you succeed in your link-building efforts, let’s explore some common and proven strategies:
1. Guest Posting For Link Building
Guest posting is a marketing strategy where you write an article or blog post and submit it to another website for publication. The idea here is to get your content in front of a new audience and also to get a link back to your own website. This link is known as a backlink, and it’s essential for search engine optimization (SEO).
When you write a guest post for a high-quality website, you’re getting your content in front of a new audience and also a valuable backlink to your website. Backlinks are important because they signal to search engines like Google that your website is a credible and authoritative source of information. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more likely it is that your website will rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
So, guest posting is a great way to boost your website’s SEO and increase your organic search traffic. By writing for a website with good authority and including a link to your own site, you’re signalling to search engines that your website is also of high quality. This can improve your website’s visibility and ultimately drive more traffic to your site.
2. Broken Link Building
Broken link building is another SEO strategy that involves finding broken links on other websites and replacing them with links to your own website.
When a link on a website leads to a 404-error page (a page that doesn’t exist), it negatively impacts the user experience and the website’s SEO. By finding these broken links and offering a replacement link to your own website instead, you’re helping to improve the quality of the website and also get a backlink in the process.
While broken link-building may not be as effective as other link-building strategies like guest posting or resource link building, search engines still consider it a natural linking behaviour. When someone finds a broken link and replaces it with a new link, it’s seen as a positive action that improves the overall user experience of the internet. This means that even though broken link building may have less impact on rankings than other strategies, it’s still a valuable tool in your SEO toolkit.
Broken link building involves finding broken links on other websites and replacing them with links to your own website. This can improve the website’s quality and give you a valuable backlink. While it may not be as effective as other link-building strategies, it’s still a natural linking behaviour that can positively impact your SEO.
3. Resource Link Building
Resource link building is a powerful SEO strategy that involves creating valuable resources such as guides or tools that are related to topics people are searching for frequently. These resources can be blog posts, infographics, videos, or any other type of content that provides value to the user.
The idea behind resource link building is that when you create high-quality resources, people naturally want to link back to and share them with others. This can help increase your website’s visibility, drive traffic to your site, and improve your search engine rankings.
To implement this strategy, you’ll want to create resources that are relevant to your target audience and that provide real value. For example, if you’re a business consultant, you might create a guide on how to start your own business. Once you’ve created your resource, you can share it via email blasts or social media posts so that people can easily find it whenever they need help with something specific.
When other websites link back to your resource, it’s a strong signal to search engines that your website is a credible and authoritative source of information. This can help improve your search engine rankings, drive more traffic to your site, and ultimately help you grow your business.
Resource link building involves creating valuable resources that are relevant to your target audience and then sharing them via email blasts or social media posts. When other websites link back to your resources, it can help improve your website’s visibility and search engine rankings. This powerful SEO strategy can help you grow your business and establish yourself as an authority in your industry.
Note of Caution For Resource Link Building
Always approach link-building with care, as Google has strict guidelines regarding manipulative link-building practices. Websites that engage in such practices risk penalties or bans from search engine results pages.
Boost Your Backlinks with CREATIVE in Time
SEO link building is a vital component of digital marketing that can help you improve your online visibility and attract more traffic to your website. Acquiring high-quality links from authoritative websites can demonstrate your relevance and authority in your niche.
Here at CREATIVE in Time, we are experts in everything SEO, including increasing the number of backlinks to your website. By signing up for our FREE SEO audit, we can have a clearer image of your current SEO standing and develop a bespoke backlink strategy to establish your website as an authority within your niche.
Improve your website’s SEO with a FREE audit! Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your online presence. Get your free audit now!
Ever wondered how to get your business to the top of a Google search?
Your Google Business Profile could be the key you need to open the door for new business opportunities. Google Business Profile, previously Google My Business, is an excellent SEO tool at your disposal, especially when it comes to local SEO.
Local SEO explained
It’s all about targeting the customers who are local to you – the ones who are within a short drive away from where you run your business. This is especially important for those with a store front. When your customers are looking for a local business who can solve their particular problem, you need to be the first name they see both on your organic search and through Google Maps. Local SEO includes optimising your Google Business Profile as well as other tricks of the trade. To find out more on how local SEO can boost your business, check out what CREATIVE in TiME can do to boost your organic rankings.
What exactly is a Google Business Profile?
You might be familiar with Google My Business (GMB) since the name change only happened about a year ago. But it’s the same system with even more benefits than ever for your business!
When you search for a company on a search engine, have you noticed on the right-hand side a profile looking something like this?
THIS is a Google Business Profile, and it can do wonders for your business!
Google Business Profile allow you to list your business and its location on Google Maps and local search results. This helps to attract customers within the local vicinity of your place of operations.
So why is a Google Business Profile Important?
The short answer: it brings in leads to your business. But there’s a lot more to it than that.
With this profile, you can clearly display important information about your organisation that your customer’s/clients are searching for. This could be anything from opening times and your website to your address and reviews by previous customers. 90% of people read reviews before converting so by having reviews appear right at the top of Google, it gives your business a higher chance of obtaining a new customer.
When you are looking for a business on Google, how often do you go to the contact page to call them up? More often than not, users head straight to the Google Business Profile and get essential contact information from there with 94%of calls coming from the Google Business Profile alone! If you let CREATIVE in TiME work their magic on your profile, you can work your magic from there and upsell your clients on a daily basis!
Creating a Google Business Profile is entirely free. But to optimise to and utilise in its best capacity, you need to know what the tips and tricks that Google’s robots are looking for. That’s why we are here. CREATIVE in TiME use their expertise to give your Google Business Profile a high success rate.
5 Ways to Optimise your Google Business Profile
1. Make sure all your information is correct.
This might be stating the obvious, but you might be surprised how many businesses forget to update their Google Business Profile when they move locations. By providing the correct information, not only does it mean you’ll get leads sent to the right place, but you’ll also provide a good user experience for your customers, resulting in positive reviews.
2. Add in high-quality photos
You wouldn’t buy something without seeing the product yourself first, would you? The same goes with users when Googling for your company. When a restaurant has high quality images of their food, it can entice customers to place a booking. When you showcase behind the scenes images from your business, it shows the positive and friendly experience they will have whilst with you. A high-quality image of your company logo is also a must!
3. Don’t forget to add video
Online Videos Have an Audience Reach of 92% Worldwide.By adding a video to your Google Business Profile, your target audience can get a real feel for what you have to offer and the people behind the business. Ever since TikTok took the world by storm, your audience has been consuming more video content than ever before. After all, a video can say exactly what you need to say in under a minute.
4. Write a compelling description
Your description should help sell your business to potential customers. It needs to include your unique selling point (USP) – what makes you stand out from your competitors? Otherwise, how will they know to choose you? Your unique selling point is well unique; its what gets your customers to convert instead of looking at your competitors.
5. Engage with your Google reviews
Having customers leave reviews on your business sends a trust signal to potential new customers. But so does responding to the reviews you receive. By responding to positive reviews, it shows that you are engaging and building loyalty and trust with them. Alternatively, by replying to negative reviews with solutions for unhappy customers, it shows you are proactive to solve any issues. Every business has at least one negative review – it’s all about how you address them. Struggle with keeping professional? Leave it to us.
How CREATIVE in TiME can help
Setting up your Google Business Profile might appear easy enough at a first glance but optimising it the profile is the key to success. Creating these business profiles can be time-consuming and for a busy business owner such as yourself, this might not be your top priority. But that’s what we are here for! We discuss your goals, we set up and optimise your profile, and you get to watch the leads roll in! Contact CREATIVE in TiME today to get started.
By opting to include more than just one of our services, you can reap the benefits from multiple directions, giving your business even more opportunities. Local SEO doesn’t just comprise of your Google Business Profile; it also includes localised keywords in your copy and building links with other businesses and organisations in your area. See our full list of services here.
Google will soon rollout a change to its search ranking algorithm that may prove be one of the most significant changes in over a decade.
Google announced yesterday that it’s rolling out new Search updates over the next few weeks that will aim to make it easier for people to find high-quality content. Google call it the helpful content update. So, how helpful is it really?
Google says that the update will especially target content that has been created primarily for ranking on search engines, known as “SEO-first” content, rather than human-first content.
What is Google’s helpful content update?
Google’s new helpful content update specifically targets “content that seems to have been primarily created for ranking well in search engines rather than to help or inform people.”
The purpose of this algorithm update is to help searchers find high-quality content. Google wants to reward better and more useful content that was written for humans and to help users instead of only benefiting the website owner.
Content written for the purpose of ranking in search engines – what you might call “search engine-first content” or “SEO content,” has been frequently written about lately and discussed across social media.
In short, searchers are getting frustrated when they land on unhelpful webpages that rank well in search because they were designed to rank well but without providing the required content.
Google’s new algorithm aims to downgrade those types of websites while promoting more helpful websites, designed for humans, above content which is designed for search engines.
Google said this is an “ongoing effort to reduce low-quality content and make it easier to find content that feels authentic and useful in search.”
If you are a frequent Google searcher, then time to rejoice!
Google Suggests Instagram and TikTok are eating into Google’s core products, Search and Maps
The launch of the new Search updates come as Google recently acknowledged that TikTok is cutting into its Search product.
Senior vice president Prabhakar Raghavan, who runs Google’s Knowledge & Information organisation, recently noted that younger users are often turning to apps like Instagram and TikTok instead of Google Search or Maps for discovery purposes.
For instance, Raghavan said nearly 40% of young people go to TikTok or Instagram when looking for a place to eat, as opposed to Google Maps or Search. Google therefore is attempting to create a better user experience via the helpful content update.
This just highlights that for those businesses who are yet to delve into the world of video content as a means of promoting your business, they could be missing out on nearly 40% of search traffic. Are you one of those businesses?
It’s time to stop ignoring the power of TikTok for your business. It’s not just a ‘teenager thing’. Over 60% of users are 20-49 and these could be your key customers.
Our TikTok Tips
Jump on those trends and show some personality. TikTok is a perfect example of why people buy from people. Express yourself!
Be consistent. Have a schedule and stick to it but don’t be scared to be reactive. Some posts might be getting only a couple of views, but some might get 1000s!
Don’t try to make it perfect. Creating content takes time but try not to worry about the small imperfections. Imperfect content is better than no content!
With these upcoming ranking improvements, Google is likely looking to regain users’ trust when it comes to delivering relevant and high-quality results. We recommend hitting the TikTok trend whilst it’s hot.
What types of content will the helpful content update impact?
While Google algorithms do not specifically target any specific niche, Google said these types of content may be impacted the most:
Online educational materials.
Arts and entertainment.
Shopping.
Tech-related.
This is because content written in those areas has historically been written more for search engines than humans.
For example, Google say:
“If you search for information about a new movie, you might have previously encountered articles that aggregated reviews from other sites without adding perspectives beyond what’s available elsewhere on the web. This isn’t very helpful if you’re expecting to read something new.”
With this update, you’ll see more results with unique information, so you’re more likely to read something you haven’t seen before. If you are a website owner, make sure that any content you are producing is unique and useful to any potential readers!
More helpful product reviews written by experts
In addition to announcing the search results ranking improvements, Google also said it’s launching an update in the coming weeks to make it easier to find high-quality and original reviews.
Product review videos are a notable part of TikTok, so it’s no surprise that Google is working to surface higher-quality reviews on its search results page. This is in order ensure that people come to its platform for reviews, as opposed to social media.
What will be impacted?
Google said this update may, in the future, impact those who “create product reviews in any language,” but Google said the initial rollout will be “English-language product reviews.” Google added they have seen “positive effects” from this update in the past and the search company “plans to open up product review support for more languages” in the future.
As a business, it is SO important to be obtaining regular in-depth, high-quality reviews of your product/service in order to be found in the right ways. Positive reviews will earn you search engines trust.
If you don’t have a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), or if you do and you aren’t managing it, and receiving/responding to reviews then you’re missing a trick.
Google Business Profiles are often overlooked at SEO agencies, but that’s where CREATIVE in TiME are different.
We can set up and manage your Google Business Profile to improve your local SEO and get you found. Through uniquely tailored review responses, useful Google posts and closely monitored insights, CREATIVE in TiME can take your Google Business Profile from Zero to Hero.
Conclusion
In short, here’s what you need to do now:
Create human-first content. Follow Google’s long-standing advice and guidelines to create content for people, not for search engines. Find these guidelines via a quick Google Search.
Create video content. It’s time to stop ignoring the power of TikTok for your business. It’s not just a ‘teenager thing’. Over 60% of users are 20-49 and these could be your key customers.
Get more reviews and make sure your Google Business Profile (formerly, Google My Business) is up to date.
Did you know that there are 5.4 billion Google searches per day? That makes Google the most popular search engine which controls 90% of the global search engine market.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Almost everything about Google is in the billions which means that your website needs to live up to Google’s standards.
Search engine optimisation is the practice of optimising a website to increase rankings in organic search results, with a priority focus on Google rankings!
Spoiler alert: It may be easier than you think…
In fact, SEO can involve more than just optimising your webpage, it can also include:
Branding
Content Marketing
Web Development
User Experience
And more…
To get to the point, the sites which are ranking high on Google aren’t just good at SEO, they need to be good at digital marketing in general!
Ready for the good stuff, it’s what you’re here for right?
SEO with Google: Keywords
If you are looking to begin developing your SEO with Google then keywords are a great way to start.
This is because you want your content to be optimised around keywords that people are going to type into Google.
If you optimise your pages and content around search queries then your pages can rank for those terms, perfect!
For example, If you are a business selling blinds and shutters, then you would likely want to use keywords such as blinds near me, shutters in Leicester, best blackout blinds and cheapest shutter options.
We won’t natter at you for too long here, check out information about what an SEO keyword ishere and how to find SEO keywords!
SEO with Google: SEO-friendly Content
Now that you have completed keyword research and have a list of keywords which your target customer will be searching on Google, it is time to put this effort to good use by writing some SEO-friendly content.
This should be made easier by using your keyword research as a basis for your writing.
Try using one keyword as your focus per page, this will allow you to rank well for multiple keywords across your entire site.
Here are some top tips for using SEO keywords on your website:
Use your keyword in the title tag
Include your keyword in the first 50-100 words on your page
Use your keyword in the page URL
Use your keyword in the subheadings
Include your keyword in the meta description
SEO with Google: Blogging
On the topic of creating SEO-friendly content, blogging is an ideal way to improve your website’s SEO as well as helping your customers with useful information.
Blogging weekly or monthly allows you to create keyword-heavy content which is useful to potential readers.
If you are looking to start blogging to help your Google SEO then here are some tips on how to start writing blogs from scratch:
Title: Tell the reader WHAT they are going to read. Avoid clickbait or vague titles as these will cause your readers to bounce off your content, sending bad signals to Google.
Introduction: Introduce the blog, what is it about? What can readers expect to learn? Don’t be afraid to show your personality!
Background Information: Include/explain any information that may be needed before answering the question. Imagine your mum is reading your content, would she understand what you are talking about without any context? Use this section of a blog to explain the details as if this is the first time your reader is hearing about this topic (which it very well could be!).
Answer the Question: Answer the question clearly and honestly. You can voice an opinion however present the facts clearly and without bias.
Outro: Include links to any relevant products, to your shop, your social media accounts or to other related blogs. ALWAYS link to something. Explain what your blog/business is about and why people should keep up to date with your latest content.
SEO with Google: Link Building
Link building is one of the most important, and hardest, parts of your SEO with Google strategy!
Link building is the act of building one-way hyperlinks (aka backlinks) to your website.
Without your site having backlinks to it, simply, you are likely to not rank very well on Google. It’s sad but true! And it is even more important that you don’t just have lots of backlinks but that they are high quality too.
So, what is a high-quality link?
Well, think of it like this…
Imagine you are looking to order some new clothes online (as per usual) but want to check out a new shop.
Do you purchase from the shop being linked to by Vogue and Glamour magazine? Or do you purchase from the shop being linked to by seedy unknown companies?
The likelihood is that you will buy from the former as you have trust in the referral and therefore confidence in the link.
High-quality links show that your business is trustworthy, reputable and real.
Benefits of link building include:
Improve page credibility
Increased web traffic
Create more revenue opportunities
Build brand authority
Increase exposure
Lower bounce rates
To make the most out of your link-building ventures, you should aim to get referrals from high authority websites instead of buying links.
A great way to gain links is to reach out to other businesses in your industry and offer to place a link to their business on your website in return.
SEO with Google: Mobile Optimisation
Did you know that over half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices?
That’s right! So if you think you’re skating by without checking on your mobile site optimisation then I hate to tell you but…you may want to have a peep.
Google has been prioritising mobile page load speed as a key metric when ranking your website which makes mobile optimisation one of the most important ways to rank on Google.
Do you need help making your website mobile friendly?
Get in touch now with CREATIVE in TiME if you need help with SEO, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, PPC, Social Media and Website Development!
