SEO strategies seem to change at the drop of a hat, but there are a few tips that will continue to ring true long into the future. Learn how to implement these SEO techniques that stand the test of time in our latest blog.
Website owners are no stranger to changes in search engine algorithms. With more than 60 trillion web pages in existence, there must be some way to organize websites in order to give the most relevant information to searchers. Algorithms, or those computer processes and formulas that take your questions and turn them into answers, do just that. Google’s algorithms rely on more than 200 unique signals that interpret user queries to find the best answers.
Throughout the years, Google has remained focused on providing the best user experience by creating more sophisticated ranking signals, and penalizing websites that attempt to manipulate those signals. While many website owners complain about Google penalties and ever-evolving ranking signals, these are necessary components of an organized, structured internet that allows users to find what they are looking for. In short, complying with Google’s best practices for search engine optimization is better for your customers, and therefore better for your business.
Here are five SEO tips from Matt Cutts, one of Google’s developers in charge of search engine optimization, which will remain true regardless of changes to search ranking algorithms.
Help Your Target Audience Find You
By now, you probably know your company’s demographic fairly well. You know which types of consumers are looking for your product and how often, and how to close the sale once a prospect is on the line. However, if your website is not optimized with the terms and phrases your target audience uses when searching for your product, you simply will not be found. While everyone wants to rank for broad, generic keywords, those top spots in the search rankings are usually filled by massive competitors that make it hard for small businesses to gain exposure. When you have your company’s website designed for the first time, or redesigned to keep up with the times, pay close attention to the terms your audience will use when searching for you.
Optimize for the Audience, not Google
While it’s true that your website needs to be SEO-friendly in order to play nicely with search engines like Google, you shouldn’t focus on stuffing keywords and search phrases into your copy. Search engines will understand your intent if your content speaks to the reader, and they will penalize your website for containing too many keywords, irrelevant information, or thin content. Provide information that is clear, easy to understand, and relevant to the search terms you want to rank more highly for. Each webpage should be written with your audience in mind, designed to compel and convert as many visitors as possible.
What if you could tell consumers about your business as soon as they search for a product? https://t.co/SQL2zuQDfK pic.twitter.com/fer8ive57X
— CyberMark Intl. (@CyberMark) February 26, 2015
Provide a Balanced Helping of Information
It can be difficult to determine just how much information is too much for one webpage, especially when it comes to trying to cover all the bases on your homepage. If you have too much, it could take longer for your webpage to load, causing visitors to navigate away before glancing at your site. Too little information can be flagged as thin content by spam regulators in search engines. Use visuals and text throughout your website to convey ideas and use blog posts to elaborate on more sophisticated concepts your audience may want to know more about.
Protect Your Content
In addition to maintaining an updated content management system and security system on your website, be vigilant in fighting back against duplicate content. Whether your own websites contain identical content or someone stole your content to use on their own page, search engines will punish your website. If you have duplicate content on your websites, replace it right away with new, unique content. If you find your text has been copied on to another website you don’t own, file a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice with Google to report the stolen content. The offending site will then either take down the content, or dispute your claim.
Finally, remember the purpose behind search engine optimization. SEO is not a magical technique that will bring you leads simply because your website is higher in search rankings. SEO is all about getting your website to rank, attracting new visitors to your website through compelling title tags and Meta descriptions that are relevant to their search, and then keeping them on the site with informative content. To get more leads to convert once they visit your website, read our tips on getting more sales from your website.
Are you looking to boost your online presence with internet marketing? CyberMark International can help you! Please call 623-889-3380 today, or fill out our contact form and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.