Imagine your website sitting pretty on the first page of Google search results. Sounds like a dream, right?
With the right SEO strategies, you can turn that dream into reality - nothing is out of reach.
Whether you're a digital marketer looking to gain traction with your clients or a business owner trying to connect with more customers, this complete guide to SEO best practices for beginners will help you elevate your online presence - and drive more traffic than you ever thought possible.
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, refers to optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results. It's like the friendly tour guide that directs visitors straight to your digital doorstep.
We’re more reliant on SEO than ever before, all thanks to our increased reliance on search engines for finding the information, services, and products we need.
SEO matters. And it matters a lot. Higher rankings lead to increased visibility, which translates to more traffic and, ultimately, more conversions. Organic search drives around 53.3% of all website traffic – making it a vital component of any digital marketing strategy.
The Three Pillars of SEO
To master SEO, you need to understand its three main pillars: technical SEO, On-page SEO, and off-page SEO. None is more important than another - each one plays a crucial role in boosting your website's performance and visibility.
Technical
Technical SEO is the foundation of your entire SEO strategy. It sounds complicated, but it’s simply about optimizing the “bones” of your site to make it easier for search engines to crawl, index, and rank your content.
Think of it as the behind-the-scenes work that makes sure your website runs smoothly and efficiently.
Site and page speed is an important element of technical SEO, both for user experience and for SEO. Google highlights the importance of fast-loading websites and rewards them with higher rankings. According to Google, 53% of mobile users abandon a site that takes longer than three seconds to load. So pay attention to your core web vitals!
With over 60% of global internet traffic coming from mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable. Google's mobile-first indexing means that the mobile version of your site is prioritized in the search results.
Another piece of technical SEO is security; this is a top priority for search engines and users alike. Websites with SSL certificates (indicated by the HTTPS protocol) are given preference in search rankings. An SSL certificate encrypts data between the user's browser and your server, ensuring secure interactions. If you haven't already, it's time to make the switch to HTTPS.
On-Page
Next up, we have on-page SEO, which focuses on optimizing individual web pages to rank higher and attract more relevant traffic.
Keywords are truly the backbone of all on-page SEO strategies. They help search engines understand the content and context of your pages. Incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your content, including in the title, headings, meta descriptions, and body text. For example, if you're targeting "best vegan recipes," you'll want to make sure it appears in key areas without overstuffing.
High-quality content is another cornerstone of on-page SEO strategies. Studies show that companies that blog receive 55% more website visitors and 97% more inbound links. Aim for long-form content (1,500+ words) to cover topics comprehensively and boost your chances of ranking higher.
Speaking of links - internal linking is the practice of linking to other pages within your website. It helps search engines discover and index your content while improving user navigation.
For instance, if you're writing a blog post on "SEO tips," link to related content like "keyword research" or "content marketing strategies." This creates a network of interconnected pages that enhance your site's overall SEO.
Off-Page
Off-page SEO refers to actions taken outside your website to improve its search engine rankings. It's all about building authority, credibility, and trust through external factors.
When it comes to how SEO works, backlinks are links from other websites to yours. High-quality backlinks from authoritative sites signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.
Backlinks are widely considered to be one of the top three ranking factors in Google's algorithm. Focus on earning backlinks through guest blogging, getting yourself listed in directories, influencer collaborations, and creating shareable content.
Social media is another important element of off-page SEO. Although social media signals themselves aren't direct pagerank factors, they can indirectly impact your SEO.
Active social media presence drives traffic to your website, increases brand visibility, and encourages link sharing - so be sure to share your content on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to reach a broader audience and attract potential backlinks.
Don’t forget about positive online reviews. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and Trustpilot. Responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, shows that you value customer feedback and enhances your brand's credibility.
How Kinetic319 Approaches SEO for Clients
When it comes to SEO, Kinetic319 doesn't mess around.
We don’t just focus on one aspect of SEO. We make sure every piece of the SEO puzzle fits together perfectly. That way, you not only rank higher on search engines - but also offer a better user experience overall.
Technical SEO: Laying the Foundation
Imagine building a house on sand. Not a great idea, right? The same logic applies to your website. Technical SEO is the bedrock that keeps your virtual house from sinking.
To quickly recap what we already glossed over in our earlier technical SEO guide, this is all about the nuts and bolts of your website - site speed, mobile-friendliness, and indexability. Even the best content won’t save you if search engines can’t find your site, so you need to focus on technical SEO first and foremost.
Conducting a technical SEO audit might sound like a chore, but with the right tools, it's more like a walk in the park. We’ll do this early on in the SEO process to make sure we’re targeting our efforts in the right place. Some SEO tools we might use include:
- Google Search Console – This free tool provides insights into how Google views your site and can help identify any crawling or indexing issues.
- Ahrefs Site Audit – This tool goes beyond basic checks, offering detailed reports on a variety of technical SEO factors. For example, Ahrefs helped Microsoft identify and fix numerous broken links, boosting their overall SEO performance.
- SEMrush Site Audit – Similar to Ahrefs, SEMrush offers a detailed technical SEO audit that includes information on crawlability, accessibility, and HTTPS implementation.
These are just some of the many tools available to assist with conducting a technical SEO audit. We should also note that while these tools are helpful, we always use them in conjunction with manual checks and human analysis to make sure we haven’t missed anything.
On-Page SEO: Optimizing Content for Search Engines
Keyword research, again, is the backbone of on-page SEO. It's about finding the terms and phrases your target audience is searching for. This aligns with the Google E-E-A-T fundamentals.
What might this look like? Take the case of a fitness blog aiming to attract more readers. By identifying high-traffic keywords and search terms like "home workout routines" and "healthy meal plans," the blog can create content that directly addresses these search queries. The result? A significant boost in organic traffic and reader engagement because searchers are finding exactly what they’re looking for.
Creating SEO-friendly content isn't rocket science, but it does require some finesse. Here are some best practices we keep in mind:
- Use Keywords Naturally - Don't stuff your content with keywords. Instead, incorporate them naturally into your titles, headings, and body text. For instance, if you're writing about "digital marketing strategies," make sure the phrase fits seamlessly into your content. Don’t forget about including these in photo alt text and title tags, too.
- Write Engaging Content - Your content should be informative, engaging, and shareable. Think of the problem your audience might want to solve, then create the type of content that solves it - ideally, focusing on SEO basics without losing your trustworthiness. Whenever possible, recognize search intent and pay attention to frequently asked questions to land yourself in the featured snippets.
- Incorporate Visuals - Images, videos, and infographics can make your content more appealing while also increasing user engagement and reducing bounce rates. For example, including a step-by-step infographic on "how to optimize your website for SEO" can be incredibly helpful for your readers.
Metadata, headings, and internal linking are also important in helping you appear in organic search results. They don’t get as much of the spotlight as the above items, but they’re just as important when it comes to helping crawlers find your page:
- Metadata - Your meta titles and descriptions should be concise, compelling, and include your target keywords. A well-crafted meta description can increase your click-through rate (CTR). For example, a meta description for a blog post on "SEO tips" could be, "Discover the top SEO tips to boost your website's ranking and drive more traffic. Learn from the experts!"
- Headings - Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content. This not only makes it easier for readers to follow but also helps search engines understand your content better. For instance, using H2 tags for subheadings like "The Role of Keyword Research" and H3 tags for further breakdowns ensures a clear hierarchy.
- Internal Linking - Link to other relevant pages on your website to keep users engaged and improve your site's crawlability. For example, if you're discussing "SEO strategies," you could link to another blog post on "content marketing tips." This keeps your readers on your site longer and helps search engines index your pages more effectively.
If you want to go one step further, don’t forget to update your website content for local SEO, too. This is an important element of search engine marketing for small local businesses in particular.
Off-Page SEO: Building Trust and Authority
Again, off-page SEO refers to all the actions taken outside your website that impact your rankings within search engine results pages (SERPs).
Unlike on-page SEO, which deals with internal factors like content and HTML source code, off-page SEO techniques are all about building your site's reputation and authority. Think of it as your website's public relations campaign.
First, let’s talk about link building. It’s not just about plugging in random links here and there - bots can do this, and you don’t want to get flagged.
Guest blogging, on the other hand, is one of the most effective ways to build high-quality backlinks. This involves writing articles for other reputable websites in your niche. Not only does this increase your site's visibility, but it also establishes you as an authority figure in your field.
Building partnerships with other businesses can also be a goldmine for off-page SEO. Collaborate on projects, co-host webinars, or feature each other in blog posts. These partnerships often result in mutual backlinks, driving traffic and enhancing credibility for both parties.
You can also do some basic outreach to get other websites and influencers to link back to your site and promote your content. This can be done through email campaigns, social media, or even direct messages.
There are some other factors to consider for off-page SEO, too.
Social signals, for example, are indicators of your content’s popularity on social media platforms. Likes, shares, comments, and even the number of followers can impact your SEO. While social signals alone won't skyrocket your rankings, they can enhance other off-page SEO efforts.
Collaborating with influencers can also give your off-page SEO a significant boost. Influencers have loyal followings who trust their recommendations. When an influencer shares your content, it not only drives traffic but also increases the likelihood of earning backlinks.
Remember, even if a brand mentions you without a direct backlink, it can still positively impact your SEO. Search engines, including Google but also those like Bing and Yahoo!, recognize these mentions and consider them as votes of confidence. Tools like Google Alerts can help you track brand mentions and capitalize on them.
Final Thoughts
Remember, SEO isn't a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires consistency and adaptability (along with a close eye on your metrics).
Need more help? Kinetic319 is your strategic partner in technical SEO, on-page SEO, and off-page SEO. If you're ready to elevate your SEO strategy, contact us for expert services that are designed to help you shine in the digital landscape.
Master the art of SEO, and watch your website soar to new heights!