Search engine optimization can be a true weapon for your company, but only if you wield it correctly. With SEO, each word matters when figuring out keywords and phrases but before you become a keyboard warrior, you need to start with the basics– wax on, wax off.
Keyword research is the foundation of effective SEO
By identifying relevant keywords and incorporating them naturally into your website's content, you can increase your chances of ranking higher in search engine results. The keyword here is natural; if you create website with headers that are packed tight with keywords, the page will look more like a Scrabble board which is not what you want. Make your keyword placement specific but intentional. Not sure how to go about this on your own? Utilize free keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and KeywordTool.io to find keywords with high search volumes and low competition.
One method that not many businesses know is that the URL is your best friend when it comes to SEO. Use descriptive URLs and include relevant keywords in your URL structure, but if you include too many keywords, search engines will flag that page which will hinder your rank in the search results. If you really want to get ahead you can optimize your images by adding alt tags and compressing them to improve page load speed, which is a ranking factor for search engines. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive, as mobile optimization is crucial for search engine rankings.
Backlinks act as a vote of confidence from one website to another
Another crucial part of SEO is link building which is done through backlinking. Backlinking is when another website refers to one of your links in an article or blog, kind of like a shout-out. These links act as a vote of confidence or recommendation from one website to another as they signal to search engines and consumers that your website is trustworthy, authoritative, and relevant. There are great companies that help generate backlink strategies for you such as Rhino Rank, Outreach Crayon, and SEMrush. The act of linking those companies is an example of backlinking in real-time.
Leverage your existing network and reach out to relevant websites, blogs, or industry directories to request backlinks. Keep in mind, quality over quantity. Guest blogging on reputable websites in your industry can also help you build backlinks and increase your website's visibility. Actively engaging in online communities, such as forums or social media groups can also lead to natural backlinks as others reference your content.
These are all surprisingly simple ways you can take control of your SEO and make search engines work for you.
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