Search Engine Talk: SEO Tactics That Still Drive Results
“SEO is dead” has been a saying by less-than-stellar marketers for around a decade. The statements could have been to drive sales to their marketing ploys. Search engine rankings are still worth their weight in gold as ranking at the top leads to relevant leads. Traffic can be generated in a number of ways that include organic and inorganic means. The truth is that sales along with leads are the most important aspects of ranking on search engines. Brand awareness is a bonus, but business owners want to generate revenue through their marketing spend.
Tactics that Google vowed to make obsolete are still well and thriving. The beauty of SEO is that new tactics drive results due to the shifting nature of Google’s algorithm. Gaming the system is still a favorite activity of those that constantly look for new tactics to drive results. Older tactics still work if they are based on creating relationships and content that drives traffic. Denver based FirestarterSEO.com notes, “While tactics and emphasis have changed in SEO, there are tried and true strategies that work. Basing strategies off of data gathered from previous campaigns that were both successful and unsuccessful.” The following will outline SEO tactics that can still drive results.
The Website Should Be Flawless
Quality content on a blog should be used for multiple reasons. Education of customers/prospects can ensure they understand the value of products or services being offered. Ranking for specific keywords can be done through content created to answer common questions. A content calendar can be so important as certain posts should be published at specific times. There are times when a website receives the highest amount of traffic. Publishing right before this time can help maximize engagement on a blog post or another piece of content published.
User-friendly websites will rank higher on search engines as they take longer for a visitor to click off of. The design should be handled by a professional that has designed other websites in the same niche. A law firm will want to set consultations while an online store has the main goal of closing sales quickly.
Decent loading speed will be very important when it comes to the ranking of a page. The user experience is going to play a role in rankings. While Google has not officially released the importance of page loading speed, they have mentioned that it matters. There are a number of tools that can be used to test loading speeds to ensure they provide the best experience for visitors possible.
If you face problems with interpreting page speed results or wish to get rid of all technical errors fast and build optimized pages, it’s better to consult professionals. When you outsource WordPress web development services, for instance, you’ll get customized website pages and personalized advice.
Goals for each page of the website will be extremely important. On a staff page, profiles can help humanize a voice on the phone or name in an email. Initial rapport can be built with potential clients that have done their due diligence on the company. Certain pages are for educating visitors while others allow visitors to purchase or set appointments for a meeting. A/B testing is so important when finding the perfect layout and design for a particular part of the website.
In-Depth Content Needs To Be Created
Content marketing and SEO will always be intertwined in terms of success. A number of shares of a piece of content can lead to hundreds of backlinks. Content that does well on relevant publications or is referenced frequently should be updated regularly. Regular updates make it a continually relevant piece of content. Republishing can garner interest from those that have read/viewed the piece in the past along with new readers/viewers.
Creating pieces that include a podcast, video, or infographic content from successful pieces can be crucial. Not all individuals prefer to consume content in the same manner. Transcribing popular podcast content can be so valuable as it makes it easier to search.
Outreach to help build backlinks that point to popular content can vary in approach. Emailing to contribute an article or replace a current link in a published article is frequently done. Including the backlink in contributed articles for marketing purposes can be another option. Certain publications are willing to take expert content from outside writers if they pitch an interesting title.
Other Factors That Dictate An Online Company’s Success
Name recognition along with the promotion of new hires can drive results. A PR campaign that notifies those in the industry about a well-known professional joining the team in some capacity matters. Getting a big name can come with contracts almost immediately due to contacts this individual has made. Publicly traded companies have seen increases in stock prices due to hires that have been made. A company would see a huge jump if an individual like Jeff Bezos or Richard Branson wanted a huge stake in the company.
Seamless checkout processes can be so important when it comes to maximizing conversions. A buyer that starts to consider a purchase more deeply can change their mind. Amazon has a secure yet simple checkout process for return customers that makes it as easy to purchase as ever. Security is so essential as a data leak can lose the confidence of a majority of customers or clients. Recovering from a data breach can be difficult with client and employee information being compromised.
SEO along with a focus on what makes it easier to buy for the consumer is essential in today’s digital world. Take the time to figure out what tactics drive real results and invest even more in these campaigns.