You can master SEO and overcome the ever-changing world of search engine algorithms by learning from the experts. As a result, you give yourself a chance to learn valuable skills while eliminating the cost of professional services. Although achieving SEO mastery may take a long time, the following seven techniques of successful consultants will give you a head start.
1. Use a comprehensive approach
For the most part, the activities of SEO specialists fall under multiple categories. Internal SEO factors include site structure and the quality and formatting of content. Meanwhile, external SEO includes developing high-quality backlinks and social signaling. As noted by CIO.com, such a multi-faceted approach to SEO is required to get optimal results.
2. Choose the right keywords
Amateurs in the SEO world fail to understand the importance of keywords. Rather than rely on your gut, Austin local marketing firm recommends using tools such as Google’s AdWords Keyword Tool, SERPSTAT, or ahrefs to find search terms and phrases that give you a chance to carve out a niche online.
3. Demand high-quality content
Online, quality counts. Internet users want to quickly find the products and services they want, solutions to their problems and information that improves their life. With this in mind, search engines have developed ways to assess the quality of content based on relevance, readability, and other factors.
4. Optimize for mobile
According to Reuters, 75 percent of internet traffic in 2017 will come from mobile users. To attract and engage those users, your pages must quickly load and properly display on mobile screens.
5. Keep things fresh
According to Search Engine Land, search engines have long used the freshness of content to prioritize search engine results. Meanwhile, as algorithms continue changing, you can expect both search engines and their users to demand up-to-date information.
6. Provide direct answers
SEO pros know that, in many cases, being number one in the search results no longer comprises SEO success. Google, Bing and other search engines have developed ways to provide the most relevant information from top search results at the top of their results pages. This speeds the delivery of information to users but also reduces the number of websites that compete for their attention.
Social media continues to attract hundreds of millions of daily users that come from practically every demographic, industry and market segment. As reported by Forbes, search engines consider factors such as the number of social page shares and followers while determining the relevance and authority of your content.
Now that you know seven tactics used by successful SEO consultants, you can put them to use in your business or career. Meanwhile, the evolving nature of the SEO industry will supply you with new challenges and learning opportunities.