Chances are you’ve heard of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and have an idea of how crucial it is when it comes to improving your website’s visibility on search engines like Google.
For beginners, the world of SEO can sometimes seem daunting and complex, but don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert to get some great results! In this blog, we break down the basics and provide a few simple but effective ways that you can kickstart your SEO journey and start increasing your website’s traffic in no time.
Keywords are key
Keywords are the building blocks of SEO. These are the words or short phrases that people type into search engines when looking for information, and by targeting them, you can ensure your site gets seen by your target audience. Start by conducting keyword research to identify relevant keywords for your content, using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Semrush.
Once you have a list of keywords, strategically incorporate them into your content, including them in your titles, headings, and the body of your text. This lets search engines know what your content is all about, making it easier for them to rank your site and display it to the most ideal audience.
Be content with your content
Nailing the more technical aspects of SEO may help to increase your search rankings and traffic, but don’t forget that once your site attracts visitors, you’ll need some quality content to keep them there!
Behind your traffic analytics figures are real people who will stick around if they’re presented with valuable, informative, and engaging content that caters to their interests. Make sure to regularly update your site with fresh content to keep your visitors coming back for more.
Remember the mobile masses
Did you know that over 55% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices? This has increased from 31% in 2015 and the upward trend looks set to continue. If your website isn’t easy for mobile users to navigate, you are potentially missing out on a huge chunk of traffic.
Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it primarily uses the mobile version of your website for ranking and indexing, so ensure that your website is responsive and provides an excellent user experience on mobile devices as well as desktop.
Optimise your way to success
User experience makes a huge difference to SEO. A well-organised website structure with clear menus, headings, and internal links makes it easier for both users and search engine crawlers to navigate your site.
Likewise, images and videos can enhance your content, but they can also slow down your website and kill your SEO ranking if not optimised properly. Compress images to reduce file size and remember to add descriptive alt text – this helps search engines understand the content of your multimedia elements and can improve your website’s visibility in image and video search results.
Boost with backlinks
Once your site is ready to get the visitors rolling in, backlinks, which are inbound links from other reputable websites, are a great finishing touch. Quality over quantity is key here: focus on earning backlinks from authoritative and relevant websites in your industry. You can achieve this by creating exceptional content that others naturally want to link to, or by reaching out for guest posting opportunities.
Now you’re well-equipped with a few quick and easy strategies to start improving your website’s SEO. But remember, SEO is an ongoing process, and it may take time to see significant results, so patience and consistency are crucial. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to boosting your website’s SEO and reaching a wider audience online.
Get in touch today to chat to a results-driven SEO agency for your not-for-profit or B2B website project!
This latest thinking article was written by:
Jack Lenton
Senior Content Executive
