Search engine optimization or SEO is considered as one of the most influential marketing platforms in the world. This is because, SEO is always leading in terms of innovation and updates. Google frequently makes changes to their algorithms to make SEO more worthwhile for website owners and to diminish black hat SEO practitioners. SEO practices that once dominated the industry, are in vain now.
While 2017 bought the dominance of Google AMP, the rise of HTTPs, importance of backlinks, etc.; we need to find out what’s in store for 2018. Keeping pace with the trend will help marketers rank website at the top.
It has become evident that search engines will rank your website, based on the quality of content, the performance of your site, and the user experience you generate across all devices. Therefore, you should always keep search engines and customers in mind when optimizing your website, by focusing on the below parameters;
- Page Load Time: This is very important! If a user clicks on a page from their search results and it takes time to get loaded, search engines will notice. This is indeed an easy metric to start with a great user journey.
- CTR/ Click Through Rate: Search engines keep a track on how many times a user clicks on the site from a search result and then return to the same results, in search of another site. The more frequent this happens, the more it indicates that the site is optimized for search but doesn’t offer quality user experience.
- Responsive Website: Nowadays, search engines penalize owners for not having mobile optimized site. When developing a website, make sure that mobile users get the same functionality with quality user experience, when browsing your site from their mobile device.
- Social Media: With social media becoming the most influential platform, make sure you delight your customers through blogs, forums and social media. We know that search engines consider links to your page and citations as an important metric.
Apart from these strategies, you need to be sure about staying on top of all the SEO changes. Below mentioned are some resources that might help you stay updated;
- Forums and Groups; It’s better you join SEO LinkedIn groups and SEO forums and blogs.
- Social Media: Do stay on the top of the SEO trends by following some well-known SEO experts on Twitter and Google+.
- Tracking SEO strategies: Make use of Google analytics to compare before and after statistics when making a change to your website. This is how you can roll back changes that reduced traffic to your site.
- Algorithm Changes: For all your updates on algorithm changes, make sure you read blogs on regular basis.
- Expert Tips: There are experts who manages to deliver presentations on weekly basis regarding SEO. Make sure you attend such programs for your benefit.
There are plenty of things that search engines monitor. Some we are aware of and some we’re not. Your aim should be to deliver quality user experience that will drive search engine and will keep visitors happy. For more assistance, get in touch with VGlobal, the reputed digital marketing agency, based in India.
