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Best SEO Practices associated with Multilingual and Multi Regional Websites

In today’s globalized world, businesses often need to cater to audiences across different countries and languages. Multilingual and multi-regional websites can help achieve this, but they also present unique SEO challenges.
The first thing while doing SEO for an international business is offering content in different language. Hosting multiple websites with same content and different language is a critical factor in Search Engine Optimization. Before going to the technical details it is essential to know the difference between a multilingual website and a multi regional website.

A multilingual website offers content in more than one language while the multi region website targets different locations around the globe. The biggest task while doing multi language website is the process of translation which takes considerable time. Using Google translation alone for the translation might cause problems if not verified thoroughly.

The first step in making a website multi region or multi lingual is doing proper research about the locations for which the website is targeting. Google Adword keyword Planner and other tools must be used for doing research about the location and finding out the search volume associated with a particular keyword.

The next step will be redirecting each domain based on the location from which it is searched to the appropriate web pages. Using specific SEO meta tags also essential for proper display of items in search engine results page. While specifying the language meta tag it should be clearly kept in mind whether a specific location or a specific interest people are being targeted.

The URL of the targeting web page also need to help the users to identify the language being used. This should align with the best practices associated with search engine optimization strategies for urls. While naming the urls consistency is to be maintained for making it more user friendly. The location of hosting the website is also of importance since the web page request being sent to the server response time and data being downloaded takes time which could possibly affect the loading time of the websites.

Here’s a guide to the best SEO practices to ensure your multilingual and multi-regional websites are optimized effectively:

1. Use of Hreflang Tags

  • Purpose: Hreflang tags help search engines understand the language and region of a webpage.
  • Implementation: Add hreflang attributes to the <head> section of your HTML.

2. Choose the Right URL Structure

  • Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs): Use ccTLDs (e.g., example.de for Germany) to target specific countries.
  • Subdirectories: Use subdirectories (e.g., example.com/de/) to organize content by language or region.
  • Subdomains: Use subdomains (e.g., de.example.com) as an alternative to subdirectories.

3. Content Localization

  • Translation: Translate content accurately to the target language.
  • Cultural Relevance: Adapt content to be culturally relevant and appropriate for the target audience.
  • Local Keywords: Perform keyword research for each language to optimize content for local search behavior.

4. Optimize Meta Tags

  • Title and Description: Write unique meta titles and descriptions for each language.
  • Local Keywords: Include local keywords in meta tags to improve visibility in regional searches.

5. Language and Region-Specific Content

  • Unique Content: Provide unique and valuable content for each language and region.
  • Avoid Duplicate Content: Ensure content is sufficiently unique to avoid duplicate content issues.

6. Geotargeting in Google Search Console

  • Set Geotargeting: Use Google Search Console to set geotargeting preferences for each domain or subdirectory.
  • Verification: Ensure each version of your site is verified in Google Search Console.

7. XML Sitemaps

  • Separate Sitemaps: Create separate XML sitemaps for each language and region.
  • Hreflang in Sitemaps: Include hreflang annotations within your sitemaps if applicable.

8. Server Location

  • Local Hosting: Consider hosting your site on servers located in the target country to improve loading times and local SEO.

9. User-Friendly Navigation

  • Language Switcher: Provide an easy-to-use language switcher that allows users to navigate between language versions.
  • Consistent UX: Ensure a consistent user experience across all versions of your site.

10. Backlinks and Local Citations

  • Local Backlinks: Build backlinks from reputable local websites in each target region.
  • Local Directories: Submit your site to local directories and citation sources.

11. Social Media and Local Engagement

  • Localized Social Media: Maintain separate social media profiles for different regions and languages.
  • Engage Locally: Engage with local audiences through region-specific content and interactions.

12. Monitor and Analyze Performance

  • Separate Analytics Views: Set up separate views in Google Analytics for each language and region.
  • Performance Tracking: Regularly monitor the performance of each version of your site and adjust strategies as needed.

Optimizing multilingual and multi-regional websites requires careful planning and execution of specific SEO practices. By implementing hreflang tags, choosing the right URL structure, localizing content, and following other best practices, you can enhance the visibility and performance of your website in multiple languages and regions. This approach not only improves your search engine rankings but also ensures a better user experience for your global audience.

Importance of Location based Search on Google

Let’s dive into the world of location-based search and why it’s a game-changer for your business. You might be wondering, “What’s the big deal about location-based search?” Well, stick around, and let’s uncover the importance together!
Google’s search quality guidelines emphasis the importance of location based search and user intend. This is because all the searches performed on Google are dependent on the location and language from which the search is being performed. The same keywords will have different meanings in different locations.

People searching from different locations with different intentions want to have different kind of search result to be displayed. Search engines calculate the search locations and the intent behind the search before showing up the results. The nature of search results also depend upon what the user want to see based upon the web history.

However certain kind of searches does not change the way results are displayed because users from different locations want the same kind of result. In such cases Google and other search engines displays the same kind of result. In certain cases people in one country might be looking for result related to that specific location. Events and festivals are such type of search queries.

 

1. Reaching Local Customers:
Location-based search allows your business to connect with local customers actively looking for products or services in their area. When someone searches for a specific service near them, like “coffee shop near me” or “plumber in [city],” location-based search ensures your business appears in the results, increasing visibility and attracting potential customers.

2. Targeted Advertising:
With location-based search, you can target your advertising efforts to specific geographic areas, reaching potential customers where they are most likely to engage with your business. Whether through local search ads, geotargeted social media campaigns, or location-based offers, you can tailor your marketing messages to resonate with local audiences and drive conversions.

3. Improving Local SEO:
Optimizing your online presence for local search is essential for improving your business’s visibility in location-based search results. This includes optimizing your website with relevant keywords, creating and optimizing Google My Business listings, and earning positive reviews from satisfied customers. By focusing on local SEO, you can ensure your business ranks prominently in local search results and attracts nearby customers.

4. Enhancing Customer Experience:
Location-based search enhances the customer experience by providing relevant, personalized results based on the user’s location. This helps users find businesses nearby quickly and easily, improving their overall search experience. By ensuring your business appears in location-based search results, you can make it convenient for potential customers to discover and engage with your business.

5. Competing Effectively:
In today’s competitive landscape, leveraging location-based search is crucial for staying ahead of the competition. By optimizing your business for local search and actively engaging with local customers, you can stand out from competitors and capture market share in your area. Whether you’re a small local business or a larger enterprise, location-based search levels the playing field and allows you to compete effectively in your target market.

So, why is location-based search important for your business? It’s all about reaching local customers, targeting advertising effectively, improving local SEO, enhancing the customer experience, and competing effectively in your market. By embracing location-based search, you can connect with nearby customers, drive foot traffic to your business, and ultimately, grow your bottom line. Ready to take your business to the next level with location-based search? Let’s get started!

Difference between Branded and Non-Branded Keywords in SEO

In the ever-competitive landscape of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), selecting the right keywords is paramount for driving qualified traffic to your website. Two fundamental categories of keywords emerge in this pursuit: Branded and Non-Branded. Understanding the distinct characteristics of each is crucial for crafting a comprehensive SEO strategy.

Branded Keywords: Cultivating Brand Loyalty and Direct Traffic

Keywords are those words that are typed by users in search engines like Google and Bing for finding out what they are looking for. The term Branded Keyword are used when there is a mention about brand in the keyword query during the search. Branded keywords explicitly incorporate your company or product name.  If the name of the company is “Company Name” then the branded keyword that are typed on the search engine include the following

Company Name Information
Company Name Review
Company Name Careers
Company Name Address
Company Name Phone Number
Company Name Working Hours

Sometimes the customers hear the name of the brand offline through advertisements on Newspapers Classifieds or through Social Media. This results in the branded name related queries search.

Think of it this way: when someone searches for your brand directly, they’re using a branded keyword. For example, if someone looks up “Nike shoes,” that’s a branded keyword.

  • Branded keywords include the name or specific terms associated with a particular brand or company.
  • They typically contain the brand name or variations of it.
  • Examples: “Nike shoes,” “Apple iPhone,” “Coca-Cola.”
  1. Search Intent:

Users employing branded keywords typically exhibit a higher degree of purchase intent, having some familiarity with your brand and actively seeking information about you. This search intent can manifest in several ways:

  • Research: Users might be delving deeper into your products or services to make an informed decision.
  • Navigation: They could be attempting to locate your website directly.
  • Comparison: Branded keywords might indicate users are comparing your offerings to competitors.
  • Support: Some searches might be for customer support or troubleshooting assistance.2. Competition:Generally lower as the search is specific to the brand, with the brand having a stronger presence.

    3. Click-Through Rate (CTR):Higher CTR because users searching for branded terms are likely to click on links related to the brand.

    4. Conversion Rates:

    Branded keywords tend to have higher conversion rates since users searching for specific brand names are often familiar with the brand and more likely to make a purchase.

  • 5. SEO Strategy: Focus on ensuring the brand’s website ranks at the top for its own branded keywords by optimizing on-page content and building brand authority.6. User Engagement: Users are likely to spend more time on the site and engage with the content due to their clear interest in the brand.
  • 7. Brand Awareness:

    Branded keywords contribute to building and reinforcing brand awareness, as they direct traffic specifically to a brand’s website or products.

Non-Branded Keywords: Expanding Reach and Brand Awareness

Now, non-branded keywords are a bit different. They’re more generic terms that describe your product or service without mentioning your brand. Picture someone searching for “running shoes” – that’s a non-branded keyword.

As far as Search Engine Optimization is concerned, getting traffic through non branded search queries is important. But optimizing the branded keywords will create the first impression about the company through the latest additions from Knowledge Graph Search Results. this is done through Google Business location Optimization which will show up Address, Phone Number and Working Hours in Search Results. Adding Reviews with Star Rating and providing information inside the Contact Us page and About Us page also will yield more pages to the search engine results page.

Non branded traffic coming to the website will be having many competitors and the rate of conversion will be much less compared to branded keywords. Keeping a balance between the branded and non branded queries can make the visits to the website increase over time.

  • Non-branded keywords are generic terms that do not directly relate to a specific brand.
  • They often describe a product, service, or topic without mentioning a brand name.
  • Examples: “running shoes,” “camera reviews,” “web design services.”

1. Search Intent:

These searches are typically more general, indicating the user is in the early stages of the buying journey, looking for information or exploring options, focusing on the broader topic or product category. Their search intent might be:

  • Research: Users might be in the information-gathering phase, exploring potential solutions or product categories.
  • Considering Options: They could be identifying various brands and features to meet their needs.
  • Comparison: Non-branded searches often indicate users are evaluating different brands before making a selection

2. Competition: Non-branded keywords, often face higher competition since many businesses may target these general terms, requiring robust SEO efforts.

3. Click-Through Rate (CTR): Varies widely; effective SEO and compelling meta descriptions can improve CTR.

4. Conversion Rates: Non-branded keywords may have a lower conversion rate as users may still be in the research phase and exploring various options.

5. SEO Strategy: Focus on creating high-quality, informative content that addresses user queries and needs, and building backlinks to improve site authority.

6. User Engagement: Engagement levels can vary; content must be compelling and relevant to maintain user interest.

7. Brand Awareness: Non-branded keywords help attract new customers who may not be familiar with a particular brand but are interested in the product or service category.

The Synergy of Branded and Non-Branded Keywords

A robust SEO strategy thrives on the complementary nature of both branded and non-branded keywords. While both types of keywords are essential for an effective SEO strategy, understanding the differences between branded and non-branded keywords allows marketers to tailor their approach to target different audiences and achieve specific goals. Here’s how they work in tandem:

  • Branded keywords: Maintain top-of-mind awareness, capture users already familiar with your brand, and drive targeted traffic that has a higher conversion potential.
  • Non-branded keywords: Expand brand discovery, attract new customers at the beginning of the buying journey, and establish your brand as a relevant player within your industry.

In summary, by incorporating both types of keywords, you can effectively reach users throughout their purchase journey, from initial research to brand consideration and ultimately, conversion. By balancing both types, you can enhance your online visibility, drive more qualified traffic, and achieve a comprehensive and successful SEO approach. This comprehensive approach empowers you to maximize your SEO efforts and achieve long-term success.

What to do for increasing mobile Ranking of your Website on Google

While browsing internet on mobiles some of us might be feeling difficult to navigate through the screen. As more and more people are browsing internet from mobile Google has recently changed its algorithm to make sure that proper websites having content accessible to be visible on Google search results page. These website found via the Google results will be easy to read also.

If a website is not loading properly on a mobile visitors usually close the window or go back to the previous page. And Google has confirmed that users who have abandoned such websites used to visit mobile friendly websites.

Google has earlier warned webmasters to create websites that are easy to read on different mobile devices and easy to navigate. Earlier this year there were badges coming up on search engine results page to show that the website will be mobile friendly. And last month a major update came from Google which gave emphasis to mobile friendly websites while people search on internet.

While there are many other signals Google value while taking into consideration of ranking results mobile friendliness has become the primary criteria for getting high rank for websites. It has also been said about mobile friendly websites that the bounce rates are much lower for such websites.

There is a tool provided by Google to check the mobile friendliness which can be used by webmasters for checking the ranking factors. Even if the website is not ranking high after redesign process to make it mobile friendly can increase the ranking on Google.

Here are some best practices to follow to optimize your website for mobile devices:

  1. Responsive Web Design

    Ensure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive. This means it adapts and displays properly on various screen sizes and devices. Responsive design helps provide a consistent user experience across different mobile devices.

  2. Mobile Page Speed

    Optimize your website’s loading speed for mobile devices. Mobile users have less patience for slow-loading pages, so consider minimizing file sizes, optimizing images, leveraging browser caching, and reducing server response time to improve mobile page speed.

  3. Mobile-Friendly Navigation

    Make sure your website’s navigation is user-friendly on mobile devices. Use a simple and intuitive menu structure that is easy to navigate with a touch interface. Avoid complex dropdown menus or tiny links that are difficult to tap accurately.

  4. Optimize Content for Mobile

    Format your content to be easily readable on mobile devices. Use legible font sizes, proper line spacing, and clear headings. Break up long paragraphs into smaller sections, and consider using bullet points or lists to improve readability.

  5. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)

    Consider implementing Accelerated Mobile Pages, which are lightweight versions of web pages designed for fast loading on mobile devices. AMP can significantly improve mobile page speed and may receive preferential treatment in mobile search results.

  6. Mobile-Friendly Pop-ups

    If you use pop-ups or interstitials on your website, ensure they are mobile-friendly. Google penalizes intrusive pop-ups that hinder the user experience on mobile devices. Use smaller and less obtrusive formats or ensure they are easily dismissible.

  7. Optimize Metadata and Titles

    Write concise and compelling meta descriptions and page titles that are optimized for mobile search. Keep in mind that mobile search results have limited space, so make your titles and descriptions concise yet informative.

  8. Mobile-Specific Keywords

    Research and target mobile-specific keywords that users are likely to search for on their mobile devices. Mobile search behavior can differ from desktop search, so optimize your content to align with mobile users’ intent and queries.

  9. Local SEO for Mobile

    If your website serves a local audience, optimize it for local mobile search. Include your business address, phone number, and other relevant local information. Utilize Google My Business and other local directories to enhance your local mobile presence.

  10. Mobile Usability Testing

    Regularly test your website on various mobile devices and screen sizes to identify any usability issues. User experience is crucial for mobile ranking, so gather feedback and make improvements to ensure a smooth and user-friendly mobile experience.

By implementing these mobile optimization strategies, you can improve your website’s visibility and ranking on mobile devices in Google search results.

Top Trending SEO Techniques & Predictions

Several SEO techniques are trending and can help boost organic traffic and rankings. The following are the main factors that will be going to affect the Search Engine Optimization strategies.

  1. Mobile-First Optimization: With the increasing use of mobile devices, optimizing your website for mobile is crucial. Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and provides a seamless user experience across different screen sizes.
  2. Voice Search Optimization: As voice assistants become more popular, optimizing your content for voice search is essential. Focus on long-tail keywords, natural language phrases, and providing concise, conversational answers to common queries.
  3. High-Quality and Relevant Content: Creating valuable, informative, and engaging content is vital for SEO success. Focus on producing in-depth articles, blog posts, videos, and infographics that address your audience’s needs and provide unique insights.
  4. User Experience (UX) Optimization: Google’s algorithm increasingly prioritizes user experience. Ensure your website is easy to navigate, has clear calls-to-action, fast loading times, and provides a positive overall user experience.
  5. Featured Snippets and Structured Data: Implement structured data markup to help search engines understand your content better and increase the chances of appearing in featured snippets. This can enhance visibility and attract more organic traffic.
  6. E-E-A-T and Expertise: Google is upgrading the concept of E-A-T with an additional ‘E’ for experience. The new E-E-A-T acronym stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Establish yourself as an industry expert by creating high-quality, well-researched content and showcasing your expertise through guest blogging, interviews, and speaking engagements.
  7. Core Web Vitals: Core Web Vitals, such as page speed, responsiveness, and visual stability, play a significant role in user experience and SEO. Optimize your website to meet these vital metrics and provide a smooth browsing experience.
  8. Local SEO: For businesses targeting local customers, optimizing for local search is crucial. Create and optimize your Google My Business listing, focus on local keywords, and ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information across online directories.
  9. User Intent Optimization: Understanding user intent and aligning your content with search queries is essential. Conduct keyword research to identify user intent and create content that directly addresses their needs and search queries.
  10. Video Optimization: Video content continues to gain popularity. Optimize your videos for SEO by using relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags, transcribing videos, and ensuring fast loading times.

 

Also, you can optimize the website for improving the following:

Incoming and Outgoing Links from a Domain 82%
It has been found that the most dominant factors regarding SEO is based on the factors like quantity of links in numbers, up to what extend a domain can be trusted and  Google page rank for the domain.

Incoming and Outgoing Links from a Web Page – 81%
The second set of factors is depending upon the factors concerning web pages like Page rank, level of trust, the number of links pointing towards the root domain, distribution of anchor texts in the links, quality of the links going out and coming to the web page as well as nature of Spam links etc.

Keywords and Content on a Web Page – 78%
The third important set of factors is the relevance of the content on the web page, use of keywords on the page, arrangement of the topic on the web page based on the hierarchal structure etc. The quality as well as quantity of the content is also important as far as SEO is concerned.

Existence of Keywords in the Web page – 65%
These set of factors generally contribute to the traffic to the web page and the engagement of users once inside the web page. These generally include visitor traffic, Click through rate and other domain level factors. The length of the web page and the use of non keywords inside the web page will come under this section.

Brand Mentions Relevant to the Domain – 58%
The next section of factors that is having importance is the mention of brand offline. These will include the mentioning of domain name related to the brand and the mention of branded terms in offline media such as newspapers and classifieds.

Use of Keywords Relevant to Domain – 49%
One of the over concerning  factor that is concerned with the domain name is the exact match domain in which keywords are used in the domain. This sometimes includes usage of all keywords in the domain or using a portion of keywords in the domain.

Domain Name and Certificates – 40%
With the advent of many domain extensions it is difficult to conclude which domain to choose from. Google has announced that it treats most domains up to same extend while country specific domains play vital role in local search engine optimization practices. The usage of HTTPS in the domain is also having importance as far as SEO factors are concerned. The length of the domain is also of concern because of the truncating effect in mobile search.

Social Media sharing related to Web Page – 39%
The number of shares on various social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus have important role in determining the relevancy of a web page. The quality of the content on Facebook Share, Tweets and Google Plus One also contribute towards the ranking factors.

There are a few more factors which you can optimize for improving the website performance:

  • Mobile Friendly Pages
  • Quality of Answers that might solve the Query
  • Usage of Content and Keywords in the Web page
  • ability to Read and Use the web page easily for all kind of users.
  • social Influencing factors like Shares and Likes.
  • Speed of Web Page Loading on various devices.
  • Usage of HTTPS on the Domain
  • URL structure and Internal Links related to the web page
  • Authority of the Domain and Web Page relevant to the subject of the Query

Remember, SEO is an ongoing process, and it’s important to stay updated with the latest trends and algorithm changes. Implementing these techniques can help boost your organic traffic and improve your rankings effectively.

Improving Website Conversion Rate Optimization Tips

The way people search for information over Google has changed the algorithms and it is essential to stick to the user friendliness as far as SEO is concerned. Optimizing the websites with respect to conversion has increased the scope of Conversion Rate Optimization. Understanding about the intend of the user is necessary to improve the conversion rate. The following are some of the tips for improving the website conversion rate.

Here are some tips to help you boost your conversion rates:

  1. Clear and Compelling Call-to-Action (CTA): Matching the Call to Action inside the Landing page with the user intend is essential for improving Conversion. Place clear and visually prominent CTAs throughout your website, guiding visitors to take the desired action. Use action-oriented language and make the benefits of taking the action clear.
  2. Streamline Website Navigation: Ensure your website’s navigation is intuitive and user-friendly. Make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for and move smoothly through the conversion process. Simplify forms and minimize the number of steps required to complete actions.
  3. Use Social Proof: Incorporate social proof elements, such as testimonials, reviews, case studies, and client logos, to build trust and credibility with your audience. Highlight positive experiences and demonstrate how your products or services have benefited others. It has been known that the major reasons why people search on internet are for Doing Something, Knowing Something and Going Somewhere. Understanding which is this factor that drives traffic is essential for improving the conversion.
  4. Optimize Landing Pages: Create dedicated landing pages tailored to specific campaigns or offers. Ensure they have a clear and compelling headline, concise messaging, relevant visuals, and a prominent CTA that aligns with the campaign’s objective. Creating content with the right Keywords in it for answering the questions the user is typing on the search box is necessary to improve the Conversion rate.
  5. Implement A/B Testing: Conduct A/B testing to experiment with different variations of your website elements, such as headlines, images, colors, CTAs, and form fields. Test one element at a time to determine what resonates best with your audience and drives higher conversions. Focusing on adding content in the form of Blogs, Images and Videos along with Landing pages to fulfill the different needs of customers is good for improving the Conversion Rate Optimization.
  6. Personalize User Experience: Leverage personalization techniques to deliver a tailored experience to your visitors. Use dynamic content based on their demographics, browsing history, or past interactions with your website to make their experience more relevant and engaging. Answering questions in a realistic way is essential to deal with the user intend which will improve the conversion. Identifying Navigational, Informational, Commercial And Transactional queries will help in developing the landing page in line with the user intent.
  7. Improve Website Loading Speed: Optimize your website’s loading speed to minimize bounce rates and provide a seamless user experience. Compress images, minify code, and leverage caching techniques to ensure fast loading times.
  8. Simplify and Optimize Forms: Streamline your forms by reducing the number of fields and asking for essential information only. Use smart form validation to guide users in real-time and minimize errors. Consider implementing autofill options to make form completion easier.
  9. Leverage Exit Intent Pop-ups: Utilize exit-intent pop-ups to capture the attention of visitors who are about to leave your website. Offer them an incentive, such as a discount, free guide, or newsletter subscription, to encourage them to stay or provide their contact information.
  10. Analyze and Optimize: Regularly analyze your website and conversion data using analytics tools. Identify bottlenecks, drop-off points, and areas of improvement. Make data-driven decisions to optimize your website’s performance and conversion rates continuously. Finding out what is the reason for navigating away from a web page is essential in dealing with Conversion Rate Optimization. Combining the data received from Google Search Console with the Organic Keywords obtained from Analytics is helpful in revising the keywords used on the website.

Remember, every website is unique, so it’s important to monitor your specific metrics and adapt your strategies accordingly. Implementing these tips can help you enhance your website’s conversion rate optimization and drive better results.

Top Benefits of Search Engine Optimization(SEO) for Small Businesses

Search Engine Optimization(SEO) for Small Businesses
What is Search Engine Optimization?

When customers search for your products or services through Search Engines like Google and Bing, your website will show up in the top of the list in Search Engine Results page (SERP) if the website is optimized for Search Engines.

Why should you do SEO?
There are several ways to do the internet marketing like Social Media optimization, Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization. Of all these methods the most effective method one that promises maximum Return of Investment is Search Engine Optimization. pay per Click Advertising method is costly as there will be cost per click which will end once the campaign is paused. SMO will also show less traffic to the website once there will not be any posts on the Social Networking platforms. With latest search results like Place Listings with Reviews, Image Results and Video Results it is easy to give a first impression even before visiting the website through the Search Engine Results Page. Most people who does not do SEO is because it takes time while doing PPC through Search Engine Marketing is faster and gives quicker results. If you have patience in doing SEO then the results obtained will be long term.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is essential for small companies to improve their online visibility and attract more organic traffic to their websites.

What are different Types of SEO

Search Engine Optimization is divided mainly into two. On Page Search Engine Optimization and Off Page Search Engine Optimization.

On Page SEO deals with the content and code on the website. The content on the website includes the text images and videos while the code usually includes HTML CSS and Javascript. All these elements can be controlled by the webmaster.

Off Page SEO deals with everything that contribute to getting traffic to the websites through other websites. This is done through various link building methods like Press Release Submission, Web Directory Submission, Blogging and Web 2.0 Techniques.

Implementing SEO strategies can offer several benefits to small businesses. Here are some of the top advantages:

  1. Increased Organic Visibility: SEO helps small businesses improve their visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). By optimizing their website and content for relevant keywords, they have a better chance of appearing higher in search results, making it easier for potential customers to find them.
  2. Cost-Effective Marketing: SEO can be a cost-effective marketing strategy for small businesses compared to traditional advertising methods. While it may require an investment of time and effort, the long-term benefits of organic traffic can outweigh the costs of paid advertising.
  3. Targeted Traffic: SEO helps attract targeted traffic to a small business’s website. By optimizing for specific keywords and phrases, businesses can reach their intended audience and attract visitors who are actively searching for their products or services. This targeted traffic is more likely to convert into leads or customers.
  4. Improved User Experience: SEO involves optimizing website elements such as page speed, mobile-friendliness, and user-friendly navigation. These improvements enhance the overall user experience, making it easier for visitors to navigate and find the information they need. A positive user experience can lead to higher engagement, longer site visits, and increased conversions.
  5. Builds Trust and Credibility: Ranking highly in search results instills trust and credibility in the minds of potential customers. Users tend to trust websites that appear on the first page of search results more than those on subsequent pages. By implementing SEO strategies and earning higher rankings, small businesses can establish themselves as reputable and trustworthy in their industry.
  6. Increased Brand Awareness: SEO can contribute to increased brand visibility and awareness. When a small business consistently appears in relevant search results, users become more familiar with the brand. Even if they don’t immediately convert into customers, they may remember the brand for future reference, leading to brand recognition and potential referrals.
  7. Long-Term Results: While SEO requires ongoing efforts to maintain and improve rankings, the benefits can be long-lasting. Unlike paid advertising, which stops generating results once the budget is exhausted, SEO efforts continue to drive organic traffic and provide value over time. Small businesses can benefit from sustained visibility and ongoing organic traffic without incurring additional costs.
  8. Compete with Larger Businesses: SEO can level the playing field for small businesses, allowing them to compete with larger competitors in search results. By optimizing their website and content, small businesses can increase their visibility and reach, even if they have a smaller marketing budget. SEO enables them to target niche markets and compete effectively in their industry.

Overall, implementing SEO strategies can help small businesses increase their online visibility, attract targeted traffic, build trust, and compete effectively in their industry. It’s an investment that can yield long-term benefits and contribute to business growth.

Essential SEO Growth Strategies for Traffic

SEO_Strategies

Search Engine Optimization- it’s a buzzword among marketers. It doesn’t matter if your business is small or large, SEO can have an enormous impact on its success. Google ranking is something that every business strives for. When it comes to improving organic traffic, it’s important to focus on the right tips and employ the right strategies.

What is an SEO strategy?

The process of planning and implementing steps to improve organic search engine rankings is known as SEO strategy. An SEO strategy, then, is a way to increase organic traffic using search engine optimization.

A few essential SEO strategies that entrepreneurs or SEO specialists can use to improve their traffic are listed below:

Target  the right keywords

Good SEO strategies begin with keyword research. A keyword is a phrase that is commonly used as a search term on Google, Bing, etc., and is a vital ranking factor for your website. You should start by identifying your page’s primary and secondary keywords. A primary keyword is one that you are trying to rank high for. Your website’s traffic can be increased significantly when it uses terms with high search volume. Keywords that are closely related to the primary keywords you are targeting are secondary keywords. Additionally, you can increase SEO traffic by ranking better for keywords you already rank for.

Write clear and quality content

Content strategy is vital to creating quality content on a large scale once you finalize your keywords. It’s important for your content to reflect the intention of your website and what your users want. Aside from that, search engine algorithms, especially Google, are designed to find unique content.

Know your audience

Another significant step in a successful SEO campaign is to understand your target audience and who you’re specifically trying to reach. By creating buyer personas and understanding traffic, demographics, and your product’s benefits, you’ll be able to better understand your target market.

Include a backlink strategy

A website’s ranking is heavily influenced by the number of links leading to it. Link building is one way to acquire those backlinks. Now, what’s linking building and backlinks? Links from other websites to your website are called backlinks in SEO. Link building is the process of gaining links from other websites to your website. The next question may be: which sources should you use to build your backlinks? Discover where your competitors’ backlinks come from. In the long run, links from reputable sources will improve your site’s authority and SEO.

 

Conclusion

Search Engine Optimization is the most effective traffic generation method compared to all other marketing channels. The SEO strategy you choose determines how fast you can rank our website so that your target customers can find your website easily. Getting a team behind your brand that delivers on your SEO goals is the next step, which is why we’d love to hear from you and see if we’re a good fit. Let’s connect!

 

Top 3 Reasons Behind the Decline of Search Traffic

At certain times the traffic to the website gets declined after reaching a high. Even without much change in the website files the traffic gets declined over a period of time. Most of the data can be seen through various Analytics platforms giving statistical data about the decline in visits. Most commonly the following might be the top reasons for decline in traffic for a website.

Competition
One of the main reason for a website showing lowering of keyword ranking is because of the entry of competitor websites in ranking. Checking about the statistics and characteristics of own website alone will not be enough in such cases. Periodically checking about competitor websites and showing up of their results in the Search Engine Results Page should be seen as an indicator in the decline of visits.

Content
The content on the website need to be evergreen to attract the customers at any time. When the content gets outdated regular readers will stop reading and something new has to be published in order to retain the audience. One way to find whether the same content that is published earlier is drawing audience regularly. Republishing old content and giving updated version is a way to stop such declines.

Search Engine Algorithm
Sometimes Search Engines change algorithms and this lowers the rank of existing web pages. Web Spam reporting by competitors along with such algorithm changes can drastically reduce the views for a particular web page. It is advisable to constantly watch the search engine algorithm updates and make the content structure and other parameters of the web page compliant with latest standards.

App Search Optimization Tips

Search Engine Optimization and App Search Optimization have many differences and the way in which both are done have impact on users. In the case of SEO the moment enters a website the part of marketing is half over whereas in the case of App Search optimization the real marketing started at that moment. Instead of making people reach the website App Search involves converting the users to install the app.

The first step in doing App Search Optimization is doing the keyword research. The keywords that people might be using to search for can be found out using various tools available online. The landing page for the App must contain the keyword and the user must be able to understand the page reached is relevant to the query.

The description written about the App should also be able to convey the uses of the App. The content of the description is also used by App search engines to determine the relevancy of the content. However it is essential not to overdo the use of keywords inside the description of the content. .

The Logo and Icon of the App plays an important role in the eyes of the user. Most of the time a user sees is the icon of the App and it is the starting point in using an App. Three dimensional effect and realistic icons are having more attractive power than ordinary icons. A well designed icon stand out of the crowd and makes the App distinguishable in the eyes of the user.

The screenshot should describe the various layouts and user interface inside the App. It should not be used as a way to describe the various features of the product. Steps involved in using the App should be given with minimum number of screenshots while conveying maximum information.

Most Apps that are shining among a particular category have video trailers associated with it. It helps the user to know better about the product and conveys the idea about the app can be used. Videos also have the advantage of explaining the features of the App more effectively.

Best SEO Audit Tools for Inspection of your Website

Whenever there is an algorithm update from Google most of the internet marketers get confused. The current process which will be going on gets affected through such updates. The following are some tools which can be used for finding out the insights required for doing seo to a website. Through analyzing these tools one can concentrate on the elements which are important to the website.

Google Search Console (Google Webmaster)
The best way to analyze a website is through Google Webmaster Tools which has been renamed to Search Console. There are different sections inside the search console like Search Appearance, search Traffic, Google Index and Crawl. Search appearance generally includes HTML improvements suggestions by Google which includes structured data implementation. Search traffic allows to verify the links to and from the website, search analytics, mobile usability and international targeting options. Google index includes number of pages indexed and keywords inside the website. Crawl errors and issues are also visible with this tool.

Google Pagespeed Insights and Mobile-Friendly Test
The purpose of Pagespeed Insights is to make web pages faster. Every website can be checked using the tool along with mobile friendly tool from Google. Pagespeed tool provides things that should be fixed and things that can be fixed for improvement of pagespeed. This generally includes browser caching, compression, render-blocking scripts, above-the-fold content, Optimizing images, Server Response Time etc. Mobile friendly tools warns if content is wider than screen or links are closer.

Check My Links
This is a Google Chrome extension which is developed primarily for web developers and website designers. If a web page have several links it will be difficult to check whether all the links are working. This tool highlights the valid and broken links found on the web page. This tools also lets you check the no follow and do follow links.

Moz Pro Tools
Moz Analytics tools helps in determining various aspects of a website for improving ranking through search engine optimization.Open Site Explorer
Open Site Explorer gives an idea about domain authority, Page Link Metrics, Page Social Metrics. The inbound links, the links that are just discovered, top pages, linking domains, anchor texts and spam analysis can be seen through Open site Explorer. For paid subscribers link opportunities and advance reports can be accessed.Mozbar
This is a toolbar which can be installed in Firefox and Chrome. Important SEO metrics can be accessed through this tool. The difficulty for a keyword in attaining ranking as well as social media metrics is also available through the tool.

Followerwonk
Through followerwonk twitter analytics can be obtained and analysed with various factors. Things like where are your followers on twitter from can be seen through different visual elements. Customized reporting is also possible with this tool which is really useful in the case of twitter analysis.

Fresh Web Explorer
New link building opportunities can be monitored through the mentions of brand and competitors links is possible through this tool

Rank Tracker
This tool can be utilized for web pages that rank in search engines for the given keyword.

Keyword Difficulty
The difficulty for any keyword to rank on search engine results page can be determined using this tool.

On-Page Grader
This tools helps in finding out which keywords are present in the web page and also suggests recommendations for optimizing the targeted search terms.

Free SEO Report Card
This is a handy tool by UpCity for analyzing your site for FREE and see how it ranks versus your competitors. The final score will be displayed on the report page. Rank analysis on various search engines, Link building details, Onsite Analysis and website accessibility can be seen from the report.

Hubspot Website Grader
This online tool helps in obtaining personalised reports regarding performance, mobile readiness and seo factors. The performance factors include page size, requests and speed. Mobile readiness factors include factors that affect whether the website is mobile friendly. SEO factors includes Page Titles, Meta Descriptions, Headings and Sitemap. This tool also helps in suggesting what needs to be done in future to make a website mobile friendly.

Woorank Tool
Woorank provides in depth analysis of a website to create a report. This include a marketing checklist, Optimizing factors like SEO Mobile Usability and Technology factors, Social and Local promotion tools etc.

Screaming frog Spider
The SEO Spider Tool Crawls & Reports On several factors which are useful for the SEO. These includes errors, redirects, external links, different protocols, duplicate pages, Page Title, Meta Description, Page size, Page Response time, heading tags, meta refresh and a bunch of other factors.

Found SEO Tool
This tools factors categories according to errors, warnings and success factors for any given website. the analysis is done for canonicalization, robots, sitemap, loading time, link analysis, heading analysis, image analysis, keyword analysis, meta data analysis etc.

Varvy Seo Tool
This tool displays the domain strength, links, image seo, social counts & mentions, page/technical seo, page speed and more. Other domains linking to this domain, Internal links from page, External links from page, Nofollow links, social Share, Google+ and twitter mentions, presentation of content and keywords, details about images, Robots text, Pagespeed and HTTP Response Headers can be found out using this tool.

Top 5 White Hat SEO Tactics and Strategies

White hat SEO tactics and strategies refer to ethical and compliant practices that focus on improving a website’s search engine rankings while adhering to search engine guidelines. The following are some of the Search Engine Optimization strategies that are important for the new year.

1. Optimizing the Website Pagewise
Most of the people starting their SEO career puts all keywords on all pages to rank on search engines. Instead of this if a single page is optimized for s single keyword it will be more beneficial for the website. Focusing the main keyword to the homepage and subpages to long tail queries are good for attaining more ranked pages.

2. Including Good Keywords

The density of the keyword will not be important as far as Organic SEO is concerned. But it is essential to have the keyword in the heading tags used on the webpage. Ranking te webpage without keywords in the content will lower the ranking in long term. Inserting the Keywords on Title Meta Description and Content for ranking the web pages in search engine results page. Creating high-quality, informative, and relevant content will adds value to users. Hence we should focus on user intent and provide a great user experience.

3. Sitemap Inclusion
Sitemaps of the website guides the search engines to crawl the pages that are important to the website. Through sitemap all the visible pages need to be crawled and this helps the search engines to calculate which pages need to be indexed. Whenever there is an addition in web page it is necessary to update the sitemap. XML sitemap is more important that HTML sitemaps as far as Search engines are concerned.

4. Inclusion of Schema Tags
Schema tags or structured mark up are essential to tell the search engines the importance of sections of the web page. This also helps the search engines to show rich snippets on the web page. Integrating Schema mark up not only helps search engines but also helps in determining what all elements of the web page should be shown on the mobile version of the web page.

5. Image and Video Optimization
If there are large media files on the web page it will make the website slower and this leads to lower pagespeed. people used to abandon web pages that are slower and it is essential to make the web page load faster to view. As the speed for browsing on mobile devices are slower it is essential to keep the page load time within the limits to reduce the bounce rate of the webpage.

How to use Demographics in Search Engine Optimization

The main goal of Search Engine Optimization is to generate leads for products and services. If a product or service is shown to customers who is not interested will create negative effects. At the same time if the products or services is shown to the right customers then chances of getting more leads can be assured. Finding out the right customers involves study of the demographic data.

Here are some ways to use demographics in SEO:

  1. Audience research: Conduct thorough audience research to identify the demographics of your target audience. This includes factors such as age, gender, location, language, income level, and interests. Understanding your audience demographics helps you tailor your SEO efforts to their specific needs and preferences. There are various statistical agencies which provide data about the income level of various age groups. Combining this with the amount of visits through Google Analytics can be used for finding out what price to be set up for the products. it is also possible to find out what products should be marketed to a specific income group. For achieving full potential of the SEO factors it is essential to carefully analyze the age related factors. Only the targeted age group will be interested in a specific type of product. Based upon the taste of the age group it is possible to do the social media promotion and other related activities effectively.
  2. Keyword research: Use demographic information to inform your keyword research. Consider the language and terms your target audience uses when searching for products, services, or information. For example, if your target audience consists of young adults, you may focus on trendy and colloquial keywords.
  3. Content creation: Create content that resonates with your target audience’s demographics. Develop topics, writing styles, and tone that align with their interests and preferences. For instance, if your target audience is primarily female, you may create content that addresses topics relevant to women’s lifestyles or challenges.
  4. Localization: Leverage demographic information to optimize your website and content for specific geographic locations. This includes using location-specific keywords, incorporating local references, and creating location-specific landing pages if you have a physical presence in different areas. The location of the customers are of primary importance for lead generation. Through careful analysis of the Analytics data SEO strategies can be developed for finding out the right area to be targeted.
  5. User experience (UX): Tailor your website’s user experience to match the demographics of your target audience. For example, if your audience consists of older adults, ensure your website has clear navigation, larger fonts, and intuitive design to accommodate their needs.
  6. Social media targeting: Use demographic information to target your SEO efforts on social media platforms. Identify the social media channels popular among your target audience and optimize your content for those platforms. Engage with your audience through relevant and appealing content, encouraging social sharing and link building.
  7. Backlink outreach: Consider demographics when conducting backlink outreach. Target websites and influencers that have a strong presence among your target audience. Seek partnerships and collaborations that can help you reach a broader demographic base and attract relevant traffic to your website.
  8. Ad targeting: Combine SEO with paid advertising campaigns to further leverage demographics. Platforms like Google Ads and social media advertising allow you to target specific demographics with your ads, ensuring your content reaches the right audience at the right time. Based upon the demographical factors like age and income the devices which are used to browse the internet also varies. This is also important as which products can be marketed through mobile devices and what product can be marketed through desktops.
  9. Analytics and tracking: Monitor and analyze your website analytics to gain insights into the demographics of your visitors. This data helps you evaluate the effectiveness of your SEO efforts in reaching your intended demographic and make data-driven optimizations.

By incorporating demographics into your SEO strategy, you can better understand and cater to the needs of your target audience, improve user engagement, and drive relevant organic traffic to your website.

 

Misconceptions About Search Engine Optimization

There are several myths associated with Search Engine Optimization. The following are some of those who are popular among SEO Companies.

Importance of Content
Most of the time popularity is more important than content as far as SEO is concerned. If a particular website have maximum number of visitors with respect to a topic then that website will be ranking on top of search engine rankings irrespective of the content. Most of the time websites having good content are visible in lower search engine rankings due to the fact that they are less popular than the websites in their area of expertise.

Importance of Google’s Terms and Conditions
Even after following the Guidelines associated with Google websites may not rank high on search engine results page. Most of the time the first two or three results will be coming from Google Ads which the customers click at large scale. Only a company investing in both Search Engine and pay per Click Management will shine in the sphere of Digital Marketing.

Importance of Whitehat SEO Methods
Most of the practices followed by Search Engine marketing professionals around the world are either Black Hat or Grey Hat methods. There might be sudden increase in number of visits if blackhat methods are used but once Google finds the deceptive method the website will be suffering in long term. Websites reported for webspam also perform low on search results even if nothing wrong has been done on the website.

Importance of Exact Match Domain Name
There has been much debate on the fact that exact match keyword in the domain name can affect search engine optimization. For certain business having keyword in the domain name have advantage over those website that are not having them. Some business now prefer to have a keyword rich domain as well as branded domain as part of their business.

Why Sitemap is Important for Search Engine Optimization

Search Engines comes to know about the pages on the website through XML sitemaps. Its is also true that Search Engines can find web pages based on backlinks from other websites. As the Search Bot is crawling and indexing millions of pages an XML sitemap can help to crawl a website more effectively.

The Sitemap for a website need to be updated regularly whenever there is an increase in number of pages. The web pages in the website is listed in the order of importance through specific markup inside the XML sitemap. The frequency upon which the content is updated also is given at the top of the XML Sitemap. Google does not guarantee the inclusion of all pages in its index which is given in the XML sitemap.

The fullform of XML is Extensible Markup Language which is a type of Markup Language which was commonly used for web pages for sharing information through tags. The XML tags <urlset> and
<url> are used for formatting  and <loc> is used for identifying the URL.

Optional Meta Tags include <lastmod> for knowing last modified date and <changefreq> which is about the web page changing frequency. Sometimes <priority> tag is given to denote the importance of page from the root domain on a scale of zero to one.

A common XML Sitemap will be having the following structure.

< urlset >
< url>
< loc>http://www.schneideit.com/</loc>
< lastmod>2015-01-01</lastmod>
< changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
< priority>1.0</priority>
</url>
</urlset>

The XML sitemap can be submitted through Google Search Console and it is also possible to see the last downloaded sitemap by Google. Once an XML sitemap is uploaded and the site is crawled it can be seen through the Google Search Console. The links obtained to the website and the number of recently indexed pages can also be seen through Google Search Console.

Creation of XML sitemap by giving proper priority for the top pages is necessary while doing new design or redesign of the website. It can be used as a guiding point to tell search engines about the importance of the web page and hence it is considered as an essential part of search engine optimization.