Once your website goes live, there’s one thing you’re going to want it to achieve – traffic! To get your page noticed and ranking higher on the likes of Google, you need a successful SEO strategy in place.
There are so many factors to bear in mind regarding this. So, where should you focus your efforts?
In this blog we break down the core elements every successful SEO strategy needs to get you on the right track.
Keyword Research
Effective SEO begins with solid keyword research. It’s about understanding what your target audience is searching for. Once you have a better idea, you can use those phrases naturally throughout your content.
This research helps you match your site with search queries, making it easier for potential customers to find you. Make sure you’re using a good mix of short and long-tail keywords. As SEO experts in Manchester, we know the importance of placing said keywords strategically in your titles, headers and body text.
High-Quality Content
Content is king in SEO. But, quality trumps quantity every time. Your content needs to provide real value to the reader, answering questions and solving problems your audience is facing. Search engines love content that’s original, informative and well-structured. This means creating pieces that not only feature relevant keywords but also engage the reader.
Well-written content encourages longer visit times too, not to mention lower bounce rates. Both of these are integral to improving your ranking in search results.
On-Page Optimisation
On-page optimisation involves making sure your website’s content and structure are search-engine friendly. This includes optimising title tags, meta descriptions and headers. Doing so will clearly signal what each page is about.
These elements should include your main keywords too. But, in a natural manner that appeals to both search engines and of course, human readers.
Mobile-Friendliness
Let’s face it – we all use smartphones nowadays. In fact, the majority of searches now happen on such devices. With that said, it’s essential you have a mobile-friendly website. Otherwise, you’re not going to achieve SEO success. Google uses mobile-first indexing. This means it prioritises the mobile version of your site when determining rankings.
Your website must be fully responsive, making sure it looks and performs well across all devices. This will improve the user experience, lower bounce rates and boost your chances of ranking higher.
Site Speed
Site speed plays a big role in both user experience and SEO. A slow-loading site frustrates visitors. They’re not going to stick around, it’s as simple as that. Search engines take this into account too, pushing slow websites lower in the rankings.
Thankfully, there are simple tactics you can use to improve site speed. This can be done through image compression, reducing server response times and utilising browser caching. All combined help your website rank better while keeping users engaged.
Internal Linking
Internal links help search engines crawl and get to know the structure of your website. By linking relevant pages within your site, you can guide users to additional content. The purpose of this is to keep them engaged for longer.
This element helps distribute ‘link juice’ or ranking power across your site, which gives a boost to lower-ranking pages. Well-placed internal links improve both SEO and user navigation.
Backlinks and Off-Page SEO
Backlinks remain a core factor in SEO success. These are links from other websites that direct users to your page. They signal to search engines that your content is credible and worth ranking higher. The quality and relevance of the sites linking to you matter more than the quantity.
To build strong backlinks, look into guest posting, creating shareable content and reaching out to industry influencers. A healthy backlink profile elevates your site’s authority and improves your chances of ranking higher.
User Experience (UX)
A well-structured website that provides a smooth user experience is vital for both SEO and visitor retention. Search engines favour sites that are simple to navigate, have clear layouts and offer valuable content.
A positive user experience keeps the visitors on your page for longer. They may also check out other pages and most importantly, engage with your content. All these combined contribute to better rankings. Just make sure you’re focusing on intuitive design, fast load times and clear CTAs to keep your SEO strong.
Concentrating on all the elements above is what will help you create and retain a successful SEO strategy.
At Volume, we’re well-versed in all aspects of SEO, helping businesses improve their visibility and drive results. Ready to take your SEO to the next level? Contact us today and see how our team can help in boosting your online presence.