I have a few clients who would freely admit that they aren’t digital marketing specialists. But, as small business owners, they’ve been forced to pop a digital marketer’s cap on from time to time to figure out stuff like SEO. And while optimising your site for search engines can be a cost-effective way to get your business noticed by potential customers, it can take a bit of getting your head around.
So, to help small business owners or any other would-be digital marketer, I thought I’d share some insider tips on how to optimise your website’s content for search engines.
If you’re struggling to get your website noticed by Google and Bing or feel like your content is buried in the depths of the internet with no hope of ever seeing the light of day — fear not. With these 14 simple SEO tips, you can make your website stand out and climb the rankings.
14 SEO tips to supercharge your site’s search rankings
Follow these easy SEO tips for beginners and you’ll be on the path to becoming a digital marketing specialist in no time…
1. Know your keywords
The first step in SEO optimisation is to identify the keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for — the topics that matter to them. By incorporating these keywords into your content, you can help ensure that your website shows up on search engine results pages (SERPs) when people search for those terms. To find the right keywords, use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Moz Keyword Explorer, or Ahrefs Keyword Explorer.
2. Fine-tune your title
The page title and meta description (more on that later) are the first things that people see when they find your website in search results, so it's important to make them compelling and informative. Make sure that your titles and meta descriptions include your target keywords and accurately describe the content on your page. Use action-oriented language and include a call to action to encourage clicks and increase engagement.
3. Use header tags
On the subject of titles, header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) help to organise your content and make it easier to read. Use your primary keyword in your H1 tag, and include related keywords in your H2 and H3 tags.
4. Mind your meta descriptions
Meta descriptions are the short blurbs that appear below your headline in search engine results. They provide a brief summary of what your content is about and entice people to click through to your website. Use your primary keyword in your meta description, and keep it under 155 characters.
5. Create high-quality, relevant content
The quality of your content is one of the most important factors in SEO optimisation. Creating high-quality, relevant content that provides value to your audience is key to improving your website's search engine rankings. Use your target keywords naturally in your content, but avoid keyword stuffing, or overusing your target keywords, which can lead to penalties from search engines.
6. Make Your Content Easy to Read
It’s official: people now have shorter attention spans than goldfish. So cut out the fluff and make sure your content is easy to read and digest. Use subheadings (with those H2 and H3 tags I mentioned), bullet points, and short paragraphs to break up your content and make it more scannable. Use images and videos to add visual interest and break up long blocks of text.
7. Optimise Your Images
Images are an important part of any website, but they can also slow down your page load times if they're not optimised properly. Make sure that your images are compressed and resized to reduce their file size without sacrificing quality. Use descriptive, keyword-rich file names and alt tags to help search engines understand what your images are about.
8. Build High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks, or links from other websites to your site, are an important factor in SEO optimisation. Search engines view backlinks as a vote of confidence in your content, so it's important to build high-quality backlinks from authoritative sources. Reach out to other website owners and offer to guest post or provide valuable content for their readers in exchange for a link back to your site.
9. Share on Social
Social media can be a powerful tool for boosting your website's SEO. Sharing your content on different social channels can help increase visibility and drive traffic to your site, which can help to improve your search engine rankings. Make sure that your website and social media profiles are linked, and encourage your followers to share your content with their networks.
10. Stay Up-to-Date on SEO Best Practices
SEO best practices are constantly evolving, so it's important to keep on top of the latest developments. ‘How can I do that?’ I hear you cry. Well, I’ve listed the best SEO resources on the web here: 8 SEO Best Practice Blogs to Help You Raise Your Search Engine Marketing Game.
11. Use descriptive URLs
Your website's URLs should be descriptive and include your primary keyword. They should also be easy to read and understand. Avoid using generic URLs like www.yourwebsite.com/page1, and instead, use URLs like www.yourwebsite.com/seo-tips-for-optimising-your-content.
12. Add internal and external links
Linking to other pages on your website (internal links) and to relevant external sources (external links) can help search engines understand the context of your content and improve your site's credibility. Make sure your links are relevant and add value to your content.
13. Make your website mobile-friendly
The latest statistics show that just over 50% of people access the internet on mobile devices. So, if your website isn't mobile-friendly, you could be missing out on a lot of traffic. Use a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes, and make sure your website is easy to navigate on a mobile device.
14. Monitor your analytics
SEO is an ongoing process, and you need to continually monitor your website's performance to see what's working and what's not. Use analytics tools to track your website's traffic, user behaviour, and conversion rates. Keep an eye on your search engine rankings and identify areas for improvement. By regularly monitoring your analytics, you can make data-driven decisions and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly. This will help ensure that your website stays optimised and performs well in search engine results pages.
Summary: How to supercharge your site’s search rankings and become a digital marketing specialist
SEO tips may seem overwhelming at first, but it's worth the effort to optimise your website's content. By following these 14 simple steps, you can help your website stand out from the crowd and climb the rankings. From identifying the right keywords and creating high-quality content, to optimising your images and building high-quality backlinks, there are numerous ways to improve your website's search engine rankings.
By staying up-to-date on SEO best practices, monitoring your analytics, and making data-driven decisions, you can become a digital marketing specialist in no time. So, get started on optimising your website's content today and watch your search rankings soar!
Checklist: 14 SEO tips to supercharge your site’s search rankings
Know your keywords
Fine-tune your title
Use header tags
Mind your meta descriptions
Create high-quality, relevant content
Make your content easy to read
Optimise your images
Build high-quality backlinks
Share on social media
Stay up-to-date on SEO best practices
Use descriptive URLs
Add internal and external links
Make your website mobile-friendly
Monitor your analytics
Get your website to the top of Google with CRG Creative
If you want to unlock the full potential of your website and attract more customers, drop me an email at info@crgcreative.acency. As a digital marketing specialist I can help you supercharge your search engine rankings using top-notch SEO tips and techniques.