If you’re a fledgling business owner, you’ve likely heard of SEO – or search engine optimisation. But what exactly is it?
Simply put, SEO is the process of tinkering with your website to make it more attractive to search engines. Why? To improve your website’s ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs), thus attracting more visitors, and hopefully, customers to your business. But how does one ‘tweak’ their website for SEO? Let’s dive in and explore five essential strategies.
1. Quality Content is King
Let me ask you this – would you keep reading a book if it was dull and unfathomable? Probably not. The same applies to your website’s content. Quality content is engaging, informative, and valuable to the reader. When your audience finds value in what you have to say, they’ll spend more time on your site, improving your search engine rankings. And while we’re on the subject of quality content…
2. Don’t Forget Keywords
Have you ever wondered how Google knows what to display when you type a question into the search bar? The answer is keywords, those terms that prospective customers might use when searching for products or services like yours. By correctly implementing relevant keywords within your content, your website will be easier for search engines to find and index, improving your SEO.
3. Optimize for Mobile
Take a look around – almost everyone has a smartphone in their hand. In the digital age, most people use their phones for everything from shopping to researching, making mobile optimisation crucial for SEO. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re essentially turning away countless potential customers, which we’re sure you don’t want!
4. Fast Loading Speed is a Must
Ever clicked on a website and waited… and waited… for it to load? Frustrating, right? Slow loading sites are not only irritating for users but can harm your SEO rankings too. Speedy, smooth-operating websites provide an excellent user experience, encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore more, improving your site SEO.
5. Secure Your Website
Security has become a hot topic these days, particularly relating to online data. Search engines place great importance on website security, prioritising HTTPS sites – that’s sites with an SSL certificate – in SERPs. Beyond this, a secure site reassures your visitors, building their trust in your brand.
To Conclude
Implementing an effective SEO strategy can seem challenging, but the benefits are immeasurable. With improved visibility, you attract more visitors, and thus, potential customers. And isn’t that the goal of every business?
FAQs
1. What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It’s a strategy used to optimise a website to get unpaid or ‘organic’ traffic from the SERP.
2. Why is Mobile Optimisation Important for SEO?
In the digital age, many people use their mobile devices to browse online. A mobile optimised site is therefore vital to cater to this audience and improve your SERP rankings.
3. What are Keywords in SEO?
Keywords in SEO are words and phrases in your content that allow people to find your site via search engines.
4. Why is website speed important for SEO?
Slow-loading pages are frustrating for audiences and can lead to them leaving your site. Fast loading pages provide an excellent user experience which boosts your SEO.
5. What is HTTPS in relation to website security?
HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP. Websites that are secured with an SSL certificate start with HTTPS and are favoured by search engines in SERP rankings.