SEO Success: Top Tips for Better Rankings

Step 1 – Find your keywords and phrases

Keywords serve as the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. Essentially, they’re the words or phrases that people type into search engines when seeking information, products, or services. Here’s how to come up with a list for your business:

1. Understand your audience: To kickstart your keyword research journey, think about the words or phrases your audience might use when searching for your content, products, or services.
2. Research your keywords: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to explore keyword ideas, analyse search volumes and assess competition levels.
3. Refine your keywords: Narrow down your focus to specific, relevant keywords that align with your business niche and target audience.
4. Create longer key phrases: Target more specific phrases like ‘mid-century modern chairs in Melbourne’ rather than broad terms like ‘furniture’.
5. Assign keywords to web pages: Match keywords to the most relevant pages on your site. If certain keywords don’t fit existing pages, consider creating new pages to accommodate them.

Step 2 – Optimise your web pages 

Once you’ve identified your keywords, it’s time to incorporate them into your website. This will improve the SEO-friendliness of your content, helping it rank higher in search engine results. Here’s where you need to add them:

• Title tags and meta descriptions: These are what appear in search engine results. Include your keywords while keeping the text compelling and relevant.
• Page URLs: Optimise your page URLs by including relevant keywords/phrases. Keep them concise and descriptive – and if you change a URL, make sure you create a 301 redirect to avoid broken links on your site.
• Headings and subheadings: Use keywords in your H1 tags (the main title tag on your webpage) and subheadings (H2, H3, H4, etc) to signal their importance to search engines.
• Body content: Naturally incorporate keywords throughout your content. Avoid keyword stuffing and remember, write for humans first and search engines second.
• Image alt text: Use relevant keywords to describe image content, improving accessibility and providing context for search engines.
• Internal links: Use descriptive anchor text that includes your keywords. This helps search engines understand their context and improves site navigation.

Step 3 – Make your site load faster

Speed isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential. Google prioritises faster websites, so if your site is slow, both visitors may bounce, and your SEO could suffer. Here’s how to speed things up and keep both your visitors and search engines happy:

• Check loading times: Use Google’s Page Speed Insights to see how fast your web pages load and identify any issues preventing your page from loading quickly. 
• Keep it simple: Avoid clutter and complex designs. A clean layout improves loading times.
• Optimise images: Use formats like JPEG or WebP and compress images using tools like Adobe Photoshop’s ‘Save for Web’ feature or he free online tool TinyPNG.
• Minimise plugins and scripts: Evaluate what you have installed and remove any that are unnecessary.

Step 4 – Ensure your site is mobile-friendly

With over 60% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s crucial your website looks great and runs smoothly on them. Here’s how to do it:

• Make it responsive: Ensure your website template adjusts to different screen sizes.
• Simplify your navigation: Use a hamburger menu to help users navigate your site on smaller screens.
• Touch-friendly design: Make buttons and links easy to tap and avoid hover interactions.
• Make fonts legible: Use a base font size of 16 pixels for body text and choose readable font styles.

Step 5 – Craft quality content

Creating a variety of high-quality content, from blog posts to podcasts, does more than boost your SEO – it connects deeply with your audience and keeps them coming back. This demonstrates your site’s authority and increases your chances of ranking higher in search. Here’s how to do it well:

• Be original: Bring something new to the table, even if it’s a fresh take on a familiar topic. Try to provide your audience with insights they can’t get elsewhere.
• Align with user intent: Tailor your content to meet the specific needs of your users, whether they’re looking to learn, navigate, or make a purchase.
• Make it compelling: Craft attention-grabbing headlines and introductions to spark interest.
• Format for easy reading: Use subheadings, short paragraphs, and lists to make your content easy to digest.
• Be consistent: Update your content regularly to maintain its relevance and reflect your commitment to quality.

Step 6 – Build your backlinks

Think of backlinks as the internet’s way of giving a thumbs-up to your website. They’re crucial for SEO because they signal to search engines that others vouch for your content and will improve your site’s authority. Here’s how to earn quality backlinks:

• Create content worth sharing: Create valuable content like insightful blog posts, detailed guides, or engaging videos that prompt others to link to your site.
• Network with influencers: Connect with industry influencers who might share your content with their audience. A single link from a well-respected site can boost your SEO significantly.
• Participate in online communities: Participate in forums within your niche, providing valuable answers and linking to your content when it adds value.
• Write a guest blog: Write for other blogs in your industry to showcase your expertise and secure a backlink to your site.

Step 7 – Monitor your SEO performance

SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it venture. Leverage tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to keep your strategy on track and optimise your site. Here are some key metrics to watch:

• Organic traffic: This is the number of visitors arriving at your site from search engines. If this number grows, your SEO efforts are paying off.
• Keyword rankings: Track how your site ranks for crucial keywords. Moving up in search results is a great sign that your strategies are effective.
• Link profile growth: Monitor both the quantity and quality of backlinks to your site. An expanding link profile suggests an increasing recognition of your site’s authority.

Conclusion: Your SEO roadmap

Navigating the world of SEO might seem daunting, but you now have the tools to unlock its full potential. Remember, SEO is more than just algorithms – it’s about connecting with your audience and creating memorable experiences. Start your SEO journey today and rise above the digital noise.