Things have been rapidly changing in the SEO world, with Google updating its algorithm umpteen number of times in the last few years. Only those who have managed to keep pace with Google’s changing guidelines are the ones who have been able to implement successful SEO. SEO that stands for Search Engine Optimization is an implementation of techniques to improve your brand or website visibility on the web through organic search engine result pages. Google has made it very obvious that it is keen reduce visibility of low-value pages that have been over optimized. Trends have been changing for quite some time with experts chalking out effective strategies every year. Here we bring you an amalgamation of Latest SEO trends and practices that are expected to rule.
Make Responsive websites
Latest studies reveal that nearly 50% of search engine traffic comes from mobile searches. This indicates the rapidly growing trend of users resorting to smart devices like mobiles and tablets to access the internet and spending a significant amount of time each day browsing various sites. This makes it important for every website to be qualitatively compatible on such smart devices. Optimizing websites for mobiles searches will certainly take a business several notches higher than its competitors and reinforce their web presence.
Choose variety of keywords
Keywords continue to play a crucial role in SEO. Emerging trends and practices suggest that you need to include more words or phrases as keywords other than the basic ones. Think out of the box to find and look for words that could closely describe the business. You can use various tools that suggest keywords to you. Essential words are dominant no doubt but related words and phrases expose you to wider audiences. Try to accommodate conversational keywords in your list as predictions say that Google shall soon update its algorithm to include spoken or voice searches in mobile apps. While creating this list of crucial keywords, it is important that you pick and choose precise and meaningful words that closely describe your business.
Content is King
This adage has existed since time immemorial and continues to rule to this day. Though SEO trends may be changing, content continues to remain the pivotal aspect, where you have to focus on quality. Google has become very strict about the kind of pages it decides to reflect in searches with complete focus on high quality content to enhance user experience. As soon as you elevate the quality of content in a website, online traffic and revenue rise automatically. Plan your keyword strategy not only for PC users but also for mobile searches. Incorporating visual content like images, videos, slideshows, tutorials, infographics, etc. hold great appeal and work brilliantly for websites.
Focus on social media
Social media has become an integral part of everybody’s life now. So make sure that you have a pertinent and effective presence on various social media platforms like Facebook, Google +, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. Needless to say that Google gives preferences to businesses that have an impressive presence on Google+. An active existence on these platforms will ultimately help the main website or page to do better. Inactive pages or duplicate accounts can equally be harmful so make sure that you have all the right elements in place for them to work in your favour. Since social media encourages more interaction and engagement, this will provide as a great platform to improve customer service which in turn shall result in more business and revenue.
Inbound Links
If one thing that has consistently been a critical part in SEO then that has been backlinks or inbound links. It certainly pays to have few inbound links from powerful, genuine and reputed sources than have scores from sub-rated websites. It is important to buil high quality links from superior sources. There are various ways that you can get these links. If you have a reputed website then, links originating from the website itself can do well. You can also distribute your links and pitch it to well-known and genuine PR sites, A-listed journallists and social networking sites, by focusing your content around stuff that intrigues your niche.
Repairing broken links has been an age old practice and though time taking and arduous, does get you positive results. Check for relevant websites, compare your competitor’s backlink profiles to see what is working for them and start working on yours.
Content plays a crucial role here. Add value to the website through content and let the magic work!
Increase Engagement and interaction
The web is much more interactive and social now than it has ever been. People on the internet are no longer mere observers or readers, they want to interact in some or the other form. Web users are keen to share information, images, events, advertise, sell and buy, etc. SEO specialists need to monitor such activities and strategize accordingly. Important indicators like bounce rates, load times, time spent on a site or a particular page, number of pages viewed need to be monitored closely to pan out the right SEO strategy that encourages more interaction with audiences.
Drop complicated URLs
Dynamic and long URLs often cause more damage than benefit as they lack SEO supporting keywords, making it difficult for users to understand what the page is about. It is also common for these URLs to lead to 404 errors and broken links harming page rankings. Instead it is better to choose short static URLs. Look for broken links in a website and take corrective measures to get them back on track. Also pages with excessive outbound links are damaging. So make sure that you are able to create an optimal mix of both outbound and inbound links placing them on relevant pages for desired impact and visibility.
