When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), getting the right tactics and strategies in place can make all the difference in your website’s success. But with so many moving parts to consider and best practices frequently evolving, it can be a daunting task to know where to begin.
That’s why we’ve rounded up insights from some of the top SEO experts in the industry, to help you discover valuable tips and tricks from the pros.
1. Focus on Your Audience
According to Maggie Aland of Fundera, “The most important rule of SEO is to remember that you’re optimizing for people, not algorithms. Focus on creating relevant, engaging content that answers your target audience’s needs and their search intent, and you’ll organically start to rank higher in search results.”
2. Conduct Keyword Research
Before you can create great content, you need to know what search terms people are using to look for it. “By researching and optimizing for the right keywords and phrases, you can make sure that your content is actually getting seen by the people who are searching for it,” says Kaitlyn Blum of HubSpot.
3. Keep Your Website Clean & Fast
“Search engines prioritize websites that load quickly and have good user experiences,” says Lauren Schoenberg of Markitors. “Site speed and user experience are just as important for SEO as content quality and keyword usage.”
4. Create High-Quality Content
As SEO expert Neil Patel says, “Content is the backbone of any successful SEO campaign.” Simply put, if your content is poor quality or irrelevant, search engines won’t rank it highly. Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that’s both informative and entertaining.
5. Build Quality Backlinks
Link-building is a crucial component of SEO, and the experts agree that quality is more important than quantity. “Focus on building a few high-quality backlinks from reputable sources rather than hundreds of spammy ones,” advises Anna Crowe of Search Engine Journal.
6. Optimize for Mobile
“In today’s mobile-first world, it’s important to make sure your website is optimized for mobile users,” says Kyle Goguen of Pawstruck. “Having a mobile-responsive website can have a significant impact on your rankings in search results.”
7. Monitor Your Analytics
“By monitoring your site’s metrics and analytics, you can gather data to make informed decisions about your SEO strategy,” says Ryan Short of MODassic Marketing. “Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website’s performance and gain insights into your audience.”
These tips and tricks are just the beginning of what it takes to succeed in SEO. But by focusing on your audience, conducting thorough keyword research, creating high-quality content, building quality backlinks, optimizing for mobile users, and monitoring your analytics, you’ll be well on your way to achieving higher rankings and driving more traffic to your website.