10 ways to improve your SEO

Improving SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is constantly on the mind of any savvy business owner and you’re right to be fixated on search for your business.

Data shows that 94 per cent of users click on organic search results over paid, and 89 per cent of consumers use search engines to make purchasing decisions – it makes you wonder if 11 per cent didn’t understand the question!

Recent changes to Google’s algorithms have businesses around the world doubling down on their efforts to optimise search. With all other search engines likely to follow suit, SEO is as important as ever.

1. Know your number: Use analytics tools to determine how people are finding your site and what keywords are bringing them there. Test and measure all efforts to increase referrals from search engines – and replicate those that appear to be working. Keep an eye on your page’s rank and any catalysts for improving it. Until you know what helps, you can’t know where you should focus your efforts.
2. Keywords: Figure out your top 10 keywords and strategically use them on your website, articles and in your blog posts. The key is to be authentic.
3. Permalinks and titles: Including your top 10 keywords in page titles and permalinks (example.com.au/permalink) is a textbook method of improving search engine indexing.
4. Internal links: Internally linking to your own site is a good way to encourage clickthroughs – Google’s way of measuring engagement on your site. Be sure to hyperlink to keywords rather than arbitrary phrases like “click here”.
5. Share the love: Internal links should be balanced with those to external sites. Search engines are seeking evidence of relationships around the web. Give credit to other sites and resources by linking back – they may do the same! The best way to increase SEO juice to your site is to have bigger and better sites link back to yours. Partnerships and PR create this web of awareness.
6. Use HTML: Legitimate sites no longer use Flash. It might be fun for special effects, but it’s a killer for search. Sites built in HTML are easier for search engines to crawl, and those built entirely in Flash may not be searchable on all mobile devices.
7. Image optimisation: Spiders crawl text not only on your site, but in your images too. Be sure to label all images with keyword-rich text.
8. Content: Good content can help you cover it all. The best sites for users – and as a result, search engines – are those that continue to update with new and relevant information. A blog is an easy way to constantly update your site without having to change your homepage or other landing pages.
9. Social: Promote your content on social channels to increase the likelihood of engagement.
10. Avoid black hat tactics: Don’t undo your good work with sneaky tactics, as Google will punish you for it! Avoid keyword stuffing, cloaking, duplication or ads above the fold.

sources: Search Engine Watch