Search engine optimization- commonly known as SEO- is used to make websites more visible to viewers. It relies on Google and other search engine algorithms to do so. If this sounds complicated, you aren’t alone. SEO can seem quite intimidating, especially to people that aren’t familiar with it. However, it’s much simpler than it seems and it can help boost viewership to your website.
How exactly does SEO work?
SEO comprises three basic elements that can boost your website’s ranking on search engines. These elements are:
1. Keyword Selection
Keywords are words or phrases that viewers commonly use in their search for specific topics or products. Using these keywords strategically in your online content will help increase your SEO ranking as the search engine’s algorithm will interpret this as a specific answer to the query of customers and viewers that use the keyword in their search. In turn, this will help push your website up to the first page of the search engine, attracting more clicks and traffic. It is essential to properly research which keywords to use and how to place them strategically throughout your content.
2. Content Creation
Content is the backbone of your website and what SEO relies upon. Putting thought and effort into engaging, well-researched, and SEO-friendly content works in tandem with strategically placed keywords to draw more viewers and traffic to your website. Without good quality content, other SEO-boosting tactics won’t be as effective as viewers tend to return to sites that have credible, well-written, and attractive content. It may be worth hiring a professional graphic designer to make your site stand out and improve the user experience (UX).
3. Building in Backlinks
If your website often includes informational content, especially on technical topics, embedding backlinks in your articles is essential. If you include links to credible websites that back up your position, your website becomes more trustworthy in the eyes of the viewer. However, this must be done strategically. A good rule of thumb is to include one to two backlinks per 1000 words of content. You can also embed links to other content on your own website to increase traffic and views.
Why is SEO necessary for your website?
Any website, regardless of its content, can benefit greatly from SEO’s impact on the organic increase in your website’s search engine rankings. On average, only ten links show up on the first page of a Google search. Viewers are likely to click on those links first and venture onto the second or third page only if necessary.
Google uses bots to collect information on various websites and put them into an index. The algorithm then looks at this index and ranks websites depending on how relevant it thinks the website will be to the query. This is where SEO elements like keywords, user experience, and backlinks come into play as they can move your website up in the rankings and therefore, higher on the search list made by the algorithm. Increased visibility leads to more traffic and potential sales on your website.
Conclusion:
SEO is an essential tool for any website owner or developer. While paid ads may get you some views and revenue, they are an additional expense, and views from these ads are not accounted for in organic views and growth. Implementing an effective SEO strategy will increase your website’s visibility, familiarity, and credibility. In an age where a brand’s online presence means everything to the consumer, this will inevitably lead to a better brand reputation and increased revenue.
