Search engine optimization or SEO is constantly changing, if you took the time to learn SEO and implement it on your website a year ago or even a few months ago, odds are your understanding of SEO is probably out of date.
Google is the number one search engine, with almost 31 Billion searches per month, and being displayed first or near the top on a Google search can translate to a serious increase in organic search traffic to your website. Getting a top search ranking is a complex and time-consuming effort, but once you gain that top ranking in searches your efforts will be paid back in full.
Google is constantly making changes to its algorithm to ensure their searches are displaying the most relevant content and to stay a step ahead of those who try to beat the system. Because of this, it should be clear that the key is not to beat the system, but to make sure your content is the most relevant.
The number one rule when it comes to SEO is to continually optimize your existing content and add new content on a regular basis. Keep up to date on any changes to the formula Google uses to determine search rankings, and optimize your content regularly to maintain your top search ranking.
A main branch of Google?s algorithm weighs the value of content on your website against those less valuable content on other sites. What does this mean, exactly? The more quality content that you have on your website, the better you will rank over similar websites with little or no valuable content.
Valuable content is original content that includes research, reports, thoughtful analyses and so on.? Valuable content is also more likely to earn inbound links from others in your industry, so it is a win-win.
Inbound links?the number of links to your website from other sites?can help boost your relevancy rating in Google.? You will get the greatest impact if your links are found on sites with related content to that found on your website. Use social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to connect with other influencers in your industry to increase your inbound links on their websites, and don?t forget to return the favor.
Just listing links is no longer enough?relevant text supporting those links will help much more than a list of links. Blogging is one way to accomplish this?embed the link within the blog post and surround it with text that supports the link. Add context to the link, and it will be more valuable.
If you believe that you can beat the system and gain a top search ranking, think again. Google?s algorithm is extremely complex, changes too often and places too much value on relevancy to effectively ?trick? it into thinking a lousy website should rank first (and if you do, it won?t be for long). Your time will be better spent creating actual content that is relevant and useful to your customers and is respected within your industry.
Creating great content is the groundwork for any SEO strategy. Great content leads to a better user experience, and increases the likelihood that your links will be shared organically. Over time, as your inbound links increase and your website?s content library grows, you will see your search ranking in Google and other search engines improve. ?Continue to offer new, relevant content, and always work to gain new inbound links.
The number one reason to have a high search ranking is to increase visitor traffic to your website, and ultimately to increase your sales volume. Don?t let SEO dilute the main picture?rather use it is a guiding principle toward creating a great website with relevant content your customers will value.
To help you move forward and start understanding more about SEO use our comprehensive guide to SEO!?Download our ebook today!
