Winning at search engine optimization is a very important goal if you want to get the edge over your rivals. Quite simply, the higher up you appear on the list of results returned by Google the better your site will perform. Obviously, the position you appear in on that list is dependent on the specific search – platforms like Google and Bing are very focussed on returning the most relevant results for their users, but how you position your site in relations to specific keywords is important if you want to get the best result. In terms of ranking high, here are some tips to help you get the results that you want.
Work with experts
Almost everyone has some idea on how to improve the SEO optimisation of a website but very few people have the complete picture. It is one of those situations where a lot of people have enough knowledge to be dangerous, but not quite enough to be properly effective. So, identify the best people in the industry and look to build a relationship with them. Engage with them early, ideally before you have even started the build on your website as there are a lot of background areas where they will consult and advise. These are things like footer optimisation, site mapping, meta tags, and directory submissions.
Use your own assets
Linking with other sites is very important, so if you are fortunate to have more than one site in your stable, place some appropriate links between your sites. Google looks for something called domain authority, so if a site with a high domain authority links to your website then you will be awarded accordingly. In short, a link from a well-respected site like the BBC or even Wikipedia means that your site is being referenced by a site with high domain authority. This will score you points in the ranking process. So, if you are looking to improve your SEO, spend some time looking to build link partnerships with other sites – sites that are appropriately aligned with yours and links that appear naturally interwoven into the content of the site – not as banners or paid for links.
Use your words
Everyone has something of value to say and anyone with a website has a platform from which to say it. So, recognise that if you want to generate traffic that you need to keep the content on your site ticking over. The cheapest and easiest thing to do here is to come up with an integrated content calendar and to play to that. What that means is this: if you run a website selling socks, then come up with a calendar that recognises important days in the retail space. You might want to write a piece about Father’s Day. Or something about famous people who never wore socks. Whatever the topic, keep it fresh and original and then leverage the blog post to fuel social media interactions, newsletters, and links from other sites. You will score big like this. And if it is you writing about a topic that you care deeply about, it will come across as both informed and original and it will cost you nothing.
