Search engine algorithms and industry trends are changing at the speed of light. If you don’t stay updated with the latest developments in the field of SEO, your website or blog will soon become obsolete.
SEO is affected by a number of factors, including user engagement metrics, such as dwell time, bounce rate, and click-through rate or CTR. If your website doesn’t offer a good user experience, these metrics will be highly affected and consequently, your search engine rankings will drop.
In this article, we look at 7 facts about SEO that help you improve these user engagement metrics, and rank high in Google time and again.
So, let’s get started.
1. Organic search drives most website traffic
SEO is primarily done to improve your website’s organic search visibility, so you can receive highly relevant traffic without paying a dime.
Start off with proper and detailed keyword research, create high-quality and engaging content, and focus on on-page SEO. Once you have a strategy and plan in place, you can move on to other tasks that directly affect user experiences, such as mobile optimization, clear calls to action, and easy navigation.
2. Mobile optimization is more important than ever
Google continues to prioritize mobile-first indexing, which means the mobile version of a website is considered the primary version for indexing and ranking. So, there’s no denying the fact that mobile optimization remains the core of how a website is ranked by Google.
Optimizing websites for mobile devices includes practices like having a responsive design, improving page loading speeds, and offering mobile-friendly user experiences.
Google also gives weightage to websites with high user engagement as more than 92% of internet users today access websites using a mobile device. Imagine what will happen to your website rankings if it’s not mobile-friendly.
3. Page speed affects rankings
Talking of user experience, another factor that can greatly improve user engagement on your website is your page loading speed. Again, if Google detects your website has improved user experience, your search engine rankings will also improve.
It has been observed that slow-loading websites have higher bounce rates and lower conversion rates. Not only will this simple SEO practice increase your conversion rates, but also your website rankings, and that also in no time!
4. Voice search is on the rise
More and more people are now using voice assistants and smart speakers. Voice search has therefore become more prevalent than it was a few years ago.
What you need to understand is that voice queries can be different from traditional queries that people enter in the search field. Optimizing for voice search requires adapting to the unique user behavior and intent associated with voice queries.
In this context, you need to shift your focus to long-tail and question-based keywords as well as natural language phrases. This is also known as semantic relevance and if done properly it can help you offer comprehensive answers to user questions on your website.
5. SEO is ongoing
What businesses and especially startups need to understand is that SEO is not a one-time task. It’s an ongoing process because search engines regularly update their algorithms, and it’s important to revisit your SEO practices periodically to make sure your search visibility has not been affected.
If you want to stay ahead of your competitors, you need to constantly adapt to industry trends in addition to regular monitoring and optimization.
6. Backlinks still matter
Backlinks are here to stay – maybe for a long time. They have become an important SEO factor as they can significantly impact your search engine rankings. However, it’s important to focus on organic link-building rather than engaging in manipulative practices that only bring short-term results.
7. Local SEO is important
Businesses that have physical local outlets need to focus on local SEO. Claiming and optimizing your Google My Business listing, managing online reviews, and ensuring consistent NAP (name, address, phone number) information across directories can greatly improve your local search visibility.
Even if you only have an online store, but your target market is local, you should optimize your website’s online presence to appear prominently in local search results.
Conclusion
Search engines prioritize websites that offer a positive user experience. If your website is not optimized for mobile devices, doesn’t offer intuitive navigation, and is slow, your visitors will not find it friendly and will bounce back. Investing in SEO practices that help improve your website’s user experience will ultimately reflect on your search engine rankings.
Remember that SEO practices and strategies evolve over time, so it’s essential to stay updated with the latest trends, algorithm changes, and best practices to achieve long-term success in your industry.