Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the lifeblood of any successful blog. If you dream of more traffic, leads, and visibility, you need a solid SEO strategy. If you're just getting starter, check out this article on How Long Does It Take to Learn SEO as this will teach you the basics that everybody needs like solid keyword research, creating high quality content, etc.
But, once you have a grip on that - here are a few often overlooked SEO tricks that can help move the needle in your rankings.
Overlooked SEO Tips & Tricks
Optimize Your Images
- Use Descriptive Filenames: Before uploading images, change their generic filenames to describe the image using your target keyword. Instead of “IMG_8392.jpg," use something like "healthy-vegan-recipes.jpg."
- Optimize Alt Text: Alt text is the written description that is read by screen readers (for accessibility) and appears if an image can't load. Optimize this space with the keywords you are targeting. Example: "Alt text: Woman preparing a vegan salad with fresh vegetables for a healthy meal."
- Use Next Gen Formats: Convert images to webp format to optimize load speed.
- Lazy Load: Every image should be lazy loaded unless it is above the fold.
Use Readable Words in Your URLs
- Include Your Target Keyword: Keep your URL slugs short and relevant, including your target keyword. Example: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation" instead of "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/topic1234"
- Separate Keywords with Hypens: This helps users and search engines identify concepts in the URL more easily.
Utilize Internal Linking
- Contextual Links: Link to other relevant blog posts on your site using keyword-rich anchor text. This helps search engines understand the structure and themes of your content. For example, here I use the title of the blog as its anchor text - How Long Does It Take to Learn SEO.
- Anchor Text Variety: Avoid overusing the exact same keyword. Diversify your anchor text for a more natural linking profile.
Optimize Site Speed
- Compress Images Reduce image file size without sacrificing quality using tools like TinyPNG or a similar resource.
- Use Next Gen Formats: Convert images to webp format to optimize load speed.
- Lazy Load Images: Every image should be lazy loaded unless it is above the fold.
- Minimize Plugins: Too many plugins can bog down your site. Use only those that are essential.
- Remove Outdated Tags: Remove any third party tracking code that isn't being used.
- Utilize Server Side Tracking: For the more technically competent, setup server side tracking to reduce the amount of loading a browser (client side) has to do.
Refresh Old Content
- Update and Expand: Google prioritizes fresh content. Repurpose and update older blog posts by adding new insights, links, and keywords.
- Re-share on Social Media: Give updated posts a social boost to regain visibility.
Harness the Power of Schema Markup
- Structured Data: Schema markup is code that helps search engines understand your content better. (Think of it like providing a summary for search engines) Use a Schema markup generator for recipes, products, events, etc.
Final Thoughts
Mastering SEO can feel overwhelming, and it's easy to get caught up in the grand strategies. However, it's often the small, overlooked optimizations that set apart blogs that truly shine in the search results.
By implementing the techniques shared in this post, you'll be well on your way to:
- Improved rankings: Attract more visitors organically.
- Higher quality traffic: Get visitors genuinely interested in your content.
- Increased brand authority: Build a reputation as a trusted source in your field.
Remember, SEO is a continuous process. Stay informed about best practices, monitor your results, and don't be afraid to experiment. Small changes add up to big impact when it comes to boosting your blog's visibility
If you have questions about any the suggestions above, let me know in the comments or reach out for a free digital marketing consultation.