The most important thing I learned when I started researching SEO (search engine optimization) is that it changes over time. The Google search engine is constantly improving its algorithm based on a user’s search query and which page the user is selecting from the SERPs (search engine results pages). And since Google is still the top choice in search engines, you most-likely should focus the start of your SEO journey with them first before moving along to learning other search engines.
You are probably at the beginning of your journey in starting your website if you’ve found yourself at this article. And If you haven’t started a website yet, you can check out this article about getting your blog started here.
First off, SEO is not a one-time activity that works from today until the end of time. All the search engines are evolving, improving their algorithms. And in 2020, they had to improve immensely based on the amount of people having to stay home due to COVID-19. Businesses had to update hours or total closures. Restaurants had to discuss dine-in and takeout options, all which can be advertised in the SERPs.
Google My Business
If you have a brick-and-mortar store, along with a website, you should consider adding your business on a Google My Business account. This will help with your endeavor to keep relevant hours in the SERPs. If you’re closed on major Holidays, then you can update the GMB hours and you’re all set. What better way than have a user search for your store and easily being able to see if your store is open than from the results page?
Google Search Console
The Google Search Console offers tools and reports that help you measure your site’s search traffic and performance, fix issues, and make your site shine in search results. You can use your GSC account to find out what keywords your content is ranking for, how people are interacting with your results. Did you just publish a new blog post? You can submit a new page for indexing.
You can learn how to connect your GSC account to your Google Analytics account here.
URL Structure
I think this chart from Moz perfectly explains URL structure, and hilariously too. You want your URLs to be easily readable and understood.
Make it clear to your audience that your website is safe and that the information they are looking for is easily detected.
Optimize for Mobile
On December 3, 2020, Google updated it’s Page Experience Update and Core Web Vitals (CWV). Google now factors in if your website is mobile-friendly (because its 2021, right?) and the quality of the content. You can read more about the E-A-T ranking factor, or Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness, at the developer’s core-update blog:
Keep Up With Trends
Search engine optimization is always changing. Google had three major updates in 2020 alone. You can keep up with the trends and information by following sites such as Moz, Search Engine Land, Search Engine Watch or Ahrefs. There are many places to get your information regarding SEO, but these are some of the top sources for accurate and up-to-date information.
Cheers,
Katie
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
