Search engine optimization (SEO) can be an intimidating subject for those online businesses just starting out. With all the algorithm changes, keyword updates, and new verification methods that happen with SEO practices every year, it can seem impossible to keep up. But having a great SEO strategy is key to standing out on crowded search engine result pages and gaining more visibility in your digital space. So before launching into any major SEO overhauls, take a look at the 6 latest trends in SEO strategies available now to help you improve your business’s digital presence:
SEO Is Becoming Industry Specific
SEO – Search Engine Optimization – is an ever-evolving practice and increasingly, the importance of being “industry specific” has come to light. Companies are now spending more time tailoring their SEO strategies to their particular industry, providing them with more optimal results compared to general industry practices. This means that a comprehensive approach to SEO considers the nuances found in each sector – such as using relevant keywords, including industry blogs, and building affiliations between websites within the same field. For example, this roofing SEO school covers specialized SEO strategies for roofing contractors, helping them gain visibility in their industry’s digital space, while a local real estate SEO school offers strategies tailored to the needs of realtors. This means that SEO is tailored to each industry’s individual needs, and businesses can no longer rely solely on the “one size fits all” approach.
Focus On Mobile-First Indexing
As digital content creators, it is more important than ever to stay ahead of the game and ensure our websites and blogs are up-to-date with the latest in SEO best practices. Mobile-first indexing is becoming increasingly prevalent as Google moves towards a mobile-first approach to search; so if you have yet to make this switch, you’re going to be losing out on potential visits and clients if your website isn’t mobile-ready. Making sure your web pages are optimized for mobile viewing is a crucial step in improving any website’s visibility. Think of the long-term image of your blog or business – optimizing for mobiles will not only help you reach a larger audience but provide credibility and trustworthiness that could give you an edge over competitors that haven’t made this upgrade! It might seem like a big task to tackle – but small investments like focusing on mobile-first indexing can pay off hugely in the long run.
Expand Content Marketing And Use Visuals To Enhance User Engagement
Content marketing is an effective way to gain visibility for your brand and engage users, but it may sometimes feel like a challenge to create fresh, compelling content that stands out from the crowd. Adding visuals to your content not only assists in storytelling but can be one of the most potent tactics when engaging viewers. Images, videos, infographics, and more all have the power to draw attention to your message and further engage readers. Be creative and take chances when expanding your content marketing strategy with visuals – the payoff will be worth it!
Use Local SEO To Rank Higher In SERPs
Looking to rank higher in search engine result pages (SERPs)? An effective way to do just that is by leveraging local SEO. Local SEO focuses on optimizing your business’s visibility and relevancy for searches conducted by users in the same geographic area. Sign up for local business listings, ensuring that listing information including name, address, phone number, and website are consistent and accurate – all of which help you rank better in local SERP results. Make sure to create a Google My Business page so your business appears in Google Maps as well as other local SERP features such as the local pack, snack Pack, and others. If done correctly, you’ll be able to effectively compete with established competitors in your area!
Take Advantage Of Google’s Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)
If you run a website and want to get the most out of it—from SEO to better site engagement—you should familiarize yourself with Google’s Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). It’s a free and open-source project that allows content to be served instantly across desktop, mobile, and tablet devices. Essentially, AMP significantly reduces the loading time of pages on mobile devices while at the same time providing enhanced visibility on search engines. Not only does this increase user experience it also contributes positively to your website’s metrics. In other words, if you take advantage of AMP you will not only see improved page visits but your content is more likely to appear higher in the search engine rankings resulting in more potential click-throughs.
Increase Brand Awareness With Influencer Marketing Campaigns
Influencer marketing campaigns can be a powerful way for businesses to boost visibility, awareness, and engagement on social media. Brands just starting out in the world of influencer marketing should consider their customer base and the type of content that resonates with them to determine which influencers may be best suited for the campaign. Reach out to those influencers who have a highly-targeted demographic, providing an expanded reach and higher engagement rates than traditional methods of advertisement. For example, if luxury watches are being sold, sellers could target style bloggers and fashionable Instagram accounts so customers interested in buying a timepiece can get additional advice from people they trust.
All in all, SEO is rapidly evolving and it’s important to stay apprised of the current trends. It’s necessary to focus on industry-specific keywords, craft mobile-first-friendly content, and optimize for local searches. Making sure that AMPs are working properly and keeping influencer marketing in mind can help boost a website or business’s rankings for search engine results pages. While constantly changing algorithms mean that strategies will always be in flux, paying attention to what works now can guarantee success when the algorithms shift yet again.
