Trying to get traffic to your website without a solid plan is a bit like driving around with a vague destination in mind, but no directions on how to get there. You may eventually make your way to where you want to be, but it will take a lot longer and require more effort than if you had your route mapped out.
The same holds true with website traffic in general, and search engine optimization in particular. With a solid strategy, you will have a goal in mind, and a plan for what to do to get there. Even if you’re new to SEO and you don’t quite understand what it will take to get a certain keyword ranking, or even what a realistic keyword goal is for you, it’s good to have a plan. You can always tweak and adjust both your plan and your strategy as you go along.
When you have a workable strategy with defined goals, and a way to track the results you are getting over time, it becomes easy to determine if your strategy is working. Without either of those, you’re guessing at best, and that’s not a good business practice. Search engine optimization takes time and effort. And if you’re hiring someone to help you, it can involve quite a bit of money.
So where do you start? Learn the basics of how SEO works. Set up a good Website Analytics program so you can start to measure what traffic you’re getting now and where new traffic is coming from. Google Analytics is a great program that will grow with you. Install it, look through the reports, start to learn to use it and expand your knowledge as you go along.
Your next step will be to formulate a strategy. This should be a five-step process that includes:
- Determine your ideal target audience.
- Figure out what they are looking for and what keywords and key phrases they use.
- Generate high-value content around those terms.
- Implement on page and on site optimization.
- Track results and adjust as needed.
From there you can expand on what’s working, identify more audiences, more terms, and create more content, and slow down on what isn’t working. One important thing to keep in mind is that search engine optimization takes time and that you’re building your site’s reputation with the big search engines over time. Don’t give up on your strategy too soon and whatever you do, don’t throw in the towel.
Thank you Paul. Any suggestions on where to learn the basics of how SEO works?
How it works? Can you be a little more specific, Ben? You can check out some articles here – https://digitalmaestro.com/category/seo/
Solid advice as always, Paul. SEO is not one of my strengths so appreciate you breaking it down in understandable nuggets.
Things are easier when you understand them! Glad to help.
Great tips. I’m just starting to work on SEO for my blog and eCommerce site. I have an unusual niche and I’ll be looking at more common niches.
Thank you for sharing.
Having an uncommon niche makes SEO easier since there is less competition! Let me know if you have any questions.
Since my blog covers so many things from A to Z, my SEO is at best a secondary consideration. It’s far more important that my blog gets read far and wide- less so who reads it on a given day.
But, for most folks, who don’t go “hunting with a blunderbuss”, you are absolutely correct!
I agree – for some people, “being found” is not the reason they have a website, rather it is to disseminate information to folks that already know about you or you share the info with them.
Great summary of SEO… I’m not as organized as you are with SEO, but am getting some results with it! Thanks!
Just think of the possibilities once you get organized, Diana! Keep in mind that doing a little bit each time (or even after the fact) can get you better results. Take it slowly and try not to go crazy doing everything at once – that will surely make your bananas! (well, it would make ME bananas! LOL.)
I know it may be less than optimal, but after years of using YOAST SEO I find that it still helps me agree on key words and get them properly spaced within my blogs. Do you have a favorite program?
Yoast is great once you have your keywords identified. I use it on my sites (as well as my clients). There are several ways to get your keywords… Maybe that is a good training topic!?!?
Good suggestions. Identifying target audience and right strategy is crucial for growing the blog
It certainly helps to identify your target audience! A simple example of this: if your target is beginners in your niche, and you write an article that is fit for an expert you will lose your readers!
Thanks Paul. This is very helpful.
Great – glad it helped Veronica.