Major SEO factors list

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is super important, although I may be biased. If you want to be found online, that’s how you improve your visibility and attract organic traffic. Understanding and implementing effective SEO strategies can significantly enhance a website’s performance in search engine results.

Let’s take a look at some of the most important factors when it comes to SEO.

Introduction to SEO

Think that once you launch a website, you’ll just show up in Google? You may, but if you want more people to find you, you need SEO.

SEO is the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). By improving a website’s visibility, SEO drives more organic traffic, which can lead to increased conversions and business growth. The main goal of SEO is to ensure that a website meets the criteria that search engines use to rank content, making it easier for users to find the information they need.

Many marketing providers provide very basic SEO tools, work, and resources. But if you want good results, you should invest additional time or money into your SEO.

SEO research and analysis

While the role of keywords and key phrases has changed a lot in recent years, research is still the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. SEO research involves identifying the terms and phrases that potential customers use to search for products or services related to your business. However, modern SEO goes beyond just matching keywords; understanding search intent is crucial.

Search intent refers to the reason behind a user’s search query. It can be categorized into four main types: informational (seeking information), navigational (looking for a specific website), transactional (intending to make a purchase), and commercial investigation (researching products before buying).

Instead of focusing solely on exact keyword matches, SEO should aim to address the underlying intent of the search query. This ensures that the content not only ranks well but also effectively meets the users’ needs.

Some tools and techniques for SEO research

Google Keyword Planner: Helps identify popular search terms and their search volumes, but you need a Google Ads account.

Ahrefs: Provides insights into keyword difficulty and search volume.

SEMrush: Offers comprehensive keyword research tools, including competitor analysis.

Google: Of course, you can also use the actual Google search to discover keywords and key phrases.

By understanding and targeting the right keywords and search intent, you can start the process of attracting more relevant traffic to your website.

High-quality content creation

Content is a critical component of SEO. High-quality, engaging content not only attracts visitors but also encourages them to stay longer and explore more pages, which positively impacts SEO.

Here are some best practices to follow.

Address Search Intent: Ensure your content answers the questions and meets the needs of your audience. For example, a blog post titled “How to Choose the Best Running Shoes” should provide comprehensive advice and tips, addressing the informational intent of the search query.

Keyword Integration: Naturally incorporate keywords into your content, including titles, headings, and body text, without overstuffing.

Content Structure: Use clear headings, subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to improve readability.

Engaging Media: Include images, videos, and infographics to make content more engaging and visually appealing.

Tweak Any AI Content: Never use any AI-generated content exactly as-is. Give it a lot of good information at the beginning, then edit liberally before publishing it.

Creating content that aligns with search intent and provides value to users is key to achieving better rankings and driving more organic traffic.

Technical SEO factors

Technical SEO refers to the backend optimizations that help search engines crawl and index a website more effectively. It’s all about your server, your code, and how the backend of your website is set up. Ensuring your website is technically sound is essential for improving visibility and performance in search engine results.

Here are some key technical SEO factors.

Site Speed: A fast-loading website enhances user experience and can positively impact search rankings. Tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights can help identify areas for improvement.

Mobile-Friendliness: With the increasing use of mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is crucial. Ensure your site is responsive and provides a good user experience on all devices.

Crawlability and Indexability: Ensure that search engines can easily crawl and index your website. This involves optimizing your site’s architecture, using a proper sitemap, and avoiding duplicate content issues. And please make sure “no-index” is turned off.

By focusing on these technical aspects, businesses can ensure their websites are optimized for both search engines and users, leading to better performance and higher rankings.

Need SEO help?

Our team at Backslash Creative helps with all of these areas and more. If you’d like help with SEO for your company or nonprofit, let’s talk and see how we can help you.

Reach out today!