Usually, when people query a search on Google, they barely go past the first page. In this article, you’ll learn the best SEO practices to follow. This is why you need to make sure that your website ranks in the top 10 results that Google returns. You can find an SEO company to guide you on the right path and the strategies and techniques you can follow to rank higher & boost organic rankings & traffic.
Whether you decide to do it on your own or outsource SEO services in Malaysia, these practices are guaranteed to help you achieve higher search rankings:
1 Optimize your Page Speed
Pages that take so long to load make the website visitors feel very frustrated. As a result, your rank on search engines drops. Work on improving your load time, ultimately boosting your speed page speed. As a result, it is a great SEO practice to follow.
Some of the things that you should change to make your page load faster are:
- Enable browser caching
- Get rid of unnecessary plug-ins
- Reduce server response time
- Minimize the number of redirects
2 Optimize your Images
The images on your website significantly impact the user experience; when used correctly, they can improve your website’s overall SEO and thus boost your traffic. To optimize your images, you should:
- Choose the best file format. The most common formats are JPEG and PNG
- Consider image compression
- Try to lazy-load your images. This technique means that the photos will be loaded only when the users need them
3 Include keywords in URL: SEO Practices To Follow
Many people overlook the URL structure, which is a critical aspect of SEO. An adequately structured URL gives users and the search engine an idea of what the landing page is about.
Here are some essential tips to follow:
- Target Your Primary Keyword: Each webpage should ideally focus on a single primary keyword. When constructing your URL, prioritize incorporating this keyword towards the beginning of the URL structure. This helps search engines and users alike understand the content at a glance.
- Prioritize Readability: While keywords are crucial, remember that URLs also serve as user-facing navigation elements. Strive for clear and concise language within your URLs, using hyphens to separate words for improved readability. Avoid excessive numbers, special characters, and overly long URLs, as these can be confusing and deter clicks.
By following these practices, you can create SEO-friendly URLs that effectively communicate your content and enhance your website’s overall search engine optimization strategy.
4 Improve the Interface for a Better User Experience
Search engines observe the users’ behavior when they’re on your site. Is the interface user-friendly? How do the users behave in your content? Here are a few tips to improve the user experience:
- Firstly, make the content visually appealing
- Secondly, use sub-headings and lists
- Avoid using annoying pop-ups
- Finally, use white space Seo practices to follow
5 Write Compelling Tags and Meta Descriptions
These two are very important even though most people don’t realize it.
The title tags are the headlines people click on, and they’re “taken” to your webpage. These are very important in giving the user a clue about the content on the destination page. Ensure that the title tag is preferably less than 60 characters.
Meta descriptions are present underneath the title tag, and their primary function is to give the user a summary of the page’s contents. These descriptions play a huge role in influencing the click-through rate.
6 Align with Search Intent: SEO Best Practices
- What it is: Understanding the “why” behind search queries.
- How to use it: Identify your target keywords and research their intent. Are users looking for information, trying to buy something, or something else? Tailor your content to fulfill that specific intent.
- Example: If someone searches for “best running shoes,” they’re likely in the research phase and looking for information. Your content could be a buying guide with reviews and comparisons, not just product descriptions.
7 Optimize for Featured Snippets:
- What it is: Featured snippets, also known as answer boxes, are short summaries displayed at the top of search results for specific queries. These prime spots can significantly increase your website’s visibility and click-through rate.
- How to use it:
- Identify relevant questions: Conduct thorough keyword research to understand users’ specific questions about your target keywords. Tools like Google Keyword Planner and Answer the Public can be helpful for this purpose.
- Structure your content effectively: Answer these questions directly and concisely within your content, ideally within the first few paragraphs. Use clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points to improve readability and structure.
- Optimize for voice search: Since voice searches often use question formats.
SEO Best Practices To Follow Conclusion
There is so much competition that everyone hopes their content will rank on the first page of Google. That may seem like a vast and undoable task, but with practice, you are ready to stay ahead of the game.
Remember: SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. By consistently implementing these best practices and monitoring your progress, you can improve your website’s ranking and achieve long-term SEO success.
Bonus Tip: Utilize SEO tools and analytics platforms to track your progress, identify areas for improvement, and stay up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and best practices.