Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of improving a website through unpaid tactics. These unpaid tactics, such as writing value-adding content and enhancing user experience, can increase visibility on a search engine, which in turn increases the amount of traffic.
The tricky thing, however, is that SEO is constantly changing. Powerful search engines, most notably Google, regularly release new algorithms that change the ranking factors for web pages. Because SEO is continuously evolving, it’s important to always keep up and continually enhance your website.
Today, we’re going to go over SEO best practices for 2020. With these tips, you’ll be able to optimize your page, so you become number one.
1. Aim for the featured snippet
A featured snippet is the little answer box that appears at the top of a search result. The featured snippet is commonly referred to as “position 0” and contains helpful information that answers the user’s query. The featured snippet can take many forms, including:
- A numbered or bulleted list
- A paragraph
- A chart
- A video
When writing content for your website, it’s important you aim to take control of the featured snippet. If you’re not an SEO specialist, investing in SEO services, such as an SEO company in San Diego, for example, can provide you with keyword research, title tags, tactics, and helpful information on how to rank well. Tips for getting the featured snippet including:
- Answering a question
- Using informational H2 tags and clear organization, such as a list or chart
- Answering the question immediately
- Using unique graphics and images
2. Optimize for voice search
With artificial intelligence becoming more prevalent and virtual assistants available at our fingertips, it’s essential you begin optimizing your content for voice search. You’ll see plenty of Apple users saying, “Hey, Siri” and Android users saying, “Okay, Google.” Doing so activates their virtual assistant who can answer questions they ask them. Users can even ask their home assistants questions, such as their Alexa and Google Home devices.
Voice search is much different than typing questions into search engine boxes. This is because when we speak, we use longer and more complex sentences, which causes search engines to work harder to find a relevant answer. Rather than focusing on short and choppy keywords, you want to focus on long-tail keywords that target specific questions to boost your SEO. This will help your page rank higher on search engine results pages, which can lead to more organic traffic.
3. Content is king
Keyword stuffing is a thing of the past. Rather than writing a blog about the best hairdryers and mentioning the term “hairdryer” in every sentence, Google and other search engines want to know you’re producing quality content that is informative, unique and helps users learn something.
When creating a website, you want to make sure your content ranks well. To do so, make sure it is clear, concise, and answers a user’s every question on the topic. There are a few types of content you can write, including product copy (400+ words), blog posts (1500+ words), and long-form articles (3000+ words). Each serves their own purpose, however, the more information-adding a piece is, the better. Stay away from salesy articles, as these types of posts seem less trustworthy and cause users to search somewhere else.
Make sure content is clearly organized with title tags, headers, lists, and sources, along with clean web design for your pages. Additionally, unique images are becoming more and more important in the eyes of Google. Rather than heading over to Shutterstock for a stock photo, hire a freelance graphic designer or take your own pictures for your blogs and posts.
4. Improve mobile UX
UX, or user experience, is another major component of SEO, especially in 2020. We’ve all been on a website that took what seemed like years to load. When this happens, users will click the back button and search somewhere else, resulting in the loss of a potential sale.
Today, more and more people are using their cellphones to make searches to find information, which means your website’s mobile design has to be user-friendly. On-page and off-page SEO tactics you can implement to improve mobile UX, follow these tips:
- Increase page speed by reducing the file size of images, videos, and other files
- Use larger text that makes information easier to read
- Add enough space between dropdown menus and other clickable links that make it easier for users to click
- Use only a few simple fonts and sizes
Mobile UX is especially important for business owners with localized brick and mortar locations. This is because most users use their cellphones to conduct local searches, such as “where’s the best pizza near me,” and “car detailers in Washington, D.C.,” which makes local SEO just as important.
Key takeaways
As you can see, SEO is crucial if you want your business to flourish. Whether you’re running a startup or a massive corporation, focusing on how to optimize your company’s website to rank well on search engines will do your business wonders. From creating compelling content to optimizing for voice searches, these SEO tips will keep you on top.