What Should You Be Focusing On as a Newcomer to SEO?

When learning about search engine optimization (SEO) for the first time, it can seem pretty easy. However, the more you delve into the topic, and actually partake in it yourself, the more you come to understand how complex and competitive it can be.

You may be wondering how you can get the best out of your SEO experience, especially early on. Below are some of the top things to focus on.

Creating Quality Content

Content is king. The better the content you have, the more suitable your website will be search engine optimization-wise.

Creating quality content is not just about attracting people and keeping people on your website, but it’s also about looking good to search engines. If you use too many keywords, which is referred to as keyword stuffing, or have a habit of using keywords that are irrelevant, your search engine ranking will not be good.

Conducting Keyword Research

You may think you know what keywords to use, but in reality, there are several short- and long-tail keywords that you may not think of at the top of your head. The keywords you may not think of might actually be popular keywords worth using that will help draw more people to your website if utilized correctly.

Link Building

Link building is one of the best and often underrated strategies in SEO. By employing effective link building services, you can significantly enhance your organic ranking, increase traffic through referrals, and boost your website’s authority. Overall, link building extends your website's reach and bolsters the trust of your visitors. If you're interested in hiring a professional for link-building services, here's a list of some of the most recommended options.

Utilizing “Suggest” Keywords

When trying to decide which keywords to use that are popular and relevant, you may consider going to Google’s search engine for keyword suggestions. Simply begin typing in a term related to your website to find similar keywords that are often searched for by others. You’ll find a variation of different phrases and even questions real people are typing into Google.

Keeping Users from Pogo-sticking

Pogo-sticking is when people visit your website and then back out within a short period. This is bad for your SEO ranking as search engines may think your website is unauthoritative, spammy, or simply uninteresting and, thus, lower your ranking.

To prevent pogo-sticking, you’ll want to provide quality content, incorporate visuals like pictures and infographics, keep your keywords relevant to your website, ensure a fast load time on your pages, create an organized and simple layout for your website, and avoid too many ads or pop-ups. A mobile-friendly website can also help prevent pogo-sticking for mobile viewers.

The more you learn about SEO, the more overwhelming it can be. While it involves a lot of maintenance as well as trial and error, one thing is for sure: there are certain things you’re going to want to focus on as an SEO newbie. Some of those things include creating quality content, link building, and conducting solid keyword research.

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com