search engine optimization

Is SEO Still a Factor in 2021

January 19, 2021 by Erica

Many people are wondering if search engine optimization (SEO) is still a factor in 2021. While we already know that the internet serves as an essential tool for communication, we’re left to wonder just how essential it is. However, with the global pandemic, more companies than ever have been forced online. This has accelerated our dependence on search engines to find what we’re looking for. In short: yes, SEO is still a factor in 2021. But what does this mean?

The Importance of Organic Traffic

Now that Google has undergone a lot of algorithm updates and changes to their search results pages (SERPs), old techniques no longer work. Unfortunately, the result is that even some well-established companies with big budgets have struggled to get organic traffic here. This is because it takes much more than great content to get a good ranking in the SERPs today. Nevertheless, doing so is more important than ever if you’re interested in reaping long-term results.

Studies have shown that more than half of the traffic a website receives is from organic sources. This is only one of the many ways organic traffic will benefit you, though. Other ways include:

People head to Google first when they want to buy a product or service. This is especially true when someone is making a big purchase.
When you invest in SEO services, you’re investing in long-term results. Once you’re ranked high in the SERPs, you’ll stay there as long as you maintain your website.
With high rankings come more customers and more sales. If you’re a local business, this will be especially important for you.
Since people trust Google to provide them with the most relevant information, ranking high in their SERPs means you’ll get a lot more traffic. People will be able to find you here, no matter what time of day it is or where they’re located.

What Is Dead in 2021

Some of the techniques that worked for search engine optimization in the past no longer work today. This is because Google’s algorithm updates have done a lot when it comes to getting rid of poor-quality content. While these updates have also made it more competitive to get organic clicks, they’ve also brought some new opportunities with them for things, such as videos and high-quality content. These are things that the new, more sophisticated Google can distinguish now more than ever.

Things that worked to generate traffic in the past, such as spammy backlinks, copied content, keyword stuffing, and clickbait headlines, will no longer propel your website to the top of the SERPs. Google can easily detect spam, so these practices will no longer work. Now you need a fast, reliable website that’s optimized for mobile devices.

These updates have sent a lot of self-proclaimed SEO services who considered themselves experts scrambling. This is because the techniques they were using are no longer helpful for websites. These techniques are more likely to get your website penalized, something that’ll make it even more difficult for your website to rank well in the SERPs.

SEO in 2021

If you’re still wondering if SEO is a factor in 2021, you should know that it is worth every bit of your effort. However, you need to know how to do things correctly if you want to benefit from it. This isn’t something that everyone is going to be able to do. In fact, it can quickly become a full-time job.

If you want to make your way to the top of the search engines, contact us at Web Content Development. At Web Content Development, we have 20 years of experience, and we will be more than happy to help you. Reach out to us!

The ABC’s of SEO

November 13, 2018 by Erica

How do you get clicks? Easy! You get clicks by putting out content that makes readers want to read on your page. But wait! A lot of different websites and business already understand this strategy and have put it into practice. So how do you get readers to click to your content vs all the others? Well, that’s the trick. SEO (search engine optimization) is exactly what it sounds like.

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Content: The Goal of Positioning in Google

December 12, 2016 by Erica

Writing effective, high-quality content can be challenging. One the one hand, content must be optimized for search engines so that it can help increase a website’s SEO. On the other hand, content that is optimized only for search engines and does not appeal to your target audience will still fall flat. In order to be truly effective, then, one has to provide content that appeals to their target audience, while also working to position them well in major search engine results–like Google or your positioning in Google.

Writing Content for Positioning in Google

While creating quality content takes skill, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Content needs to appeal to the target audience and solve a problem in such a way that also increases the site’s search engine optimization or SEO. First, they must find commonly used keywords that relate to their products or services. Then, they select one or a few keywords that best work to communicate their business. Next, they write content that uses those keywords sufficiently, without “keyword stuffing” the content. Effective, high-quality content places at the top of the page for search results, where people read it before sharing it with contacts on Twitter, Facebook, their personal blogs and other social media sites.

Quality content will cause readers to buy a product or service, subscribe to a list, or take some other action that can lead to future purchases. It is through a gripping headline, followed by well-chosen and written words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs that content can persuade readers to consider and take action. This sort of content is useful, interesting and consistent, bringing readers back time and time again.

Search Engines as Tools for SEO

Many consider Google as one of the top search engines. Many view it as the key place for individuals to work on increasing their SEO. Google place certain pages at the top of search results based on authority and relevance of the page. They analyze the content to discover how often the writer uses the keywords in that content. Then, they determine how many trustworthy links direct users to that page. Creating quality content loaded with keywords that solves a problem positions a website well in Google search results.

While perhaps confusing at first, SEO often makes all the difference in bringing visitors to your site. We can help situate your website to optimal standards so you can watch your site traffic and sales grow. Keeping new and original content published on your website gives you an edge over competitors.