Search Engine Optimisation in Kent is tough, there’s no denying it. According to the Kent County Council website there are over 60,000 enterprises in Kent, and that isn’t including all of the self employed smaller businesses. The towns are filled with a density of businesses so it can be very hard to stand out in some areas. How can a website get more traffic via search engines? Well it can be as simple as consistently writing useful content in the form of blogs.
How to use blogs to get consistent website traffic from Google | SEO Web Development in Kent
No matter what website making tool or CMS you’re using, there is an opportunity to get website traffic via blogs. WordPress is the number one most used CMS on the internet so the chances are you’ll be using this tool. The benefits of this is that it comes with lots of other complementary tools that go with it. One of those tools is Yoast SEO, this will analyse your blog post to make sure it’s SEO optimised.
How often should I be writing a blog post?
This is often an area of debate amount digital markers and SEO experts, some simply say “as many as possible”, but it can actually be bad if you post too often. Research done by RockContent suggest posting a new blog two to four times per week, which is around 14 times a month. When posting this often, it could start to affect the quality of the content, and Google will always prefer quality over quality, it will be better to write one very good blog post then 5 average ones.
Only blog 2 – 3 times a week if:
- You have the time and resources to
- If you have enough ideas for good content
- If you are just starting out and have very little content to start with
How long does it take for Google to rank a blog post?
This is a question we get asking a lot and it’s very hard to answer. Although a blog post that is published onto a website will appear instantly, in order for it to actually appear on Google can rely on a number of factors:
- Relevance of content – this means if the content is of good quality and useful the user, the more useful the quicker it will rank
- Domain ranking/authority – this is an algorithm made by Google which determine how good a website is, the exact way this is determined is a secret, you can see how to improve your domain rank here.
- Quality of website – does it look good? Does it work well on mobile? Is it quick? Does it contain good content? And lots more.
- Level of competition from competitors – are there many other websites also competing for this type of content.
According to a study done by Ahefs – “95% of published pages don’t rank in the top 10 in the first year. The 5% of top performers who managed to rank in the top 10 took 61 to 182 days. Websites with a stronger backlink profile tend to perform better than those with weaker ones.”
How to rank high on Google in a competitive area?
Despite being in a competitive market you can still rank high on Google. For example if you are an accountant in Kent, you’ll be up agains hundreds or even thousands of others. Despite that you can outshine them by doing the following:
1. In-Depth Keyword Research
Start by conducting thorough keyword research. Identify the keywords and key phrases that your target audience is most likely to search for. Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to discover high-volume and long-tail keywords relevant to your business. Prioritize keywords with a balance between search volume and competition.
2. Create High-Quality Content
Content is king in the world of SEO. Develop informative, valuable, and unique content that addresses the needs and interests of your audience. Consider creating long-form content, such as in-depth guides, tutorials, and case studies, which tend to perform well in competitive niches. Make sure your content is well-structured, easy to read, and optimized for both users and search engines.
3. Optimize On-Page SEO
Ensure your website is well-optimized for search engines. This includes optimizing title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and image alt tags with your target keywords. Make sure your website loads quickly and is mobile-responsive, as Google considers these factors when ranking websites. We have a blog post on Best Practices for WordPress Development in Kent read it here.
4. High-Quality Backlinks
In competitive niches, high-quality backlinks play a crucial role in SEO success. Build a strong backlink profile by obtaining links from reputable and relevant websites. Focus on natural link-building strategies such as guest posting, content outreach, and creating linkable content that others in your industry will want to reference.
5. Local SEO (if applicable)
If your business serves a local area, ensure your local SEO is top-notch. Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing, encourage customer reviews, and ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information is consistent across all online platforms.
6. Monitor Your Competitors
Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing. Analyze their SEO strategies, content, and backlink profiles. Identify gaps and opportunities in your approach and aim to outperform them in those areas.
7. User Experience (UX) Matters
User experience is a significant factor in SEO. Google rewards websites that provide a positive user experience. Ensure your site is easy to navigate, has fast load times, and is secure (with HTTPS). Offer engaging and user-friendly content to keep visitors on your site longer.
8. Patience and Consistency
SEO is a long-term game. It takes time to see significant results, especially in competitive industries. Be patient and consistent in your efforts, continually monitoring your progress and making necessary adjustments.
9. Analytics and Tracking
Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s performance. Monitor your rankings, traffic, and conversion rates to identify what’s working and where improvements are needed.
10. Adapt and Evolve
The digital landscape and SEO algorithms are constantly evolving. Stay up-to-date with industry trends and Google’s algorithm updates. Be ready to adapt your strategy to remain competitive.
What are backlinks and how much does it affect SEO?
Backlinks, often referred to as “inbound links” or “incoming links,” are links from one website to another. They are a fundamental component of SEO and play a crucial role in influencing a website’s search engine ranking. Understanding what backlinks are and how they impact SEO is essential for anyone looking to improve their online visibility.
What Are Backlinks?
In simple terms, backlinks are like digital endorsements. When a website links to another, it is essentially vouching for the quality and credibility of the linked site. These links can come from a variety of sources, including other websites, blogs, social media platforms, or online directories. Backlinks are seen as “votes of confidence” by search engines, indicating that the linked website is authoritative and relevant.
How Do Backlinks Affect SEO?
Backlinks have a profound impact on SEO for several reasons:
- Authority and Credibility: Search engines like Google consider backlinks as a signal of a website’s authority and credibility. Websites with a high number of quality backlinks are more likely to be seen as reliable sources of information.
- Improved Search Engine Ranking: Websites with a strong backlink profile tend to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). Search engines assume that if other reputable websites link to your content, it must be valuable and worthy of a higher ranking.
- Relevance: Backlinks from websites within the same niche or industry carry more weight. They indicate that your content is relevant to your specific field and help you establish expertise in your area.
- Traffic Generation: Backlinks not only boost your SEO but can also bring direct referral traffic to your website. Users clicking on these links are likely to be interested in your content, potentially leading to increased engagement and conversions.
- Diversification: A diverse backlink profile, featuring links from different domains and sources, is more valuable. It demonstrates that your content is appreciated by a broad audience and reduces the risk of penalties from search engines for having an unnatural backlink pattern.
- Quality Over Quantity: The quality of backlinks matters more than the quantity. High-quality backlinks from reputable, authoritative websites have a more significant impact on SEO than numerous low-quality links.
Building a Strong Backlink Profile
To leverage the SEO benefits of backlinks, it’s essential to focus on quality and relevance. Here are some strategies to build a strong backlink profile:
- Create High-Quality Content: Valuable and engaging content naturally attracts backlinks from other websites.
- Guest Posting: Contribute guest posts to authoritative websites in your niche with a link back to your site.
- Outreach and Relationship Building: Reach out to influencers and website owners in your industry to request backlinks or collaborations.
- Link-Worthy Assets: Develop resources, infographics, and research that are likely to be cited and linked to by others.
- Monitor Your Backlinks: Regularly check your backlink profile to ensure that the links are of high quality and that there are no toxic or spammy links.
In summary, backlinks are a critical element of SEO that significantly impacts a website’s search engine ranking. They are like digital recommendations that vouch for a website’s authority and credibility. Building a strong and diverse backlink profile through ethical practices can lead to improved visibility, more traffic, and ultimately, higher rankings in search engine results.