The world of search, especially Google search, has seen significant changes since its launch on September 4, 1998. With each update, Google comes closer and closer to delivering its viewers exactly what they want on the first page of most any search results.
So how do you, as a professional marketer appease the Google gods in-order to secure your ranks desired within today’s search results?
If your answer revolves around using outdated methods that used to work, then you lose. That’s why you want to be sure to target what Google wants today within each post you send into their index.
FIX #1: Crafting Your Pages Title
Page titles used to be all about getting your keyword into position. In fact, if you use that funny looking pipe symbol [|] you can include your keyword phrase twice.
Yesterday, that worked.
Today, it’s called keyword stuffing and won’t result in your winning favor with Google.
That’s why I write my content first, think about my niche focus and then create the title reflective of the entire user experience. The user experience that you present is super important compared to keyword stuffing of yesteryear.
It is okay to use the keyword in the title if the flow fits. Just don’t force it into position at the peril of your viewer’s interest.
While creating your title, be sure to keep its length under 65 characters.
Title generators can also be very useful in creating titles that bring the initial spark to your entire project. Here are 7 free title generators that will help you take your post to the next level and beyond in the eyes of your viewers.
FIX #2: Working with Permalinks
Even in days of ole, the permalink often went unnoticed when it shouldn’t have.
Bloggers would focus on the title, content and even meta data thanks to Yoast. However, when it came to the permalink piece many people didn’t even know what it was.
Let’s set the record straight.
Permalinks are the URL identification of each page or post on a person’s site. It consists of a variety of elements.
Here is a full URL:
https://www.onpointinternetmarketing.com/build-a-strong-online-presence
The domain itself is represented by the first part of its structure.
https://www.onpointinternetmarketing.com
If a category has been created and is set to show it will be the next portion of the URL. In this case either there is no category or its display has been turned off.
The final piece of the URL identifies the actual page or post being targeted.
build-a-strong-online-presence
It is okay to have the keyword show within this part but more importantly is to make sure that the permalink is very easy to read.
Once the title is put into place the permalink is automatically formulated. I believe that is part of the reason that people don’t think about this when creating a new post or page.
The title for this page is:
BUILD A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE USING THIS 3 PRONGED APPROACH
If I left the entire title in place within the permalink it would become extremely cumbersome and ugly. However, trimming it down to just a few words like what is presented above will make everything look so much better.
FIX #3: How Content Optimization Changed
Do you think that the best content on the Web includes a keyword density between 2% & 3%?
Do you think that your keyword MUST appear in the first and last 100 words of your page?
Do you think that every image included on your page or post must be optimized to your exact keyword phrase?
Think again.
Those thoughts come from yesteryears Google algorithms and won’t do you any good in today’s organic rankings.
Today, you want to focus on content that is user friendly and contains between 1 and 2K of content, with more being better.
Other points to keep in mind include how your content flows.
- Short paragraphs
- Bullets and numbering
- Bolding
Anything you can do to make the article really come alive in the eyes of your viewer is what you should be doing. If you’re going to include your keyword I would not do it more than twice. Once in the beginning and again anywhere else in your article.
FIX #4: Correctly Formatting Images
Images don’t matter because Google can’t read them, right?
Not exactly.
There is no point to completing caption or description properties of your image. Correct?
Incorrect.
Images are a very important ranking factor for your website. The more attention you take to ensure your media is formatted correctly, the better it will be overall for you and your rankings on Google.
Everything starts with naming your image in a way that identifies it as well as targeting your preferred keyword. This does not mean using the exact keyword but something related to it. This is what is called LSI (latency semantic indexing) and Google likes it when it is used on created posts and pages.
We’ve all heard about naming the ALT tag. It is important.
What you may not know is that the description and caption are also monitored by Google. They are part of Google’s desire for accessibility to the blind as their machines can read what you write in those areas.
Caption’s also drive viewer engagement.
Many people read what is under the images first and base the results of their experience there to determine if the entire article will be a worthwhile read. That’s why I recommend using 2 to 3 sentences under each key image. It drives audience interest.
Final Thoughts About Fixing On-Page SEO Problems In 2018
We’ve covered core components related to on-page SEO strategies in 2018 when creating your content.
- Creating titles that matter.
- Correctly formatting permalinks.
- Content creations that empower results.
- Claiming image optimization power.
- Invest in a white hat SEO link building service
They all are possible, just think about your client or customer first rather than how your work will affect Google’s algorithms upon their spiders visit. The bottom line point to keep in mind is that you need to get started in-order to see your deserved and desired results come to fruition.
What’s changed in your own SEO efforts in 2018?
What’s remained the same?
Let’s all climb the rankings on Google’s organic search results together.
SEO vs. PPC – What Do You Choose?