In 2021, 93% of online experiences start with a search engine, while an astounding 75% of people never scroll past that first search page. In other words, the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) is very much out of the bag, and it’s never been more of a business focus than in these increasingly competitive times.
The fact is that, if you don’t focus on visibility right now, your company could slip so far down search rankings that it falls out of favor altogether. Overcome that risk by thinking about ways to get search engines onside. Specifically, businesses or bloggers utilizing WordPress can benefit from considering WordPress SEO tactics that open them to the wide range of benefits on the table, including –
- Increased traffic
- Higher close rates
- Better user experiences
- Improved search rankings
- Brand credibility
- Lower costs
- And more
Luckily, there are plenty of simple ways to work SEO into your WordPress activities right away, including keywords, images, and other obvious additions. Diving even further, even seemingly complex WordPress SEO is easy enough to implement, as you’ll see by considering these four top tips –
Content that covers all your bases
Content creation should be at the heart of not only your site but also your WordPress SEO focus. After all, regular, long-form content is the best and simplest tool you have in your arsenal, and it’s guaranteed to make a difference.
That’s because Google’s algorithms, while sometimes mysterious, do have a clear preference for useful information. Regular updates prove that you’re on the cutting edge, and thus more relevant than sites that haven’t changed/updated in six months or more.
Let’s get together with links
Much as you might like to believe it, no website is an island. Google knows this as well as you do. That said, no link is created equal, and it’s fundamental that you know what works (and more importantly what doesn’t) before you deep dive into this method.
Specifically, too many links can leave posts looking spammy rather than successful, and Google will surely penalize for it. On the other hand, too few links, or links with too much of an external focus, could also be your undoing.
As far as the ‘ideal’ link setup goes, you should utilize useful, relevant external links alongside no-follow links and external focuses. That way, you can boost search value while ensuring that all that linking juice stays very much in your WordPress SEO cup.
Perfecting permalinks
While we’re on the subject of links, permalinks are the permanent links (see what they did there?) to any unique page on your WordPress site. Designed to last for years without risk of so-called ‘link rot,’ these are invaluable SEO tools themselves, but the form that they take matters.
After all, like your content, the key words utilized in your permalinks will largely dictate whether you appear in search rankings or not. Most notably, numeric or date-based options can altogether fail to rank organically.
Luckily, WordPress has your back here, with a range of permalink options that you should always turn to. The best of these options is, by far, the straightforward ‘name’ structure, ensuring that your post ranks when someone searches keywords relating to your post itself, rather than the date you uploaded it.
The power of plug-ins
It’s fair to say that plug-ins are non-negotiable when it comes to WordPress SEO. Luckily, there are plenty to choose from with many free options on the table. Unluckily, the sheer selection on offer can make this an overwhelming task.
The best options are those that offer comprehensive SEO services, including Sitemaps, optimization, social media sharing, and more. Best to keep in mind are big-hitters such as AIOSEO, Yoast, and SEMRush. Ultimately, though, the best plug-in depends on your specific site and needs, so don’t hesitate to consider even lesser-known options that could offer a more specialized SEO service.
Supercharge your WordPress SEO today
These are just the tip of the WordPress SEO iceberg, but with implementation possible today, they can get you off on the best possible footing for improved search rankings and traffic straight away. And, once you’re enjoying the benefits of these efforts, you can look into further considerations like sitemaps, hosting, and responsive designs for guaranteed search engine performance at last.