SEO can seem really confusing if you’re new to it. I should know – when I first started out, I had so many questions about how it all works!
But over the years, I’ve learned a ton about effective search engine optimization through hands-on experience and testing. I wanted to share the knowledge by tackling the 6 most common SEO questions I still get asked all the time.
Consider this your SEO FAQ cheat sheet! And, let’s discuss why it is best to hire Digital Marketing services in Delhi for the best SEO services.
How Do You Research and Choose Keywords?
Keywords are the foundation of SEO. These are the specific words and phrases people type into Google that you want your site to show up for.
If you sell basketball shoes, naturally you’ll want to rank for searches around “basketball shoes.” So you’d choose relevant keywords like:
- Basketball sneakers
- Performance basketball shoes
- Nike/Adidas/Under Armour basketball shoes
- Basketball shoes for men/women
- Best basketball shoes 2023
And so on. The possibilities are nearly endless for building a comprehensive keyword list!
My top tips for researching the best keywords are:
- Use Google’s free Keyword Planner tool to see monthly search volumes for terms related to your business. Look for ones with a high search volume.
- Study the keywords your competitors rank well for by using a tool like SEMrush.
- Look at Google autocomplete suggestions when you begin typing relevant keywords. The phrases it pop up can make great keywords too.
- Check out search trends on Google itself. What long-tail variations are gaining steam?
- Ask customers what phrases they use when searching for your products or services.
- Take the time upfront to really nail down the optimal keyword list. This makes the rest of the SEO process much smoother.
How Do You Optimize Individual Pages for Rankings?
Optimizing pages for your target keywords is all about using them strategically throughout each page. But you have to do it in a natural, helpful way – not just jamming them in everywhere like a keyword-stuffing maniac!
My tips for on-page SEO are:
- Focus on just one main keyword per page. This keeps things laser-focused.
- Work the page’s primary keyword into the title tag and page URL if possible. These hold a lot of weight.
- Include the keyword in the first 100 words of content, also known as the “snippet spot”.
- Use keywords in headings like H1 and H2 tags. Format them in bold and larger.
- Create useful, engaging content that answers questions for each keyword to establish your authority on those subjects.
- Sprinkle in related long-tail keywords and synonyms throughout the content as well. Vary it up.
- Add keywords to image filenames and alt text also.
- Format content with bullet points, numbered lists, and lots of paragraph breaks for scannability.
That’s the simplified checklist for optimizing individual pages to rank. Now just rinse and repeat this process across all important pages on your site.
What Are Backlinks and Why Are They Important?
Backlinks are inbound hyperlinks to your website from external sites.
Getting backlinks is crucial for SEO because it builds credibility in Google’s eyes.
Not all links are created equal though. To boost rankings, you want backlinks from authority sites with high domain authority.
For a basketball shoe site, examples might be:
- A feature in Sneaker News or Complex Magazine
- Mentions in roundups on authoritative sports sites like ESPN or Bleacher Report
- Links from the official sites of NBA teams
Ideally, you want a nice mix of link types:
- Editorial links from mentions in blogs, news sites, and reviews
- Links from directory listings for local SEO
- Links from social shares and user-generated content
- Strategic partnerships with related brands
Why Does Mobile Optimization Matter So Much?
Here are some mind-blowing stats:
- Over 60% of searches now happen on smartphones.
- Mobile results are Google’s top priority – they index those pages first.
- Poor mobile UX can hurt your rankings.
- Given those facts, optimizing for mobile search is mandatory.
Here are some key elements of good mobile SEO:
- A responsive site design so the layout reflows for mobile screens. No separate mobile URLs.
- Easy tap targets for touchscreens to ensure nothing is too small.
- Minimal horizontal scrolling since that aggravates users on small devices.
- Fast load speeds as mobile connections are often slower.
- Streamlined, minimal design to reduce cognitive load for users.
- Strong CTA buttons that stand out and are easy to tap.
- Test your site on multiple devices to catch issues. Google provides a free Mobile-Friendly Test you can run too.
Treat mobile SEO with the same urgency as desktop optimization from here on out.
Should You Learn SEO Yourself or Hire SEO consulting services India?
This depends on your abilities, available time, and business needs.
Learning SEO yourself has benefits:
- You save money by not paying agency fees for SEO Services.
- You build in-house expertise.
- You maintain full control and don’t rely on outsiders.
However, DIY SEO does have challenges:
- It can take years of testing and training to master all aspects of technical SEO.
- Scaling campaigns while juggling other marketing priorities is difficult.
- You miss out on an outside perspective on your website.
- If you need to kickstart growth quickly, hiring experienced digital marketing services in Delhi India may be the better move.
Agency pros include,
- Faster results thanks to existing SEO knowledge and best practices.
- More link building and content production bandwidth.
- Ongoing optimization and maintenance without added staff.
- Tools/data access and technical capabilities beyond a typical in-house team.
- A fresh set of eyes to evaluate your site objectively.
- Weigh the options carefully to decide which route is right for your situation. SEO consulting services India can turbocharge growth, but they do cost more than handling things in-house.
