Getting Started With SEO
Feeling like your website ranking is lacking? You're not alone. A recent study by SEMrush found that 75% of marketers feel their SEO efforts are only somewhat or not at all effective. But fear not, 2024 is your year to break free of search engine obscurity and rise to the top of the Google results page.
We have worked with a wide range of brands this year, helping them to boost their search engine rankings. This is our complete checklist for any SEO campaign in 2024 to guarantee success.
In this article, we'll ditch jargon and instead focus on giving you the tools and knowledge to boost your website to the top of the results page. Whether you're a seasoned SEO marketer or a newbie, this roadmap will teach you how to build a winning strategy that delivers results and increases your visibility.
Before Your Begin
What are your SEO goals?
First, you should establish what your business' goals are for an SEO. This can be many things, building a brand or a wanting more conversions for example. Knowing your goals helps you target the right keywords and content.
Competitor Analysis
Next, scope out your competitors and peers. What are industry trends? Who are your competitors? What search terms are people using to find businesses like yours?
This research helps you avoid putting all your effort into low search volume search terms, or keywords where the intent doesn't match your goals.
SWOT Analysis
Finally, do a quick SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. Are you great at writing content but lacking backlinks? A SWOT analysis can uncover any holes in your previous strategy that you can focus on in 2024.
Reflecting Previous SEO Campaigns
Time to get introspective. What content worked last year? Analyse your website traffic and see where users convert. This helps you understand what resonates with your audience.
You also need to regularly check in on what your target audience is searching for year on year. Maybe video content is skyrocketing in your industry, or podcasts are all the rage. Knowing your audience helps you create content that speaks their language and gets them to convert.
Building Your 2024 SEO Strategy
Keyword Research
Now comes the fun part: keyword research! Focus on what people are actually searching for, not just random words you think sound important. This helps you create content that people actually want to find.
Keyword research shouldn't be rushed, finding too many keywords is better than not enough. After your initial research you can whittle down a manageable list of keywords to target and build keyword clusters.
Keyword clusters ensure that your are not cannibalising your site by competing with yourself for the same keywords.
Content
Prioritising is key. Analyse what will have the biggest impact on your business goals, whether it's blog posts, infographics, video or something else. Plan your content accordingly by aligning it with your goals and keeping your audience in mind.
Each page should be optimised for a different keyword, whether it's a service page or blog post. Well-written copy signals to search engines that your website is authoritative and trustworthy, leading to higher rankings.
Technical SEO
Don't forget about your website's health, it has to be solid for a great SEO strategy in 2024! Technical SEO covers things like site speed and mobile-friendliness. Make sure your website is search engine-approved and user-friendly.
Tools like SEMRush and Google's Core Web Vitals can give you insight into any technical problems with your website. Google's algorithm prioritises mobile and fast load speed, so there are two factors you should focus on.
Link Building
Digital PR and backlinking are crucial. Awesome content posted on other websites with high domain authority can boost your website traffic and ranking. So, craft compelling stories and build relationships; it's a win-win!
Track Your SEO Success
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Monitor your progress regularly. What's working? What needs tweaking? Be flexible and adapt your strategy as needed.
Furthermore, transparency is key. Share your SEO wins (and not-so-wins) with your team and stakeholders. Clear communication keeps everyone on the same page and motivated.
Regular monitoring, transparent communication, and flexible adaptation will help you to achieve SEO success in 2024.
Final Thoughts
Treat this checklist as a springboard and tailor it to your unique business needs and goals. Above all, don't be afraid to experiment.
By following these steps and embracing a growth mindset, you'll transform your website from a dusty relic into a vibrant digital hub that attracts, engages, and ultimately converts your target audience.
Claim your rightful place at the top of the search engine rankings!
