How to Boost SEO
Learn how to boost SEO with proven strategies I've successfully implemented as an SEO consultant. These techniques will help raise your Google ranking, increase your site's visibility, and drive more traffic to your content.
SEO is still one of the most effective ways to drive traffic to your site. Despite what some may say, it's far from obsolete. For those wondering about the current state of search engine optimization, you can explore my thoughts in Is SEO Dead?
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Use SEO Tools
Using search engine optimization tools can make your job a whole lot easier, especially when you’re just starting out. Most of these tools offer tiered pricing, including free (but limited) plans, so you can explore them without committing right away.
When I first started learning SEO, I experimented with Ubersuggest, Keywords Everywhere, and Semrush. Semrush quickly became my go-to tool for keyword research because of its user-friendly interface. Now, it’s something I use multiple times a day to:
Track performance: Semrush allows me to monitor my clients' organic search traffic over time, helping me gauge if we’re on the right track or if adjustments are needed.
Find keyword opportunities: The keyword overview tool in Semrush is invaluable. It lets me see the search volume and difficulty for any keyword at a glance, making it easier to choose the best ones for articles.
Monitor backlinks: Keeping an eye on backlinks is crucial for understanding the authority and influence of a website, and SEMrush provides a clear view of where those links are coming from.
This is an example of a Semrush domain overview—a screenshot I took this morning of a website I manage. We're currently experiencing a surge in organic search traffic after I updated eight posts over the past two months. I monitor these metrics weekly (okay, sometimes daily) to ensure we're on the right track.
I know other bloggers and SEO specialists who swear by tools like Keysearch and Ubersuggest. My advice? Try them all and see which ones align best with your goals and budget. What works best for one person might not be the perfect fit for another, so it’s worth exploring your options.
Research Your Competitors
Anyone conducting business knows the importance of staying ahead of the competition. I use Semrush to identify my clients' top competitors—typically, these are websites that rank highly for keywords within the same niche.
But you don't always need an advanced tool to get started. A simple Google search can also reveal who’s ranking for the keywords you want to target. This basic step can give you a quick overview of who your main competitors might be.
Once I’ve identified the competition, I review their content. By analyzing their articles, blog posts, and overall content strategy, I can pinpoint what’s working well for them—whether it's the topics they cover, the keywords they use, or the way they structure their content. This analysis often reveals gaps in your own strategy, providing opportunities to create content that fills those voids. It also serves as a source of inspiration for new content ideas that can set you apart and help you outperform your competition.
Update Your Website
No matter how great your content is, it won’t matter if no one sticks around long enough to see it. That’s why website optimization is so important. If your website is slow to load, especially on the homepage, visitors are likely to get frustrated and leave before even engaging with your content. This can lead to a high bounce rate, which negatively impacts your SEO.
To keep visitors on your site, ensure it’s optimized for speed, mobile-friendliness, and easy navigation. A logically structured site with a smooth user experience encourages visitors to explore more pages, reducing bounce rates and increasing engagement.
Regular updates to your website and blog content are also essential. Think of it as keeping the lights on—Google’s crawlers notice when a site is actively maintained and updated, and they’re more likely to prioritize your content in search results. These updates don’t have to be major; even small tweaks can make a difference.
Another SEMrush screenshot for the win! This is from a current client I began working with in April 2023. Over six months, we updated over 100 blog posts and published only three new ones. The result? A significant increase in organic traffic, all from optimizing old content. If you're interested in how this strategy can work for you, sign up for a free consultation.
One effective strategy is to implement internal linking. As you make new posts, link to older but relevant posts. Connecting similar posts guide visitors to more of your content. It also helps search engine crawlers index your site more effectively.
And my personal pet peeve are broken links. Routinely check for and fix broken links to ensure a seamless experience for both users and website crawlers.
Maintain Your Social Media
While you’re waiting for Google to crawl your site, take proactive steps to promote your content on social media. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (sorry, I just can’t call it “X”), Threads, and Pinterest are powerful tools for driving traffic to your blog.
An engaged audience is more likely to follow you across multiple platforms, so staying active and interacting with your followers is crucial. Include a direct link to your website in your profile bios, share your latest blog posts on Instagram stories, and create compelling Pinterest content that encourages clicks back to your site.
Don’t underestimate Pinterest—it’s more than just a platform for aesthetics. If you create pins that solve problems, you’re far more likely to generate click-throughs.
By keeping your social media presence lively and interactive, you not only boost traffic but also cultivate a loyal audience eager to see what you’ll share next.
Create Valuable Content
The most effective way to improve your Google search ranking is by consistently creating high-quality content. But what does that really mean? Start by understanding your audience—figure out what’s relevant to them, what they’re looking for, and what problems they need solved. Then, create content that directly addresses those needs.
Quality content is clear, concise, and thoroughly answers questions. Focus on question-based keywords and ensure your content delivers the answers people are searching for. Sounds straightforward, right? But let’s look at how this works in practice.
I had a client who wanted to write a blog post about yams—a keyword with high search volume but tough competition. To stand out, I knew we had to do more than just create another yam recipe. I started with thorough keyword and competitor research, but I also used common sense and curiosity to craft the content.
In the post, we explained what candied yams are, the difference between yams and sweet potatoes, and why "yam recipes" typically use sweet potatoes. The result? My client’s post now ranks in the top 3 for candied yams and has become one of their top traffic-generating blog posts.
When it comes to length, aim to publish long-form content where appropriate, as it tends to perform better in search results. For my clients, I typically write blog posts ranging from 750 to 2,000 words, depending on the topic.
How to Boost SEO: Final Thoughts
Improving your SEO is all about consistent effort across several key areas. Start by using SEO tools to track your progress and uncover opportunities. Keep an eye on your competitors and learn from what they’re doing well. Regularly update your website to ensure it’s optimized for speed and user experience. Promote your content on social media to drive traffic while you wait for Google to take notice. Finally, focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that answers your audience’s questions. By following these strategies, you’ll see steady improvements in your Google ranking and website traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Regularly updating your website, at least once a month, is ideal. Even small tweaks like refreshing old content or adding internal links can signal to Google that your site is active and relevant.s here
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While long-form content (1,500-2,500 words) tends to perform well, the key is quality. Make sure your content thoroughly answers the reader’s questions, regardless of length.
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Use tools like SEMrush or Ubersuggest to identify keywords with high search volume and low competition. Focus on keywords that are relevant to your content and target audience.
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Internal linking helps search engine crawlers understand the structure of your site and index your pages more effectively. It also keeps visitors engaged by guiding them to related content.
