On Site SEO

Consider on-site SEO as preparing for a major presentation. Just as a Broadway show needs a good venue, Google checks your website content and structure for helpfulness. You'll also want excellent lighting and perfect staging for an amazing user experience.

Google emphasizes Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T), mentioning it 135 times in their 175-page Google Search Quality Guidelines. This highlights its significance in their assessment.

    Understanding On Site SEO
    Key Components of On-Site SEO
        Content is Still King
        The Art of the Title Tag
        Meta Descriptions: Your Page Summary
        Structuring Your Content with Headings
        URL Optimization
        The Power of Internal Linking
        External Linking, aka outbound links.
        The Visual Appeal: Image Optimization
        Page Speed: A Need for Speed
        Mobile-Friendliness Matters
        Schema Markup: Giving Search Engines Clues
    Advanced On-Site SEO
        Featured Snippets
        Keyword Research: Get Focused.
        Click Through Rate
    Putting It All Together: A Case Study
    On Site SEO Conclusion

On-page SEO, also known as on-site SEO, is about tweaking elements on your website. This can improve your search engine rankings and attract more of the right visitors—those who are likely to engage and convert.

This is different from off-page SEO (also called off-site SEO), which deals with factors outside of your website. While you have less direct control over off-page SEO, it still plays a significant role. This includes things like backlinks from trustworthy sites.

However, the adjustments we can make for improved results are primarily "on-page". Concentrating on on-page SEO is a wise decision, and improving elements on your actual pages is a practical first step for better SEO practices.

How do you start optimizing your site? Let's examine some key areas to improve your small business SEO strategy.

First, do a site audit. If you haven't done this yet, prioritize checking your setup before proceeding.

The value of high-quality, detailed content cannot be emphasized enough. Google's main goal is to give users the most useful and relevant answers to their questions.

Are you producing content that genuinely addresses what people are searching for? According to Google's How Search Works report, the most fundamental indicator is whether a page includes the same keywords as the search query. Make sure to do keyword research.

Avoid "thin" content; create something substantial that covers what your audience really seeks. Write as if you are speaking directly to someone. Creating relevant content helps with your SEO strategies and to rank higher.

The title tag is your website's first impression in search results. It appears in search results, social media posts, and browser tabs.

Should your title tag include your target keyword? Yes, but keep it brief. Including header tags within your content will allow titles and subtitles to be seen and comprehended easier.

Aim for around 50 to 60 characters to ensure your entire message is visible in search results. Backlinko's analysis of 5 million searches found a potential link between question-based title tags and increased CTR.

The meta description acts as a concise, engaging summary of your page. While it doesn't directly boost your rank, it significantly influences whether people click on your page. If your meta description doesn't match your content, Google will generate its own.

Consider users viewing search results on a small screen. Aim for your meta description to stand out, sticking to about 120 characters for full visibility on mobile. Use an active voice to convey the message directly and concisely.

Headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) serve as a guide for your content. These header tags assist both Google and visitors in navigating your work. Headings help visitors easily understand your content's structure, and they also inform Google about the page's content, supporting its ranking.

Large blocks of text might seem intimidating to your audience. Additionally, they can hinder search engine spiders from effectively locating your information. Optimizing elements within the page are essential.

Confusing URLs with random numbers are unclear. They can appear risky to click on.

Both users and search engines are human-like. Therefore, URLs should clearly state a webpage’s purpose, even without seeing its title tag. Ideally, include relevant search keywords in your URL structure for easy understanding.

Internal links effectively highlight key points and connect visitors with more of your content. This is a key part of your content strategy. This benefits both Google and user navigation, making it a valuable technique in on-site SEO.

Internal links enhance your overall SEO by promoting better navigation. Do not underestimate their importance in your on-site SEO practices. These links are crucial for connecting content within your domain.

Use external links when appropriate. Linking to reputable sources increases credibility and helps grow your brand.

External links offer three key advantages. They improve your trust, provide additional context for search engine comprehension, and boost your website's overall credibility from a user's perspective.

Images enhance the attractiveness of a blog or webpage. But they also provide additional advantages.

Images contribute to a significant amount of overall traffic. Google Images accounts for over 22% of all searches. It is a great tool that can boost seo if properly utilized.

Begin by writing helpful alt tags for displayed images. Using descriptive terms to explain the image's content helps search engines understand it too. Ensure image formats are optimized, avoiding excessively large sizes that could slow down loading times and negatively affect your results.

Nobody enjoys waiting for a website to load. Google acknowledges this, officially incorporating Page Speed as a signal in their ranking algorithm.

Page Speed has a direct impact on your site's usability. Google's statistics show that slow page load times cause visitors to leave before viewing your content.

There's strong evidence of this impact. For instance, when "eBay made specific improvements to above-the-fold content," they saw positive results as their "pages loaded 12% faster, leading to a 0.5% rise in “Add to cart” actions." This shows its importance for both large and small sites.

Many users will quickly navigate away if loading takes too long. A survey found that "1 in 4 visitors would abandon a website if it takes more than 4 seconds to load." Therefore, always consider loading times for your site. Additionally, 53% of users will leave a page if it takes longer than three seconds to load.

Don't neglect how your site appears and functions on various mobile devices. Websites need to adjust accordingly when accessed.

With mobile traffic accounting for approximately 60% of website visits, responsiveness is crucial. Evaluate whether all website elements are arranged in an easily understandable format. Navigation is especially important on mobile.

Schema markup is like directly explaining your content to search engines. It enhances and clarifies your information for website visitors. While it can be somewhat technical, it allows elements like business information or review stars to be prominently displayed, further assisting with SEO.

After addressing the basics, move beyond the standard methods. Now, let's explore more advanced techniques.

Typically located at the top of a SERP, Featured Snippets offer direct answers to user queries. Proper formatting and usability can help you rank higher with on-page SEO.

Obtaining a featured snippet can provide additional benefits. It might elevate a site's visibility and increase its CTR.

Focus on providing valuable content here. Use formats that Google favors, such as tables, steps, videos, and lists. Make a determined effort to address questions directly and satisfy user needs.

Using SEO tools like Moz, SEMRush, Ahrefs, and even Google can be beneficial. They help identify the questions users need answers to, helping to meet audience demands. During this research, concentrate on keywords relevant to your brand and the products you offer.

CTR provides feedback on your content's engagement and attractiveness. Always focus on creating engaging content. Implement formatting techniques that draw users in, from SERP displays to landing pages. The content on these pages should then continue to align with their expectations.

Suppose you operate a website that sells kitchen gadgets. Begin by enhancing the various elements on your pages using the effective methods discussed earlier. This will increase its appeal.

Develop comprehensive product descriptions. Optimize the alt text for product images, describing what is visually presented. Add or link internally to recipes that demonstrate the use of each device. Concentrate on improving your title, URL, and page speed.

Consider factors such as page load times, user intent, page layout, formatting, titles, and navigation. Focusing on these details significantly improves a website, ultimately attracting more users. As demonstrated, the more attention you pay to on-site SEO, the greater the potential long-term benefits.