Whether you use an eCommerce platform or a blogging one, you must own an SEO-friendly website. If you want to make the most out of your site, it should be accessed by hundreds and thousands of people. To do that, you should ensure that your platform has excellent SEO.
If you are looking to learn how to make your website receive better search engine positions, this article has a 7-step process that you can follow. It will help you out so that your website can get a better reach and more clicks.
7 Steps to Make A SEO-Friendly Website
To make your website get a better ranking and appear more attractive to search engine algorithms, there are several tasks that you can do. You can optimize existing HTML elements or incorporate social media functionalities. You can also improve your website’s overall user interface and user experience.
If you want a more detailed, step-by-step process, here is a list that you can follow. With this, your website will not only become SEO-friendly but will also become user-friendly.
1. Optimize HTML Elements
When it comes to websites, they are filled with codes like JavaScript, CSS, or HTML. When it comes to search engine optimization, HTML elements are prioritized. This is because you use HTML elements to signal various parts of your websites.
From headings to image alternative tags, here are the HTML elements that you can keep an eye out for.
Headings
When it comes to every web page’s content, headings are essential parts. Search engine site crawlers read headers. They are also one of the first things that a potential visitor can read.
You should make sure that you have the Header 1 tag for every page. The primary heading will show the search engine bots what the page’s content is about. You should also ensure that these H1 tags are unique for each page. Otherwise, it can make your website less SEO-friendly.
Aside from that, learn about the other heading tags, too. While they are not the most important headers, they can still be helpful, too. If you follow the correct hierarchy and use them properly, it will increase your website’s readability and SEO performance.
Meta Description
Another HTML element that you should watch out for is the meta description. Search engines use the meta description tag to provide a brief overview of your page. When you find your website in search results, you will read the meta description that you have written.
To make the most out of the meta description, you should include your target keyword. You can also use one to two related keywords if they flow organically. When making them, keep them brief and straightforward. It is recommended that you limit it to 155 characters only.
Titles
Like the content of your meta description tag, your title tag is also displayed in search engine page results. Since you can – and you should – only use a single title tag for every web page, you should make sure that they count. Not only will they be the ones to catch the attention of interested individuals, but search engine bots also give them great weight.
When creating your titles, you can use them to their potential by including your website brand and your target keyword. It would be best to try to veer away from generic titles. Try to make them unique, short, and informative.
Image Alternative Texts
When you place images on your website, you might realize an alt-text is included in its HTML element. While you might have overlooked it before, you should try to utilize it now. Image alternative tags can be an excellent way for you to increase the overall SEO of your page.
Try to include keywords for your alternative text instead of using default tags or keeping it blank. Try to keep them at a short length, too. They should not go over 60 characters for best results.
2. Utilize internal links
You might have only considered external links and backlinks when it comes to links for search engine optimization. If you do, you are making a drastic oversight. Internal links may not be as powerful as external ones, but they can bring a significant difference to your website’s search engine results, too.
Internal links can help ensure that site crawlers can navigate your site correctly. With the correct placement, internal links can also be free advertisements for other website pages that site visitors can click. For every webpage, try to include at least one internal link. If possible, two to three links are the best.
3. Rename URLs
If you visit other websites, you might appreciate it more when they do not use default URL addresses. The same thing happens for visitors to your website and the search engine bots. URLs are best when they are readable and use natural language.
When you rename URLs, you must make sure that they are descriptive and unique. Using the same address for different pages can cause a bug for your website. Keeping them short and structured can also make them more SEO-friendly.
4. Make the Most Out of Your Keywords
The keywords you use in your websites are the ones that determine which search engine results pages you will show up. When you choose your keywords, you should ensure that they are related to your current niche. This is not only for search engine optimization, but this can also ensure that you reach your target audience first and foremost.
Make sure that you adequately research keywords. Try to categorize the keywords that you found into two. There are focus keywords that are going to be your primary targets. There are also content keywords that you place for your content pages.
5. Create Quality Content
It does not matter whether you offer services or products on your website. No matter what site you own, it should have a dedicated page for content. If you want to rank high in search engine results, this is one of the most important things you should focus on. Content can populate keywords for your website, which is vital in making it SEO-friendly.
When you perform content creation, there are various things that you should keep in mind. While they should contain keywords, you should avoid keyword stuffing. You should also keep away from duplicating and plagiarizing content. To keep the interest of potential site visitors, your content should also have some variety. Do not only focus on one thing. Try out blogs, infographics, lists, and videos.
6. Improve Website User Interface and User Experience
Since human beings use search engines, search engines prioritize websites enjoyed by individuals who use the internet. Because of this, you must improve both the user interface and the user experience of your website. Remember that these two things should go hand in hand to get the best results.
User Navigation
One user experience element that you should focus on is user navigation. With excellent navigation, potential site visitors will have an easy time moving from page to page on your website. It can also let them reach all existing pages for your site. Aside from being an advantage for your guest, it is also something that would greatly assist search engine bots.
Site Responsiveness
While computers were the only available gadgets used to access the internet in the past, that cannot be said for the present time. With so many available devices in stores, people can use different types to access the internet and search engines.
Because of this, the person visiting your website may be using a mobile phone instead of a computer. If your site does not render properly there, they will leave your site and look for mobile-friendly alternatives. To avoid this situation, you should make your website responsive. It will be beneficial because it placates guests and is also necessary to get a higher search ranking.
Page Speed
It is a fact that people prefer websites that load fast. If your website takes too long to render, it might make them impatient, and they will close your website before they can even check it out. Aside from appeasing potential site visitors, increasing the page speed of your website is also a critical step in making it SEO-friendly. Search engine algorithms place a higher priority on fast websites. If you can, optimize every page so that its maximum loading time is only three seconds.
7. Include Social Media Elements
Aside from letting potential clients know other avenues to reach you, incorporating social media elements to your website is also a quick and easy way to make it more SEO-friendly. Your site can appear more reputable for search engines when there are working links that can verify your site. Adding social media links to your website is one way to do that.
How Can You Monitor your SEO Friendliness?
An SEO friendly needs to be monitored regularly. SEO monitoring can help you identify aspects of your website that are not SEO friendly.
Make Your Website SEO-Friendly
There are many perks in making your website better optimized for search engines. Aside from allowing you to place higher in search engine result pages, they are also greatly appreciated by your website visitors. When you make your website SEO-friendly, there is no loss, and there are only gains for you.
When you want to improve the SEO-friendliness of your site, there are options that you can take. You can try to learn all the technical necessities on your own. If you have the means to do so, you can even hire a capable agency. Because they are experts in their field, they will give the best improvement for your website.
