GemPixel Blog

So, you're here because you want to know how SEO works and how you can actually implement it to your business website. Well, you've definitely come to the right place.

SEO, or search engine optimization, is key to getting your site to rank high in Google and other search engines. And, ranking high means more traffic, more leads, and ultimately, more conversions and sales. Plus, the fact that you're on Google's first page will have searchers viewing you as a credible and authoritative brand. That's how powerful SEO is.

To ensure that you're off to a great start, we've rounded up five SEO tactics that have proven time and again.

1. Conduct Keyword Research

In case you're not aware, keywords serve as the backbone of search engine optimization.

Back in the day, marketers would practice keyword stuffing, a strategy where they would add their target keywords excessively to the point that they make no sense. This was basically their secret to secure top rankings.

However, Google bots became smarter over time, so smart that they can detect a webpage that practices keyword stuffing. Whenever they do, they would penalize the site by dropping their ranking. So, if ever you find yourself thinking of spreading your keywords everywhere in your content, don't.

Now, let's go back to keyword research. Look for keywords relevant to your business and niche so your ideal audience will find you easily online. Make sure to pick ones that are commonly used by your prospective and existing customers, too.

Keyword research tools like SEMRush, Ahrefs, and Ubersuggest can help you discover keywords that are related to your brand. These would be the keywords you'll focus on throughout your content, which brings us to the second tactic

2. Create High-Quality Content

People love good content – content that resonates with them, content that answers whatever questions they have in mind. That's why search engines always ensure that websites posting such content are ranking on top.

Every time you write a new copy, see to it that you keep your target keywords in mind. Bear in mind that the entire point of content marketing is to reach people who are looking for it. That said, work your keywords into your posts as often and naturally as you can.

Another thing worth noting is that providing unique, valuable blog posts helps build your brand's reputation. Your audience will regard you as a trustworthy business once they see how well-versed you are in your niche. This might even lead them to share your posts on social media, eventually driving new visitors to your website.

So, you have two points to remember in terms of creating content: Sneak in your keywords naturally and concentrate on topics that matter to your target audience.

3. Build & Gain Backlinks

Like keywords, backlinks also play a crucial role in the world of SEO. In fact, they're among Google's top search ranking factors, and it's pretty clear why – when reputable websites link to yours, Google interprets it as a signal of your site's credibility.

If you're guessing that they will reward you with an impressive ranking, you certainly got that right. And, you'll be driving traffic not just from search engines, but also from those sites that have linked to your website. Below are tried-and-true tips to get quality backlinks:

1. Create and post shareable infographics about industry-related subjects
2. Guest posts for online platforms with high domain authority and lots of organic traffic
3. Write testimonials for businesses you genuinely support in exchange for a backlink
4. Turn unlinked brand mentions into backlinks
5. Spy on your competitors to find sources for backlinks
6. Sign up at Help a Reporter Out (HARO), a platform used by journalists and bloggers to look for credible news and stories

4. Work on Your Meta Tags

Meta tags basically tell search engines and searchers all the important information they need to know about your webpage. They give your potential visitors an idea of what the content's all about, allowing them to decide whether they'll click the link or not.

Not all meta tags have a direct impact on rankings though. When it comes to optimizing your site for search, you want to pay attention to the meta title and meta description.

The meta title is the page title displayed in search results. Always keep it up to 50-60 characters long, as per Google's recommendations. Make sure that you come up with a unique title that accurately describes your content.

For the meta description, which is responsible for giving searchers a sneak peek of the content, its maximum length is 160 characters. Optimize it by adding your most significant keywords and a compelling call-to-action.

5. Don't Forget About Local SEO

If you're a small business with a brick-and-mortar location, you'll certainly need a solid local SEO strategy.

By optimizing your website for local search, you'll make it easier for people in your area to find you online. Otherwise, you'll find yourself missing out on a highly valuable market.

Creating a Google My Business (GMB) account is one of the best ways to get your website ranking high in Google. However, you'll need to optimize it to guarantee that it shows up in Google Search local results, Google Maps, and the Google Search Knowledge Panel.

Listing your business in popular online directories like Yelp, Foursquare, and MapQuest is another way to boost your local SEO. While you're at it, be sure that your NAP (name, address, and phone number) is error-free, and that the details you provide are consistent across all directories.

Wrapping Up

These are just five of the many SEO strategies that can get your website to appear on the first page of Google's search results. We've decided to pick them because they're not as complex as the rest. As simple as they are, though, they'll bring you outstanding results in a span of six months!