Welcome to the first instalment of our Back to Basics series, where we aim to demystify key areas of digital marketing. It's common to encounter professional jargon in our field, so through this series, we strive to clarify these terms. We believe understanding core industry topics will empower you to ask informed questions and grasp the methodology behind our strategies, so today, we're exploring SEO.
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the art of refining a website to attract more visitors from search engines. SEO encompasses:
On-Page Optimisation: Tailoring the site's content and structure to rank for specific keywords.
Off-Page Optimisation: Building the site's reputation through backlinks and social media engagement.
Technical SEO: Ensuring your website is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy for search engines to crawl and index.
These strategies signal to search engines that your website is a valuable resource, improving your rankings in search results. Consider SEO an essential component of your marketing strategy, designed to improve your online presence.
Why is SEO Important?
So why focus on SEO? The answer is simple: Traffic. Increased website visitors translate to potential customers. Also, ranking high among competitors can significantly boost clicks and conversions.
Here's why SEO matters:
Targeted visibility: SEO helps you attract users who are actively searching for your products or services.
Cost-effectiveness: Unlike paid advertising, organic search traffic doesn't come with a per-click cost.
Credibility: Users often trust organic search results more than paid advertisements.
Long-term benefits: While it takes time to see results, the effects of good SEO can be long-lasting.
What are Effective SEO tactics?
To boost your site's ranking, consider these tactics:
Keyword Research & Optimisation: Before crafting content, identify the keywords your audience uses as they search. Incorporate these keywords naturally to maintain relevance and engagement. Research is built into Applied’s Foundations service.
Quality Content: Deliver value with content that addresses your audience's queries and demonstrates your expertise.
User Experience: An easily navigable, fast, and mobile-friendly site enhances user satisfaction and search engine rankings.
Content Freshness: Regularly update your content to stay relevant and improve rankings.
Link Building: Earn high-quality backlinks from reputable websites to boost your site's authority.
Local SEO: Optimise for local search to attract nearby customers - crucial for UK-based businesses.
Voice Search Optimisation: Adapt your content for voice queries, as this is becoming increasingly important.
It's worth noting that Google's E-E-A-T principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) play a significant role in modern SEO. Demonstrating these qualities in your content can significantly boost your search rankings.
How Can Applied Help My SEO?
SEO is an ongoing process, just like building a reputation. It requires time and consistent effort. At Applied Digital, we're ready to support your SEO journey through our Marketing Advantage.
Our friendly team of experts can:
Conduct thorough keyword research to identify opportunities for your business
Optimise your website's on-page elements for better search engine visibility
Develop a content strategy that resonates with your target audience
Implement technical SEO improvements to enhance your site's performance
Build high-quality backlinks to boost your website's authority
Provide regular reporting and analysis to track your SEO progress
We use industry-leading tools like, SEMRush, Screaming Frog, Google Search Console and GA4, alongside our in-house methodologies, to provide you with a SEO strategy that is data-driven and effective.
So, if you’re ready to boost your online visibility and give yourself a marketing advantage, contact our team of experts at hello@applieddigital.co.uk or call 01484 302010 for advice on outperforming competitors and boosting your web traffic.
