Best SEO Practices Everybody Should Follow 

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, outdated advice is a common pitfall that businesses and marketers often stumble into, especially when it comes to search engine optimization. At iBoost, we ensure that our clients stay ahead of the curve with the most current and effective SEO strategies. Here, we present a comprehensive guide that covers the most important elements of SEO and provides actionable steps to enhance your website's visibility and ranking in today's digital landscape.

HTTPS 

Since 2014, Google considers website security as a ranking factor. HTTPS, a secure version of HTTP, plays a critical role in this. To check if your site is using HTTPS, look at the URL of your website - if it starts with 'https://', you're on track. If not, you'll need to install an SSL certificate to switch your website to HTTPS.

Importance of Page Speed

Page speed greatly influences search engine ranking. Use tools like Google's Pagespeed Insights or Google Search Console to assess and improve your page performance. Employ strategies like utilizing a CDN, image compression, lazy-loading, and an optimized website theme to enhance page speed.

Targeting Topics with Search Traffic Potential

Search traffic potential is the amount of traffic you can realistically expect from a keyword. And understanding this concept is key to crafting effective SEO strategies. Make sure to distinguish between search volume and organic traffic. 

• Search Volume - the total number of searches for a keyword
• Organic Traffic - the number of clicks those searches generate

Matching Search Intent

Search intent refers to what a user wants to achieve with their search query. For instance, 'how to install an SSL certificate' shows informational intent, while 'buy SSL certificate' shows transactional intent. Understanding this helps in creating content that meets users' needs and, consequently, ranks higher in search results.

Targeting Topics within Your Reach

While choosing keywords, consider the competition. Tools like Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer can help gauge keyword difficulty and find topics within your reach - ones that are less competitive but still valuable.

Keyword Usage

When creating content, your primary target keyword should ideally appear in the title tag, the H1 heading, and the URL of your page to boost SEO. It’s also a good idea to maintain a natural and meaningful use of the keyword to enhance relevancy and readability.

URL Design

Short, descriptive URLs are more user-friendly and can positively impact SEO. Keep them succinct yet relevant, removing unnecessary details. Including the target keyword in the URL can improve your page's search ranking potential.

Writing Compelling Title Tags and Meta Descriptions

Well-crafted title tags and meta descriptions can improve your click-through rate or CTR. Keep them within the character limit, match the search intent, and incorporate power words to attract clicks. It's also important to create a sense of urgency or curiosity to further engage potential visitors.

Image Optimization

Optimizing images, through compression, alt tags, and descriptive filenames, can enhance SEO and open additional ranking opportunities in Google Images. Make sure that your images are relevant and high-quality. Doing so can greatly improve user engagement and overall page experience.

Writing Thorough Content

Quality content goes beyond length. It's about thoroughness and covering relevant subtopics that fulfill the users' search intent. Search engines prioritize content that is relevant, detailed, and informative to users, valuing depth. Comprehensive content is more likely to cover a wide range of keywords, increasing its visibility to a larger pool of search queries.

Internal Linking

Internal links distribute page rank throughout your site, improving the visibility of other pages. A well-planned internal linking strategy can enhance the overall SEO of your website. These links should be meaningful and provide additional value to the reader.

Do You Need to Improve Your Search Engine Optimization or Online Marketing Strategy? 

While adhering to SEO best practices provides a solid foundation, remember that they might not always guarantee high rankings. SEO is a blend of science and art, with multiple ranking factors at play. If you’re struggling to rise to the top of Google search results, reach out to the specialists at iBoost. Our team of experienced b and online marketing professionals utilize cutting-edge tools and advanced industry knowledge to create tailored strategies that align with your business goals. From technical audits to content optimization and link building, we provide a full suite of services to skyrocket your online presence.