Join Barb Davids, an expert in quick SEO strategies for web designers, as she shares essential tips that can lead to fast results for clients. Discover how minor tweaks to blog titles can boost rankings, why changing URLs might be a mistake, and the power of combining video with blogs. Barb dives into how AI is reshaping SEO, emphasizing the need for unique content that stands out. With actionable insights, web designers can learn to manage client expectations while implementing techniques for immediate improvements. Don't miss these easy wins!
Refreshing page titles and descriptions can significantly enhance click-through rates by attracting visitors, but URLs should remain unchanged for stability.
Web designers must set realistic SEO expectations for clients, as results typically range from weeks to several months and quick wins build trust.
Incorporating video content within blogs not only boosts engagement but also aligns with SEO strategies, driving more traffic to websites.
Deep dives
The Importance of Page Titles and Descriptions
Changing the page title and description can significantly impact click-through rates, akin to a window display inviting potential customers into a store. This strategy not only helps in refreshing content but also encourages visitors to engage with the website. It's advised to give it time, typically around two weeks, to evaluate the effectiveness of these changes without altering the URL. Keeping the URL unchanged is crucial, as any alteration would signal Google to treat it as a new page, complicating ranking efforts.
Setting Realistic Client Expectations for SEO
Many clients often inquire about the timeframe for achieving prominent rankings on Google, which is a common challenge in web design. It's essential for web designers to empower clients with a solid understanding of SEO, helping them set realistic time frames for results, which typically range from weeks to several months. Quick SEO wins should be the focus to build trust and demonstrate effectiveness, reinforcing the value of ongoing SEO efforts. Some strategies may yield results quickly while others may take longer, making it crucial to manage client expectations.
Refreshing Existing Content for SEO Gains
Outdated content is a common issue on many websites, and refreshing it can lead to improved rankings. This involves not just minor updates but substantial enhancements, such as enriching the content with new information, adjusting titles, and potentially modifying the layout to better serve the audience. Updating blogs can foster faster indexing by Google and attract higher traffic as it favors current, relevant content. It's important to recognize the value of maintaining and revisiting older posts rather than treating them as fixed assets.
Leveraging Video Content for Better Rankings
Incorporating video content is a powerful strategy for enhancing SEO, as videos are favored by search engines and can drive more traffic to a site. It is beneficial to embed videos within blog posts, as this increases user engagement without requiring visitors to leave the page. However, the effectiveness of embedding versus linking videos is variable and should be tested to determine what works best for specific content. Additionally, original videos, like client testimonials, provide unique value that cannot be easily replicated, further bolstering SEO efforts.
Utilizing Local SEO and Specific Keywords
Local SEO offers an excellent avenue for quick wins, especially for service-oriented businesses, by optimizing Google Business Profiles and creating location-specific content. This strategy can enhance visibility in local searches and tap into less competitive niche markets. Focusing on long-tail keywords is also effective; these more specific phrases are generally less competitive and can yield faster results. By crafting content that targets specific audiences and queries, businesses can improve their odds of success in the crowded digital landscape.
Ever had a client ask “How long would it take to get to the top of Google?”
Ah, I can see your head nodding along now.
As web designers, we can’t expect clients to understand how long SEO results can take. We know nothing will lead to instant results and due to all the variables, competition and goal of the client, it may take months to see results…but there are some quick wins that you can implement to help clients see progress fairly soon. By fairly soon, I mean less than a couple weeks or even a few days depending.
In this podcast chat, Barb Davids of compassdigitalstrategies.com sheds light on some of the proven strategies she’s seen and implements for quickest SEO wins including:
How to tweak existing blog post page titles to see results
The different between heading title and page title
Why you DON’T want to change an existing URL
How to mix in video and blogs to get quicker SEO wins
Onsite tips and tricks you can implement on you or your client sites today for better rankings
And a whole lot more
While SEO is ever-evolving and challenging in a landscape of algorithm changes and Ai, these best practice principles continue to stand the test of time and are all what I implement in my web presence.
If you get some quick SEO wins using any of these tactics, drop a comment and let us know what worked for you!Get all links and resources mentioned along with a full transcription at:
https://joshhall.co/337
The Web Design Business Podcast is available on:
Apple - https://apple.co/36wnnc3 Spotify - https://spoti.fi/36ttME or wherever you get your podcasts
View all Web Design Business Podcasts with show notes and full transcriptions at: https://joshhall.co/podcast
Get my entire suite of courses in the Courses Tier = $49/mo Get courses + all community features in the Community Tier = $99/mo Get everything + direct coaching with me in the Coaching Tier = $199/mo