If you’re a business owner looking to improve your business’s online visibility, you probably come across a lot of SEO jargon. But what exactly is SEO? How does it work? Why is it important? These are but a few questions we, as a leading Sydney digital marketing agency, regularly receive and answer. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about SEO and provided simple answers, which we hope will help you gain a thorough understanding of the process.
What is SEO?
SEO is shorthand for Search Engine Optimization. It is a collection of processes used to improve a website’s ranking in the search engine result pages (SERPs). Since Google is the primary search engine for many devices, most SEO efforts focus on Google, but can be modified to fit other search engines as well.
What are the types of SEO?
When it comes to SEO, there are three main types. They are.
- On-page SEO: Also known as ‘site SEO,’ it is the process of optimising webpages and their content for search engines and users. Since Google recommends websites to focus on “people-first content,” on-page SEO is a good way for websites to present engaging content to visitors. This content can take the form of blogs, videos, and infographics.
- Off-page SEO: Also known as ‘off-site SEO,’ these are the actions that you take outside of your website to improve its rankings. Building backlinks and using social media are common off-page SEO tactics.
- Technical SEO: It is the process of improving your website’s functionality to make it easier for search engines to find, understand, and store your content. It involves things such as increasing loading speeds and optimising your website for mobile devices.
There are also a multitude of subcategories that you might have to consider depending on the nature of your business and website functionality. These include
- Local SEO
- E-commerce SEO
- Image SEO
- International SEO
How does SEO work?
Once you publish content on your site, Google uses website crawlers to explore your website and its content. Afterwards, Google will index your page and rank it in the SERPs depending on how much of the ranking criteria you have fulfilled. You will rank higher the more your content aligns with what the search engine and users want.
Why does my business need SEO?
Market research has shown that most consumers learn about businesses online. The higher your website ranks on the result page, the more likely it is that people will visit and learn about your products and services. Even if you do have a website, without proper SEO, your competitors could outrank you, and your business will miss out on valuable traffic and exposure. Furthermore, SEO is by far the most cost-effective way to grow your online presence in the long term.
What are the SEO factors that affect my rankings?
We cannot give a definitive answer since no search engine algorithm has been made public. However, based on our experience, factors such as page loading speed, keyword integration, website security, the number of backlinks, and image use and quality all play a role in affecting your website’s rankings.
What are the most important Google ranking factors?
Relevance, quality, and usability are the most important Google ranking factors. Google prioritises content that is well-structured and easy to understand. Therefore, the content you publish must satisfy the search intent, bring the most helpful results, and also deliver a great user experience.
How long does it take to rank in Google?
You would start to see SEO results in around 6 months. According to Semrush, when a new website is launched, you can experience significant ranking fluctuations for up to a year as Google’s algorithm decides where your website should rank. The time may also be determined by your resource allocation, level of competition, and your brand’s overall authority.
What is a Google penalty and its consequences?
A Google Penalty, as the name suggests, is a punishment that Google would impose on a website when it fails/violates its Webmaster Guidelines. A Google penalty can cause your website to lose its rankings or have it removed from search results.
Why has my organic traffic dropped?
A drop in your ranking can cause a drop in your organic traffic. But what would cause your rankings to drop? Google’s rankings fluctuate on a daily basis as the algorithm is updated and more and more content is added on a daily basis. Tracking SERP volatility and introducing fresh content is a must when it comes to SEO.
Will social media affect my SEO rankings?
Google does not take into account shares, followers, and engagement on social media platforms when it comes to website rankings. However, other browsers, such as Bing, do take social media into account. Nonetheless, having an active social media platform remains beneficial for branding, community outreach, and off-page SEO.
Conclusion
At AT Digital IO, we know how important your business is to you, and we want to help you succeed. When it comes to SEO, we know it well, and the results of our projects speak for themselves. We hope this FAQ provides you with a brief overview of SEO, but keep in mind that it is constantly evolving. If you have more questions or want to get started on your own website’s FAQ, contact our digital marketing agency today.