Onsite SEO: Optimize Your Website Better for 2024

on-page htags

 

Quick Answer

Onsite SEO refers to optimizing elements on a website to improve its search engine rankings. It involves optimizing content, technical aspects, and on-page elements like titles, meta descriptions, and URLs to make the site more search engine and user-friendly.

For a more in-depth look at local seo keyword research please read on.

What is On-page SEO?

Once you have carried out an actual SEO audit and identified areas where your site architecture and page optimisation can be improved, you can start working on improving your website’s relevance for the search terms you want to be found for.

In no particular order, if I’m working on your website, I’m looking at the following:

  1. keyword density
  2. URL structure
  3. relevant entities (semantics) 
  4. title tags
  5. headers
  6. images
  7. call to actions
  8. page speed

on-page seo checklistHere is a quick tip: Look at the search engine algorithm and see what they are already rewarding on page 1 for your primary keyword. This can give you a good blueprint for your own.

Why is On-Site SEO Important

You will be found more easily. If your not on page 1 your nowhere. 

By optimising keywords directly on your web pages, you improve crawl ability and help index your content, which is essential for achieving page 1 status!

Look at the image below. These businesses clearly tell you what they are and optimise for their primary keywords.

business top of the google search engine

Best On Page SEO Areas

The 80/20 of on-page SEO will give you the most benefits in the quickest amount of time. You can make any of these changes to your site and see improvements within hours.

These website areas are hot spots essential for optimizing your site’s appearance in search results and improving its visibility.

Doing this will help search engines understand the content of your pages, enhancing your site’s relevance and authority.

  • URL: Don’t mess around here; this is easy. The primary keyword all day long goes in here.
  • Meta Tags: Use your meta title & description placeholder for your target keywords to increase click-through rates. A little persuasive website copywriting knowledge helps here, too.

seo meta title and description

  • Internal Links: Weave internal links throughout your content to establish a strong site structure, facilitate more straightforward navigation, boost page relevance, and improve indexing.
  • H1: Think of your webpage as a hierarchy similar to chapters in a book, heading followed by related sub-headings (h2, h3) to clearly set-up the whole page.

These best practices are necessary for any search engine optimization, including local SEO, if your efforts are not up to scratch.

Improves UX

If you can attract a lot of website traffic but don’t provide a good user experience, then what is the point of having a website?

Are you trying not to make any money?

If you can build a website with good site architecture, menu navigation, visual design, and CTAs, coupled with lots of traffic, you can’t lose.

These elements are essential as they smoothly lead visitors through your pages, improving their ability to find what they’re looking for and buy from you.

Improving the user experience means that whether a visitor is just exploring your site or ready to purchase, they have a good experience.

To improve user experience, focus on crafting a logical site structure and intuitive navigation that enables easy crawling by search engines.

Optimize your site to improve the buyer’s path, ensuring your content meets their needs at each stage.

Here’s how:

  • Logical Site Structure: Organize content in a clear hierarchy that mirrors user needs and search behaviour.
  • Intuitive Navigation: Implement easily navigable menus and clear links to effectively guide users through your site.
  • Core Web Vitals: Optimize loading times, interactivity, and visual stability.
  • Responsive Queries: Tailor content to answer specific stages of the buyer’s path, enhancing relevancy and engagement.

These steps will significantly improve your site’s user experience and SEO performance.

Factor Impact on User Experience Why It Matters
Site Navigation Enhances ease of use Keeps users engaged
Page Load Speed Reduces bounce rates Increases user retention
Mobile Responsiveness Improves accessibility Expands audience reach
Content Quality Elevates engagement Encourages longer visits
User Experience Builds trust Enhances brand loyalty

Target Keyword Optimization

Conduct thorough keyword research using tools like Ahrefs or the SEMrush keyword magic tool. You’ll pinpoint the search terms your audience uses to find you.

semrush keyword tool

Looking at the keywords below, we can find keyword terms with high search volume and low competition.

Seeing this would warrant further investigation to find possible ranking opportunities.

ahrefs keyword tool results for skin care clinic london

Integrating these keywords into your titles, headings, and meta descriptions not only gives Google the nudge that your site’s content is relevant to be considered for high search engine rankings.

Utilizing on-page techniques, with strategic SEO keyword mapping and keyword-rich internal links, further strengthens this signalling.

Technical SEO

After covering the main on-page factors, we now turn to the technical aspects that significantly impact your site’s overall performance.

To ensure your site is crawlable and visible to search engines, you need to ensure Google’s spider crawler can easily navigate it. Having a robots.txt and XML sitemap uploaded will make this possible.

Google provides a free tool, otherwise known as Google Search Console (GSC). This tool will aid search engines in crawling and indexing your pages more effectively.

GSC will monitor your website, alarming you to any problems affecting crawling and indexing your website so you can fix your problem areas.

Critical technical SEO tactics guarantee your site isn’t just user-friendly and primed for search engine algorithms.

  • Site Speed Optimization: Enhance page load times by minimizing HTTP requests, compressing files, and leveraging browser caching.
  • Responsive Design: Tailor your site for all devices to provide an ideal viewing experience, enhancing engagement and retention.
  • URL Structure: Develop a clean, intuitive URL structure, including relevant keywords to improve understandability and SEO.
  • Image Optimization: Compress and format your images properly to speed up page loading without sacrificing quality.

Each step you take ensures your site meets technical SEO standards, considerably influencing your overall search engine ranking.

Leverage Structured Data

Implementing structured data through schema markup can significantly improve your site’s presence in search results, making it eligible for rich snippets and giving it a competitive edge.

Schema, when done right, makes those 1% differences that can elevate your website to the #1 spot or linger at the bottom of page 1.

When you incorporate schema markup into selected pages, you provide search engines with a clearer understanding of your page content.

Bots need help understanding the language that you and I would use; it uses JSON LD. When you provide this language, this extra clarity helps you accurately categorize and index your site, boosting visibility and improving click-through rates.

Use tools like Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool to validate your markup and ensure it’s correctly implemented.

Integrating structured data is a strategic aspect of SEO that, when used correctly, can significantly impact your site’s search performance.

Onsite vs Off-Site SEO: What’s the Difference?

What’s the difference? You tell me….only kidding. Let’s explore.

Well, you can’t have one without the other for a kick-off. They both support your website’s relevance and authority.

Here is a diagram for easy consumption.

difference between onpage & offpage venn diagram

Off-site SEO

Having examined onsite SEO, we’ll now concentrate briefly on off-site SEO strategies that improve your site’s authority and visibility through external means.

Off-site SEO involves different practices beyond your website.

Link building Can include tactics like guest blogging, link placements, and building foundational backlinks like local directories to help increase trust and authority.

Social Media: Have you ever heard of Facebook and Twitter? I’m sure you have. All real businesses in 2024  will have a social media presence. Social media is easy to create but more difficult to build a following. The benefits today are huge, though, since Google introduced EEAT.

3rd Party Online Reviews: If you are a service business, these are massive. They are the #1 signal if you’re doing Google My Business.

Monitor Your On-Page Efforts

Continuously monitor and refine your SEO. This is essential to adapt to continuously changing algorithms and user behaviours.

Here’s how you can visually track and improve your approach:

  • Analytics Dashboard: Visualize traffic patterns and user engagement levels.
  • SEO Audit Reports: Regularly check for gaps in your onsite SEO strategy.
  • Algorithm Update Alerts: Stay informed about changes in search engine algorithms.
  • Competitor Benchmarking: Compare your SEO performance against that of your competitors.

Always remember that the key to mastering SEO steps lies in being proactive in meeting search engines’ demands and refining your tactics based on performance metrics.

Conclusion

To summarise, excelling in onsite SEO is similar to fine-tuning a high-performance engine. Every component must be optimized and work in harmony for the best results.

You’ll need to meticulously balance technical elements, content quality, and user experience.

By integrating effective strategies and continually adapting to search engine algorithms, you can significantly improve your website’s visibility and functionality.

Keep in mind that a well-optimized website attracts more traffic and provides a superior user experience, driving engagement and conversions.

Get In Touch

I can help your small local business rise to the top of the search engines with the best local SEO services. Click this link to download my FREE PDF guide to local SEO.

Local SEO Myths Debunked 2024

 

Understanding how to effectively market your business online is crucial. However, there are many myths about Local business SEO that can lead you astray.

With nearly ten years of experience in Local SEO, I’ve seen countless misconceptions that can hinder your success. Let’s debunk some common Local SEO myths and provide you with accurate strategies to improve your local search visibility and attract more customers.

Quick Answer

The question “local seo myths” refers to common misconceptions about optimizing for local search rankings. For example two major local SEO myths in 2024 are: 1) Claiming your Google Business Profile directly boosts rankings, and 2) Nobody reads online reviews anymore.

For a more in-depth look at local seo myths debunked please read on.

Myths About Local SEO

In the dynamic world of local SEO for 2024, busting myths is crucial for effective optimization. Understanding these distinctions can significantly enhance your local SEO strategy.

Myth 1. Claiming Your Google Business Profile Boosts Rankings

Claiming your Google Business Profile alone won’t necessarily improve your search rankings. While setting up your GBP is an important step in your local SEO strategy, it’s just the beginning.

To truly impact your SEO rankings, you need to optimize your profile with accurate information and regular updates.

claim your free GMB

Think of your Google My Business as the foundation. With further strategic actions, such as collecting genuine reviews and posting relevant content, your visibility in local searches might improve much.

It’s a common misconception that simply claiming your GBP will do the trick.

Instead, view it as part of a broader, dynamic local SEO strategy that requires ongoing attention and refinement to truly maximize its potential in boosting your visibility online.

Myth 2. Stuffing Keywords in Your GBP Business Description Helps

While optimizing your Google Business Profile, stuffing keywords into your business description might help, however this approach can actually backfire.

Overloading your description with keywords can make it difficult for potential customers to understand what your business actually does.

In addition, search engines like Google are sophisticated enough to recognize keyword stuffing and may penalize your profile by lowering its ranking in search results.

Instead, focus on creating a clear, concise, and relevant description that naturally incorporates keywords.

This strategy not only improves readability but also boosts your standing in local SEO, making your business more likely to appear in relevant Google searches.

Myth 3. Using Call Tracking Numbers Hurts Local Rankings

Many believe that using call tracking numbers can damage your local SEO rankings.

However, this is only sometimes accurate. When implemented correctly, call tracking numbers won’t adversely affect your ability to rank within Google Maps.

The key is consistency. Make sure that your call tracking number is consistently listed across all your local profiles and citations.

This consistency helps Google recognize and verify your business’s identity, which is essential for effective local SEO tactics.

Furthermore, using a call tracking number allows you to gather valuable data on your customers, aiding in refining marketing strategies without harming your local SEO.

Therefore, when done correctly, a call tracking number doesn’t have to impede your SEO efforts but can improve your understanding of customer interactions.

Myth 4. Running Google Ads Boosts Local Pack Rankings

You might’ve heard that running Google Ads can improve your rankings in the Local Pack, but this is a misconception.

Engaging in PPC (pay-per-click) campaigns through Google doesn’t directly affect your position in local search results or Google SERPs for search engine optimization purposes.

Google maintains a separation between its ad revenue and its organic search results to guarantee fairness and relevance in search listings.

While Google Ads can increase visibility and drive traffic to your website, they don’t influence the organic local ranking factors such as your proximity, relevance, and prominence within the local search algorithm.

It’s important to focus on solid SEO practices to enjoy the big benefits of local SEO rather than relying on ads to enhance local pack standings.

Take a look a this great post about the 13 benefits of local SEO

Myth 5. Setting a Service Area Radius Improves Business Listing

Another common myth is that expanding your service area radius on Google My Business (GMB) will improve your local rankings.

This belief persists among many business owners, but it’s important to understand that local marketing doesn’t operate on a ‘the bigger, the better’ principle.

Here’s a simple breakdown in a table format to clarify the concept:

Factor Impact on Local SEO
Larger Radius Does not directly boost rankings
Relevance More vital for local SEO success
Accuracy Vital in GMB listings

In reality, businesses can utilize GMB more effectively by focusing on relevance and accuracy in their entries rather than just expanding their service area.

This approach aligns better with SEO strategies and truly serves to improve your local visibility.

Myth 6. You Only Need Citations from Major Data Providers

It’s a myth that citations from only major data providers are enough to boost your local SEO effectively.

Indeed, while these citations are fundamental, they don’t cover the entire spectrum of what can improve your rank in search results.

The algorithm that determines local search rankings values a diverse range of citations.

This includes listings from niche or industry-specific directories, local news websites, and community portals, which are often more relevant to local businesses.

Broadening your citation profile can signal to search engines that your business is well-recognized and trusted within your local community, thereby improving your visibility and potential to climb higher in search results.

Keep your strategy open; expand your citation reach to include varied and localized sources.

Myth 7. You Must Have a Physical Office to Rank Locally

Having a physical office is optional to secure a local ranking in search results.

In the world of local SEO, what matters most is how effectively you use your business name and other relevant details on platforms like google.com.

You can still rank on the map and in local searches without a brick-and-mortar location.

GMB profile details

Many businesses operate virtually and achieve high local visibility by optimizing their SEO strategies.

Instead of focusing on a physical office, concentrate on accurate and strategic placement of location-based keywords and make sure your business name is consistent across all digital platforms.

This approach helps signal to search engines the relevance of your services to specific localities, enhancing your local SEO efforts.

Myth 8. Linking Your Website to Your Google Business Profile Does Not Help

Connecting your website to your Google Business Profile can significantly improve your local search rankings.

When you link your site, you’re not just creating a direct path for potential customers to find you; you’re also engaging in a powerful form of link-building that signals to search engines the relevance and authenticity of your business.

This connection helps elevate your visibility in local SEO searches, making it a vital step in optimizing your online presence.

Moreover, the backlinks formed through this association strengthen your site’s authority, further improving your rankings.

It’s essential to understand that in local SEO, both the quality of your Google Business Profile and its interlinking with your website play integral roles in boosting your rankings.

Myth 9. Nobody Reads Customer Reviews Anymore

Contrary to popular belief, many people still read reviews before making purchasing decisions. It’s important to recognize that reviews on social media and other platforms can greatly influence consumer behavior.

When you respond to a review, it not only shows engagement but can also positively impact your business’s visibility and credibility online.

This engagement encourages more click-through rates as potential customers are more likely to trust a business that actively manages its customer interactions.

Additionally, effective management of reviews can lower your site’s bounce rate, as visitors stay longer to read positive interactions.

Don’t underestimate the power of reviews; they’re a crucial component of local SEO and digital reputation.

Conclusion

In summary, maneuvering through the complexities of local SEO involves debunking prevalent myths.

It’s crucial to understand that simple actions like claiming your Google Business Profile or adding keywords won’t necessarily enhance your rankings greatly.

Instead, focus on genuine content, accurate information, and customer engagement.

Remember, strategies that seem too convenient might be myths; effective SEO requires a more nuanced approach.

Stay informed, adapt to ongoing changes, and prioritize authenticity in your local SEO endeavours.

Key Takeaways

  1. Claiming a Google Business Profile alone does not improve search rankings; ongoing optimization is required.
  2. Expanding a service area radius does not directly increase local SEO rankings.
  3. Google Ads do not affect the organic local rankings in search results.
  4. Having a physical office is optional for achieving high local rankings.
  5. Keyword stuffing in business descriptions can negatively impact visibility due to search engine penalties.

Get In Touch

I can help get your small local business to the top of the search engines. Download my FREE pdf guide to local SEO guide via this link below.

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Hire Best SEO Experts Like a Boss: 15 Questions to Choose the Right One

Hiring an SEO Expert

Ahoy, brave captains of the business world!

Navigating the choppy waters of the SEO ocean can be a daunting task, right? That’s where SEO experts like myself come in, with nearly 10 years experience I will guide you through treacherous tides that you could possibly encounter before you find the right one.

The importance of How to Hire a Good SEO Expert for your business is like having a trusted first mate on your ship.

They know the ropes, and they can steer you toward hidden treasures—like high search engine rankings on Google and increased web traffic helping you sell more services.

See this guide like your treasure map to find and hire. We’ll look at the process, arm you with the right questions, and prepare you for success.

Hire Your Next SEO Consultant Using These Questions

1. What is your experience in SEO?

Ask about their years in actually helping people with search engine optimization, the types of clients they’ve worked with, and examples of successful campaigns.

Although more years might seem great it does not guarantee success. SEO changes all the time with new updates so you want a mix of someone with experience of helping businesses exactly like yours or close too and is likely a person who keeps themselves up dated with what is going in the world of SEO.

Real-Life Example: Imagine you own a local skincare business in London.

An experienced local SEO will know already the type of keywords your wanting to target, their profitability for you and the competitiveness of them. He or she might even know the latest treatments which other businesses are starting to target.

2. Can you provide references or case studies?

Alright, they say they’re experienced, but can they prove it?

Request examples of previous work and reference from who they have produced good results for.

If they can show you a detailed case study where they increased a client’s visibility in search engines, you’re looking possibly at your next SEO professional.

Understanding their past successes can give you an idea about the likelihood of success before you start a contract with them.

3. What strategies do you use for keyword research?

Keywords are the foundation from which every website is built from. A skilled SEO expert should have a solid approach to local keyword research.

They’ll have access to the best keyword tools so they can help you maximise your traffic potential for the services you provide.

Real-Life Example: For your local skincare business, a local SEO consultant would look for keywords that are not just industry-specific but also relevant to your local audience.

They might focus on “skincare clinic London” or “lip filler near me” if they are trying to drive buying intent customers to you, or maybe “tear trough filler” if they are targeting people just looking for information about what it is.

4. How do you stay updated with SEO trends and Google algorithm changes?

The world of SEO is vast, ever-changing and full of surprises. Ask your potential SEO expert how they stay afloat with all the monthly changes.

Their answer should involve, following various google social media accounts, industry recognised SEO blogs and influencers.

An SEO who is also testing out their own optimisations shows how keen they are about what they do and could be a golden nugget if you find one.

They don’t need to be the Jack Sparrow of SEO, just someone who wants to be the best they can be.

If they can answer these, it shows they’re not just concerned with today but are planning for your long-term success.

5. Can you explain your link-building practices?

Ah, link-building, the fine art of forging alliances with other bloggers!

What’s their strategy?

A good SEO specialist will focus on building high-quality backlinks from reputable sites or link vendors.

Some frown upon using link vendors, others use no other than if it guarantees long-term success and within shorter time-frame.

A link is a link white or black hat, both involve outreach and so are no different to each other.

However, beware of those who promise hundreds of links overnight. Slow and steady wins the race in SEO link building.

Real-Life Example: A local SEO consultant might partner with a local blogger or link vendor with power links to help build authority to your web pages.

6. Can you provide a timeline for when we can expect to see results?

SEO does not happen overnight. It is a long-term investment, so ask your SEO consultant for a realistic timeline once they have carried out a competitor analysis.

Depending on your current website authority this could be anywhere from 2-12month for 1-3 services.

In my experience businesses who have multiple services (7+) can find it harder to rank #1 for all due to the relevance being diluted the more you have.

While no SEO can guarantee exact dates, a rough estimate helps in planning your marketing strategies.

 

timeline for SEO results

7. How do you handle technical SEO issues on websites?

The structure of your website is like the framework of a ship. If it’s weak, you’ll sink.

Ask how your Google SEO expert addresses a technical SEO audit and the issues it can present, like site speed, mobile optimization, robots.txt and structured data.

If you hear these types of terms, you’re on the right track.

Real-Life Example: For skincare business, mobile optimization is crucial as most people browse on their phones in 2024. You can have over 80% for mobile users in some niches.

A capable SEO consultant would ensure your site looks and performs great on all devices.

8. What is your content optimization strategy?

Content is your ship’s cargo, the goods you’re trading on the internet. How does he/she plan to optimize it?

They should talk about aligning content with keyword intent, and maybe even dabbling in content marketing.

Real-Life Example: For your local skincare business, a local SEO consultant might recommend creating informative blog posts about skincare help.

9. How do you measure the success of an SEO campaign?

Success is measured with ROI. In SEO that means clients through the door.

You will discuss this with them at the time of hiring. You want high traffic keywords not search volume, and top visibility in search engine results.

This should see you good as long as your CTA’s are set up right.

Testing will be important to make sure nobody is bouncing from your pages resulting in low conversions.

These questions can help you gauge whether the investment in SEO will yield enough returns for your business.

website traffic timeline shown over 12 months

10. What is your approach to local SEO, if applicable?

You need an SEO expert familiar with local SEO. Ask about their expertise in this area. Not all SEO’s know much about it.

Do they offer Google My Business management services to optimise your listing and look after your reputation online?

This is crucial if you’re looking to dominate a specific geographical area.

Real-Life Example: For your skincare business, local SEO might include getting you a GBP, listed in local directories like Yell, and encouraging satisfied customers to leave positive reviews in Trustpilot to showcase your business.

11. How do you handle SEO for mobile devices?

Ask your SEO consultant about their mobile optimization strategies. The answer should include mobile-responsive design, fast loading times, and mobile-first indexing.

Knowing this can help you understand the level of expertise you’re getting, and whether doing it yourself or investing in a professional is more worthwhile.

12. What is your process for monitoring and improving website rankings?

Ask how your SEO expert plans to keep your ship afloat.

Do they perform regular audits, adapt to new updates, and tweak tactics based on performance metrics?

A good SEO agency will not just set and forget they’ll continually steer you towards success making sure that nobody is coming to take your #1 spot and if they do, how and what are they doing?

Real-Life Example: Your skincare business might see seasonal trends. A proactive SEO strategy would adapt to these trends, optimizing for info keywords like “winter skincare tips” during colder months to keep traffic coming to your website.

13. What tools do you use for SEO analysis and reporting?

Ask about their weapons of choice.

Do they use Ahref’s, SEMrush, SEO Power Suite or other specialized SEO tools for tracking and reporting? If they mention any one of these tools you know you have somebody who wants to mix it with the best out there.

Knowing the tools they use can give you insights into their expertise and the depth of their analysis.

14. How often will you provide reports and updates on the progress of the SEO campaign?

Communication is key. How often will your SEO expert send you updates? Monthly, weekly?

Knowing the frequency and the type of information in these reports can help you track your own ROI effectively.

Real-Life Example: Your skincare business might prefer monthly updates to align with your internal performance reviews. Make sure your SEO consultant can accommodate this.

15. What is your pricing structure for SEO services?

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about pricing. Is it hourly, project-based, or a retainer?

Are there any hidden fees like Davy Jones’ locker? Make sure everything is laid out clearly to avoid unpleasant surprises down the line.

Understanding the pricing structure will help you assess the long-term costs of your SEO campaign.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’re now armed with a compass, a map, and a list of questions to help you hire the best local SEO expert for your business.

May your voyage be full of high rankings, increased traffic, and most importantly conversions!

If you want to get in touch with me for a chat on how I can help your business contact 0808 164 1014

Extra Questions to Hire SEO Expert

Can I do SEO on my own?

The short answer is yes, you can attempt SEO on your own.

There are plenty of resources, blogs, and tools available to help you get started.

But the complexity of SEO is there for all to see. it’s not just about setting the sails but also understanding the winds, tides, and potential obstacles.

If you’re not well-versed in things like keyword research, content optimization, and link building, you may find yourself lost.

Is SEO worth it for small business?

It can be incredibly valuable, especially when you’re competing against other competitors who are doing it.

SEO helps level the playing field, making it easier for potential customers to find you.

Is SEO still relevant in 2024?

SEO is just as relevant in 2024 as it was a decade ago.

With the increasing number of websites and the constant updates to search engine algorithms, the need for effective SEO strategies has only grown.

How much should I budget for SEO for small business?

Costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds per month, depending on your goals, competition, and the area you serve.

For small businesses, who are looking to just maintain a few ranking positions in a low competition area, a good starting budget, might be around £500 to £600 per month, but this can increase widely based on individual needs and goals.

Why is SEO so expensive?

SEO is not a labour-intensive process, however the years of skill that an SEO has to develop from on-page SEO, content creation, keyword research, technical optimization and link building equates.

How much does it cost to do on-page SEO?

The costs can vary depending on the depth of optimization needed, but you might expect to spend between £50 – £200 per page.

Does SEO have a cost per click?

Unlike paid advertising, where you pay for each click to your website, SEO aims to improve your organic rankings so that you don’t have to pay for clicks.

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