10 SEO optimization trends to be aware of in 2021. Digital marketing is trending upward. Therefore, it would be best to keep up with demand.
Search engine optimization (SEO) elevates your company to the top of search engine results. Companies spent over 65 billion dollars on SEO in 2016 alone. Yet only a minority turned a profit on SEO.
This is because many companies don't adapt and add their strategies to SEO optimization trends. There are new strategies and techniques every year. Stay informed and adjust, and you will receive a massive return on investment.
Every $1.00 spent on SEO = $60 ROI Over Time
Here is a quick guide.
1. The Essentials Are Still Important
Many companies feel as though they have to change their SEO strategy entirely every year. Because there are new marketing technologies, they think the fundamentals no longer matter.
2. Engage with your customers
Engage with your customers at every opportunity. Train your employees to form conversations and positive experiences with customers.
Respond to every piece of feedback you receive. Encourage customers who had a positive experience to return to the store. Reward their loyalty with giveaways and coupons.
Tell customers who had a negative experience that their experience won't happen again. Then take concrete measures to live up to your word.
3. Follow Your Analytics
Many companies offer detailed website analytics. Google is the leader with Google Analytics. Analytics lets you examine your website demographics and track how your posts and pages perform and how users engage with your content.
Make a habit of checking your analytics. Record your standing with your target audience and with other demographics. Make notes on which types of content do best and produce more of that content.
Adjust your marketing if you notice you are trending away from your target audience or keywords. You can follow the trend and sway over time, changing your marketing target to match your new demographics. You can also change all advertising, pivoting back to your target.
4. SEO Optimization Trends Toward Mobile
One out of six Americans is a "smartphone-only" Internet user. This fact is because they own a smartphone without home broadband service. These numbers are trending upwards with time, as only 12% of Americans were smartphone-only in 2016.
To interact with your audience, you need to have a mobile-friendly website. Optimize your design for mobile with readable font sizes and pleasing colors. Remove unnecessary content so loading time is fast.
5. Produce Long-Form Content
Websites are growing more comfortable with long-form content. Many are experimenting with 2,000-word blog posts and lengthy videos. Search engines reward very long posts or articles, with the average number of words in a number-one spot totaling over 2,400.
Whatever the length of your blog posts is, extend them by 500. If you write in a listicle format, make a top 10 list. Write 100 words for each entry, then write a 100-word introduction and conclusion.
Do not stretch your content out. Quality is far more important than length. If readers notice repetition or fluff, they will click away from your website.
You can still write short posts. Combine short posts and videos with longer ones. Track your analytics to see which style of content is more successful.
6. Prioritize E-Commerce
The coronavirus pandemic has sparked an insurgence for E-commerce. As a result, E-commerce in the United States totaled over 8.6 trillion dollars in 2018. Moreover, that sales total is expected to rise significantly in the following years.
If you sell products, include calls-to-action in your blog posts with links to your sales pages. In addition, write posts related to the features and uses of your products.
Do not overpromote your products. Instead, focus on educational and practical content that helps your customers' lives.
7. Voice Search
More and more customers are using voice search. Technologies like Siri allows users to use their voice to search using search engines without typing or using a visual browser.
When they search this way, they ask long questions with natural phrasing. For example, they would ask, "Where can I get a slice of pizza near me?" First, however, they would type-search, "pizza near me." Therefore, using long-tail keywords to optimize your voice search content would be best. For example, "A slice of pizza near me" is better than "pizza near me."
It also helps to use shorter keywords still to attract your type-searching audience. But combine both to attract a broader group.
8. Artificial Intelligence
AI algorithms are growing in popularity and scale. As a result, all major search engine platforms are developing AI to sort through search results and keywords.
Don't overthink things. AI is looking for the same qualities that algorithms looked for in the past. For example, promote and create quality articles and provide regular social media material.
9. Shoot Videos
YouTube has more than one billion users. Shoot short videos, as with blog posts. You should use videos that contain educational and entertaining content.
Keep promotional material to a minimum. Instead, highlight the value and uses of your products or services.
You don't have to be funny and over-the-top. If you're a serious person, you can make serious content. Reflect on who you are in the most favorable light.
Write short descriptions, titles, and channel names. Do not pack them with keywords and unnecessary details. Try to include one long-form keyword in every description.
10. Optimize Your Images
You should attach an image to every written post. You should also attach a compelling thumbnail to every video. But don't just use the first stock image that catches your eye.
If you can produce your own images, create them and compress them for mobile speed. Focus on striking visuals that reflect your brand and products. Pick colors that reflect the qualities you want to promote.
11. Streamline Your Marketing
With all the SEO optimization trends to follow, you need to streamline your marketing processes. Hire at least one digital marketing manager. They should report analytics back to you and handle customer complaints in comments.
Allow your staff to take marketing ideas directly to you. Touch base with each person you work with and ask for their suggestions.
Leave marketing duties to your marketing people, but take responsibility for all decisions. Give yourself the final say and run a tight ship.
Trend Toward Success
SEO optimization trends help you keep up with how people search for and read Internet content. So keep up to date, and keep your traffic and profits up.
Don't forget the fundamentals and track your audience online. Then, produce longer content with an E-commerce bent.
Think about how to optimize for voice searches and artificial intelligence. Shoot videos and incorporate images into each post. Streamlining your marketing through a transparent chain of command requires a lot of duties.
Go to the experts when you need professional results. Quick Web Designs has more than 20 years of experience in SEO and website design. Contact us today.
