Everyone has a list about keyword counts, link text, and meta descriptions when they are working on their website or blog’s SEO. You read blogs that talk about title tags and that tell you to make sure you have an image that is named properly, but what else is there? A LOT!
This article will go into the details about three of the more advanced (but equally relevant) SEO-related processes you should be thinking about when optimizing your blog or website, not only for search engines, but for Social Media and your visitors/readers.
- The Framework
- Images for Social Media and driving traffic
- Video and your users
1. The framework.
Many people use WordPress and have a custom designed template for their brand. Although this can be good, it is not optimal for you, your site or your users - what you really need to do is take WordPress further with an outstanding framework like Studio Press, (I personally use it) You may be wondering why framework is important for your SEO and users? Well, they provide more than regular templates and CMS systems. Here's a rundown of what Studio Press has to offer:
a) It’s better than others. Studio Press will create and host responsive designs instead of having duplicate designs and copy for each type of device or screen - so you don't have to worry that your canonical links and code are up-to-date or even about having to set them up. That’s one reason why a decent framework and design is vital, as your pages will be able to automatically adjust to the end user, search engine and your needs. This is a quick and inexpensive way to fix one of the most common optimization issues I run into when doing SEO site audits.
It saves you time, money and possible SEO headaches to have your web pages be responsive. Matt Cutts from the WebSpam team says both versions are fine, but personally I’d rather not have to worry and constantly look over the code when I know it has been taken care of. It only takes on tech, design or coding slip up and your rankings can take a hit.
b) It’s built off Schema, which is the standard in coding used by major search engines. It handles everything, from how your site should be coded and built, to how to ensure your videos are ranking. Your framework and code needs to use Schema to follow best practices with code, usability, and more. It also helps you to output microdata by easily connecting your pieces for Google Authorship.
c) The community behind it. There are many useful resources, as well as an active community that can help you find the answers you are looking for - from my experience this has always been a faster option than waiting for any support system from other companies to get back to you.
d) The last thing that I love about this system is that it automatically updates, meaning the templates are kept up to date with coding standards so you never have to worry. It eliminates any best practices issues.
2. Images for SEO, Social Media and generating traffic.
One thing that a lot of people don’t do is properly name and tag their images. Images not only rank for image results, but they can be in the actual first page of regular web searches and in the top positions - which means they can drive traffic and sales.
Images also help inform search engines what your pages are about and can mean the difference between getting click throughs on social media sites or being completely ignored. However, there is more you have to be clued up on - its not just about naming them and sizing them properly. Here’s the minimum of what you should be doing for an image on your blog.
a) Give it a relevant filename, add an alt tag and also a title tag to the image code. Captions are optional.
b) Make sure the wording or main focus that is aiming to create interest and call to action are displayed in the center or middle section. Facebook and other sites cut off the top and bottom. If the middle section across your image isn’t descriptive, attractive or engaging, you will potentially not receive as much attention, because it won’t be as appealing or your messaging and call to action will be lost.
c) Watermark everything you own. Once an image is on the web it is hard to keep control of it. By adding a watermark someone who is using it or viewing it will hopefully be inclined to find you and your site. Especially if your image is being used and there is no link to your site.
d) Share it on any relevant social network. Use the share icons on your page and also test it within your own accounts. If your images don’t pull in to the sharing tool the way you want, or your message and main focus isn’t showing, choose a different sharing button or try replacing the image on your page.
Images aren’t only important to have on your site because they can be helpful, engaging and make it easier to look at, but they can drive traffic as well. Make sure you name everything and add the proper tags. It also helps to test your images and sharing icons on your own social profiles.
3. Video on your site.
There are copious case studies and examples that say Video is an essential part of lowering a bounce rate, and increasing conversion. In some cases it helps improve your SEO. In my last Wordtracker article 5 ways to monetize your blog I talked about Viewbix. I love it because it makes life easy when it comes to video SEO, driving traffic and measuring the effectiveness of your videos. If I didn’t use the tool I would have to do the following manually - which I simply do not have the time or patience for.
a) Add in titles, meta data, descriptions and rich snippets to make sure they are done the right way.
b) Take a small image (or 'thumbnail') of or from the video for a rich snippet, and add into my code and the video sitemap for my website or blog. This is what Google shows next to results in the search engines to show that the content is a video, and it can help you gain extra exposure, increase click throughs, and drive traffic.
c) Create and maintain a manual video sitemap.
d) Accurately tag everything around the videos and ensure everything is in place.
e) Make sure the player I am using or host is responsive. Remember you don’t want to make the your users work for your content. If you do, they'll leave.
f) Making sure canonical links are set up properly. If I am running multiple videos and they are showing across other pages, I can easily create a gallery or specific video playlist. Having the gallery makes adding the rest of my canonical links simple and It also eliminates video crowdedness by creating gallery categories.
If you're not using a platform like this for your videos, then you need to implement and update all of the above - every single time you want to add a video to your pages, so that they can be web- and user-friendly.
If you think about it, optimizing blogs and websites for Search Engines is actually pretty easy. You just need to make sure you are have the right tools and are using them correctly. Although some of the more advanced names may sound confusing at the beginning, there is always an easy way. Focus on the step by step instructions I’ve given you, and don't forget the basics like ensuring your images look great across all channels and tags! By using these 3 advanced, but easy methods, you will be fast on your way to a well-optimized blog for SEO, social media, and of course, your users. Good luck!
