2019 is in full swing! What do the next 9 months have in store for search engine optimization (SEO), a technology that’s constantly changing? Before we look at the top trends for SEO this year, let’s first answer the question: What is SEO?
SEO means optimizing your site so that it ranks as highly as possible, ideally on the first page, of search engines like Google. Whenever someone searches for a keyword, the objective is that your business’ website appears on the first page of the suggested results.
So to keep on top of SEO trends and help your business’ website rank number one here are the top SEO trends to keep in mind:
1. Voice search
Voice search is definitely the future of SEO. What started with asking Siri for the weather forecast, Google for directions, or Alexa to play your favourite song is changing the way that businesses operate on the internet forever. The more we search online with our mobile devices, the further we move from traditional typing. Recent research suggests that 50% of all searches will be done by voice searches in the future… and we’re rapidly heading that direction!
2. Video optimization
Video content is also becoming a popular information medium, which makes videos a great way to engage your audience, stay relevant, and rank high on search engine pages. Keep in mind that your video will need to meet specific criteria to rank high on YouTube or Google. Get smart about your YouTube tags!
3. High-quality content
Google loves content that is actually useful to your target audience. As a search engine, Google strives to be helpful and provide quality answers to searchers. So if your content is valuable and genuinely helps your readers, Google will be more likely to rank you on the first page. Always prepare your content by keeping the users’ search intention in mind so you can provide them with the necessary information.
4. A fluid user experience
Always keep your customers’ perspective in mind when it comes to your website. How easy is your site to navigate? Is important information clear and easy to find? Are all links and buttons working? Is there an easy way to contact you? What about your address and phone number? A website is the first thing your customers will see, so it needs to make a great first impression.
5. Influencer marketing
One great way to rank highly on search engine pages is to use the power of influencer marketing. Influencer marketing is like celebrity endorsements for the internet instead of TV. When a leading influencer vouches for your company or product, it helps build credibility and trust in your business. Plus in today’s online world, 81% of consumers regularly buy products after seeing them shared on social media and a study by Collective Bias found that 60% of in-store shoppers are influenced by social media and blog posts.
In today’s ever-changing digital world, it’s essential to keep up! SEO is just one part of a dynamic marketing strategy. If you’d like more information on how to create a well-rounded marketing strategy focused on content creation, get in touch with Barker social for your free consultation.
