SEO is short for “search engine optimization.” This technique attempts to optimize the website to get a top ranking in Google search results.
With SEO (Search Engine Optimization), the site will be accessible for people to find so that it has the potential to suck up more traffic.
Of the other search engines (Yahoo!, Bing, Amazon, etc.), why should you prioritize Google SEO?
The answer is simple: Google is the favorite search engine for most internet users.
The proof, every day, there are about 3.5 billion searches through Google. Not surprisingly, Google controls 90% of the search engine market share (Statista).
Therefore, Google SEO is enough to determine the success of the web. With good search engine optimization, the website will attract more potential traffic.
In fact, 53% of the search engine traffic (organic traffic) comes from organic search traffic (SEO). Organic search results are finding information by entering specific keywords into Google.
And not just traffic, your audience reach is also correct, aka according to the site’s purpose (increasing branding, transacting, sources of information, etc.). Curious; why is that so?
So before discussing the benefits of SEO, you should first understand the difference between SEO and SEM.
Difference between SEO vs. SEM
Although it sounds similar, Search Engine Optimization SEO is different from SEM (Search Engine Marketing). The difference between SEM and SEO is the focus.
Google SEO improves website performance, while SEM focuses on instantly capturing results (traffic to conversions). Let’s look at the following differences between SEM and SEO for complete information.
Although SEM can bring instant results, it does not mean that website SEO is not practical.
The proof, 70-80% of people ignore paid search results and prefer content that goes up organically. Because many people are lazy to click on content that has ad frills.
5+ Benefits of SEO for Websites and Business
Maybe you are wondering why do you still have to implement website SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?
Even though you can promote the site through other marketing channels. For example, installing a website link in the Instagram bio, using the swipe up feature, etc.
You need to know most of the traffic—especially from business websites—that comes from search engines. Whatever the industry: technology, fashion, health, and so on.
Of course, the amount of traffic affects the website’s success in achieving its goals. In total, here are the SEO benefits that you don’t want to miss:
1. Make it easier for the audience to find the website.
SEO is a surefire strategy to make finding your website easier for your target audience.
The reason, search engine optimization allows your site to be perched on the first page of Google. This position clearly affects the traffic. Remember, 75% of people are lazy scrolling to the second page.
It’s like opening a refrigerator full of drink cans. Indeed, you’d instead take the can in the front row than bother reaching the end of the shelf, right?
2. Capture the Right Target Audience
Not only does it help your audience find your website, but Google SEO (Search Engine Optimization) also allows you to reach the right target audience.
You can target keywords according to the search intent or the audience’s goal in searching for specific keywords.
For example, the search intent of your website is to educate your audience about certain information. As a skincare businessman who has researched, you know the target audience is curious about Niacinamide.
As a result, you create blog content about the benefits of Niacinamide and inform that your brand contains this substance. By applying SEO techniques, this content has the potential to be found by your target audience through Google.
Plus, the Google search engine algorithms prioritize a unique search experience.
This means that Google’s search engine algorithms will determine the recommended content on the search page, considering the audience’s characteristics. Starting from the location, search history, and so on.
Your website content will have more potential to appear to your targeted audience by applying search engine optimization. As a result, traffic and conversion opportunities also increase.
3. Build Brand Awareness
The simplest way that people can do to find the product they want is: to search for info on the Google search console.
In fact, according to ReviewTrackers, 63% of people prefer to search for products on Google compared to other review sites.
That means Google is a strategic place to introduce a product or build brand awareness.
My website content already appears on the first page of Google, but why is my brand still less popular?
Well, the benefits of SEO do not come instantly. Approximately, new potential customers believe and are interested in your brand after 3-5 times finding the content that you create.
So the more often your website appears on the first page of Google for relevant keywords, the greater brand awareness you will get.
4. As a long-term investment
Search engine optimization is a long-term investment. Because Google SEO can increase business opportunities. Moreover, relevant search results can influence 39% of prospective buyers’ decisions.
5. Increase Sales and Conversions
The following SEO (Search Engine Optimization) benefit increases sales and conversions.
In fact, 75% of entrepreneurs also think that SEO generates more customers than any other marketing trick. In fact, the conversion rate is up to 14.6%.
The reason, SEO can reach a broader target audience more effectively. Different from other marketing tricks. For example, social media can only target users of related apps (Instagram, YouTube, etc.).
Moreover, Google users far more than any other platform, with about 4.39 billion internet users.
That means the easier it is for website content to be found on Google, the greater the chances of attracting traffic. Especially if your content repeatedly appears when the audience enters various keywords.
And not just any audience; you can turn the traffic into many things. What were previously new potential customers become actual customers?
Types of SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
There are three types of SEO optimization: on-page optimization, off-page, and technical. Although both aim to skyrocket website rankings, the focus of these three types of SEO is different. The following is a complete explanation of the types of SEO:
1. On-Page SEO
Goal: optimize website content so that it is easy to find the target market
On-page optimization SEO is an effort to optimize SEO on the front of the website. The aspects that are maximized are:
· Permalink;
· Content title;
· Content structure;
· Content images;
· Keyword distribution;
· Content quality;
· Internal link;
· Meta description, tag;
It will be easier for your content to appear on Google with on-page SEO. And the more relevant the content with the keywords you are aiming for, the more the audience’s needs will be answered, and Google will skyrocket your website ranking.
This type of SEO is the easiest to implement for the record, and you must master it, you know. So if you are just starting to learn search engine optimization, please first hone your understanding of on-page SEO.
2. Off-Page SEO
Goal: to help Google understand how valuable and relevant content is to other people
Off-page SEO is an attempt to optimize off-site SEO. Here are aspects of off-page SEO that you can improve:
- Link building (activity to get links from other websites aka backlinks);
- Increased DA (Domain Authority: score to predict the chances of website ranking on Google);
- High PA (Page Authority: a score that indicates the probability of a website page is in the top Google rankings);
- Promotion of content through social media sites and other marketing channels;
- Guest blog post (activities to put your quality articles on other websites with backlinks to your site).
With Off-solid page SEO, Google will be more confident that your site is helpful to others. As a result, the credibility of the site and the potential to increase its ranking also increases.
3. Technical SEO
Goal: optimize the structure of the website so that it performs optimally and is accepted by Google
Technical SEO is an effort to optimize SEO on the inside of the website. Broadly speaking, these aspects are included in the technical SEO area:
· Website speed;
· structure website;
· XML sitemap;
· Site security (SSL);
· Responsive Design;
· Layout website;
· Navigation.
Your website will have a good structure and be easy to read by search engines by applying technical SEO. As a result, Google’s chances of indexing your site are even more significant.
How SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SERP Work
Of course, the way SEO works is not just choosing a website to occupy the top page of the SERP (search engine result page). There are specific techniques that Google uses to select sites.
1. How SEO Works
Google has a tool called a web crawler. This web crawler helps Google collect various content on the internet and save it to a database or search engine storage cabinet to process it.
In short, this is how SEO (Search Engine Optimization) works after you release a website or post new content on a blog post.
- Crawling: the process of collecting and storing web pages that have just been released or that have just been updated;
- Indexing: the process when Google studies the structure of the website, the quality, and relevance of the content to the needs of the audience, as well as the credibility of each website page stored in its database;
- Pulling result (search rankings): Google compiles a list of the best website pages to fill the highest ranking on the search results page (SERP).
Well, that was how SEO works in sorting website pages to be displayed to internet users. But, how is the journey of content so that it can be found by the audience?
2. How SERP (Search Engine Results Page) Works
Now, you will see how the Google major search engines rankings bring certain web pages in front of the audience.
Roughly, this is how the SERP (Search Engine Results Pages ) works to serve recommended content to the audience:
- The audience enters specific keywords into the Google search query box;
- Google analyzes these keywords (starting from spelling and word synonyms) to provide the best search results;
- From all web pages in the database, Google looks for content that contains the keywords that the audience entered ;
- With Google’s algorithm, Google analyzes content and websites to ensure the information is relevant and reliable for the audience;
- Google considers the characteristics of the audience. Starting from location, search history, and after search (SafeSearch Filters: filters to provide safe content for the audience);
- Google SERP displays a list of the best content for the audience.
You should know that SERP simply adheres to Google’s algorithm. Google’s algorithm is Google’s guideline for evaluating and displaying website pages according to the keywords users enter.
Moving on to the next section, you will find the leading SEO indicators.
12+ Key SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Indicators
SEO indicators are things that Google evaluates to decide whether a website page deserves or does not get a top ranking in the SERP.
That means SEO indicators are aspects you need to work on when optimizing your website. Here are the key SEO indicators:
1. Domain Factor
The domain is the address of a website. For example, https://rankinggoal.com. While domain factors are related to the domain that impacts your SEO performance.
Indeed, what are the domain factors that are indicators of SEO? Here’s the answer:
- Spelling is straightforward to type. With simple spelling, the domain name will be more accessible for the audience to organize and reduce the possibility of types;
- Domain size. Long domains will be too complex for both Google and the audience to understand. Such as https://ghareluupcharinhindi.com/ ;
- Domain age. Actually, the age of the domain is not very practical for SEO. However, the more you optimize your website from the past, the better the SEO will be;
- Domain history. If you buy a domain that has been used and has a bad record (a lot of spam activity), it will affect SEO performance.
2. Website Design and Structure.
Website structure is the arrangement of the important pages on the website, including their elements, such as content arrangement, navigation, links, content layout, etc.
Not just any order, the website structure must be SEO-friendly. That is, your website must:
· Easily accessible;
· Quickly accessed;
· Neat website structure;
· Clear navigation menu;
· Easily recognizable links;
· Unique content title and URL;
· Quality content;
· The right color combination;
· Consistent display in the browser;
· Call to Action
· Simple form;
· Responsive / mobile-friendly.
By answering all the criteria for an SEO-friendly website, Google will consider your site to have a good user experience and deserve to be presented to the audience.
3. Security Website (SSL/TLS)
Since 2014, Google has prioritized sites that are safe for the audience. Google recognizes site security to see if the site has SSL/TLS installed or not.
For info, SSL/TLS is a security protocol to protect all data flows on websites. Websites that install SSL/TLS must have a padlock sign in the URL in the address bar.
4. Website Speed
Since 2018, Google has set website loading speed (on a desktop, mobile, tablet) as one of the leading indicators of SEO.
According to Google, at least the best website speed is about two seconds. To clarify your imagining, something like this website speed range:
· Very fast: 1 second
· Fast: 2 seconds
· Average: 2 to 3 seconds
· Slow: 3 to 4 seconds
· Very slow: above 4 seconds
Then, what are the consequences if the website speed is too slow?
In fact, the audience couldn’t wait. They will not hesitate to look for other websites without waiting too long for the page to finish loading.
If you look at the graph, you can conclude that the faster the website page loads, the lower the bounce rate and the higher the page views.
One way to skyrocket your website speed is to choose a hosting that uses the best server. LiteSpeed Web Server, for example. This is a web server that is 50% faster in performance than other servers.
5. Keyword Research & Usage
Of course, you already know that keywords are a pretty primary SEO indicator. Because entering keywords into Google is how the audience finds your website.
In other words, they can help you choose the best keywords from your list. There are a million and one keyword research tools out there.
Usually, beginners or SEO experts choose keywords that have a large volume. Because the large volume reflects the large number of audiences looking for information with these keywords.
Unfortunately, high-volume keyword competition is quite tricky, especially for websites that have just been released and lose to sites that already have traffic.
Because of this, the seo strategy for using keywords has shifted. You can target several keywords: LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) or Long tail keywords.
Not synonyms, LSI keywords are terms or words considered semantically relevant by search engines. By adding LSI, the content is even richer in information.
Next are long-tail keywords. Long-tail keywords are specific keywords that usually tend to be low in competition. But even if the volume is low, it’s not necessarily that no one is looking for it.
Therefore, long-tail keywords allow you to beat Google’s competition while also answering audience-specific search queries.
In conclusion, shooting the right keywords will make it easier for you to strategize the content that your audience really needs. Google is also more likely to rank you according to target keywords.
6. Content Topic
The following SEO indicator is content topics. Even though it looks trivial, choosing the wrong content topic can be fatal.
Well, you are free to choose any topic. Try to make sure that the content topics you choose are related.
For example, suppose you have digital marketing. Provide key topics such as digital marketing, web development & seo, design, etc. All these topics are interrelated with the blog’s main issue, technology.
Why should it be like that? The reason is simple: the more content related to each other, the easier it is for search engine rankings to understand the context of your website.
In addition, related and high-quality content will make it easier for you when build internal links and external links to pages on other sites. This is because the information from one range to other content supports each other. It is easy to insert related links.
7. Search Intent
Search intent is the user’s goal when searching for a search keyword.
For example, when the audience enters the keyword’ website development services on Google. Most likely, they are looking for a website creation service.
So, the SERP will display recommendations for the most trusted website creation services.
Obviously, the results will differ if the audience types in the keyword ‘tips to open a website creation service.’ They may be interested in opening a website creation service and figuring out how to get started.
Therefore, SERP also brings recommendations for tips on opening a website creation service.
That means Google is trying to understand the intent of its users through the incoming keywords. In other words, the keywords with the content you create must be as relevant as possible to the audience’s search intent.
8. Content Structure
The following SEO indicator is content structure.
One of the ways Google can read your content is to see how it uses headings. The heading is the title of the article section that contains specific information.
The use of headings is not arbitrary. Although there are H1 (main title of content) to H6 (sub-heading), you must understand the ranking. The closer to H6, the more detailed the information you provide.
In addition to making it easier for Google to read the content structure, the heading format will make it easier for the audience to quickly catch the core of the content.
In addition, headings can help you get featured snippets (snippets column at the top of Google).
Google and the audience can judge whether your content answers their search intent from the headings.
9. Image Optimization
One of the elements that people often take for granted even though it impacts website SEO is images. Be it cover content, supporting illustrations, videos, or other visual formats.
In fact, image SEO can boost the performance of your website. Both in terms of speed to ease of finding in search results. Because Google’s algorithm can read the images, you post.
10. URL Structure
URL alias permalink is a link that will take the audience to particular content or website pages.
With a simple URL structure and precise keywords, it is easier for search engines work to understand the topic of the web page.
11. Meta Tag
Meta tags consist of title tags and meta descriptions. The title tag is the article’s title that appears in search results. While the meta description is a summary of your content under the meta tags.
Since meta tags are the first thing your audience sees before entering your content, their presence is important. The audience can judge whether the content matches their search intent with meta tags.
It’s important, you know because space from Google is limited, the size of the meta tags must adjust. Too long title tags will be cut by Google, while the meta description is limited to 120 to 130 characters.
12. Backlink
In the Off-Page SEO section, you already know at a glance backlinks. Backlinks are links from neighboring websites that point to your website.
This SEO indicator is quite important because it is a consideration for Google in assessing the website’s credibility. When your content is used as a reference by other websites, the content you create is indeed valuable.
However, you can’t just get backlinks from any website or blog. Of course, the site that provides the backlink must be of high quality. This quality can be seen in the DA and PA scores. The higher the DA and PA scores, the chances of website pages appearing in the top rankings also increase.
13. Web Spam
Web spam is communication through the website in bulk and excessive. For example, bombarding one short article with hundreds of the exact keywords. The goal is to win the SEO competition.
Usually, those who do webspam are those who don’t really understand how SEO works or people who want to conquer search pages instantly and fraudulently.
In fact, Google doesn’t like sites that spam a lot. Because webspam will damage the audience’s user experience and, at the same time, reduce the website’s credibility.
There are several types of webspam that people often do:
- Content-based spam, i.e., spam activities carried out on content. Such as doing keyword stuffing (entering keywords excessively);
- Comment spam, which is spam in the comments column of neighboring websites by entering your own website link;
- Link spam is a spam activity that bombards specific platforms with excessive backlinks. Be it in online forums, guest blogs, and so on.
So even though optimizing for website SEO is important, you must pay attention to the limits of reasonableness and not cheat.
Moreover, Google is getting smarter in assessing the spam level of websites so that it doesn’t hesitate to contact rid of sites that do it.
What Are SEO Ranking Factors?
From the previous discussion, you know that SEO indicators are metrics that Google assesses to assess the feasibility of a website and its content. Well, these indicators can actually be grouped into SEO ranking factors.
SEO ranking factors are criteria that Google sets to evaluate SEO indicators, including:
- Relevancy, namely the relationship between the needs of the audience and the information provided;
- Authority, namely the level of credibility of the website or content in presenting accurate and relevant information;
- Value is the quality of the website to the content to provide benefits to the audience;
- User experience, namely the audience’s experience when they interact with the website and its elements.
Then, which indicators are included in the Google ranking factor? Let’s look at the following table.
In addition to the SEO factors above, website rankings are also influenced by the Google algorithm. Google’s basis in assessing this website has a continuously updated system to provide the best search experience.
That means Google’s algorithm exists to meet the audience’s needs. So, instead of just focusing on pursuing Google’s ever-changing algorithm, it’s better to concentrate on presenting useful websites and content to the audience.
Ready to Apply SEO Optimization?
Now, you understand better that SEO is a way of optimizing a website to sit on the top page of Google.
Implementing the right website SEO will be flooded with traffic and will get abundant benefits. Starting from expanding awareness and encouraging transactions to extend the business’s life.
But even though this article is finished, I don’t think learning SEO ends just like that. As Aristotle (Greek philosopher) said, “What we have to learn, we learn by doing .” So, the best way to understand SEO is by practice.