What is SEO?
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The document outlines the evolution and importance of search engine optimization (SEO) in 2017, emphasizing its shift from keyword-heavy tactics to focusing on user experience and content relevance. It discusses key components of SEO, including keyword research, link building, social proof, and analytics, while highlighting various Google algorithm updates. The author, Sean Hecking, offers insights on implementing effective SEO strategies for improved organic search results.
What is SEO?
- 2. Hello! I am Sean Hecking Consultant & Owner of Interactive Cleveland You can find me at: Twitter: @seanhecking Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanhecking/ Email: sean@interactivecleveland.com Web: www.interactivecleveland.com Interactive Cleveland
- 3. SECTION 1 What is SEO?
- 5. SEARCH ENGINE A web search engine is a software system that is designed to search for information on the World Wide Web. The search results are generally presented in a line of results often referred to as search engine results pages (SERPs). The information may be a mix of web pages, images, and other types of files. Place your screenshot here
- 6. 3.5 Billion… searches on Google on an average day (s. Google 2017) 51%… of consumers shopped online during the 2016 holiday (s. comScore & UPS 2016) 1.15 Billion… active users on Facebook on an average day (s. Facebook 2017)
- 7. GOOGLE INDEX A database of information Google’s web crawler has found and stored about your website HTML, copy, images, videos, and more. GOOGLEBOT Googlebot is Google's web crawling bot (sometimes also called a "spider"). Crawling is the process by which Googlebot discovers new and updated pages to be added to the Google index. Place your screenshot here
- 8. SERP A search engine results page (SERP) is the listing of results returned by a search engine in response to a keyword query. FREE Natural listings that appear from Google’s web crawler index. PAID Sponsored listings companies pay Google per-click based on auction- like bids. Place your screenshot here
- 9. PAID - Text Paid listings usually appear in the top 3-4 text positions and in the bottom 2-3 listings on each search page. Google recently removed the right column listings. PAID - Shopping A product listing with images, reviews, and pricing. PAID - Maps Paid local search listings began to appear in local pack results in early 2017. Paid local results do not appear on all local searches. Place your screenshot here
- 10. FREE ORGANIC Free listings appear after the paid listings, usually in positions #4-10 or #4-12 depending on the search performed. FREE MAPS Local pack listings can appear for searches Google things are more local in nature. Example: “Pizza shops near me” KNOWLEDGE GRAPH Typically brand searches for specific companies or places will appear to the right or under the search box with few if any paid listings. Place your screenshot here
- 12. WHAT IS SEO? 2007 vs. 2017
- 13. “In contrast to PPC or Pay-Per-Click Advertising, Search Engine Optimization is the art and science of a strategy aimed at placing web pages at the top of organic search results for their targeted keywords. Keywords are the phrases people search for to find what they are looking for.” What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
- 14. SEARCH ENGINE MARKET SHARE 2017 Yahoo! 6% Bing 7% GOOGLE 80%
- 15. WHAT SEO WAS IN 2007 Find Δ Keywords Fill Pages w/ Keywords $$$
- 16. 2017 is... ➜ Research Keywords ➜ Relevant Copy ➜ HTML Improvements ➜ Building Relationships ➜ Earned Links ➜ Usability Improvements ➜ Mobile Experience ➜ Social Proof ➜ Conversion Rates ➜ SERP Bounce Rates ➜ Evergreen Content “SEO in 2017 is less about optimizing for high volume and getting #1 rankings. SEO is now about improving the browsing experience and generating very relevant, high converting information.” - Sean Hecking, Interactive Cleveland Inc. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in... 2007 was... ➜ Research Keywords ➜ Keyword Rich Copy ➜ HTML Improvements ➜ Link Requests ➜ Paid Links ➜ #1 Rankings ➜ Pages, pages, pages ➜ Tricks and Secret Tactics ➜ Fooling Google ➜ Fooling Yahoo! ➜ Fooling MSN/Bing
- 17. GOOGLE ALGORITHM
- 18. For a typical query, there are thousands, if not millions, of web pages with helpful information. Algorithms are the computer processes and formulas that take your questions and turn them into answers. Evolution of Google (Video: 6 minutes): http://youtu.be/mTBShTwCnD4 “Pet Supplies” 102,000,000 RESULTS
- 20. GOOGLE UPDATES
- 21. Google is constantly updating their computer programs that manage search engine listings. Smaller and less noticeable changes happen every week. Less frequent major updates typically happen a few times each year. ➜ “Possum” Aug. 2017: Local pack results ➜ “Fred” March 2017: Low value content sites hit ➜ “Penguin 4.0” Oct. 2016: Links ➜ “Possum” Sept. 2016: Local pack results ➜ “Mobile Friendly” May 2016: Mobile SEO GOOGLE UPDATES (2016-2017)
- 22. MOZCAST.com Moz.com micro-site designed to update daily based on how many changes take place in Google’s SERPs. The warmer and stormy, the more changes in Google. A high degree of change over a few days is often a signal of a major update. Place your screenshot here
- 24. ➜ Basic graphics skills ➜ Word processing, spreadsheets ➜ Content management skills (WordPress) ➜ Basic HTML ➜ English (other languages a big plus for translations) KNOWLEDGE NEEDED
- 25. ➜ Programming (PHP, Javascript, JS libraries) ➜ Hand markup HTML ➜ Server setup (DNS, security) ➜ Analytics background ➜ Graphic design ➜ Creative writing KNOWLEDGE NEEDED (ADVANCED)
- 26. ➜ Google Drive ➜ Microsoft Office $ ➜ Google Analytics ➜ Google Analytics 360 $ ➜ Google Adwords ➜ Google Webmaster Tools ➜ Google Tag Manager ➜ SEM Rush $ ➜ Moz $ ➜ Screaming Frog $ ➜ Majestic SEO $ TOOLS NEEDED (paid = $)
- 27. PROCESS
- 28. PROCESS OVERVIEW PERSONAS KEYWORDS ROAD MAP STRATEGY KPIs GOALS AUDIT ANALYTICS SETUP REPORTING TOOLS REPORTING TREND ANALYSIS ALGO ANALYSIS BRAINSTORMING CONTENT PLANNING WRITING SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION HTML OPTIMIZATION IMAGE OPTIMIZATION LOCAL SEARCH SOCIAL MEDIA OPTIMIZATION Months 1-2 Months 2-12+
- 29. ➜ Technical - HTML, tags, scripts, speed, servers, page errors, security, mobile, etc. ➜ Content - Quality, depth, links, keywords, layout, mobile, ad space, SERP bounces, etc. ➜ Promotion - Brand mentions, shares, link authority, social proof, etc. PAGE RANKING FACTORS
- 30. SEM Rush 2017 Ranking Factor Report Validates SERP performance, links, HTTPS, content depth
- 31. SEM Rush 2017 Ranking Factor Report Validates SERP performance, links, HTTPS, content depth
- 34. ACCESSIBLE, QUALITY CONTENT “Getting your web pages found and indexed in Google (and Bing/Yahoo) is the first step in optimization.” ➜ Is Googlebot finding your site? ➜ Are all internal links working? ➜ HTML clean? ➜ Webmaster Tools added? ➜ HTML & XML sitemap created? ➜ Robots.txt setup correctly? ➜ Deep crawl tested?
- 35. KEYWORD RESEARCH & TARGETING “SEO starts with keyword research.” ➜ What’s your business and industry? ➜ Who are your top competitors? ➜ Do you offer services locally or nationally? ➜ What does your company offer? ➜ Who are the influencers in your industry? ➜ Do you have a list of core search keywords?
- 36. LINK BUILDING (a.k.a. Inbound Marketing, Content Marketing) “The best link building is to build shareable content.” ➜ Have you reviewed your link profile? ➜ What types of sites are linking to yours? ➜ Who are you linking to? ➜ Is anyone sharing your pages or content? ➜ Are you losing potential traffic due to broken links or lost referring traffic hitting 404 pages?
- 37. SOCIAL PROMOTION “Getting your content shared is key to increasing links and influence.” ➜ What type of content is shared most? ➜ Do you use topics that educate, entertain, or drive engagement? ➜ Do you have any thought leaders? ➜ Can you offer any free expertise to customers? ➜ Are you using video or downloadable media to promote your company?
- 39. “A content management system (CMS) is a computer application that allows publishing, editing and modifying content, organizing, deleting as well as maintenance from a central interface. Such systems of content management provide procedures to manage workflow in a collaborative environment.” ➜ Easy to use without programming ➜ Help manage content and contributor roles ➜ Help sell products and manage web pages Content Management Systems (CMS)
- 40. Good CMS Options To be found on the internet, you’re going to need a basic website. There are several CMS options available for small businesses, large corporations, and everything in-between. ● WordPress.org ● Magento ● Drupal ● Umbraco ● Shopify
- 42. “Pages with lots of shares also tend to have links.” - Busszumo #7 in Google #1 in Google
- 43. “Social proof (also known as informational social influence) is a psychological and social phenomenon where people assume the actions of others in an attempt to reflect correct behavior in a given situation” ➜ Shares = more shares ➜ Likes = more likes ➜ Positive social engagement = Brand growth ➜ More shares = more links Social Proof = Better SEO
- 45. ➜ Interview sales team and key stakeholders ➜ Research customer demographics: Age, gender, salary, job role, likes, dislikes, etc. ➜ Review Google Display Planner ➜ Review Google Analytics ➜ Review search demographic trend reports ➜ Write down feedback and create a model BASIC PERSONAS
- 46. ➜ Prepare a competitive analysis ➜ Identify 10-20 core keywords as a starting point ➜ Use AdWords CPC as an indicator of how competitive the market ➜ How far are your from your competitors in search engines? ➜ Determine how much effort may be required or how much budget you will need for paid search KEYWORD DISCOVERY
- 48. SEO Audit “Hand” review of several best practices for organic search. A crawl report by itself isn’t an audit. ● Technical SEO ● Accessibility ● Content Optimization ● Social Proof ● Analytics Review ● Duplicate Content ● Penalty Review ● Goals/KPIs
- 49. Build A Road Map Plan of activities for the first 3- 6 months of work. May include feedback from client and based on resources. ● Scope of tasks ● Ownership ● Priorities
- 50. Analytics Setup Getting the right metrics in place to measure campaigns. Without proper KPIs, clients can only focus on keywords and traffic (YIKES!) ● Google Tag Manager ● KPIs ● Goals/Funnels ● Downloads ● Orders
- 51. Reporting Tools To analyze competitors and research keywords, you will likely need more robust tools as your campaigns get more sophisticated. ● Moz ● SEM Rush ● Majestic SEO ● A Hrefs ● Hootsuite ● Google Analytics 360
- 52. ➜ Quarterly review of performance ➜ Review any changes in your industry or seasonal opportunities ➜ Review competitors ➜ Discuss budget and resources needed ONGOING STRATEGY
- 54. SEO Reporting To report your progress back to management or clients, you will need reporting data. Below are a few data points to consider: ● # of keywords ● Core keywords ● Links ● Social proof ● Brand mentions ● Content engagement ● Organic conversions
- 55. ➜ Avoid focusing on top keyword rankings ➜ Shift discussion to conversion goals, keyword growth, and content engagement ➜ Rankings ≠ Results ➜ Rankings can increase awareness and lead to audience growth ➜ Discuss page visibility vs. rank SEO REPORTING TIPS
- 56. Algorithm Changes Keep tabs on changes to search engine algorithms using the following tools: ● Algoroo ● Mozcast ● SERPmetrics ● Panguin ● Google Analytics
- 57. Search Trends Monitor trends in searches for groups of keywords. If searches are going up, it’s generally good. ● Seasonality changes ● Growth/decline of products ● Growth/decline of industry ● Trends can influence navigation and keyword focus
- 58. Analytics & KPIs Monitor key performance indicators. These are a true measurement of performance. ● Brand searches ● Non-brand searches ● Sales/Orders ● Leads ● PDF Downloads ● Website calls
- 59. Dashboards Use templated dashboards to help measure campaign performance. Customize as needed. ● Google Data Studio ● Google Drive
- 60. Thanks! Sean Hecking Consultant & Owner of Interactive Cleveland You can find me at: Twitter: @seanhecking Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanhecking/ Email: sean@interactivecleveland.com Web: www.interactivecleveland.com Interactive Cleveland
Editor's Notes
- #7: Google and Facebook clearly dominate the web