SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. You engage in SEO when you attempt to get a page to rank higher in a search engine’s SERPs (search engine results pages), with the ultimate goal being to increase organic (unpaid) traffic to that page.

On-page SEO refers to tactics utilized on or within a page to assist it in ranking higher in the search engine. On-page SEO includes both content and the HTML source code of a page (image optimization, keyword optimization, Schema markup, and more), but not external links and other external signals.

Off-page SEO includes activities done off of a website in an effort to increase the site’s search engine rankings. Common off-page SEO actions include building backlinks, encouraging branded searches, and increasing engagement and shares on social media.

The easiest way to test this is to go to Google and type in “site:[mydomain.com]” and see if your website pops up. For example, to check if Intergrowth was indexed, I would type “site:inter-growth.co” into search engines.Google Site Search Example

If your website doesn’t pop up after doing this search, then your site isn’t on Google right now. To fix this, add your website to Search Console and submit your sitemap after verifying your site.

Struggling to find your sitemap? Try typing “[mydomain.com]/sitemap.xml” into your browser. In most scenarios, this will pull up your sitemap, or at least redirect you to your sitemap page. If this doesn’t work, then we have a lot of work to do.

Schedule a call and we’ll help you to get started.

The objective of the search engines is to provide relevant results. Their aim is to show sites that best match to what people are searching for. Search engines are not always successful in this regard. They are of course getting smarter now that AI is in the mix.

There are well over 200+ ranking factors that a website is evaluated against.

Much like a bell curve, those that come closest are more optimized. Although content matters greatly, it goes well beyond this. There are also major Google Core Update changes.

At a basic level, a site needs a content structure focused on topics and subtopics.

Although you’ll hear phrases like “you need links”, much more is required.

Although links are seen as “endorsements” in the eyes of the search engines, many misconstrue quality over quantity. Furthermore, no site will feel compelled to link to another site unless it feels it’s good for their visitors.

You must have linkable assets.

In other words, a site owner wants to provide quality resources beyond the content they offer. Hence, that’s why it’s called the world wide web.

According to Google’s guidelines, they state “the earlier the better.” In fact, Google specifically recommends it when you’re considering a web redesign or new website. Unfortunately, many companies come to this realization much later.

Two scenarios unfold that we hear:

1. Our site doesn’t rank as well as it use to.
2. We migrated to a new website design and lost organic rankings and traffic.
3. We’re not sure if our blog is contributing to sales or assisted conversions.

The worst part is that improper website migration comes with severe consequences. A company will lose revenue and potential lifetime customers. A double whammy.