7 Essential SEO Steps to Implement on Your
Website in 2024

An organization’s online presence can have a big impact on how well it performs, no matter what industry it is in. Even in this day and age, some companies still fail to recognize that the bulk of their clients will check their website before completing a transaction.

According to a Forbes report 71% of companies worldwide will have a website. Over 28% of companies operate online, and over 43% of small businesses want to make investments towards improving the functionality of their websites. 

Having a strong online presence can significantly impact your ability to attract more clients. While it’s true that results are impacted by the quality of your website, the main goal of this post is to emphasize how crucial it is to have a website.

SEO: Foundation for a High-ranking Website

A majority of internet users never get past the first page of search results, and over 25% of users click on the first link displayed. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) ensures your website ranks in the top search results and makes your website easy to find. A properly implement SEO helps your website in the following ways:

• Visibility and Ranking
• Enhanced web traffic
• Establishes you as an authority in your industry
• Gain customer trust
• Improved user experience 
• Overall Business growth

SEO Best-practices to Implement

In 2024, with search algorithms becoming more sophisticated, it’s vital to stay updated with the latest SEO best practices. Here are seven essential SEO best practices  to ensure a healthy SEO score for your website..

1. Conduct Comprehensive Keyword Research

Keyword research entails figuring out the information, and topics your target audience is searching for. It involves determining the words/terminology they are using to search for information related to your industry. For example: “best CRM software for small businesses”. You can use sophisticated and advanced keyword research tools such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Keyword Planner to identify relevant keywords for your business and target audience.

Pay special attention to long-tail keywords, which are highly specific and less competitive terms used by your target audience when searching for niche topics within your industry.

For instance, you may target “women’s running shoes for flat feet” rather than just “shoes.” Users who are prepared to convert are more likely to be drawn to these particular terms.

Keyword research is an ongoing exercise and should be ideally done once every three months. This ensures any old content is updated with the keywords people are searching for and the content keeps ranking in search results.

2. Optimize On-page Elements

The next step is to optimize the on-page elements of your website after you’ve compiled a list of keywords. This comprises:

• Title Tags: Make sure your major term appears in a distinct, informative title tag on every page.
• Meta Descriptions: Craft engaging meta descriptions that precisely sum up the page’s content and contain pertinent keywords.
• Header Tags: To help search engines and users better comprehend your content, employ header tags (H1, H2, H3) to organize it. Naturally place keywords in these headers.
• URL Structure: Make clear, informative URLs that accurately convey the page’s content. Steer clear of utilizing special letters or numerals.
• Image Alt Texts: Include pertinent keywords in the descriptive alt texts you provide for each image. This enhances accessibility and aids in picture search optimization.

3. Create High Quality Content

When it comes to SEO, content is king. Search engines give priority to websites with interesting, useful, and relevant information. The E-A-T principle—Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness—should be your main priority when creating content. This entails giving precise information, referencing reliable sources, and showcasing your subject-matter experience.

Every content piece should be educational, well-researched, and customized to your audience’s needs. Make your content visually appealing and easy to read  by adding charts/tables, images, infographics,  and video clips besides text. 

4. Implement Technical SEO

Technical SEO involves optimizing your website’s infrastructure to ensure search engines can efficiently crawl and index your content. Important components of technical SEO are:

• Mobile-friendly: A mobile responsive website is non-negotiable, make sure your website is optimized for both website and mobile. Google now indexes content based on mobile devices, making mobile optimization even more crucial.
• Page Speed: Reduce the amount of CSS and JavaScript files on your page, use browser caching, and compress pictures to improve the speed at which your website loads. Use performance-related technologies such as Google PageSpeed Insights to find and address problems.
• XML Sitemap: Make an XML sitemap and submit it to search engines. This guarantees that every page gets indexed and aids in their understanding of the organization of your website. 
• Robots.txt: You can specify which pages search engines are allowed to crawl by using this file. This guarantees that key pages get indexed and helps avoid duplicating content.
• HTTPS-secured website: Make sure your website is using HTTPS, as this affects Google’s ranking. It also gives your consumers a safe online browsing experience.

5. Build High Quality Backlinks

Links on other websites directing a user to your websites are known as inbound or backlinks. They are an essential component of ranking since they tell search engines that your content is reliable and worthwhile.

Here are some techniques for creating quality backlinks:

• Guest Blogging: Contribute articles for respectable websites related to your field. Make sure there is a backlink to your website in the blog.
• Content Promotion: Distribute your content on forums, social media, and communities focused on your industry. The more attention your article receives, the higher the likelihood of earning backlinks.
• Outreach: Share your content with bloggers, influencers, and professionals in the field. Developing connections can result in worthwhile backlink chances.
• Broken Link Building: Look for links that are broken on trustworthy websites and offer your content as a substitute. By repairing broken links and obtaining a backlink, this benefits both sides.

6. Leverage Local SEO

If you are a business with both an online and offline presence make sure to do Local SEO.  Create a Google My Business (GMB) profile and update all the information (company name, address, phone number, and hours of operation) with regards to your business. Encourage and incentivize your customers to post positive reviews about your business.These reviews, rattings, and recommendations play a big role in local search rankings.

Focus on establishing local citations, or references to your company on other websites like social media, review sites, and local directories, in addition to GMB. Make sure all of your company’s information is the same on all platforms since consistency is essential.

7. Monitor and Analyze your Performance 

Since SEO is a continuous process, long-term success depends on your ability to track progress. To monitor the effectiveness of your website, use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO tools. Important metrics to keep a track of:

• Organic Traffic: Number of people who find your website through search engines.
• Keyword Rankings: Where your target keywords appear on search engine results pages (SERPs).
• Bounce Rate: Number/percentage of users who disengage/leave the website within a few seconds of logging in. A high bounce rate could be a sign of problems with your user interface or content.
• Conversion Rate: Number of visitors that finish a desired action, such as filling up a form or completing a purchase or signing-up for your services/newsletter.

Summing Up

In 2024, launching a new website calls for a calculated and robust SEO strategy. Position your website for success and keep it relevant by implementing these SEO best-practices. 

Launching a new website  is just the beginning. Ensure your success with Koda, the digital marketing agency that delivers comprehensive SEO strategies tailored to your business needs. Our team of experts will handle everything from keyword research and content creation to technical SEO and backlink building, ensuring your site ranks high and attracts your target audience.

Don’t leave your online success to chance. Partner with Koda to elevate your digital presence and achieve your business goals5. .