Search engine optimization, usually called just SEO, is part art, part science, and always changing. There are several facets that affect the way an SEO strategy is created and implemented, ranging from things like website speed to consumer search trends. Algorithms used by Google and other search engines are constantly evolving, too, which means the tactics used by SEO agencies have to adapt to those changes.
With 2020 around the corner, now is the time for business owners, marketers, and others to begin looking into the factors that will affect SEO in the coming year. For those who are ready to tackle this crucial topic, keep reading. Tips for SEO in 2020 can be found here.
- The Speed of the Website
Google’s focus is to provide the best possible experience for the end-user. Speed is and always will be a crucial factor in how websites rank. For website owners and marketers, now is the time to focus on improving page speed.
In 2018, Google first rolled out the speed update, which shifted the priority of website speed on mobile devices, but the speed for desktop website versions has been a ranking factor for several years. Anytime Google puts time and money into researching a specific factor, it’s safe to say there will be an update to the algorithm in the near future.
Having a lightning-fast website is what consumers demand. If a site doesn’t load fast enough, people will bounce away. For example, as a page load time goes from one second to three seconds, the probability of someone bouncing away increases by 32 percent. By five seconds, the probability of bouncing away increases by 90 percent. If a page takes six seconds or more to load, the likelihood of a bounce is increased by 106 percent.
- Maintain a Local Focus
Google is focused on the promotion and the use of local products. What this means is that anything that impacts a site’s local listing will also affect their rank. If a website owner or marketer isn’t putting effort and money into local SEO, now is the time to fix this.
- Reviews Matter
For a long time, reviews have been an important factor in search engine optimization. For example, Google has even stated that having positive, quality reviews from customers can help improve business visibility and increase the chances that the searcher is going to visit the business. What this means is that Google Reviews hold a lot of weight when it comes to local SEO.
- Technical SEO
The use of technical SEO is something else that is necessary for any quality efforts. This achieves a balance between user experience and the way that Google sees the site. If visitors can’t navigate a site easily, there’s a good chance that Google can’t either.
If Google bots can easily crawl a website, it won’t rank well. There are several factors that can affect the technical SEO of a site, ranging from website security to indexing and more. Now is the time to pay attention to this crucial SEO ranking factor.
Creating a Successful Website
The process of getting SEO right is challenging. However, with the tips here, any website owner and marketer will be ready for 2020. Begin preparing now.
