Tips on Boosting SEO While Focusing on User Experience
Search engine optimization once primarily meant focusing on keywords. Today, Google is more concerned about the user experience, which is why it considers things like page speed, link quality, and relevance of content when determining rankings. To see your desired results with SEO, you’ll also want to keep the user experience (UX) in mind. San Diego search engine optimization professionals share a few tips on boosting SEO while focusing on UX.
Focus on Header (H) Tags
The purpose of H tags is to clue in both search engine crawlers and searchers as to what the content of any given page is about. The H1 tag is the most important one you’ll use on a webpage because it shows the main topic of that page, which is why placing a relevant keyword or two in H1s can help with your ranking. The other tags (H2 through H6) are typically used for subheads and other divisions within your content. Website visitors typically glance at headings and subheads first, which is why H tags can also help with UX.
Make Navigation Easy
Not every visitor is going to come to your website through the homepage, which means you need to make it easy for your target audience to access any page to get around your site. A mistake some sites make is designing a menu that takes over the entire page when it’s clicked, which can be distracting to users trying to read what’s on the page. Instead, make navigation options conveniently available but less distracting. One way some sites handle this issue is with a fixed menu bar that stays visible as users scroll down the page. Google likes easy navigation features because it contributes to a good UX.
Pay Attention to Site Structure
Site structure is kind of like the chapters of your website. On search engine results pages (SERPs), the additional relevant links to specific pages show up in results along with the main link to your website. For instance, retailers often have links to pages that include “What’s on Sale Today” or “Store Locator” so users can click right to those pages if that’s the type of info they want.
Consider Mobile UX
According to Google, more than half of all searches now originate from mobile devices. If your website isn’t designed for viewing on mobile devices, the user experience for those searchers will be affected. Google has also been slowly implementing its mobile-first index, which is supposed to take effect sometime in 2018. “Mobile-first” means sites will be ranked first based on how they appear on mobile devices, and the desktop experience will be considered secondary. Making your site appealing to mobile visitors is also good for business since this is how most people find information these days. Creating a mobile-friendly site involves:
- Getting rid of unnecessary clutter
- Using a responsive design that makes your site fit any screen it’s viewed on
- Paying attention to page load times and navigation
- Leaving space around buttons that can be tapped
Observe User Signals
While Google claims they don’t pay much attention to user signals, there’s evidence suggesting such stats do affect ranking. Things like bounce rates, conversion rates, and ratings left by customers in reviews show how visitors are interacting with your website. As a result, you’ll still want to pay attention to every interaction with your site. Common user signals include:
- Time spent on your site
- Bounce rate (people leaving without taking any action)
- Click-through rates (how many searchers are clicking to your site from SERPs)
- How often visitors return
- Frequency of times your site is typed into the search box or added to bookmarks
- How often visitors actually log in to your site
Making UX part of your SEO strategy isn’t just good for your ranking potential. It’s also an approach to optimization that’s likely to resonate well with your intended audience. The better the user experience is for visitors to your website, the more likely they are to remain engaged with your business online. Since most businesses today seek long-term customer relationships, this can definitely be a good thing for your brand’s visibility, reputation, and bottom line.
Whether you need a comprehensive SEO plan or a responsive website design, Saba SEO can help. For over a decade, we have helped businesses benefit from a range of winning online marketing strategies that include customized search engine optimization plans, high-quality web content, and paid promotions. We also specialize in social media management, video production, and other spheres of online marketing that can boost your conversion rates and increase your search engine ranking. To get the best Google advertising in San Diego, call us at 858-951-1717 today.
