Looking to grow your business online in 2020? Improving where you rank in Google search listings is key for getting noticed and attracting new customers. This process, called search engine optimization, is a skill that’s relatively easy to pick up and doesn’t cost much to implement. In this blog, we’ll be examining the big SEO trends for 2020 so your business can get ahead of the pack.
Playing by Google’s Rules
Each year, Google processes over 2.3 trillion searches. Of these queries, approximately 67 per cent will click one of the first five organic search results. Placing your website among this cohort will dramatically increase your visitor numbers. To achieve this goal you’ll need to play by Google’s rules.
Google’s search algorithm uses more than 200 factors when ranking a website. With each tweak to their algorithm, Google theoretically makes the system harder to game. With this in mind, here are some of the key trends in SEO to watch out for in 2020 and beyond.
2020 SEO Trends
Content is More Important than Ever
In 2018, the last time we examined SEO trends, we spoke about the importance of high quality content for SEO ranking. While it’s hardly groundbreaking to suggest, content remains king and should form the basis of your SEO strategy. Users want content that is relevant, helpful and timely. People flock to Google in search of answers, and the key to ranking is to provide those answers on your website. Content should be well written, easily digestible and simple to navigate. Regularly writing a blog on popular trends in your industry is a great way to attract visitors but avoid using it to give the hard sell on your products or services.
Be Nimble, Be Mobile Friendly
Mobile traffic accounts for approximately half of all web traffic and that number is only going to rise. Google continues to place more emphasis on a website’s mobile performance when assessing rankings. Popular website CMS platforms such as WordPress, Shopify and Wix offer robust and intuitive mobile web options, but this is only half the battle. Your site also needs to load quickly, meaning it pays to optimize your image sizes and cut down on any URL redirects. Simplify your menu structure so visitors don’t have to wade through menu after menu to find what they’re looking for. Place your most visited pages to the fore.
What’s Your Video Strategy?
YouTube is the new TV. In fact, six out of ten people would rather watch online video than live TV. Google have begun incorporating YouTube videos into search results, giving digital marketers another option for improving their search rankings. Videos don’t have to be long or complex; Record simple videos that contain information your audience will be interested in. Unsure if a video is right for your audience? Use social platforms like Instagram as a test bed for ideas. If a video proves popular there, flesh out the idea and create a longer form YouTube video. Ensure videos are tagged with relevant search terms for added visibility.
Is Your Website Secure?
Digital privacy is one of the internet’s hottest topics and it’s no surprise it’s playing a role in search engine optimization. Google is committed to ensuring web users enjoy a secure browsing experience. The “gold standard” for this type of security is something known as HTTPS protocol, a layer of security that prevents hackers from intercepting any communication between website and users’ browsers. It is the responsibility of the website owner to ensure any visitor data is kept private and secure. Sites that implement HTTPS are highlighting they can be trusted, and this will be reciprocated with a boost in SEO.
Here to Help
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