Preparing for SEO in 2017

Search engines run on algorithms, and algorithms reward pages that answer a question better than anyone else. Ranking on page one is a method, not luck.

Know what search engines look for

• Relevant content that matches search intent
• Fast, secure and mobile-friendly pages
• Quality links from trusted websites
• Good user signals: clicks, time on page, low bounce

Step 1: Keyword research

Find the phrases your customers actually type. Prefer specific phrases with clear intent over broad, highly competitive ones.

Step 2: On-page basics

Write a unique title and description for each page, use one clear H1, add descriptive image alt text and link related pages together.

Write for people first. Optimise for search engines second.

Step 3: Technical health

Use HTTPS, fix broken links, submit a sitemap and make sure the site works on mobile devices.

Step 4: Earn links

Publish useful guides and case studies other sites want to reference, and list your business in trusted directories.

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