Blog Optimisation: The Way Forward In 2014
Blog optimisation has evolved at a frenetic speed during the last few years: it is getting complex and challenging with each search engine algorithm change.
Heavy keyword domains, high PR directory links and more recently, guest posting used to a be favourite search optimisation tool for bloggers, but now almost everyone from work at home moms to five-figure earners has started to review the viability of their current strategies.
Matt Cutts recently announced that guest posting is now under Google’s radar because it has gotten too spammy. He further explains that this is not a sign of discouragement, but a warning to those using it solely for the purpose of building links rather than providing relevant, high quality contributions.
Then there is the Hummingbird update, the appearance of authorship in SERPs and the declining relevance of PageRank changing the landscape, and it’s likely that more changes and updates are in the pipeline for 2014.
All these happenings suggest austere living conditions for bloggers – embracing these changes and implementing a cohesive strategy with the following best practices is the only way forward:
1. Content Marketing
Without exposing your blog to millions of audiences that tune into the web each day, your content will exist on an island that rarely gets visited. Content marketing as a result becomes an important tool for blog promotion, and there are several methods that can be used.
For example, you can use social media platforms to identify relevant communities and encourage sharing and engagement, or search for prominent blogs within your industry and connect with their audiences through relevant contributions. It is recommended you use a combination of 3-4 content marketing methods to elicit better results.
2. Videos
Videos are proving to be an asset for bloggers as they’re playing an essential role in attracting natural backlinks and improving SERP rankings. Matthew Woodward effectively utilises video marketing for blog optimisation: his hour-long videos have attracted search engine audiences from the world over and have been influential in building natural links to his blog.
An author at 29 Prime notes that videos don’t have to be fancy; rather online audiences will appreciate simple videos if they highlight what viewers are looking for. Also, bloggers can always count on Google to show at least one relevant video for a search term, so if you haven’t made a video about your blog or its content yet, it is time you give it consideration if you’re serious about improving your blog’s ranking.
3. User experience and usability
Start paying attention to the overall layout of your blog, as search engines have started to consider how visitors interact with blogs as a way to determine the quality of the sites. Visitors who have a good experience are likely to share, recommend and stay on the website longer; these activities will boost SERP rankings.
Therefore, focus on the design of your blog and make sure that users find it easy to navigate and discover relevant information. And with more audiences tuning into blogs from mobile devices, fine-tuning your blog’s design and layout to serve mobile readers can go a long way in improving your rankings.
What blog optimisation strategies are you planning to implement this year? Feel free to leave comments.
About the author: Rachel Matthews is a freelance writer with a background in business who’s been relying on her entrepreneurial skill set for over 5 years now. When not writing she enjoys travelling and spending time with family.
