Search engines are an integral part of most people’s day to day lives. Whether they’re searching for something to buy or looking for information; in order to continue to be a source of value for audiences, search engines continue to evolve and refine the qualifying factors that allow the right websites to rank and be visible in search results. Because of this, search engine marketing (SEO) remains a critical aspect of any good digital marketing strategy. 

For businesses looking to improve their online presence organically, be it through an increase in traffic or improved website engagement, staying up to date with best practices is a sure way to enhance SEO performance and search engine algorithms change.

In this blog, we’ll explore 5 effective, quick win recommendations for your business to implement to boost search engine rankings and achieve sustainable growth. 

 1. Prioritise Mobile-First Indexing

Given that approximately 60% of searches are performed on a mobile device in 2023, mobile-first optimisation should be a priority for all websites. This means responsive web design and development that allows for a seamless user experience across different mobile devices.

Consider improving loading times of your website pages. Currently, Google’s benchmark for mobile page load speed is less than 1 second, aim for this for optimum performance.

Alternatively, another improvement that is straightforward could be to enhance the process of navigation across the website, allowing for ease of access to essential information on mobile devices. 

2. Optimise for Voice Search

The rise of voice search features on mobile devices over the years has influenced search term queries over the years. People speak more colloquially and naturally with voice search, and this should be accommodated when optimising content where it may be applicable.

Utilise long-tail keywords and conversational phrases in copywriting, these will help the necessary search terms while also aligning with the natural behaviour of audiences in voice searches. 

Another SEO quick win strategy to optimise for voice search is to simply create content which answers the most frequently asked questions related to your industry or niche. These will be the searches with the most volume and potential to drive traffic from new audiences to your website. When combined with other effective strategies, it’s an easy but effective way to boost your overall performance.  

3. Focus on High-Quality Content

While it seems like the world of SEO is ever-changing, some best practices are sure to stick around. In-depth, engaging and authoritative content should continue to be a priority when writing website content.

Whether it’s a blog post, case study or general information, providing value will always be at the heart of getting your website pages not only indexed but ranked well by search engines. Long gone are the days of ‘keyword stuffing’ - trust us, search engines are highly intelligent (and have been for a long time), they can easily assess what their audience will actually find useful on your website.

Instead, focus on strategically produced content derived from keyword research that will be relevant to your audience’s search intent. 

4. Leverage Video Content

If you want your website to send positive signals to search engines, you might want to consider alternating the kind of content you publish on your website. Rather than just sharing written content, explore different ways to engage and interest your audience with photo and video based information.

The time audiences take to consume video marketing or infographics, for example, show search engines that users are highly engaged with your pages; particularly when it comes to bounce rates, scroll and click activity.

After you have created SEO optimised titles, descriptions, meta content and other written formats, think about how you can translate this into visually appealing videos and images on the page. This content can also be used in other areas of your marketing strategy, with users sharing the content to other platforms, meaning you can acquire further organic traffic. 

5. Secure Your Website with HTTPS

Finally, one of the most simple ways for businesses to attain quick wins in SEO, is to prioritise website security. Be sure to implement an SSL certificate on your website. This secures user data and protects against cyber threats. Secure websites with HTTPS have an advantage in search engine rankings, their enhanced security also provides users with a safe and trustworthy browsing experience, encouraging higher engagement and instilling confidence in the brand. 

In Summary...

Staying ahead with these tactics is a sure way for businesses to adapt and implement effective strategies. By prioritising mobile-first indexing, optimising for voice search, focusing on high-quality content, leveraging video content, and ensuring website security with HTTPS, businesses can achieve quick wins and improve their search engine rankings.