The realm of search engine optimization is rapidly changing and evolving, and in 2021, marketers have to try harder to remain relevant and boost organic traffic. While the focus on quality content remains strong, developers and marketers must also focus on elevating user experience and adding more quality configurations to their websites.
Here, take a look at 10 effective SEO techniques to boost organic traffic in 2021:
1. Improving User Experience
In 2021, user experience (UX) will take center stage, emerging as the most powerful SEO technique to win over Google algorithms and your audience. Google’s new Core Web Vitals place strong emphasis on user experience, and UX signals will cast a strong influence on your rankings.
So, what are the aspects that ensure a delightful user experience? These include all metrics that define web usability, such as loading time, content stability, accessibility across multiple platforms and devices, and interactivity. Loading time is a crucial aspect as users typically leave websites with longer loading time and lack of content stability as it loads.
2. Focus on Video Marketing
Adam Lumb from Cashcow.media says “Videos will continue to command marketing and SEO initiatives in 2021 as users find them immersive and attractive. Embedding videos into your blog posts and web content is an excellent strategy to maintain and expand user engagement, which will naturally help you improve your search rankings”
3. Content will always be KING
Content has been, is and will always be king when it comes to boosting search engine ranking and driving organic traffic. Users seek out websites that offer original, informative and entertaining content that inspires and resonates with them. It is crucial to focus on curating content strategies that are well-aligned with your audience’s interests, and offers something new every now and then.
4. Semantic Search Gains Prominence
2021 SEO trends will be greatly influenced by users and how they use search engines to search for content and information. Semantics refer to the study of words, and the relationships between phrases and their defining contexts.
Semantic search is poised to gain more prominence as Google and other search engines work towards improving their algorithms and serving their users the best results for their search queries. Semantic search allows search engine to maintain relevance, and it can help your website boost its ranking by offering relevant information.
5. Writing for People not Search Engines
Ingmar Folk from CoinFlip Trading Consult says “Keyword stuffing and irrelevance will not help your website gain higher ranking, in fact, it can damage your reputation and credibility. In 2021, it is crucial to write for people as opposed to search engines and their bots. This requires you to focus on curating content that is relevant, precise and easy to comprehend. Divide your content across bullet points, lists and subheadings to enhance readability”
6. Focus on Target Market
The simplest trick to boost your organic ranking remains the same, regardless of the year: focus on the questions and requirements of your target audience. Before compiling a blog or landing page, skim through the keywords and search metrics to understand what they seek from you.
In recent months, frequently asked questions and question-answer formats have gained immense attention because they offer to-the-point relevance. Modern-day users typically don’t have time to skim through an entire article while hunting for the information they seek. So, question-and-answer formats attract them by offering enhanced readability and relevance.
You can dedicate entire articles and content to one specific question, and begin by answering the question before you get into further detail.
7. Google My Business
Local SEO and organic traffic will be largely dependent on Google My Business in the coming year. Location-based search is a dynamic tool that allows enhanced visibility, especially for local businesses. For instance, if a person based in California is looking for “moving companies” on Google Maps, the search engine obliges by providing results from their specific geographic area.
This is a simple and straightforward search experience that has much to offer your business and website. Is local search a part of your digital marketing and SEO strategy? If you have a physical business space be sure to complete your Google My Business listing.
Your listing must offer extensive details about your services or productions, and it should be updated regularly to maintain relevance. Google My Business plays an integral role in defining and refining the local search experience. Having an active engagement and presence on your Google My Business listing will also help boost your ranking results in Google search.
In simpler words, a well-optimized listing will increase your chances of appearing in local geographic searches.
8. Boosting Website Speed
Scott Ferguson, Chief Editor of iOverGolf says “Website speed is a crucial ranking factor and it can make or break the performance and popularity of your website. Website speed has a strong impact on your rankings in Google’s search results, and there are various SEO tools that can help you improve website speed”
Scott further added “For instance, Test My Site helps examine the speed and responsiveness of your site, while PageSpeed focuses on website and content loading”
9. Optimize Content for Enhanced Readability
It is crucial to optimize content for readability to boost your organic traffic and SEO rankings. You can achieve that through some straightforward techniques. First and foremost, focus on curating quality content and pay close attention to grammar, spelling and formatting.
Consider creating shorter paragraphs to enhanced readability with no more than 3-4 sentences. One-sentence paragraphs or paragraphs with 5-lettered sentences are also a great idea. However, make sure that your blogs don’t end up looking like grocery lists with barely enough content to hook in your readers.
10. Factor Voice Search into SEO Strategy
Voice search has emerged as the most dynamic SEO trend in 2020, and it is only expected to get bigger and grander in the years to come. Modern-day users own smart speakers and rely on voice search to conduct online searches. So, if your voice search isn’t a part of your SEO strategy, it’s about time you gave it due attention.