SEO: When Should I Optimize My Website?
SEO: When Should I Optimize My Website?
The best time to optimize your website for search engine optimization (SEO) is during its development stage. Doing so will save you time and resources in the future.
What should I think about as I build my website?
- Page loading speed – Your webpage should load swiftly for an enjoyable user experience and improved Google ranking. Slow-loading pages often lead to website abandonment, negatively affecting user-satisfaction rates and SEO rankings. Optimize your load times by reducing HTTP requests and compressing large image files or plugins slowing your website.
- Website architecture and site map – The layout of your site should be understandable, and your site map should be uploaded to Google for easy navigation by both users and search engines.
- Ease of navigation – A user-friendly website features simple and clear navigation with aptly named pages and well-arranged content. Ensure that your design is uniform and accessible across all devices and platforms.
- Security – Ensure your website is protected from malware and other potential threats. Enforce strong and frequently updated passwords for all users.
How can I optimize my website?
Consider these key elements for optimizing your website:
Variety of content – Craft your content with your audience in mind. Good content may include educational tutorials, engaging articles, compelling infographics, or interactive videos. Make sure your content is unique, current, accurate, easy to read, and keyword-focused. High-quality content adds value to your site, aids in reaching your website objectives and boosts SEO rankings.
Meta descriptions – These short descriptions provide a brief overview of your page content. They appear beneath your page title on search engine results and guide search engines in understanding your page content. They also lure users from search engine results to your website. Ensure that they are clear, concise and accurately depict your page content.
Keywords – Implement effective keyword use by focusing on keywords that matter to your audience instead of attempting to match Google’s algorithm. Use relevant keywords throughout your website, including in your page URLs, meta descriptions, and image alt-text. Also, anchor texts for both internal and external links should contain relevant keywords.
Website optimization should be prioritized during the website construction process to ensure optimal performance upon launch. SEO is an ongoing process, hence your site requires consistent tweaking and improvements due to changes in algorithms, increased competition and evolving best practices. By adhering to these guidelines, your website is on track to gain good SEO ranking and attract potential customers.
Related: SERP Basics