**Getting to the top of the Google or Bing search results is by no means an easy task, and is something that certainly doesn’t happen overnight.**
As a digital agency though, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of clients looking for a quick-fix solution. We all know that a properly optimised website will increase the organic traffic to your website, but few people understand all the complexities that go with search engine optimisation.
At Superdream, we view SEO as a on-going process; a process that begins with web design.
The problem many people face is that they only begin to consider the importance of proper search engine optimisation* after* their website has been launched. A search-engine-friendly website structure is the foundation of any online marketing campaign, and is one of the best ways to boost your search engine visibility.
Here, we’re going to look at a number of steps you can take in order to boost your SEO efforts – before you even build a single link:
1. Structure
Gone are the days when web developers had to rely on static tables and inline markup to highlight content and create functional websites. Thanks to the use of
A web friendly structure is the first step in ensuring an SEO-ready design that can perform well in the search engines. Much like the contents of a good book for example; a website needs to be designed and built in such a way that users – and search engines – can quickly and easily pinpoint the content they’re looking for.
### Making the most of semantic tags
Semantic tags help web developers define the content on a site, and create a solid structure to highlight this. The most common HTML semantics such as
and
These HTML tags are essential elements of website design, and form the foundations of any online marketing campaign. One of the most common pitfalls though, is missing and
You can see some of the other pointers we recommend checking on our (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/the-ultimate-website-redesign-checklist/ text: website redesign checklist).
2. First impressions matter
Ugly websites sell less; it really is as simple as that.
If your customers land on your website and it is cluttered, outdated, and generally unattractive, there is every chance he will bounce right back off your site again. If you want to improve your website’s search engine visibility, looks matter. Here are some things you should keep an eye out for:
– Is it clear right away what your company does?
– Is it clear what your site does? E.g. is it an ecommerce website?
– Would you trust this brand?
– Does it stand out from the competition?
– Is there an appropriate content-to-advert ratio?
While bounce rate is only a very small part of the larger SEO process, reducing it is hugely important. After all, if your visitors are bouncing off having visited only one page, they’re not converting. Employing professional web design services will ensure that your online presence is trustworthy, brand led, and appealing to your target audience.
3. Get your content right
Every company knows that ‘content is King’, and that their website should be filled with (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/writing-quality-content/ text: killer copy). But the best content in the world won’t do your website any favours if your design and structure leave little to be desired.
Online copywriting – especially with getting to the top of Google in mind – isn’t as easy as just presenting what you do in a flowery way. You need to highlight your brand’s USPs, appeal to your customer’s emotions and keep SEO in mind. Being aware of the importance of keywords is one thing; but knowing how these coincide with the semantic structure of your website is another thing entirely.
More than understanding *what *your keywords are, you need to understand *how *to use them and *where.* The positions of your keywords within the copy and the hierarchical structure of your website all help the search engines understand the subject of specific pages, and rank them accordingly.
Website ‘content’ covers everything from your domain name and meta data, through to the readable copy on individual pages. The key here is to write for human readers, including your keyphrases where they fit naturally. A fully integrated SEO campaign is a complicated process, so you should always consult with a professional first.
Some other factors to consider in your copy are:
– Avoid keyword stuffing – Less is definitely more when it comes to SEO
– Avoid duplicate content – The search engines won’t rank websites seen to be publishing duplicate content
– Update regularly – A frequently updated blog is one of the best ways to keep your website fresh, and help you climb higher in the SERPs
– Content is more than words – Images, infographics, videos, podcasts and more should all be forming part of your (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/content-marketing-plan/ text: content marketing plan)
Takeaways
Without proper website design then, getting to the top of Google is an even more challenging process. By getting the basics right at the very beginning – and building a website with search engine optimisation in mind – you stand a greater chance of ranking well.
That’s what sets Superdream apart from other digital agencies.
We follow a 4-step process when designing and developing websites that involves covering all these bases. Our ‘Discover, Plan, Create, Implement’ ethos ensures that, whatever web design project you bring to us, we will create an eye-catching and functional website with firm SEO foundations.
Why not (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/contact/ text: put us to the test), and we’ll show you exactly what we mean?
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