At Yoast, we try to combat the notion that SEO is just a trick. While tricks might get you ranked quickly, they usually don’t work in the long run, and they might even backfire. Permanently ranking well in Google demands an extensive SEO strategy focused on every aspect of your website; the technical stuff, the user experience, the content on your website and the security of your website all need to be in order. So, to keep ranking well in Google, you should develop a holistic SEO approach. Let me explain what that is, here.
What is holistic SEO?
Holistic SEO (search engine optimization) refers to improving all important aspects of a website to make it rank higher in the search engines. The ultimate goal is to make a website fulfill its users’ needs on all levels. Not only by providing the right information at the right time, but also by being easy and safe to use. To reach this goal, website owners should, at least, focus on the following aspects of their site:
- good technical SEO;
- writing quality content and structuring it well;
- a great user experience;
- keeping a site secure.
Why a holistic SEO approach?
Google’s mission is to build the perfect search engine that helps people find what they are looking for, whether that’s the answer to “Where is Wijchen?”, a recipe for apple pie or the best toaster. Making your website and your marketing strategy fit this goal is the way to go. (Which doesn’t mean that if Google says jump, you ask, how high?).
While Google has changed its algorithm numerous times, most of our advice has remained the same ever since we started. This advice is simple (which doesn’t mean it’s easy though!): you have to make sure your site is exceptionally good. Having a website with high-quality content, offering a great user experience and up to date security will not instantly improve your ranking. In the long run, though, it will definitely have a positive effect on your SEO!
Great websites tend to get more links from other websites and will also receive more social media attention. On top of that, people behave differently on a website which they like, compared to a website they don’t understand. Google uses these kinds of user signals to find out how people experience your site.
Awesome websites will also result in higher conversions. If your audience likes and understands your website, the chance of them buying your products or returning to your website is, of course, much higher.
Learn SEO, the holistic way
Sure, you say, but where to start? We understand you might feel overwhelmed by this advice. Fortunately, there are many ways to improve your knowledge about the above-mentioned topics.
For starters, we offer a free SEO for beginners course, a great starting point to learn how SEO works. If you really want to put this knowledge to practice, consider trying our All-around SEO training, you’ll get lots of hands-on tips to start improving many aspects of your own site. Just want to read? Check out these beginners’ guides to help you get started!
Read more: Link building from a holistic SEO perspective »
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