Business is a game, and as an entrepreneur or marketer, your role in this game is to use any tool at your disposal to stay ahead of your competition. And one of the most effective tools to fulfill that role is SEO.
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the lifeblood of online business. And while it might be simple to master in theory, the fact is that the algorithms and search patterns that inform your SEO efforts are in constant fluctuation, changing, shifting, and increasing in complexity like a giant Rubik's cube.
This means that one of the most important ways to gain and keep a competitive advantage within your industry is to carefully watch the subtle changes in SEO trends and alter your campaigns to match the new realities of the online world.
1. An increase in quality content and “density.”
Content density can be described plainly as content’s “per word value.” So for example, even though you might write a 3,000 word article that explains all the nuances of Snapchat marketing, the actual amount of value you deliver per-word might be very low. However, by providing denser content that is focused more on function than form, you can deliver the same value in only 300 words.
2. More brands will leverage personal branding.
Personal branding is one of the online world’s secret weapons. Just think about all of the entrepreneurs who are multi-millionaires because of little more than a personal brand.
It is actually one of the most powerful ways to ensure the success of your SEO campaigns and the growth of your business. You see, having a well established personal brand massively simplifies the process of securing guest posts, boosts user trust and engagement, and typically drives more traffic to your site.
3. User experience will be an integral to SEO.
People are no longer satisfied with good speeds and reasonably navigable sites. They now expect websites with nigh on instantaneous load times and sites that are easier to navigate than the back of your own hand.
Because of this rise in expectations, UEO or user experience optimization has become almost synonymous with SEO. Google has started to show clear favoritism towards sites with fast load times, mobile optimization, and indications that users are enjoying their overall experience (low bounce rates and a high average time on page).
If you want to maintain a high search engine ranking in 2017, then you need to invest heavily into your user experience.
Courtesy of Entrepreneur
