Nowadays, every business has a strong online presence. The more people visit your website online, the more trust will be built, and the more leads you can grab.
But..!!
What if you are new to the online business?
What if you have just created a website on WordPress?
What if you don’t want to invest enough money in the beginning to run online ads?
What if you are Googling “How to get more traffic on the website for free?”
Well, there is only one way to get free web traffic, and that is SEO.
Although WordPress SEO is not that easy, you need to invest your time heavily in improving website page speed, URL modifications, getting high-quality backlinks, etc, along with technical expertise, and this does not happen in a day or two.
Getting free traffic is not an easy process; you will have to connect with a WordPress SEO agency or get the help of a WordPress SEO expert.
Well, we are assuming that you are not an expert in this field. Based on your initial knowledge, we will try to answer your SEO queries like what are the steps you need to follow in WordPress SEO (technical expertise, on-page, off-page, best plugins, themes, etc.), What strategies do WordPress SEO companies use to drive free traffic? and how WordPress SEO experts can help you to produce the best results in the long run.
Let’s find everything out..!!
Understanding WordPress SEO and Why It Matters
Simply put, WordPress SEO is the strategic optimization of your website to rank higher in SERPs for searches related to your niche. This boosts organic traffic, more website visitors, and, ultimately, increased conversions and sales.
But here’s the twist: search engines like Google utilize complex algorithms to determine a website’s ranking. This guide will break down these crucial factors and show you how a WordPress SEO agency optimizes your WordPress site accordingly.
Building a Strong SEO Base for Your WordPress Website
Building a solid SEO foundation is crucial for the success of your website. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to establish it:
Technical SEO
- Choosing the Perfect SEO-Friendly Theme
The theme you choose has a significant impact on your website’s SEO. When searching for the best WordPress theme for SEO, WordPress SEO specialists prioritize those with clean and well-structured code, blazing-fast loading speeds, and built-in SEO features. Options such as Astra and GeneratePress are great choices for free themes, while premium themes like Divi and Avada provide more advanced features.
(Image Source: WPAstra)
- Crafting User-Friendly Permalinks
Permalinks refer to the URLs of your pages and posts. Ensure that the content is easily understandable and includes the appropriate keywords. For example, rather than using “?p=123”, opt for “/your-target-keyword/.”
(Image source: 360 Digital Marketing Insight)
- Understanding the Importance of Website Speed
A sluggish website frustrates users and harms your SEO. Utilize caching plugins like WP Super Cache or WP Rocket and optimize images using tools like Smush to ensure a speedy website.
- Following a mobile-first approach is the way forward.
With the majority of searches now happening on mobile devices, having a mobile-responsive website isn’t a choice; it’s a necessity. Use a responsive SEO-friendly WordPress theme or plugins like WPtouch Mobile to ensure your site looks great and functions flawlessly on all devices.
Read more: Leave The Competition Aside: Breathe Life Into Your Website With The Customized WordPress Theme
On-Page SEO
- Keyword Research
Identify relevant keywords with high search volume and low competition that your target audience is actively searching for. WordPress SEO specialists use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs, which can be immensely helpful in this process.
Here is an example for the query “dog food” on SEMrush
- Focus on the Content
Google always says that it gives priority to E-E-A-T content. So, you need to create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that targets your chosen keywords. WordPress SEO specialists always suggest that you focus on providing value to your readers, establishing yourself as an authority in your niche, and surpassing the content your competitors offer.
- Optimizing Titles & Meta Descriptions
WordPress SEO experts create interesting and value-driven titles and meta descriptions that accurately reflect your content, match the reader’s intent, and strategically include your target keywords. These snippets are what users see in search results, so make them count! According to WordPress SEO experts, titles should be around 55-60 characters, and meta descriptions should be around 155-160 characters.
- Image SEO
Remember to optimize your images! To make them search engine friendly, add keywords to the filenames and informative alt tags. According to WordPress SEO consultants, image SEO enhances accessibility for visually challenged people and also helps search engines understand your photos.
- Internal Linking
Create a strong internal linking structure by linking to relevant pages on your website. This helps search engines understand your website’s content hierarchy and improves user experience by making it easier for visitors to navigate your site and discover related content.
(Image Source: SEMrush)
Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO involves a range of activities that are carried out beyond your website to enhance its search engine ranking and credibility. Here are a few important strategies used by WordPress SEO agencies:
- Backlink Building
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. Earning backlinks from high-authority websites in your niche signals to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy. There are many ways to build backlinks, such as:
-Guest blogging on relevant websites in your industry.
-Creating high-quality content that others will naturally want to link to.
-Participating in online communities and forums related to your niche.
-Broken link building: Identify websites with broken links on pages relevant to your niche and offer your content as a replacement.
- Brand Building and Social Media Engagement
Building a strong brand presence and actively engaging on social media platforms can indirectly improve your SEO. When people share your content on social media, it can increase brand awareness and potentially drive more traffic back to your website.
- Online Reputation Management
Actively manage your online reputation by responding to reviews and mentions of your brand online. WordPress SEO experts suggest that addressing negative feedback quickly and professionally can help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
Advanced WordPress SEO Strategies for Maximum Visibility
After laying a solid groundwork, you can explore more advanced tactics:
- SEO Plugins
Plugins such as Yoast SEO or Rank Math can enhance and simplify your on-page SEO activities. They help you optimize titles and meta descriptions and even analyze content based on your target keyword.
- Backlinking Strategies
Building backlinks may significantly boost your website’s credibility and authority in the eyes of search engines. It’s worth considering this strategy to improve your website’s overall performance. If your business has a physical location, you can also consider implementing local SEO tactics to enhance your visibility in local search results.
- Content Clusters
Consider creating content clusters around a central theme. This involves creating a pillar page that provides a comprehensive overview of the topic and supporting sub-pages that dig deeper into specific aspects of the main topic. Interlinking these pages strengthens your website’s topical authority and improves SEO performance.
(Image Source: SEMrush)
- Schema Markup
Schema markup is a type of code that you can add to your website to provide search engines with more context about your content. This can help search engines display richer snippets in search results, which can improve click-through rates (CTR). There are schema markups for various content types, including articles, products, events, and more.
(Image Source: Wordstream)
- Technical SEO Audits
WordPress SEO experts regularly conduct technical SEO audits to identify and address any technical SEO issues that could potentially impact the website’s ranking. To perform these audits, you have the option of using either free or paid SEO audit tools such as SEMrush Site Audit or Ahrefs Site Audit.
- Keep up with the Latest SEO trends.
The world of SEO is always changing and evolving. Keep yourself up to date with the most recent SEO trends and algorithm updates from Google. Websites such as Moz Blog, Search Engine Journal, and Google Search Central are excellent resources for obtaining valuable information.
Read more: Custom WordPress Development Trends 2024 and Beyond: The Guide Based on Statistics
Finding the Right Help: Partnering with WordPress SEO Agency
If you require additional support on your SEO journey, consider partnering with a WordPress SEO agency or consultant. They offer a range of services, from in-depth keyword research and content creation to technical SEO audits and strategic backlink building.
When selecting a WordPress SEO expert, look for the following:
- Proven Track Record
A history of success in achieving positive SEO results for WordPress websites.
- Transparency is Key
A clear understanding of their approach, pricing structure, and reporting methods.
- Effective Communication
The ability to explain complex SEO concepts in a clear and understandable way.
Thoughts
By adopting the WordPress SEO strategies discussed in this blog, you can create a powerful foundation for your website and get organic traffic for free. Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistent effort, high-quality content creation, and staying up-to-date on the latest SEO trends are paramount for sustained success.
However, if you crave a turbocharged SEO journey and require WordPress SEO expert guidance, partnering with a reputable WordPress SEO agency can be a game-changer. These agencies possess the specialized knowledge, tools, and resources to elevate your SEO efforts to new heights.
Good Luck..!!
