Think about what gaps you can fill that competitors don’t

While external links that point to your site provide long-term SEO value, so do links on your site. When you include internal links (links on your website that point to other pages on your website), you send signals to search engines that tell them how to understand, prioritize, and rank the pages on your site. Work with Google to provide your users with the most relevant, well-informed and entertaining answers to their questions. Prove that you are trustworthy by connecting as closely as possible to high authority sites. Limit each paragraph to 2-3 sentences at most. It’s even okay to use one-sentence paragraphs if necessary, but use them sparingly or your post will look like a bullet-pointed blog without the bullets. For brands that can’t afford a full-service SEO agency, the mention of the word “link building” is enough to make them flinch.

Do the split testing method

Since Google only wants to deliver the best possible results to its users, it will push sites with strong engagement up in the search engine results pages (SERPs). Measure and monitor what is working and update your strategy on the fly. Google collects user data on your site and makes further ranking decisions to determine where your content pages should be ranked in the organic results of search engines. Whether or not a website gets to top ranking positions depends on how unique its content is and how much added value it provides users.

Do Visitor Metrics Play a Role in Search Engine Rankings?

Search engine experiences are becoming increasingly personalized. That’s why it’s important for businesses to focus on long-tail and location-based keywords—so that audiences can find your company based on the exact value and service that you provide. As Google’s preferred configuration for mobile-optimized websites, responsive design is your best option for delivering a great search and browsing experience to mobile users. The following are the two most important things you need to ensure: that (1) your page loads quickly (under 2 seconds) and (2) your page is as small as possible with the least number of requests. According to research by Google, smartphone users have a higher buyer intent than desktop users. They’re focused and ready to buy. It’s your job to be there when they are looking for your products.

Be clear, truthful and accurate

If you want to use your SEO campaign to truly and accurately speak to your audience and potential buyers, think about what gaps you can fill that competitors don’t. There’s no point in creating new content if it’s not authentic enough to stand out. Even if you come up with an idea from a different source, it’s still up to you to offer your unique perspective that will add value to the particular topic. Link building is still an important part of your company’s SEO strategy. Instead of trying to get as many links as possible, proper link building now focuses on relationship building and by providing valuable information. Gaz Hall, a UK based SEO Specialist, commented: "Keep an eye on organic search and watch out for drops in search performance, attribute those drops to specific actions, and develop a game plan for recovery and beyond."

Go great or go home

Mobile does not necessarily mean on the go. Studies find that people often grab the nearest device to look something up and in most cases that’s their smartphone. What is it about Google algorithm updates that send all of our thoughtfully crafted, tried-and-true, SEO strategies out the window? Try to improve your site speed and page load times, and make sure that your site is mobile-optimized to maximize your chances of getting sitelinks on mobile. One of the best ways to get links when you’re first starting out is to ask people you know to link to your site from their site using a target keyword as the anchor text -- the text being used as the link to your site. Use your network of customers, partners, vendors, and even friends/family around the world to link to your site, and ask them to link to the right locale site.