Let’s face it – 2020 has been one stomach-churning roller coaster.
A virus that first appeared in one part of the world slowly brought the whole world to its knees. Certain things in life are entirely unpredictable, and even the most informed people could not have foreseen COVID-19.
Here’s the catch, though – any business runs on the assumption that the future would be largely stable.
While you can make provisions for certain subtle changes in the economy, technology, lifestyle, and so on – one could not possibly have prepared for this pandemic.
Also Read: Get Successful with SEO for your Business!
And if you are a business owner, you are likely going through a really tough time right now.
Businesses cannot ignore the fact that they have to face the consequences of this pandemic and its impact on the economy.
If you are among those whose business plans have been badly derailed owing to COVID-19, there are ways to bring your business back on track without giving up hope.
One of them is to learn SEO.
SEO is the essential digital marketing skill you need to know in the 21st Century.
As the ubiquity of search engines for all forms of information is obvious, every brand must attempt to make itself more prominent on these search engines.
To ignore SEO would be to commit an unforgivable marketing crime.
Before you optimize your site using seo tools for higher rankings, you first need to know the defining SEO trends of 2020.
Here’s a list of the top SEO trends of 2020 you need to learn so your business gets back on track.
1. The Mobile-First Approach
Times are such that we need information quickly, wherever we are, and at the push of a button.
But there is only one computing device that you can carry in your pocket – and that is your mobile phone.
Today, most search traffic comes from phones, so building a site that works flawlessly on desktops but terribly on phones would be a massive blunder.
Keep in mind:
- Firstly, ensure that your site is compatible with mobile phones.
- Pay close attention to details that may not be visible to phone users.
- Anything that hampers the experience of phone users needs to be addressed immediately.
2.Voice Searches Dominate
Voice searches have taken internet queries to an entirely new zone. Search queries now sound more conversational and not simply like a bunch of keywords put together.
When search queries change dramatically, so does the way Google ranks sites on its pages. That means your content must now suit this new trend of voice searches in order to stay relevant.
Your site content needs to be optimized such that even those who use voice searches can find your sites ranked higher than those of your competitors.
3. Speed Matters
Another crucial change that the information revolution has brought about is that people want information quickly. Even a second’s lag is too much to bear.
Google listens to its users and, as a result, would prioritize sites that have faster load times.
There are some useful ways to make sure your site loads faster:
- Compress the size of your images.
- Avoid auto-play videos unless absolutely necessary.
- Compress your website code.
4. It Is About The Experience
It is an oft-repeated paradigm – speech is not only about what you say but also how you say it. This applies even to your website.
Also Read: 7 Best SEO Tricks That You Didn’t Know About
To kickstart your business, you need to pay attention to the quality of content and how it is displayed, i.e., the aesthetics. A good website would always –
- Include a fair amount of images
- Have a neat and consistent font style
- Not look too cluttered
- Make the right use of color
All these elements together make for good user experience and keep people coming back for more.
5. Know The Importance Of Quality Research
Most business persons intuitively know the importance of putting out quality content for people to see.
The catch, however, is that quality content takes plenty of time to research and put together, which, frankly, is a lot of work.
So people tend to circumvent the problem and deliver content that is nominally researched, hoping that other factors would help prop up the site on search results.
This simply does not work!
There is no substitute for well-researched, high-quality content. Those who consistently deliver such content will always be rewarded by Google and its users.
Maybe you intend to start a wordpress blog, or maybe you want to build an elaborate website. Either way, do not undermine the power of quality content.
6. Videos Are Slowly Taking Over
More people are now creating and consuming content in the form of videos. It is visually stimulating and helps retain information faster.
So if you want your brand to be recognized faster, here are some ways you can smartly use videos:
- Describe your videos accurately.
- Use the right keywords in your video heading.
- Make sure the videos feature prominently on your site.
It is not just videos but also gifs, infographics, and even memes that help draw eyeballs, so make sure you use them all.
In Conclusion
SEO is a broad and ever-evolving field. Marketing strategies need to change with time, and so must your SEO.
The pandemic has compelled business owners to rethink their strategies so that they stay ahead of the game or, at least, not lose out entirely.
We know that these are challenging times, but you know what they say – tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
Learning SEO is a surefire way to ensure greater visibility and brand recognition, which means higher sales.
The above trends should serve as a guide for you to develop your strategies accordingly. Always remember to put yourself in the shoes of your target audience. If you were them, would you –
- Recognize the authority of the brand?
- Place your trust in the business?
- Leave satisfied?
- Come back for more?
If the answer to these questions is a resounding YES, then you are on the right track. All you have to do is to keep the momentum going.
The pandemic will not last forever, but at the end of it all, you will emerge victorious.
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