WordPress SEO in 5 Minutes – What is On-page SEO?
If you have a website, you most likely know what SEO is and how important it is for visibility on the internet. Working with the marketers and specialists, you will be always strategising to make a website that Google’s algorithm will love so you can rank higher in SERPs. There are two categories of factors in Google’s algorithm – on-page factors and off-page factors. As a leading SEO agency in Perth, we know the importance of understanding and implementing these factors. Our next article on SEO in 5 mins helps you understand essential on-page SEO factors.
On-page and off-page
On-page SEO, also known as on-site SEO, specifies the process of optimising individual web pages to achieve higher ranking and earn more compatible traffic in search engines. It includes technical set-up, the quality of your code, visual and textual content, and your site’s user- friendliness.
Off-page SEO, also known as off-site SEO, refers to links from other websites, social media attention and other external marketing. It aims to get more links to your site from external sources. The more compatible links you get, the higher your ranking will be.
Importance of on-page SEO
On-page SEO is important because you can control all the elements, unlike off-page SEO. It helps search engines understand your website and its content better, as well as identify whether it is significant to a searcher’s query.
Google, with its complex algorithms, is now much better at understanding user’s search intent delivering relevant search results. A strong on-page optimisation strategy will help you with a rise in organic traffic and growth in your search presence.
Essential on-page SEO factors
These are the essential elements you should focus on:
Content
We are never tired of repeating – Content is king. People will visit your site and keep coming back if they find your content informative and provides a solution for their requirements. Using the right keywords, staying clear of keyword stuffing, and using simple language are essential for good quality content. It is important to create content based on the reader’s search intent, as it helps attract more visitors to your site. To establish your brand among target customers:
- Develop content that answers navigational, informational and commercial queries.
- Plan for effective content marketing campaigns based on how your potential customers conduct keyword searches.
Read our blog to understand how to improve your content SEO.
Title Tag
A good title tag is necessary for both users and search engines to understand what your page content is about. These tags appear in SERPs, web browsers and social networks.
Keep your title tag within optimal length, which is around 60 characters. Poorly written, misspelt, missing, or duplicate title tags can negatively affect SEO and rankings.
Meta tags appear in the SERPs just below the page title. Though it is not a ranking factor, an optimised meta description can help to improve the Click-through rate (CTR). A short and catchy meta tag of about 150-160 characters that describes what your website offers is the best way to go about it.
Headlines
An attractive and interesting headline will help your page stand out in the SERPs. This improves your CTR and sends a signal to search engines that your content is of high quality.
Technical SEO
Technical optimisation is an important on-page SEO factor. A technically optimised site creates a good experience for human users as well as search engines.
Here are some most important technical SEO factors
- Site Speed – The average user expects a site to load within three seconds. Anything higher than that will cause your visitors to bounce away from your site. To improve your page speed, consider deactivating unnecessary plugins, optimising image and video content, using lazy loading, avoiding render-blocking scripts or moving to a faster host.
- Codes – Make sure that your codes are optimised and not unintentionally blocking crawlers from indexing your website. Ensure the SEO components in the source code are optimised.
- Secure site – Security is of utmost importance – visitors are likely to bounce off or skip unsecure sites. Google has also made HTTPs a ranking factor.
Optimising images will ensure faster load times. Consider compressing your images. Make sure to add images that support your content and use descriptive titles and alt text. Alt text helps the search engine crawlers to index an image properly. It also helps visually impaired users understand what your website images portray.
Mobile Optimisation
Google is now mobile-first – that means it will now use the mobile version of a website for indexing and ranking. Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly, loads fast and is responsive for multiple screen sizes.
User Engagement
Search engines are always trying to provide the best user experience to their users. Almost all on-page SEO factors mentioned above are intended towards increasing user engagement and improving user experience.
We hope you found this article informative and helpful. But if you’d rather have a professional manage your SEO, contact us today or email at sales@computingaustralia.group and speak to our SEO experts.
Today’s Jargon Buster
Google Algorithm – a complex system of ranking signals that Google uses to deliver search results.
Responsive Design – a design that lets webpages adapt to the screen size and orientation of the device.
HTTPS – HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure means that the connection over which you are visiting a site is ‘secure’.
Article updated on 06/07/2021
Added new points to Essential On-page SEO factors
by The Computing Australia Group