Welcome back to the third and last installment of our three-part blog series on SEO for startups. In Part 1 of the series, we explored the aspects on title tag duplication, meta description, ALT attributes to the images, proper H1 tags, and proper 404 redirects.
In the Part 2 of the series, we delved into the aspects of internal cross linking, XML sitemap and it’s importance, URL structure and how to create a perfect one, Absolute URLs and how to they are better than Relative URLs, and Naming Images properly and it’s importance.
In this final installment, we're going to explore the world of SEO once more, but this time, we'll dive into some specifics tailored for those who have a blog on their website. We will be covering following topics in this blog:
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404 Broken Images and how to tackle those.
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Schema Markup or Structured Data and it’s importance.
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Icons from trusted organisations: Building trust
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Do-follow links and it’s importance
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Author Bio and it’s importance
1) 404 Broken Images and how to tackle those:
What are 404 Broken Images?
A 404 broken image occurs when a webpage attempts to display an image, but the image file cannot be found or is no longer available. These missing images can lead to a poor user experience and harm your SEO efforts. They matter because they degrade the user experience and can impact your website's search engine ranking. When visitors see broken images, they might perceive your website as unreliable or outdated.
Example:
How to Address It:
Regularly audit your website for broken images using tools like Google Search Console. Replace or remove the missing images and ensure that your image file paths are correct.
2) Schema Markup or Structured Data and it’s importance:
What is Schema Markup?
Schema markup (or structured data) is code added to a webpage to provide search engines with additional context about the content. It helps search engines understand the meaning of the content, which can lead to rich search results. Schema markup might sound technical, but it's like adding subtitles to your content for search engines. For example, if you run a recipe blog, schema markup helps search engines understand that a block of text is a list of ingredients and another is step-by-step instructions. Schema markup can result in rich snippets, which display more information in search results. Enhanced search results can attract more clicks, boosting your site's visibility.
Example:
How to Implement It:
Use schema markup for specific types of content, such as articles, products, or events. Schema creator tool provided by RankRanger can assist you best for creating schema. You can also use other tools provided by TechnicalSEO or Yoast SEO plugin’s Schema Tab.
3) Icons from trusted organisations: Building trust
What are Trust Icons?
Trust icons, those logos or symbols from well-known organizations, play a crucial role in building trust with your visitors. Think of these icons as endorsements. Placing icons from trusted organizations on your website can significantly enhance your credibility. These icons signal to visitors that your site is reliable and trustworthy.
Example:
Ways to Obtain Them:
Certificates: Obtain certificates from reputable organizations related to your industry or niche. Example: ISO certificates, Google Certificates, Certificates from reputed directories.
Partnerships: If you have partnerships with respected brands or organizations, showcase their logos. Example: Salesforce Gold Partner, HubSpot Partner, Zoho Development Partner icons.
Trust Seals: Consider trust seals from security providers to assure visitors of a secure browsing experience. Example: DMCA, Norton Secured, McAfee Secured, and so on.
4) Do-follow links and it’s importance
What are Do-follow links?
Do-follow links are like votes of confidence from one webpage to another. They're important because they can significantly impact your blog's ranking on search engines. Imagine you're writing a blog post about healthy eating, and you include a link to a well-regarded nutrition study. That link acts as a vote of confidence in your content's credibility. In turn, search engines take note and boost your blog's authority. However, it's crucial to use do-follow links judiciously. Ensure that the sources you link to are reliable and relevant to your content.
Example:
How to Use Them:
When writing your blog posts, include do-follow links when citing sources or referencing research-backed data. Ensure that the sources you link to are reliable and relevant to your content.
5) Author Bio and it’s importance
What is Author Bio in a blog?
An author bio is a brief section at the end of a blog post that introduces the author to readers. It typically includes the author's name, credentials, and a brief description. An author bio at the end of a blog post addresses this curiosity and adds an essential layer of credibility.
Example:
How to Include It:
At the end of each blog post, add an author bio. Keep it concise and informative, highlighting the author's relevant qualifications and experience.
Conclusion:
In closing, optimizing your website and blog for SEO can be a detailed and time-consuming process, but the rewards are worth it.
It was a pleasure to put forth all the information we have garnered through our SEO journey and present it to the startups, non-marketeers, and non-tech readers to give an in-depth idea about how SEO strategies can initially be implemented without much assistance from an dedicated marketing agency. These three blogs are all you might need to give that early push to your maketing activities.
However, if you find these strategies daunting, don't hesitate to consider enlisting the help of a website development company. Their expertise can make the process smoother and ensure your website is fully optimized for SEO. Whether you're a startup looking to make a mark online or a blogger aiming for better performance, these SEO techniques can be your path to success.