101 Essential SEO Strategies for Boosting Website Traffic in 2021
Hello, digital marketers and website owners!
Over the past several years, I have successfully elevated websites to over 2 million monthly visits across 20-plus industries, including e-commerce, SaaS, and local businesses. It’s been a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I’d like to share the SEO insights that have played a pivotal role in this achievement.
Whether you’re a seasoned SEO expert or just starting, you’ll find valuable advice in this list. Some points may even challenge conventional wisdom—such as my approach to finding the right writers, crafting content outlines, and determining when SEO isn’t the best strategy for your business.
So pour yourself a cup of coffee or grab a refreshing beverage, and let’s delve into the wealth of knowledge I’ve gathered. If you have additional tips or feel I’ve overlooked something significant, please share your insights in the comments!
Understanding SEO: Key Insights
1. Question the Information You Read
Not all SEO advice available online is reliable. Much of it stems from personal anecdotes or hearsay, as Google tends to provide ambiguous guidelines. Therefore, it’s crucial to approach new SEO strategies with skepticism and verify them against multiple reputable sources before implementing them.
2. Patience Is Key
SEO is not a quick fix. Typically, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to see substantial results, depending on your niche’s competition. If you don’t see immediate improvements after a few months of publishing content, don’t be disheartened.
3. Is SEO Right for Your Business?
If you need immediate results for your business, reconsider whether SEO is the right avenue. Startups aiming for a quick break-even point should explore faster strategies like PPC or content marketing instead.
4. Validate Keywords with Paid Ads
If uncertain about the effectiveness of SEO for your business, consider running Google Ads for high-intent keywords. Analyze how the traffic converts before deciding to invest in organic SEO for those keywords.
5. Utilize Google Search Console
While SEO results take time to manifest, you can assess whether your efforts are heading in the right direction using Google Search Console. Regularly check if your articles are indexed and monitor improvements in their average rankings.
6. Prioritize Content Production
To maximize your SEO efforts, aim to publish a substantial volume of content—ideally between 20,000 to 30,000 words per month. Avoid