When establishing an online presence, a company should properly optimize its website for search engines like Google and Bing. Practicing search engine optimization (SEO) is important because it makes a business more visible and increases the opportunities to attract new customers. Search engines use "bots" and "spiders" to find web results relevant to a user's question or phrase into the search engine.

If a company's website appears at the top of search engine results, it will be seen as more credible. However, many people will go past the first page of search results, so companies need to use SEO techniques to ensure they are on the first page for keyword searches relevant to what the company does. SEO is always changing due to search engines adjusting their algorithms. Let's discuss some of the top SEO practices for 2023 and beyond.

1. Align Site Content with Search Intent

One of the first things that companies should do when optimizing their SEO is to align their site content with search intent. Search intent refers to phrases consumers might search for when looking for something, such as "running shoes for women" or "easy pasta recipes." Companies can conduct keyword research to see what relevant phrases potential customers are searching for and adjust the content on their website to reflect these search terms. Therefore, businesses can increase their rankings on search engine results.

2. Use Relevant Meta Titles and Descriptions

Companies should ensure that the intent of their web pages is described clearly. Meta titles and descriptions are used for this purpose. Having relevant and descriptive meta titles and descriptions can help search engine programs, and users know what the business does. Also, titles should be accessible, short, and catchy. Doing so will increase the chances that someone will click on the link to find an answer to their query.

3. Create Useful Content and Earn Authoritative Backlinks

Businesses should ensure that their content is useful and relevant. Employees can write blog articles with keywords relevant to the company's products or services. Companies can also post on social media to increase their search engine rankings. This social media content should be interesting and informative so more people engage with it when it appears in their feeds. Also, content can be written for third-party websites to create high-quality backlinks that lead back to the company's website.

4. Optimize Your Images

Companies should also optimize their images so they can also be included in search engine rankings. Images can be optimized by reducing their file sizes without reducing the quality. Doing this is important to increase how quickly the pages load; many people will exit a web page if it takes more than three seconds to load. Also, optimized images lead to an improved browsing experience, which leads to people spending more time on a website.

5. Provide Alt Text for Images

In addition to optimizing images, companies should also provide alt text. Alt text describes an image for visually impaired users that use screen readers to navigate websites. Alt text should include relevant keywords to further increase the website's search engine ranking.

6. Optimize the Loading Speed of Site Pages

As mentioned above, companies should optimize the loading speed of their site pages. The loading speed can be optimized by compressing and optimizing images, caching web pages, and eliminating unnecessary plugins. Potential customers will spend more time on a site if the pages load faster.

7. Optimize Your Website for Google Discover

Google Discover is a feed on mobile devices that shows users content related to their interests based on their web activity and preferences. When companies optimize their websites for Google Discover, they can substantially increase traffic. Businesses can optimize their websites for Google Discover by creating high-quality content, creating excellent visuals, and embedding and posting web-optimized videos.

8. Use Long-Tail Keyword Phrases

Sometimes, users may use several keywords in an internet search. For this reason, companies should target long-tail keywords in their SEO strategies. An example of a long-tail keyword phrase would be "best invoicing software for small businesses." Businesses need to target long-tail keyword phrases to get higher ad rankings on platforms like Google Ads since these keywords are less expensive to run ads for.

9. Perform Regular SEO Audits

Finally, companies should practice SEO audits regularly. Performing an SEO audit can help the company detect errors on web pages. These errors can reduce the quality of the content and user experiences, which can lower the company's SEO ranking. Businesses can use tools like SEMrush, Google Search Console, and Screaming Frog to help them perform these audits.

How Companies Should Perform SEO

Companies can either perform SEO with an in-house marketing team or by hiring the services of an SEO agency. Managers that want to free up the marketing team for other tasks or do not have enough employees can hire an agency.

Wrapping It Up

All companies need to perform SEO to increase their search engine rankings. Businesses that need help with their SEO strategies should hire Zorbis. Zorbis is a digital marketing company in the USA that provides various internet marketing services, such as SEO, social media marketing, content marketing, app marketing, and online reputation management. Zorbis also specializes in website and mobile app development services. To learn more about Zorbis' digital marketing solutions, contact the team today to schedule a free consultation.