SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a critical aspect of digital marketing that helps businesses improve their online visibility and drive organic traffic. However, when it comes to SEO, companies often face a tough choice: Cheap Search Engine Optimization vs. Expensive SEO. Is getting quality results with affordable SEO services possible, or does paying a premium guarantee better rankings and long-term success? In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between cheap and expensive SEO, discuss their effectiveness, and analyze which option might be best for your business. We will also include valuable SEO statistics, expert insights, and extra information beyond the usual comparisons. Key Takeaways What is Cheap Search Engine Optimization? Cheap Search Engine Optimization typically refers to low-cost SEO services that promise improved rankings at a fraction of the cost of premium agencies. These services are usually priced between $100 to $500 per month and focus on basic SEO tactics such as: Pros of Cheap SEO Although I don’t personally believe there would be any potential benefit, a few things could be done like: Cons of Cheap SEO What is Expensive SEO? Expensive SEO refers to top-tier agencies or consultants providing comprehensive SEO services. These services typically range between $1,500 to $10,000 per month and involve: Pros of Expensive SEO Cons of Expensive SEO SEO Statistics: Cheap vs. Expensive SEO Impact To better understand the impact of SEO investments, here are some crucial SEO statistics: Cheap Search Engine Optimization vs. Expensive SEO: A Side-by-Side Comparison Feature Cheap SEO ($100-$500) Expensive SEO ($1,500+) Keyword Research Basic & automated In-depth & data-driven Content Creation Generic AI & no human touch High-quality & engaging Backlink Strategy Low-quality, automated links White-hat, authoritative links Technical SEO Minimal improvements Advanced optimizations Customization One-size-fits-all Tailored strategies Results Short-term boosts Sustainable growth Which One Should You Choose? The choice between Cheap Search Engine Optimization and Expensive SEO depends on several factors: When to Choose Cheap SEO: When to Choose Expensive SEO: Why Investing in Search Engine Optimization is Essential for Your Small Business One of SEO’s most significant advantages is its cost-effectiveness compared to paid advertising. While PPC campaigns require continuous investment, SEO delivers long-term benefits by increasing organic traffic and building brand credibility. Ranking higher on search engines also boosts customer trust, as people tend to trust businesses that appear on the first page of Google. SEO levels the playing field, allowing small businesses to compete with larger corporations. By targeting local keywords, optimizing website content, and earning quality backlinks, small businesses can attract high-intent traffic without spending a fortune on ads. Investing in SEO also enhances user experience, ensuring faster load times, mobile friendliness, and seamless navigation—all of which contribute to higher conversions. SEO is an investment that pays off in sustained visibility, credibility, and revenue growth, making it a must-have for any small business looking to thrive in the digital world. How Much Do SEO Services Cost? SEO pricing varies widely depending on factors such as the complexity of the project, the level of expertise required, and the scope of work involved. On average, SEO agencies charge around $120-$150 per hour for their services, but this can fluctuate based on the SEO strategies implemented. For instance, local SEO services—which focus on optimizing a business for location-based searches—typically have a lower hourly rate, averaging $90-120 per hour. Local SEO often involves fewer tasks, such as optimizing Google Business Profile, managing local citations, and targeting geo-specific keywords. Since these tasks are relatively straightforward, businesses may not need to pay as much as those opting for comprehensive SEO strategies, including advanced technical SEO, high-quality link building, and long-term content marketing. For example, a small business targeting local searches may spend $500–$2,000 monthly on essential SEO efforts like optimizing its website, getting listed in local directories, and managing online reviews. On the other hand, a mid-sized eCommerce company aiming to dominate national search rankings may invest $5,000–$15,000 per month in ongoing SEO, which includes keyword research, content creation, technical audits, and link acquisition. Ultimately, the cost of SEO depends on business goals, industry competition, and the desired level of service. While cheaper SEO packages may cover basic tasks, high-quality SEO ensures sustainable growth, better rankings, and increased organic traffic over time. How to Find an SEO Company for Your Startup Choosing the right SEO company for your startup is crucial for building a strong online presence and driving organic traffic. With so many agencies offering SEO services, here’s how you can find the best one for your business: Conclusion While Cheap Search Engine Optimization may seem appealing, it often comes with risks like poor-quality backlinks, outdated techniques, and a lack of sustainable growth. On the other hand, Expensive SEO ensures long-term success through in-depth research, high-quality content, and ethical strategies. Investing in premium SEO is wise if your business is serious about digital success. However, budget-friendly SEO can be a stepping stone if you are starting and need a minimal online presence. The key is to balance cost with quality and ensure that the SEO service you choose aligns with your goals. Are you considering SEO for your business? Book a Free SEO consultation call today.

What is Social Bookmarking in SEO and Link-Building? Social bookmarking has been a buzzword in SEO and digital marketing for decades. At its core, social bookmarking refers to saving and categorizing web pages on platforms that allow users to share these bookmarks with others. Popular platforms like Delicious, Digg, Reddit, and StumbleUpon (now Mix) played significant roles in the early days of this practice. But is it still relevant in today’s SEO and link-building strategies? Let’s dive deep into understanding social bookmarking, its historical significance, and its current status in the SEO landscape. What is Social Bookmarking? Social bookmarking platforms act as online repositories where users can save and organize web pages for future reference. Unlike traditional bookmarks saved in a web browser, these are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection and can often be shared with a community of users. Key Features of Social Bookmarking Platforms: The Role of Social Bookmarking in Early SEO In the early days of SEO, social bookmarking was a powerful tool for link-building and driving traffic. Here’s why: Evolution of Social Bookmarking and Its Decline As SEO evolved, so did Google’s algorithm. Practices that once yielded significant results became less effective or, in some cases, harmful. Social bookmarking is one such practice that has fallen out of favor. Let’s explore why: 1. Rise of Spam and Low-Quality Links As the popularity of social bookmarking grew, so did its misuse. Marketers flooded these platforms with low-quality, spammy links, hoping to game the system. This led to: 2. Algorithm Updates Google’s algorithm updates, particularly Penguin (2012) and subsequent iterations, targeted manipulative link-building practices. Links from social bookmarking sites were flagged as unnatural in many cases, leading to penalties for websites relying heavily on this strategy. 3. Shift to Content Quality and Relevance The SEO landscape shifted towards valuing high-quality, relevant content over the sheer quantity of backlinks. Social bookmarking, often associated with quantity over quality, could not keep up with this change. 4. Emergence of Better Alternatives As digital marketing strategies evolved, new methods like content marketing, influencer outreach, and guest posting gained prominence. These methods offered better ROI and aligned with Google’s emphasis on user experience. Social Bookmarking in Today’s SEO Landscape In 2025, social bookmarking is no longer considered a viable SEO or link-building strategy. Here’s why: However, this doesn’t mean social bookmarking is entirely useless. It can still serve limited purposes: Best Practices for Using Social Bookmarking Today If you choose to use social bookmarking as part of your digital marketing strategy, here are some best practices: Case Studies: The Rise and Fall of Social Bookmarking Sites Delicious: One of the pioneers of social bookmarking, Delicious was widely popular in the mid-2000s. However, it failed to innovate and adapt, leading to its decline and eventual shutdown in 2017. StumbleUpon: StumbleUpon’s unique discovery model made it a favorite for marketers. However, a shift in user preferences and competition from social media platforms led to its rebranding as Mix in 2018. Reddit: Unlike traditional bookmarking platforms, Reddit has evolved into a thriving community-based platform. While not a conventional bookmarking site, it’s one of the few platforms where marketers can still gain visibility—but only if they adhere to the platform’s strict guidelines and value-focused approach. The Future of Social Bookmarking Social bookmarking, as it was traditionally understood, is unlikely to make a comeback in the SEO world. However, the principles behind it—content discovery, categorization, and community sharing—continue to thrive in modern digital marketing strategies. Platforms like Pinterest, for example, have successfully integrated these principles into a visual format, catering to a new generation of users. Conclusion Social bookmarking was once a cornerstone of SEO and link-building strategies. In its prime, it offered an easy way to build backlinks, drive traffic, and improve search engine rankings. However, the rise of spam, algorithm updates, and the evolution of digital marketing have rendered it obsolete as a valid SEO strategy. Today, investing time and resources into social bookmarking for SEO purposes is not advisable. The focus should instead be on creating high-quality, user-centric content and building genuine connections within your industry. While social bookmarking may still hold niche value in specific scenarios, it is no longer a strategy experienced SEOs rely on for success. Read More: Cheap Search Engine Optimization vs. Expensive SEORead More: When Optimizing a Website for Search, What Impact Do Meta and Title Tags Have on the Search Engine?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for businesses to improve online visibility and drive organic website traffic. Webmaster tools are one of the most valuable resources for achieving these goals. In this article, we’ll explore the use of webmaster tools in SEO, how they can enhance site performance, and why every SEO strategy should incorporate them. What Are Webmaster Tools? Webmaster tools, often provided by search engines like Google and Bing, allow website owners to analyze, monitor, and optimize their sites. The most well-known is Google Search Console (formerly Google Webmaster Tools), but Bing Webmaster Tools also provides valuable insights. These free tools offer direct communication between website owners and search engines, helping them understand how search engines and visitors perceive their sites. Key Benefits of Webmaster Tools for SEO Understanding the use of webmaster tools in SEO begins with recognizing their core benefits. Here are some of the essential ways these tools can elevate a website’s search engine performance: 1. Monitoring Website Health and Performance Webmaster tools offer insights into a site’s health, detecting issues like crawl errors, broken links, and server errors that could hinder its ranking. For example, Google Search Console notifies site owners of indexing problems or security issues, allowing them to address these quickly. These tools help maintain optimal performance in search engine results pages (SERPs) by keeping a site healthy. Example benefits: 2. Keyword Insights and Search Analytics One of the most valuable features of webmaster tools is their search analytics data, which shows which keywords bring users to your site. This data is invaluable for SEO strategy, as it reveals which terms and phrases are most effective at attracting organic traffic. Webmaster tools help answer questions like: Analyzing this data, you can refine your SEO strategy to target the most critical terms better, ultimately increasing your site’s relevance and visibility. 3. Enhancing Mobile Usability With mobile usage surpassing desktop traffic, Google and other search engines prioritize mobile-friendly sites. Webmaster tools offer insights into mobile usability issues, helping site owners understand and resolve any factors affecting mobile users’ experiences. These tools can point out areas for improvement, from loading issues to layout problems, ensuring your site meets search engines’ mobile-first requirements. Common mobile usability issues addressed by webmaster tools include: 4. Monitoring Backlinks and Disavowing Toxic Links Backlinks remain crucial in SEO, representing the “votes of confidence” other websites give your content. Webmaster tools help monitor the backlinks pointing to your site, which allows you to assess their quality and identify any potentially harmful links. If your site has links from spammy or low-quality sites, you can use tools like Google’s disavow tool to tell Google to ignore these links, safeguarding your site from penalties. Benefits of backlink monitoring: 5. Enhancing Structured Data with Schema Markup Structured data, often schema markup, helps search engines understand your site’s content in greater detail, enabling rich snippets to make your site stand out in search results. Webmaster tools, especially Google Search Console, provide tools to test and validate structured data. You can check if your schema markup is implemented correctly or if there are errors that need fixing. Correctly using structured data can lead to enhanced listings that attract more clicks, like displaying product ratings, event details, and more in search results. Examples of schema markup benefits include: 6. Sitemap and URL Submission When launching a new website or adding new pages, it is essential to ensure that search engines can find and index them. Webmaster tools allow you to submit sitemaps and individual URLs, accelerating search engines’ discovery process. This feature is handy for new content or sites undergoing structural changes. Benefits of sitemap submission: How to Get Started with Webmaster Tools If you’re new to webmaster tools and want to know what is the use of webmaster tools in SEO in a practical sense, here are the basic steps to get started: Why Webmaster Tools are Essential for Every SEO Strategy Using webmaster tools in SEO comes down to visibility, control, and optimization. Webmaster tools empower site owners to monitor and enhance their website’s health, identify opportunities for keyword optimization, improve mobile usability, and manage backlinks effectively. Ultimately, webmaster tools are a foundation for diagnosing and fixing issues and a way to refine and continuously adapt your SEO strategy for optimal performance. Read More: Cheap Search Engine Optimization vs. Expensive SEORead More: When Optimizing a Website for Search, What Impact Do Meta and Title Tags Have on the Search Engine?

Slack has evolved beyond just a workplace communication tool—it’s now a powerhouse for networking and collaboration, especially in the SEO world. If you’re serious about scaling your link-building efforts, joining the right Slack communities can open doors to valuable connections, guest post opportunities, and backlink collaborations. Link-building is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. It’s not just about acquiring backlinks—it’s about building meaningful relationships that lead to long-term growth.  Slack link-building communities are collaborative spaces where SEO professionals, digital marketers, link builders, guest bloggers, website owners, and other industry enthusiasts come together to share ideas and exchange backlinks. These communities offer a unique environment to grow your backlink profile while building meaningful relationships that can boost your SEO efforts. What You Can Do in Slack Link-Building Groups Here’s what makes these communities valuable and how they can power your link-building strategy: Exchange Backlinks: Connect with other professionals looking for mutually beneficial backlink exchanges. Guest Posting Opportunities: Share your guest post offers or find guest bloggers to contribute high-quality content to your site. Build Relationships: Establish connections with fellow members that can lead to long-term link-building partnerships. Job Postings for Link Building: Stay updated on link-building job opportunities and gigs within the community. Expert Guidance: Chat with industry leaders and SEO experts who can help you fine-tune your link-building strategy. Content Ideas: Discover new ideas and angles to fuel your content marketing campaigns. In this blog, I’ll introduce you to the 4 Slack communities and these communities are: I engage in these communities daily to acquire links for my brands and clients. 1. Marketing Lad Slack I use this link-building Slack a lot since—full disclosure—I am the founder of this community. I might be biased about its value but don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what some community members have to say: Shahid has done a wonderful job fostering a powerful and reliable community of like-minded link builders who want to collaborate and share SEO best practices! – Dan Pointer I found excellent contacts for cooperation in this community. – Yulia Marketing Lad Slack is one of the best communities for SEO and link-building collaborations. Shahid is doing a fabulous job keeping it a healthy and safe place to get PR mentions. I highly recommend joining this community if you are looking to get the maximum out of your SEO efforts. Kudos for a great job. – Aabhas Vijay The community has been a key part of my daily SEO routine, helping me discover valuable opportunities and build long-term partnerships that fuel my link-building efforts. Overview:With over 900 genuine members, Marketing Lad Slack has become a go-to hub for SEO professionals and content marketers. The community encourages knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and innovative strategies to stay on top of search engine trends. What Makes It Unique: How It Helps with Link-Building: Join Here: https://marketinglad.io/slack-form/ 2. CRO Growth Hacks This was my first Slack community when I started my link-building journey in 2019. It’s still one of my favorite communities today, as it stays active across various marketing areas. Although there’s just one dedicated channel—link-share-guest-bloggers—it’s full of genuine collaborators.  You’ll find great folks here eager to exchange ideas, swap links, and partner on guest posts.  The quality of the connections I’ve built in this community is unmatched, making it an essential part of my link-building toolkit. Overview:CRO Growth Hacks is a vibrant community focused on Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) and growth marketing strategies. It brings together digital marketers, SEO professionals, and growth hackers who collaborate to optimize website performance and achieve better business results. What Makes It Unique: How It Helps with Link-Building: Join Here: https://www.ometrics.com/cro-growth-hacks/ 3. Backlinks Slack I use this Slack community a lot because there are tons of members solely focused on link-building, making it an ideal place to find potential collaborators. However, be cautious—since members are not verified, many scammers lurk in the community. It’s essential to play it safe when engaging with new connections. That said, if you navigate the space wisely, you’ll discover some great partners for collaborations, and these connections can significantly enhance your SEO efforts. The key is building genuine relationships and staying focused on finding the right people. Overview:Backlinks Slack is a community dedicated entirely to backlink strategies and outreach collaboration. It’s a hub where SEO professionals discuss link-building, from acquiring new backlinks to recovering lost ones. What Makes It Unique: How It Helps with Link-Building: Join Here: https://www.brainspin.com/backlinks-slack-group/ 4. Rank Tracker Slack Community This is an open Slack community, meaning anyone can join, which makes it a great place to find new collaborators. I use this community frequently because I rely on Backlinks Slack—it’s filled with members focused on link-building, offering plenty of potential partnerships. However, the community’s openness also comes with some risks. Like with Backlinks Slack, be cautious—scammers lurk here, too. That said, if you take your time to connect with the right people, you can find actual deals and build strong partnerships that will significantly boost your SEO efforts. Overview:The Rank Tracker Slack Community is built around the RankTracker SEO platform. It is a space where SEO professionals and marketers discuss performance tracking, keyword analysis, and link-building strategies. What Makes It Unique: How It Helps with Link-Building: To Join this community, write an email to felix[at]ranktracker.com Benefits of Joining Link-Building Slack Communities Why bother with Slack when there are many SEO forums and Facebook groups? Here’s why: Tips for Maximizing Value from These Communities Simply joining a Slack group won’t get you backlinks. You need to put in the effort. Here’s how: Etiquette and Best Practices No one likes spammers. Here’s how to stay on the right side of these communities: Case Studies or Success Stories Want proof that Slack works for link-building? Here’s a quick example: Conclusion Regularly engaging with these four Slack communities offers many benefits, from actionable insights and networking opportunities to collaborative partnerships that can supercharge your SEO efforts. Each community provides a unique environment for exchanging ideas, building relationships, and discovering new link-building opportunities. FAQs

Welcome to my platform! I’m excited that you’re interested in contributing to ShahidShahmiri.com. I’ve compiled some editorial guidelines to ensure my content remains valuable, insightful, and aligned with the brand. Please take the time to read through them before submitting your guest post request. About Shahid Shahmiri Shahid Shahmiri is a personal brand powered by Marketing Lad that offers SEO consulting, digital marketing strategies, and actionable industry insights. My audience includes SEO professionals, digital marketers, and business owners eager to stay ahead of the latest trends in online marketing. My Audience The primary readers on this platform include: Content I’m Looking For I accept high-quality, original content related to: What I Don’t Accept Writing Guidelines Submission Process Promotion Once your article is published, I’ll share it across my social media channels and newsletters. I encourage you to share the post within your network as well. Thank You Thank you for considering ShahidShahmiri.com as a platform to share your expertise. I look forward to seeing the unique insights and value your content brings my readers. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need clarification. Happy writing!Shahid Shahmiri

Content creation is a cornerstone of effective communication and marketing in the fast-paced digital age.  As businesses and individuals strive to produce high-quality content consistently, the demand for innovative tools to streamline the process has skyrocketed.  Generative AI is an advanced technology that transforms content creation and redefines the creative process. Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, creators can now automate routine tasks, enhance their productivity, and focus on the higher-level creative aspects that truly make their work stand out.  This blog explores the primary advantage of generative AI in content creation, demonstrating how this cutting-edge technology is reshaping the landscape and offering unparalleled benefits to those who embrace it. What is Generative AI? Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content, whether text, images, music, or code. These models learn patterns, structures, and styles from vast data and then generate original content that adheres to those learned parameters. At the heart of generative AI are algorithms such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and transformer models like GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer).  These algorithms enable AI to understand context, style, and nuances in data, making it capable of generating content that is not only coherent but also contextually relevant. Examples of Popular Generative AI Tools in Content Creation Several generative AI tools have gained prominence in recent years, each serving different aspects of content creation: “I believe the primary advantage of generative AI in content creation lies in its ability to boost productivity while significantly maintaining high-quality output. Automating routine tasks, generative AI empowers creators to focus more on innovation and strategy, ultimately driving better results and enabling us to meet the ever-growing demands of the digital landscape.” – Harsh Savani, Founder Aegis Sofftech Historical Context The journey of AI in content creation began with simple rule-based systems focused on automating repetitive tasks like spell-checking and grammar correction.  As machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) advanced, AI’s role expanded to generate structured content based on predefined templates, such as news articles and financial reports.  The real turning point came with the development of deep learning algorithms and the availability of large datasets, enabling AI to learn complex patterns and produce accurate, creative, and engaging content.  Today, generative AI stands at the forefront of content creation, offering powerful tools that enhance productivity and push creative boundaries, making it an indispensable asset in the digital age. The Core Advantage: Enhanced Productivity Automation of Repetitive Tasks One of the most significant advantages of generative AI in content creation is its ability to automate repetitive tasks, such as drafting, editing, and formatting.  These tasks, which traditionally consume considerable time, can now be handled swiftly and efficiently by AI, freeing creators to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of their work.  For instance, AI can draft initial versions of articles, edit for grammar and style consistency, and format content according to specific guidelines, reducing the manual effort required and allowing creators to allocate their time to higher-value activities. Read more on: What is the Use of Webmaster Tools in SEO? Speed and Efficiency Generative AI produces content quickly, and it is a game-changer for meeting tight deadlines and handling large-scale projects.  Whether generating a blog post, creating social media content, or drafting a detailed report, AI can accomplish these tasks in a fraction of the time it would take a human.  This speed accelerates the content creation and allows for faster iteration and refinement, enabling projects to move from concept to completion with unprecedented efficiency.  The result is a quicker turnaround time on content, which is particularly valuable in industries where timely delivery is crucial. Consistency in Content Output Maintaining a consistent tone and style across multiple pieces of content is often challenging, especially when dealing with a large volume of work or various contributors.  Generative AI addresses this by adhering to predefined guidelines and learning from previous content, ensuring that each piece it generates aligns with the desired voice and style.  This consistency is critical for brands that want to maintain a cohesive identity across different platforms and channels.  Case Studies and Examples Real-World Applications Generative AI has already made significant inroads into various industries, with numerous companies and creators leveraging its capabilities to enhance productivity.  For example, The Washington Post has utilized an AI-powered tool called Heliograf to automate the creation of news reports, particularly for covering large-scale events like elections and the Olympics.  This allowed the newsroom to produce a high article volume quickly while maintaining accuracy and consistency. Similarly, BuzzFeed has embraced AI to assist in generating quizzes and personalized content, freeing up its creative teams to focus on more innovative projects.  In marketing, companies like HubSpot use AI-driven tools to create blog posts, emails, and social media content, enabling their teams to scale content production without sacrificing quality. These applications highlight how generative AI streamlines operations and empowers organizations to explore new creative possibilities. Quantitative Benefits The impact of generative AI on productivity and content quality can be measured through various data points.  For instance, The Washington Post reported that Heliograf helped increase the number of published articles by over 70% during its first year of implementation, demonstrating the substantial productivity boost AI can provide.  Moreover, the AI-generated content maintained a high-quality standard, with engagement metrics comparable to those of human-authored pieces. Another example comes from Jasper AI, a generative AI tool many businesses use for content creation. Companies using Jasper have reported reducing content creation time by up to 50% while also noting improvements in the consistency and relevance of the generated content.  These statistics underscore the significant benefits that generative AI offers in terms of both efficiency and quality, making it a valuable asset for any content-driven operation. Addressing Common Concerns Quality vs. Quantity One of the primary concerns surrounding the use of generative AI in content creation is whether the focus on quantity might come at the expense of quality.  With deep learning algorithms and vast datasets, AI models can

The importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) cannot be overstated. As businesses increasingly rely on online presence to reach and engage customers, SEO has become critical to any successful digital marketing strategy.  The important areas of managing SEO are: Without a well-structured plan and clear goals, even the most well-intentioned SEO efforts can fall short, leading to wasted resources and missed opportunities. This blog is designed to provide SEO professionals, digital marketers, and business owners with a comprehensive guide to managing SEO projects effectively.  Let’s Understand The Overall SEO Scope. SEO projects can be broadly categorized into three types: on-page, off-page, and technical SEO.  On-page SEO optimizes individual web pages to improve search engine rankings and user experience. This includes keyword research, content creation, and optimizing HTML elements like meta tags and headers.  For instance, updating blog posts with targeted keywords and improving internal linking can help to improve the website’s visibility.  On the other hand, off-page SEO involves activities outside the website to enhance its authority and reputation. This includes link building, social media marketing, and influencer outreach.  A successful off-page strategy might involve securing backlinks from reputable industry blogs, which can drive referral traffic and enhance domain authority.  Technical SEO addresses a website’s backend aspects, ensuring search engines can crawl and index it efficiently. This includes improving site speed, mobile friendliness, and structured data implementation.  An example of a technical SEO task is optimizing the website’s architecture to ensure faster load times and better user experience. Goals and KPIs Setting clear and measurable goals is crucial for the success of any SEO project. These goals should align with broader business objectives to ensure SEO efforts contribute to the company’s growth.  For instance, if the business aims to increase online sales, an SEO goal could be to improve the rankings of product pages for high-intent keywords.  Another example could be increasing brand awareness by ranking higher for industry-related terms.  KPIs include;  Organic traffic – which measures the number of visitors coming from search engines. Keyword rankings track the position of target keywords in search engine results.  Domain Authority – which assesses the overall strength and credibility of your website in the eyes of search engines. Search impression – which indicates how often your site appears in search results. Conversions could be sales, sign-ups, or any other desired user actions.  Essential Elements for On-page SEO Project Management SEO project management involves integrating various processes to ensure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts. Here are some key initiatives that SEO professionals should consider: Topic Research Begin with keyword research to identify content topics and themes that align with important keywords for your business. This will help you discover gaps for new content creation or opportunities to update existing content to improve rankings. Content Calendar  Analyze keywords’ popularity and seasonal trends to determine the best times to publish or refresh content. This strategic timing can maximize visibility and engagement. Traffic Forecast Using keyword research and recommendations, estimate potential organic traffic based on monthly search volume (MSV) and projected rankings. While these estimates are primarily for organic traffic, they indicate user interest and can drive additional traffic through content shares and email clicks. Review Ensure that the copy aligns with keyword research to support SEO efforts. This involves using the right keywords to match search intent without overloading the content with business jargon or niche terms that may not be familiar to the audience. Effective copy review helps your content resonate with searchers on the search engine results page (SERP). Publication For new content to be discoverable by search engines, ensure proper SEO implementation: Proper setup maximizes the content’s potential to drive organic traffic and avoid findability issues. Reporting Demonstrate the value of SEO efforts through detailed reporting. Track how targeted keywords improve your rankings and content visibility on SERPs. Key metrics to report include: These metrics collectively highlight the significance of SEO and justify its inclusion in project management. Optimization Ongoing SEO efforts should focus on both new and existing content. Instead of constantly creating new content, leverage SEO insights to optimize existing content, bringing it up to date with relevant language, topics, and themes. This helps maintain and enhance your site’s authority and relevance. When Google recrawls content, updated content can gain new visibility and higher rankings, contributing to sustained SEO success. Planning Your SEO Project Setting clear objectives is crucial for the success of any SEO project. By defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, you create a roadmap that guides your efforts and measures your progress. SMART goals help ensure that your objectives are clear and reachable, providing a sense of direction and accountability. Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. For example, “Increase organic traffic by 20% in six months.” Measurable: Establish criteria to track your progress. Tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console can be used to monitor traffic increases. Read more on: What is the Use of Webmaster Tools in SEO? Achievable: Set realistic goals that are within your reach. Consider your resources and constraints when setting these goals. Relevant: Ensure your goals align with your broader business objectives. For example, increasing organic traffic should support overall sales targets. Time-bound: Set a deadline to achieve your goals. This creates a sense of urgency and helps keep your team focused. Conducting an SEO Audit An SEO audit is a critical step in planning your SEO project. It helps identify your current SEO strategy’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).  Here’s how to conduct a comprehensive SEO audit: Technical Analysis: Check your website’s technical health. Ensure that search engines crawl and index it. Look for issues like broken links, duplicate content, and slow loading times. Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or Semrush to discover the technical problems. On-Page SEO Audit: Evaluate the optimization of individual pages. Check meta tags, headings, content quality, keyword usage, and internal linking. Use my checklist to stay on top of On-page SEO. Off-Page SEO Audit: Assess your backlink

The recent updates this March have sparked widespread discussion on AI content, bringing fresh challenges and opportunities for SEOs. Focusing on quality and keeping users in mind is key to staying on top.  Google’s March 2024 update encourages websites to ditch low-quality content and aim for something more genuine and helpful for users. If your website was affected by this update, bouncing back might seem harsh, but it’s also a chance to improve it and discover new ways to grow. For example, look at juliangoldie.com. This website used to get a lot of traffic—around 7,000 visitors—but it dropped to almost none after the update. Also, where it once had hundreds of pages showing up on Google, now only 10 are indexed. This significant drop shows how much impact the update can have and why focusing on creating quality content that answers users’ questions is essential.  I’ve added my thoughts to decode these changes and contacted a few SEO professionals for their insights and forecasts. Impact on Content Strategy after March 2024 SEO Update The March 2024 SEO update has significantly changed how content strategies are formulated and executed.  With the advent of AI overviews (SGE), it’s not more imperative than ever to start focusing on content further down the funnel.  So instead of asking, “What type of litter box is best for cats? ” try ” open vs. closed litter box: which is best?” Peter Rota, SEO Specialist.  Here’s a closer look at the key impacts: 1. Quality Over Quantity One of the most prominent shifts is the heightened emphasis on content quality. The update prioritizes well-researched, insightful, and engaging content over sheer volume. Producing numerous low-quality articles is no longer a viable strategy. Instead, content creators must focus on delivering value through comprehensive, accurate, and reader-centric pieces. 2. E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)  The E-A-T principles have become even more critical. Google’s algorithm now better evaluates the expertise and authoritativeness of the content and its creators. Websites that consistently demonstrate high knowledge and credibility are rewarded with better rankings. This necessitates collaboration with industry experts and ensuring content is authored by recognized professionals. 3. User Experience (UX) With the new update, user experience has taken center stage. Content that enhances UX through clear navigation, fast loading times, and mobile optimization is favored. Interactive elements such as videos, infographics, and interactive polls that engage users are now essential to an effective content strategy. 4. Intent-Based Content Creation Understanding and aligning with user intent has become crucial. The update refines Google’s ability to discern the intent behind search queries, emphasizing the need for content that directly addresses specific user needs and queries. This shift encourages content creators to delve deeper into keyword research and develop content matching various buyer journey stages. 5. Local and Niche Content Gains Importance Local and niche-specific content has seen a boost in importance. The update enhances the algorithm’s ability to deliver highly relevant local results, making it vital for businesses to focus on local SEO practices. Creating highly specialized content for niche markets catering to a specific audience can increase visibility and engagement. 6. Multimedia and Visual Content The update has also underscored the significance of multimedia and visual content. Integrating high-quality images, videos, and other visual elements can improve user engagement and dwell time, positively influencing rankings. Content strategies now need to include a robust plan for multimedia integration to captivate and retain audience interest. 7. Focus on Content Refresh and Updates The update has placed a renewed focus on the freshness of content. Regularly updating existing content to keep it relevant and accurate is now more critical than ever. This practice not only improves rankings but also maintains audience trust and engagement. Download my on-page SEO checklist for the best results: https://shahidshahmiri.com/on-page-seo-checklist Technical SEO Adjustments The March 2024 SEO update has highlighted the importance of technical SEO, pushing website owners to make essential adjustments.  One of the first steps is to focus on Core Web Vitals, which measure your site’s loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability performance. Using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse can help identify areas for improvement.  Read more on: What is the Use of Webmaster Tools in SEO? By optimizing images, minimizing JavaScript, and leveraging browser caching, you can ensure a faster and smoother user experience, which is now more crucial than ever for ranking well on Google. Mobile optimization is another critical area to address. With Google’s continued emphasis on mobile-first indexing, your site must perform exceptionally well on mobile devices.  Ensure your site is responsive, loads quickly, and provides an intuitive user experience on smaller screens.  Tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test can help spot issues and guide necessary adjustments. Implementing Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) can enhance loading speeds and performance, aligning your site with Google’s mobile standards. Lastly, strengthening your site’s security and optimizing technical elements like structured data, sitemaps, and error management is vital.  Regularly check and update your XML sitemaps and robots.txt files to ensure efficient indexing. Managing 404 errors and setting up 301 redirects where necessary can preserve link equity and enhance user experience, contributing to better rankings and smoother navigation. Read more on How to manage SEO projects? SEO for Mobile and Local The March 2024 Google Core Update reduces low-quality, unoriginal content and aims to show more valuable and relevant content in search results.  With 63% of Google searches occurring on mobile in the U.S., optimizing for mobile and local search has never been more crucial.  This update includes enhancements to the core ranking systems to improve the quality of search results, explicitly targeting clickbait content and spammy practices.  To align with these changes, ensure your website is mobile-friendly. This means prioritizing responsive design, fast load times, and a user-friendly mobile experience.  Content must be concise, easy to read, and free of intrusive pop-ups, catering to the needs of mobile users. Businesses should optimize their Google Business Profile with accurate, up-to-date information and encourage customer reviews to boost local credibility.  Link Building Strategies

To all those business owners and entrepreneurs! Let’s think for a minute. Whatever business you run, products you sell, or services and information you share, online existence is a must. If not, all your efforts, time, etc., are just for a local audience. Just think about it! Where do people go first when they need a product or service? You got it, the great Google. They are no longer looking through the Yellow Pages or walking around town. Nope, they’re doing a fast web search and clicking on the first few results. That’s where SEO comes into play. SEO is all about optimizing your website to appear higher in search results, increasing its visibility and chances of being seen by the customers you want. But here’s the problem: hiring a big-shot SEO agency with the latest tools and features may be expensive. Not every business has the same amount of money to spend, especially if you’re just a starter. Depending on your company’s budget and marketing requirements, using an economical SEO company is a good move. Now, the responsibility is to select an affordable SEO service provider who understands your objectives and is willing to go above and beyond to achieve the desired results. That is why I am here to give some insider information about affordable SEO services for businesses. Let’s get started! What is SEO and what is its importance for small businesses? Okay, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It is simply about making your web pages rank higher in search engine result pages. The intent is to appear higher in search results when users browse for your business’s items or services. Now, why is this important, particularly for small businesses? Consider how you find things online these days. You open Google and enter your search term, right? Whether it’s “plumber near me” or “best pizza delivery,” the first five results appearing on the first page tend to receive the majority of clicks and attention. If your company’s website is buried on pages 2,3 and so on of the search results, it is almost invisible to most people. It’s like owning a storefront on an abandoned side street that no one ever visits. So, what exactly does an SEO do? It improves the visibility and relevance of your website by optimizing its content, structure, and other elements. Factors include using relevant keywords, creating a mobile-friendly design, and gaining high-quality backlinks from other websites. Despite this, many other factors make SEO essential for a small business. Check them out below. Increased Organic Traffic As a small business owner, you may not want to spend large amounts of money to generate leads for your company. SEO is the most cost-effective strategy. SEO helps drive more organic traffic to your small business. Increased organic traffic translates into more leads and conversions. Read more on: What is the Use of Webmaster Tools in SEO? Enhanced Brand Awareness It would help if you familiarised your brand with your intended audience. That way, you can reach new prospects and grow your business over time. SEO helps boost your search ranks for relevant keyword searches and increases your website’s online discoverability. Higher search engine rankings and higher online exposure for your website lead to increased brand recognition among potential clients. Increased Business ROI SEO increases your small business’s organic traffic rate, generating more leads. Customized SEO marketing may ensure that attracted customers go through the sales funnel and become valued clients. Translating more leads into new clients eventually increases your company’s ROI. Increased Competitiveness Every day, new competitors enter the market regardless of the industry you work in. However, SEO not only prevents you from losing your SERP position to competitors in your sector, it also gives your website the competitive advantage it needs to outrank your industry rivals. Types of Affordable SEO Services for Small Businesses and Startups When it comes to SEO, there is not a single answer, especially for startups with little resources. But don’t fear; many low-cost options could significantly boost your web visibility without hurting your budget. Let’s start with some of the basics. On-page SEO Optimization This relates to all of the little changes and modifications you can make to your website to make it more search-engine friendly, such as optimizing title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, picture alt text, internal linking, etc. Use my practical on-page SEO checklist. While you can do part of this yourself, cost-effective companies can carry out a complete on-page assessment and optimization at a reasonable cost. Local Seo What about local organic search results? After analyzing user behavior across billions of searches, Google found that customers looking for certain types of companies want results from the nearby area. That’s why Google’s local search algorithm includes a proximity factor, which means Google considers your location when you search for a local phrase (a query with local intent). Local SEO is necessary for small businesses serving a specific geographic area. We’re talking about optimizing your Google Business Profile, increasing your citations in online directories, gaining some local backlinks and reviews, and ensuring that your NAP (name, address, phone) information is consistent throughout the web. Little things significantly improve your chances of appearing in those coveted local “near me” searches. Major aspects of local SEO Content Marketing and Creation SEO-optimized site content may significantly boost your business’s marketing (ROI). When SEO is included in marketing techniques, your content marketing efforts will provide better outcomes. SEO techniques are safe ways for visitors to find your company online. This gives you a competitive advantage over others fighting for site rankings online. The more in-depth SEO you perform, the greater your company’s online visibility will reach more potential customers. Also, adding interactive material like blog posts, marketing advertisements, rich media, or other visual content may help engage customers. The more interesting your content, the more visitors it will attract, and the higher search engines will rank it. Use dynamic keyword research tools to optimize your content for SEO. The tools