10+ SEO Traffic Hacks to Optimize Your Website for Google

Keyword cannibalization is a real threat to your website. Oftentimes, we can get so focused on one or a couple of keywords that we start to build multiple pages around ranking for that query. Frankly, that’s not the best way to approach SEO.

Instead, you should try to have one core page for the keyword you are trying to rank for. This page should be the best source of information regarding that keyword on the web, and because it’s so good it should have links to authoritative and relevant sites pointing towards it. If it really is that valuable wouldn’t other websites be talking about it?

Around that core page, you can have various long-tail pages that answer the questions people have about that primary keyword. Here’s a great way to visualize it with Answer the Public. We are using the query: “SEO Services.”

So remember, each unique page has it’s own unique keyword. You don’t just need the best information on that primary keyword; but also, on the questions surrounding it. When you do this, you create topical relevance. Google loves that stuff.

In this post, http://backlinko.com/google-ranking-factors, Brian Dean has built out a comprehensive list of Google ranking factors. In particular, I recommend reviewing factors 11-61. The key will be to understand what could influence your site and then make sure you are properly satisfying these factors.

Not every factor has a direct impact or might even make a noticeable difference, SEO is very much the sum of all its parts.

One of the best ways to build links is by checking on what sites are linking to your competitors and then reaching out to those same people with a better piece of content. Simply take the keyword you are looking to rank for, let’s say: “PPC Agency”. Look at what sites rank above you for that query and copy their URL. Once you’ve copied their URL you can paste it into Moz’s Open Site Explorer. From here, you can find most of the websites linking to that page. Logically, if they were willing to link to that page then they might be willing to link to you as well.

Once you find a site that has a relevant link profile simply export their links to a CSV file and reach out to them with a message like this:

Hi [first name],

Loved your post on ___ for ___. I really liked how you ____. I’m not sure if you are aware, but we have a similar page that has (add value prop of your page here). I truly believe that your readership would benefit from our (unique selling point).

In addition, we’ve performed (additional value prop of your page). You can find the ____ here: ___. If you have any questions regarding our research please do not hesitate to reach out and I would be honored to be included in your post. 

Best, 

____

For more insight on this approach, the following resources are quite helpful:

• https://moz.com/blog/31-link-building-tactics-discovered-from-competitive-analysis
• http://searchengineland.com/competitive-link-building-analysis-industry-229207
• https://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2298635/link-building-101-competitor-analysis

SEO Traffic Hack #5: Improve Internal Linking from Old Blog Posts

Often times, sites are full of old content that is being neglected. This content can sometimes be thin to even irrelevant. Fortunately, the content can be used to generate anchor text rich internal links to our core service or product pages. By linking to these pages with keywords in our anchor text we can hopefully improve their organic ranking for the keywords in the anchor text.

Ideally, we want to find all the pages on the site that are ranking on page two for your primary keywords and link internally to them to get them onto page 1. By going from page 2 to page 1, we can drastically increase organic traffic.

Beyond simply pointing internal links at content that’s currently ranking on page 2, it’s important that you also improve the overall value of the page. For example, if you have a page that is a list of: “5 Tips to Improve Your ____”, you can turn that into: “20+ Tips to Improve Your ___”. By adding more information and content on the topic, you can be seen as a better source of information and will increase your likelihood of ranking.

In addition, we have found that adding video content to your page can be quite helpful. Instead of only relying on written content, you can record a quick 2-minute explanation of a point, or even dive deeper into the subject.

Here’s a great example! Watch this video for 2 more exclusive ways to improve your existing content for SEO.

http://gmehrguth.wistia.com/medias/rs4wsf64wi?embedType=async&videoFoam=true&videoWidth=700