THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO SEO IN 2014

Challenging times ahead as Google continues to develop and take action against websites Battle to compete in markets against guideline breakers continues to evolve Mission to comply with Google Guidelines made harder as website owners become scared to link/attribute credit Confusion continues surrounding Google – No clarity, just generic answers SEO Fight or Flee

THE YEARS OF GOOGLE CHANGE

 Google make more than 500 algorithm changes a year  Google Panda and Penguin continued to operate and became more frequent  More Webmaster Tools Transparency  Introduction of localised search queries  Google Hummingbird created Aug 20 th 2013 GOOGLE YEARS OF CHANGE

WAS 2013 THE DEATH OF BLACKHAT SEO?

 Blackhat techniques are still very clear within the SERPs  Some organic rankings dominated by spammy, hacked and low quality websites  Google algorithms failing to auto-detect, meaning that manual clean ups are needed  Google takes out one Blackhat scheme as another is being created – Leaving them 1 step behind DID BLACKHAT SEO DIE IN 2013? Examples Anglo Rank – Blackhat SEO Link Network Found and Eliminated In 2014

Bishop of Whitby Ranking #10 “Payday Loans” Fashion Designer Roberto Cavalli Promoting Online Casinos? Ranking #8 “best online casinos” Link Networks In Large Scale Usage

SEO 2014 – IS SEO STILL RELEVANT?

 Broad definition of SEO means many don’t fully understand what SEO really is  On-page Optimisation will always be relevant  Off-page Optimisation is still needed, although it has evolved  Backlinks still a major part of SEO, although rankings are based on more than just links – A wider process needed IS SEO STILL RELEVANT IN 2014?

SEO IS CHANGING WITH DIVERSITY THE KEY

 Elements of website creation need to work together to gain strong, more solid rankings within the organic results  Backlinks are still needed but form part of a wider requirement in what Google are looking for  Social exposure, strong page mark-up and a strong Brand presence needed  Quality over quantity in all aspects SEO – DIVERSITY THE KEY

SEARCH ENGINES – BIGGER, STRONGER & FASTER

 Google make no secret of their love for fresh and unique content  Enhancing technology will allow search engines to become faster at auto-detection of low quality websites and providing website information to site owners  The speed of de-indexation within the search engines will improve and provide a better search experience for users SEARCH ENGINES WILL DEVELOP & EVOLVE

SOCIAL & SEO

 Google insist social does not have a direct correlation to better organic rankings  Google Plus already revealed not to improve ranking positions directly but small scale indirect evidence seen  A strong social presence and following allows for direct marketing of content and news to targeted markets  Avoid automating social accounts – They lack the ability to interact directly with users SOCIAL PRESENCE & SEO

MOBILE COMPATIBILITY

 Google continue to tell us to build a website that offers users an experience that they will enjoy and remember  Search engine changes and developments continue to share the same aim, make a better user experience  Look at the structure of your site and how that would interact with various visitors  Your main focus has to be to ensure that your content is available to all variations of visitor – Accommodate!  Think responsive! DO I NEED TO BE MOBILE COMPATIBLE IN 2014?

GIVE SEARCH ENGINES WHAT THEY WANT

 Create fresh and unique content regularly  Share your expertise and experience of the market your website is within  Create a brand both through your backlink profile and through social networks – Give visitors a reason to search by your brand  Stay within the Google guidelines for longer term success – Blackhat is still a short term strategy  Deliver a good user experience – Compatibility and value are key GIVING THE SEARCH ENGINE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR

SEO IN 2014 WHERE SHOULD YOU FOCUS?

 Become a brand – Both socially and organically  Create a backlink profile that offers quality over quantity  Increase your market awareness – Gain PR Coverage, actively monitor your backlinks  Ensure your on-page SEO is strong – Avoid Google Panda  Be Fresh, Be Unique – Content and Innovation  Maintain and Monitor – On and Off-page SEO WHAT TO FOCUS ON IN 2014

THANKS FOR LISTENING