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Search engine optimization (SEO) usually takes a long time to show results. In fact, it is common that businesses wait up to a year to see improvements in their search engine rankings.
For a growing business, waiting that long for results isn't always optimal, which is why many entrepreneurs ditch SEO in favor of faster alternatives like paid advertising.
Fortunately, there is a way to speed up this process and climb the Google rankings faster. And it's worth it, too, considering 49% of traders believe that SEO delivers the highest ROI of any marketing strategy.
In this article, I share five actionable SEO hacks that can help you rank faster and drive more traffic to your website in no time.
Connected: 9 SEO tips to help you rank #1 on Google in 2024
1. Target long tail keywords
many small business owners trying SEO for the first time make the mistake of targeting highly competitive keywords. Although it's tempting to target those big, high-traffic keywords, it can take years to rank for them.
To speed up your SEO results, you want to focus on long-tail keywords. These are longer and more specific phrases that potential customers are likely to use when they are closer to buying.
Sure, long-tail keywords may have lower search volumes, but they often come with higher buyer intent, meaning people using these terms are more likely to turn into customers.
For example, a standard keyword you might want to target is “running shoes.” This keyword is very competitive and may take a long time to rank. Instead, a better one SEO strategy is to use a long-tail keyword like “best running shoes for flat feet” because it's more specific, less competitive, and more likely to attract users who are ready to buy.
2. Create epic content
Most website owners don't put enough effort into the content they publish. However, generic 500-word articles haven't been able to compete with in-depth content for a long time.
Recent Google algorithm updates have made quality content even more important, so even generic 2,000-word articles won't cut it.
That said, quality content it's more than just word count.
Here's what truly epic content consists of:
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Well researched: Use relevant statistics and reliable sources to support your points. This adds authority and credibility to your content.
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In action: Give tips and advice that readers can apply immediately to solve their problems.
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Authority: Share expert opinions and real-life examples to increase the credibility of your content.
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Well structured: Divide your content into clear, logical sections with headings, subheadings and bullet points to increase readability.
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Commitment: Write in a natural, conversational tone that resonates with your audience, and don't overdo it with AI.
For example, if you're writing an article about “how to choose the best running shoes for flat feet,” include expert opinions, real-life examples, shoe reviews, and actionable steps for your readers to follow. .
If you're not sure how to create content that ranks, the best approach is to hire one SEO expert.
3. Upgrade old content
Regularly updating your content signals to Google that you actively manage your site, which improves your chances of moving up the search engine rankings.
An effective way to do this is to use Google Search Console to identify articles that rank in the middle of page one or at the top of page two.
Next, you should analyze the content created by competitors that are ranking better than you. Have they added new information, updated statistics, build more backlinks or improve the user experience? Is your article still the best resource available?
Chances are your competitors have upped their game and so have you.
Add new data, update links, refine your points and make sure your advice is current and actionable. This shows Google that you are proactive in keeping your content relevant.
Connected: 5 SEO Tips to Grow Your Small Business
4. Proactively build internal links
When writing an article, you should include internal connections for all relevant blog posts on your site. This helps Google understand how these different blogs relate to each other.
You can do this by typing “site:yourdomain.com (related keyword)” into Google search. This gives you a list of pages on your website that you should link to in your new article.
When adding internal links, use descriptive anchor text that tells what the linked page is about.
For example, if you're writing a blog post targeting the keyword “running shoes for flat feet,” you'll want to link to your other article about “best running shoes for flat feet.” Instead of using generic text like “click here,” choose a descriptive anchor like “best insoles for flat feet” to help readers understand what they'll find when they click the link.
5. Build actual authority
Actual authority refers to how well your website covers a specific subject area. It is an important factor for SEO because search engines prioritize websites that demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a particular topic.
For example, a website with 100 articles about running shoes will generally perform better in search rankings than a site with only ten articles on the same topic.
The best way to build actual authority is to publish a ton Content SEO. It is not enough to publish only two or three articles a month. Aim to publish 10, 20 or even 30 articles each month to improve your credibility with search engines.
Creating so much content yourself can be difficult, so the best option is to hire one SEO agency.
But once you manage to build actual authority, your new articles start ranking within weeks instead of months, and you can enjoy a steady stream of organic traffic.
Although SEO takes time to show results, you can try these five SEO techniques to hack your way to a better ranking.
Focus on targeting long-tail keywords, creating quality content, updating your old articles, building internal links and building actual authority for faster and more substantial SEO results.