20 tips for better SEO ranking

A high SEO ranking is very important to increase a website’s visibility and number of visitors. With a good SEO strategy, a website can rank higher in Google. This leads to more visitors and potential customers.

In this article, I provide 20 tips for improving SEO ranking. Here I will tell a little more about the basics as well as the more technical issues that are important for this ranking.

Basics of SEO ranking

SEO experts need to understand the basics of SEO to know how search engine optimization works. They also need to know how to apply search engine optimization to improve online visibility.

Who is the target audience?

It is also important to know what the target audience is. Create content that matches the interests and search behavior of the target audience. This often results in more visitors and leads to better SEO results. Each visitor has his or her own intention.

An important part of the SEO roadmap is understanding users’ search intent. Search intent is the reason why someone performs a particular search. This information helps in creating content that matches the questions and needs of the (potential) visitors.

Deliver value for this intention. This is done (to get a higher SEO ranking) in the following way:

  1. write quality content that really benefits the visitor;
  2. Provide more authority in the marketplace;
  3. Provide a seamless user experience for website visitors.

Actually, you should always have in the back of your mind. For everything the Google searcher might be looking for, he or she should find on my website as easily as possible. After that, the conversions will come naturally.

My top tips for better SEO ranking (video)

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My top tips for better SEO ranking (video).

Technical SEO for better ranking

Below I discuss the technical aspects of SEO. These are critical to ensuring a fast and secure website. This often has a direct impact on SEO performance.

Optimizing website speed

Website speed is an important factor for SEO. It is also essential for a good user experience. Faster websites get higher rankings by search engines faster. Optimize images, get a good hosting solution and minimize code to reduce load times.

A good mobile view

Today, an increasing proportion of content on the Internet is read on cell phones. Therefore, make sure the website is properly mobile-ready. Not only is this nice for users, it also has a positive effect on SEO.

SSL security

A secure website ranks higher on Google. Therefore, provide a Web site with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) security. Websites with SSL certificates have a URL that begins with https://. This is a sign to users and search engines that the Web site is secure.

Clean code

Also, use clean and efficient code to make the website faster. Also, search engines can more easily crawl and index these types of websites. Clean up code regularly to improve SEO.

The quality and relevance of content are hugely important for good SEO. In addition, it ensures higher audience engagement.

Quality and relevant content

The foundation of any successful SEO strategy is creating quality and relevant content. All articles, blogs and pages should provide valuable information that matches the interests and needs of the target audience.

Content should not only be informative, but also attractive to read. This not only benefits visitors, but also leads to higher rankings in search engines.

Choose keywords carefully

Keywords are terms that the target audience uses to search for information in search engines. Do extensive keyword research and use the keywords strategically in the content.

Keywords help search engines understand what the pages are about. This way, the content is more likely to appear in relevant searches.

Optimizing meta tags

Meta tags play an important role in SEO optimization. Meta tags include title tags and meta descriptions. These give users and search engines a brief summary of a Web site’s content.

Each page should have a unique title meta tag and meta description, containing relevant keywords. Moreover, these titles and descriptions should be attractive in order to attract users to the website.

Internal links

Internal links connect one page to another page on the same Web site. This helps visitors navigate a Web site. Search engines use links to better understand the hierarchy of a website. Spreading link value across a website improves SEO performance.

Natural backlinks

Backlinks are links from one Web site to another Web site. This is an important factor for search engines to determine the relevance and authority of a Web site.

Create quality and relevant content and promote a website on relevant platforms. In this way, backlinks are obtained and this can improve SEO.

Avoiding Spammy Links

Avoid spammy links. These are links that can be purchased or obtained through participation in link exchange programs. Search engines punish websites with spammy links.

It is better to obtain quality links naturally.

Guest blogging and partnerships

An efficient way to get backlinks is by guest blogging or partnering with relevant websites or influencers. This increases the visibility of a website and helps build relationships within an industry. It also leads to getting more links from high authority websites.

Content for better SEO ranking

Social media and content marketing are two crucial factors in the world of SEO. Both tools help increase reach and strengthen online presence.

Social media

Social media helps tremendously in increasing the visibility of a website. This leads directly to more traffic to a page. Active presence on social media such as Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X is necessary. Share content and be interactive with followers. This helps build a relationship with the audience.

Social media platforms also help improve brand awareness and authority.

Integrate content marketing

Content marketing is about creating and sharing valuable, relevant and consistent content. The goal is to attract and retain a defined audience.

Build authority and trust by creating content such as quality blogs, videos and podcasts. Not only does this lead to more organic traffic, but also more natural link building.

Local SEO ranking

Local SEO techniques are crucial for businesses targeting a local audience. Optimize visibility in local searches and compete effectively in the local market.

Optimize local searches

Local SEO is critical for businesses that focus on a local audience. Optimize the website for local search terms and claim a Google My Business listing. Also ensure consistency in the NAW data (name, address, phone number) across various online directories.

Local SEO helps increase visibility in local search results. This is crucial for companies looking to attract local customers.

Managing online reviews

Online reviews have a big effect on local SEO. Encourage customers to leave online reviews on platforms such as Google, TripAdvisor and Yelp.

Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. Well-managed reviews increase a company’s credibility and improve its ranking in local search results.

SEO ranking analysis

Measurability is always important in a journey to improve SEO ranking. Consider more insight into the ranking, conversion and volumes of search terms in Google. All equally important to make decisions in this regard.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics can provide insight into a website’s traffic, user behavior and the effectiveness of the SEO roadmap. Analyze this data regularly and intervene, if necessary, at points that need improvement.

Staying up to date

The world of SEO is constantly changing. Therefore, it is important to always stay up-to-date and follow the latest SEO trends. Also, stay up to date on algorithm updates and best practices by following relevant blogs, news sources and forums. This allows you to adapt strategies to the changing demands of search engines.

Audtis and adjustments

Provide regular audits to detect problems such as outdated content, technical errors or broken links. SEO audit tools analyze websites. Make adjustments based on the insights gained.

For good SEO ranking, it is essential to continuously improve and update a website.

Summary

With a combination of technical SEO knowledge, quality content and continuous updates, the SEO ranking of a website. The 20 tips above contribute to website optimization for search engines and greater online visibility.

SEO is an ongoing process and needs regular updates. Use the right strategies and keep improving the website constantly. This way, the website is not only visible, but also stands out in an increasingly competitive digital world.

Senior SEO-specialist

Ralf van Veen

Senior SEO-specialist
Five stars
My clients give me a 5.0 on Google out of 78 reviews

I have been working for 10 years as an independent SEO specialist for companies (in the Netherlands and abroad) that want to rank higher in Google in a sustainable manner. During this period I have consulted A-brands, set up large-scale international SEO campaigns and coached global development teams in the field of search engine optimization.

With this broad experience within SEO, I have developed the SEO course and helped hundreds of companies with improved findability in Google in a sustainable and transparent way. For this you can consult my portfolio, references and collaborations.

This article was originally published on 27 March 2024. The last update of this article was on 5 June 2024. The content of this page was written and approved by Ralf van Veen. Learn more about the creation of my articles in my editorial guidelines.