In 2014, having quality content that is useful to a search engine user is key. In the past year, the Google Hummingbird algorithm was released and this overhaul of the search system has made a searcher’s intent the focus. This means that rather than relying on links and generic content, providing information a user is looking for is the key to SEO this year. Here are a few tips for search engine optimization in 2014. 

Search engines aim to provide appropriate information to users. This is a much more effective approach to SEO than trying to attract both search engines and a website’s audience.

Photo Courtesy of Omni Vision Design

Photo Courtesy of Omni Vision Design

A mistake made by many professionals is to give more importance to the way content is shared and viewed by search engines instead of focusing on the audience. By appealing to a search engine like a prospective user, a website is much more effective.

The links on a website are another key when it comes to search engine optimization. While link farms are subject to change as the term “good link” gets more clearly defined, strong links within a website help with optimization.

Links within a page increase user interactivity because they make it easier for the audience to move through the website. They also help search engines rank website pages effortlessly.

When connecting to outbound links, link to the reputable and authoritative ones as that practice is more beneficial than linking to random websites; these links are a reflection of the website linking to them. Links to related content boost Google rankings as they signify the relevancy of content.

Making significant changes to SEO strategies can be daunting. Instead of making all of these changes at once, slowly add a few things at a time. It can take time to see improvements, but adjusting marketing strategies can be more manageable by determining which strategies are the most important for short-term growth and will be helpful in maintaining growth in the long run. After establishing a client base, a successful strategy maintains this audience.

While it is important to have an online presence, having a negative presence is worse than having none at all. It can be difficult to create conversations and increase interactions with customers; however, bothersome posts and content on social media will only alienate potential customers and existing clients. Becoming a reputable source of information and being able to share it effectively is more important than ever.

By incorporating these tips into your online marketing strategy, you will be providing content that the user and search engines care about.