In a previous article we explored Why SEO Is So Expensive and broke down the tasks of what a SEO professional does. But what do you do when you can’t afford $1500+ per month but still want to ensure you’re site ranks?
Thankfully there are several significant SEO related tasks you can do on your own
1. Keyword Research
- Tools: Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and AnswerThePublic
- Action: Identify relevant keywords and phrases that potential customers are searching for in your niche
2. On-Page SEO
- Content Optimization: Ensure that each page has unique and relevant meta titles, descriptions, headers (H1, H2, etc.), and well-structured content.
- Keyword Placement: Use your target keywords naturally in your content, titles, and meta descriptions.
- Internal Linking: Link related pages within your site to help search engines understand your content structure.
WordPress plugins such as All In One SEO can assist you with on-page SEO and provide you a checklist of things to get to include, as-well as provide free useful recommendations on how to improve the post.
3. Content Creation
- Blogging: Regularly publish high-quality, informative blog posts that address common questions and problems in your niche. Once or twice a week is ideal.
- Multimedia: Incorporate images, videos, infographics, and other media to make your content more engaging
- Useful Content: Creating useful content such as checklists, tools and infographics is a good way to get strong organic backlinks
If you are unable or don’t have the time to write content yourself, you can consider a professional blog writing services such as from Hoth Blogger, Fat Joe or hiring a writer yourself on Upwork.
4. Technical SEO
- Website Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix issues that are slowing down your site.
- Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly by using responsive design and testing with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
- XML Sitemap: Create and submit an XML sitemap to Google Search Console to help search engines index your site more effectively.
5. Local SEO
- Google My Business: Create or claim your Google My Business listing and ensure all information is accurate and up to date.
- Local Directories: List your business in local online directories like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Yellow Pages.
- Local Keywords: Optimize your content for local keywords (e.g., “best pizza in [city]”).
6. Link Building
- Broken Link Building: Identify broken links on other websites and suggest your own content as a replacement.
- Paid Backlinks: Purchasing paid backlinks & guest posts from providers such as SirLinksAlot is an effective and affordable way to get High Authority backlinks
- Niche Directories: Research and try to get registered on industry and niche specific directories
- Competitor Backlinks: Use tools like Ahrefs (free version available) to analyze competitors’ backlinks and try to acquire similar links.
- Networking: Build relationships with influencers and bloggers in your industry who might link to your content. Featuring on industry related podcasts is becoming a popular way to get exposure
7. Social Media Integration
- Profiles: Ensure all your social media profiles link back to your website.
- Sharing Content: Regularly share your website’s content on social media platforms to drive traffic and engagement
- Engagement: Engage with your audience on social media to build a community and encourage shares and backlinks
8. User Experience (UX)
- Navigation: Simplify your website’s navigation to make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for
- Readability: Use clear fonts, adequate white space, and concise paragraphs to enhance readability
- Feedback: Collect and implement user feedback to improve the overall experience
Following the outlined tasks while no guarantee you will rank 1st, are a solid way to ensure you will get exposure and are doing all the right things.
In time when you have more financial capacity, consider getting a professional SEO assessment and see how you went.
Do you have any SEO Tips and Tricks? Leave us a comment below