Whether you are updated with the latest marketing trends or actively running a business, the term SEO will likely sound familiar one way or another. Short for search engine optimization, SEO has grown to become the standard digital marketing strategy for businesses today. It is used to boost your online visibility and make your name known in the online space. Employing the latest and best Virginia SEO practices is a must when operating in a competitive environment, so keeping up with the trends is essential.
Much like other technologies and digital practices, SEO evolves through time. As such, it is important to understand how the strategy is continuous and ongoing and not merely a one-time practice. Even after launching a successful marketing campaign or achieving the top rank, you must continue to refine your SEO strategy to ensure you grow further and get consistent results.
This 2021 is no exception. As you enter the new year and think of new strategies to grow your business, take note of these Virginia SEO trends to stay competitive and ahead of the game. Make sure to leverage these trends this year, so you can dominate the online space.
Improve Core Web Vitals
Google is set to release a new ranking factor called Core Web Vitals by 2021, so taking note of this update may help you rank higher on results pages. Core Web Vitals will be part of the factors used to determine user experiences, and it focuses on three main metrics: Loading or (Largest Contentful Paint), Visual Stability (Cumulative Layout Shift), and Interactivity (First Input Delay).
Improving your Core Web Vitals will thus include actions like speeding up page loading times, making your site interactive, and ensuring stability while pages are loading. Technically, you may already be doing these to boost your site’s UX, but it will still be a good idea to review the metrics to make sure you rank well with the new algorithm.
Focus on Search Intent
Another important change with SEO in 2021 is the emphasis on users’ search intent. While you may have heard of this in the past, it is now more important than ever to consider what users are looking for when they make a search. Traditionally, many would focus on optimizing meta descriptions and fitting keywords as best as possible. Doing this will still help with Virginia SEO, but now, Google is paying special attention to how your content responds to the users’ needs.
You may have been hearing the unusual buzzword EAT floating around and wondered what exactly it means. In the case of SEO, it stands for a high level of expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. Your content must show EAT for Google to rank your site and consider your page to be valuable. As such, knowing what users are searching for and answering their questions will be crucial.
Be Strategic with Keyword Research
You may think that keyword research will no longer be useful due to the importance of search intent. However, the reality is that the practice is just as important as it has ever been, especially with the majority of Google searches being zero-click searches. Users can often find the answers they are looking for through featured snippets, Google business listings, and other sources without having to click a link. When this happens, you miss the opportunity to generate a new lead.
Strategic keyword research will thus be the differentiating factor that can boost your traffic. Consider targeting long-tail keywords as these tend to be more specific, allowing you to reach your target audience more precisely. As mentioned in the previous trend, do not forget to consider search intent when choosing keywords as you have to make your content compelling enough for users to click.
Automation is on the Rise
Automation has long been taking over industries, and with SEO, the same can be said this year. Expect more SEO tasks being automated, as well as an increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The latter is particularly useful for personalization, making it useful for generating content. Likewise, automation can help reduce the risk of penalties to keep your site up and running at all times.
Adapt and Think Ahead
As SEO becomes more advanced and the business environment grows increasingly competitive, you must learn how to adapt to the quick changes. Being strategic and thinking outside the box will be crucial to help you differentiate yourself and seek opportunities where others may not be looking. At the same time, you must also think ahead and be ready for potential challenges or road bumps along the way. Responding quickly to changes will also allow you to stay ahead of the competition.
