Introduction
Search engine optimization is a time-tested digital marketing strategy. Indeed, it takes time to show results. But they are long-term. In other words, you will have to put the time in to develop a strong SEO strategy that can help your site crawl up the search rankings. A long-term SEO strategy is indispensable, especially if you want to organically generate the results. To help with that, we have written this post to understand the need for a long-term SEO strategy and how you can create one for your business. Let’s get started!
Why do you need a long-term SEO strategy?
A long-term SEO strategy is highly beneficial and financially rewarding. Businesses that think for the long term with regard to their SEO campaign often beat their competition. But, what are the other reasons for implementing a long-term SEO strategy?
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Search engine algorithms change constantly
Google and other major search engines are popular for frequently introducing new search engine algorithms. They do that to keep the websites in check and ensure a spam-free user experience. Thinking long-term with your SEO campaign allows you to counter these changes and mitigate the considerable losses in online visibility and search rankings.
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More the SEO efforts, the higher the search rankings
Long-term SEO strategy relies on continuous efforts since businesses that slow down their SEO activities often experience a drop in their page rankings. Companies that keep working on their SEO campaigns achieve an 18 percent increase in search rankings.
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Focuses on developing fresh and valuable content
Content is the backbone of every online marketing campaign, and SEO isn’t an exception. Google places higher importance on fresh and valuable content published regularly. Content production and maintenance is an integral part of a long-term SEO strategy.
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Helps leverage the increasing mobile penetration
Mobile internet has witnessed exponential growth due to the increasing penetration of web-enabled mobile devices. The advancements impact the world of search engine optimization as well. A long-term SEO strategy encounters these developments by ensuring responsive and dynamic web design and layouts.
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Rankings rely on social signals
Generating positive social signals takes time. Social media engagement mainly depends on how much people trust your business and how well-connected you are with your target audience. Google factors in social signals to determine your search rankings.
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Keeps you from using blackhat tactics
Indeed, blackhat SEO tactics generate quick results. But, it can result in major penalties if Google figures out your SEO strategy. Long-term SEO strategy relies on continuous effort. There is no scope for blackhat tactics if you are into generating results that last.
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Helps you stay competent
Your competitors might also be using a long-term SEO strategy to establish their authority online. After all, it helps them land their sites on prime search engine locations. Maintaining a good long-term SEO strategy allows you to fight for these prime locations and maximize your search engine visibility.
How to create a long-term SEO strategy?
Now that you know why a long-term SEO strategy is crucial to your online marketing success, it’s time we learn how to create one! Here are the SEO essentials you must include in your long-term SEO strategy.
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Get the technical aspect of the website ready
Technical SEO lays a strong foundation for your website and helps your SEO campaigns perform better. Keep your website ready for the growing online competition and challenges posed by frequently changing search engine algorithms by strengthening its core.
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Design for your potential customers
Contrary to what many business owners think, we believe a business website should be designed more for the customers and less for the brand. Your website design should hold up for your target users. Therefore, implement the design trends accordingly.
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Conduct extensive keyword research
Every long-term SEO strategy starts with good ol’ keyword research. Take ample time to conduct keyword research and plan your keyword strategy. After all, you want your website to rank for the right search terms and show up in front of the right people.
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Develop high-quality and valuable content
Create content like your life depends on it. Use the target keywords, find out the pain points of your target consumer, and come up with topics that will help solve problems. Focus on creating high-quality and evergreen content. Not just that, regularly update the content with useful information so that it doesn’t lose value.
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Use internal and external links
Internal linking helps search engine crawlers index your website better. Efficient internal linking improves website navigation and user experience. Moreover, investing in external link-building activities like guest posting on high-authority websites will help you gain credibility.
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Focus on Local SEO as well
Lastly, don’t ignore Local SEO. Invest time in creating up-to-date business listings, especially on Google My Business. Create accounts on major business listing websites to get ranked for local searches as well. However, make sure the information across all the listings is uniform.
Keep reading!
It’s a blunder to think of SEO as a one-shot or one-time online marketing strategy. A short-term mindset is a recipe for disaster because Google is on the prowl for websites that try to beat the system. Let go of it and focus entirely on developing a long-term SEO strategy driven by continuous efforts and improvements. Loved reading this post. Don’t forget to check out other informative posts on the blog!
