Search engines are responsible for helping users find the information they require. With millions of websites to scan for every possible keyword, search phrase, or voice search query, search engines have devised algorithms to automate the process of crawling web pages, indexing, and adjudging them. Important SEO ranking factors are used to assess the authenticity, authority, and expertise of the websites and rank them. These algorithms are updated from time to time to provide users with the most accurate search results. No matter how well-designed your website is or how persuasive your content is, your website will not be visible to relevant search users if it is not optimized as per the latest search algorithms. 

Understanding Important SEO Ranking Factors

When you come across any well-made search ranking factors infographic, video, or blog, there is one aspect common to all. This is the fact that the best SEO practices go hand in hand with creating a superlative user experience. Google, Bing, or any other search engine for that matter, never reveal their ranking factors directly. They simply provide a list of guidelines and best practices, and inform webmasters about their latest algorithm updates. Hence, businesses opting for link building services, content writing services, or a holistic SEO package should always ensure that the team abides by white-hat SEO practices that enhance user experience, rather than black-hat practices that manipulate search algorithms.

Top 10 List of Important SEO Ranking Factors for Excellent Search Visibility

Search ranking parameters can be categorized into on-page ranking signals, technical ranking factors technical SEO factors, off-page ranking factors, and local SEO ranking factors, as applicable. Overall, this is an extensive list and requires a highly proficient team working consistently, using the right SEO tools and strategies. For the benefit of newbies, SEO experts have compiled a top 10 list to get started with:-

1. Website Security and Accessibility– Enabling your website with SSL security and HTTPS encryption is highly recommended. Furthermore, a well-built sitemap, well-optimized robot meta tags, and robot.txt files will ensure that the search engine spiders crawl through the site seamlessly.
2. Load Time of Webpages– With every new algorithmic update, the significance of website speed as a search ranking factor is increasing. Google’s 2018 speed update has specifically mentioned mobile page speed as pivotal. This is to the extent that slow-loading mobile sites could be penalized.
3. Mobile Optimization– Not just the mobile load time, but the entire mobile browsing experience is a top search ranking parameter. Off late, an increasing number of search users are reliant on smartphone browsing. This warrants a mobile-friendly content layout, smooth navigation, and accessible menus.
4. Domain Name, Age, and Authority– Websites that are less than a year old are less likely to feature on the first page of SERPs. The domain name should match the search intent. It can have a keyword, but low-grade content sites with clickbait domain names can be penalized.
5. Content Optimization– Optimizing content is not just about peppering keywords here and there. Based on the click-through rates and bounce rates of your web pages, search engines will determine how well your content matches the search intent. Use well-researched primary/secondary keywords naturally in intent-centric content.
6. On-Page Technical Factors– From the meta tags and header tags to the meta descriptions, alt tags, schema markup, and so on, all the technical on-site elements should be perfectly optimized.
7. User-Friendliness– Apart from the mobile optimization parameter as described above, the overall UX of the website is an important ranking signal. Again, this is largely determined by the click-through rates, average browsing time, and bounce rates of a website.
8. Quality of Links– High-authority sites linking back to your site can provide a major ranking boost. But internal linking is equally important and shouldn’t be ignored.
9. Social Media Shares– Social media mentions constitute an indirect ranking factor. The higher the number of social shares, the higher will be your CTR, outbound links, and eventual site authority.
10. Local Citations and GMB Profile– For local businesses, a robust Google My Business (GMB) profile with complete product/service details, positive reviews, and high ratings is a must.

Link building services are a crucial aspect of digital marketing that involves acquiring hyperlinks from other websites. These links can improve a site’s search engine rankings, increase visibility, and drive traffic. Effective link building requires a strategic approach that prioritizes quality over quantity and focuses on natural, organic link acquisition.

Conclusion

Website owners should always aim at being featured on the first page of search results for the most relevant keywords. About 90% of search users never bother to look beyond the first page. Even after attaining the first rank, businesses cannot become complacent. Periodic algorithmic changes might cause your SERP position to fall. The SEO team has to keep updating, improving, and optimizing the web pages as per the latest search engine updates. A complex and long-term endeavour, organic SEO when done right can be highly rewarding in terms of quality lead generation, brand-building, conversions, and high ROI.

Author Bio: – Rudra Kumar is an Assistant General Manager of search operations at Techmagnate with more than 10+ years of experience in search engine optimisation. He has helped many businesses in growing revenue via search engines of his strengths.