2020 is officially here and it is the year for you to find success with SEO! We hope your site is getting the results you desire (especially with the help of our SEO resources). Even if you are satisfied with the results you’re getting, don’t get too comfortable.
We don’t want to be the bearers of bad news, but SEO trends change…and they change fast. The goods news is that we are here to help. Here are a few SEO trends in 2020 to look out for.
It’s All About Voice Search
If you are like millions of others out there, you’re probably using your voice to do the bulk of your web searches. In fact, it is estimated that by the end of next year, nearly half of all online searches will be voice-based.
As convenient as voice search is for searchers, it makes things a bit trickier when it comes to SEO. Voice search can be limited in terms of what search results catch searchers’ attention. If you’ve ever done a voice search on Google, you probably noticed that Google usually highlights one answer. That answer is prominently displayed in a white box and is read aloud by the Google Assistant. Sounds great, right?
It is right up until the part you realize that answer isn’t necessarily from the top search engine result for that search. Google focuses instead on featuring content that would be best suited for their results box based on your search query. So that results box is exactly where you want to be seen as most voice searchers aren’t going to continue searching for other results. If you want your content to be front and center, you need to optimize it for voice search.
Mobile Optimization, Anyone?
Mobile optimization isn’t anything new, but now that mobile browsing has surpassed desktop browsing, it’s certainly a requirement. Here are the three main tips to keep in mind:
1. Take Advantage of Responsive Templates
Your website has to be responsive. Again, for those in the back, one of the most important aspects of website design today is responsiveness. People are searching on a number of different devices, so your website needs to be able to perform on all of them.
When you design your site, make sure the template you are using is friendly on desktop as well as mobile devices and tablets.
2. Content Should be Skimmable
Long sentences, long paragraphs, long pages – no thanks. People want to take in information quickly, so be sure to make your content skimmable and break up any large paragraphs. Add in plenty of bolding, headings, and bulleted lists to keep their reading experience easy.
3. Hey There, Good Looking…Images, Videos, and Buttons
Remember that your site is going to be a lot smaller on a smartphone than it will be on a desktop. If you have a lot of small images, videos, or buttons, they may not translate well on mobile. To prevent this from happening, check the appearance of your media on a few different devices. If something doesn’t look right, you will have time to fix it before you go live.
Let Your Brand Shine
Managing your brand online means excellence should be everywhere. There are more and more online platforms where people can find your business and you need to be sure your branding and information are consistent anywhere it pops up.
Whether it’s Facebook, Yelp, YouTube, or Instagram, people don’t want to see conflicting information. Here are some best practices to help your brand shine online:
- If you don’t have time to optimize it, don’t create a profile
- Keep your logos, fonts, and graphics consistent across all platforms
- Triple check that all business information (hours, contact info, location, etc.) are the same on all platforms
- Monitor feedback on all platforms and stay ahead of any negative reviews or comments that may appear
A Good Site is a Secure & Speedy Site
The internet has become more sophisticated, so too have its users. That means when it comes to SEO trends in the new year, it is your responsibility to hold your website to a high standard. There are two main factors that could be keeping potential clients and customers away: speed and security.
Security
Have you taken the time to secure your site yet? Up until about mid-2018, companies could get away with unsecure websites up until Google started marking non-HTTPS websites as unsecure very clearly in the URL bar on Google Chrome. If you’re still running an unsecure site, make it a priority to migrate to HTTPS.
Speed
If your pages are slow to load, that could be another factor driving visitors away. Searchers lose patience fast, and your pages should load in under five seconds. Anything longer than that, and you will quickly see visitors clicking away.
If slow page loads are an issue, there are a few methods you can try to fix the problem. One example is that you could reduce the file sizes of the images on each page and eliminate page redirects.
Take on SEO Trends in 2020
When it comes to SEO, there’s a lot to take in. Voice search, mobile optimization, speed, and security are just the tip of the iceberg and things are constantly changing. If you need help upping your SEO game, our team at KP Kreative is here for you. Just click here to contact one of our experts and be sure to subscribe to our blog so you are always in the know on all things digital marketing!
Here’s to a great 2020 – may it be one filled with SEO success!
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