Lesson 4: Apply SEO best practices

In 2014, Google began preferring SSL sites over non-SSL sites and it now requires an SSL to rank. An SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is basically a feature that encrypts the data transferred to and from your site. (Good news! If your website has “https” or a lock symbol next to it when you type the URL into your internet browser, then you already have an SSL.)

Search engines prioritize mobile-friendly content. Ensure your website can be viewed on a mobile device without forcing the user to pinch and zoom. Thankfully, website builders like GoDaddy’s template-based builder automatically optimize your site for desktop and mobile.

The slower the page load speed, the lower you’ll be ranked by a search engine. Things like large images or complex plugins can slow down the loading time, so optimize your media content for the web.

Backlinking refers to getting other websites to link to your webpages. Getting backlinks from relevant, reputable websites and blogs is a major ranking factor, so consider using guest blogging as part of your marketing strategy. Also, don’t be afraid to link to other reputable websites that are related to your industry, which can be another plus when it comes to search engine ranking.

Search engines penalize websites that have pages with duplicate content. Here’s a simple rule: recycle, don’t copy. Avoid using another website’s content or having the same content on multiple pages of your website—be original, because that’s what you are!

Take advantage of social media and local review sites. The more online visibility your business has, the more traffic your site will generate. Incorporating social media and review sites (like Yelp and TripAdvisor) helps improve user engagement and credibility. You can learn more about this here.

As mentioned in the last lesson, both the visible text and the data found in the source code of a page impact your site ranking. It’s important to make sure you incorporate relevant keywords in your site for effective on-page SEO. (Don’t worry, we’ll cover how to research and utilize keywords in the coming lessons).