By Maribeth Neelis
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is integral to a successful digital marketing strategy. When your website achieves a search ranking on the first page of results above your competitors, it's like receiving a recommendation from Google, or one of the other search engines.
With a high ranking, search engines are telling users your company is the authority on whatever subject they are searching.
Just like working to become an authority in real life, creating a website that is deemed an authority takes patience, persistence and knowledge. So we interviewed Brittany Heidtke who, after nearly a decade in the digital marketing field, has quite a bit of all three, and who we, and many others, consider an authority on the subject.
Brittany has specialized in everything: paid search advertising (Google Adwords, Bing,
Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter), email marketing strategy, social media
strategy, and of course, SEO. She has worked to grow five-person start-ups to
75, consulted for Fortune 500 companies and everyone in between. Currently, she runs Clark Street Consulting, a marketing firm that helps small and medium size businesses take their digital marketing to the next level.
PPR: Most people have heard about SEO and understand that it
influences a website's search ranking. Can you describe, at a basic level, how
it works?
BH: SEO stands for search engine optimization. What it means
is that you’re doing everything you can in order for Google (and the other
search engines), to understand what content you have on your site and when it
should call up your site within the search results.
The things that Google, and others, look for are a combination
of how relevant the content on your site is to what a user is actually looking
for, how recent that content is, how many inbound links are pointing to your
site from other quality sites that are similar to yours, among a variety of
other “secret algorithm” factors that they don’t like sharing.
Really what it comes down to at the end of the day is that
Google is trying to give users the results that will help them with their search. So, you should concentrate on creating good, quality content that will give searchers the best experience and answer their questions.
PPR: Do SEO rules and guidelines apply to all search engines, or does
each search engine employ a different algorithm?
BH: Each search engine has their own “unique” algorithm, but
they are all very similar. Because ultimately, they are all trying to give users content that is the most relevant to their search. They all have that same goal. What people normally say is optimize for
Google (since they have the biggest market share of searches) and you’re most
likely optimizing for Yahoo/Bing as well.
PPR: When you are hired by a company, what is the first thing
that you typically do for them?
BH: The first thing that we normally do is figure out what
its goals are and then figure out what it has done previously to obtain
those goals. That gives us a good jumping off point. From there, we’ll do a
deep dive into the organic and/or paid traffic coming into the site and how
it’s getting there. Based on the keywords already driving traffic and the
company’s goal keywords, we can decide how to optimize the site to get the
most traffic.
PPR: What are some of the most common SEO issues you see?
BH: Something we saw in the past was companies who were talked into buying links from scammy sites, because it
was a quick win. Google laid down the hammer last year, and websites were penalized in the rankings for doing this. The biggest challenge those companies now face is
that they must disavow those links within their Google Webmaster
Tools and try to build again. So they’re basically at square one.
When it comes
to SEO, you always have to think “Is what I’m doing good for the end user?” If the answer is no, more than likely, Google will eventually penalize you for doing it. Even
if it gives you a short-term gain, it will come back to bite you in the long
term.
PPR: What are the worst SEO mistakes companies make on their
websites?
BH: I think one of the worst mistakes a company can make is to
create a home page entirely of images without any text. SEO is all about telling
Google what your site is about. By just giving them images, they’re not able
to gain any insight into why they should show your site in the search results.
PPR: We know that SEO is not an exact science, but what is one thing a company can do to improve its search ranking and start driving
more traffic to its website?
BH: I would say to always be adding new, relevant content to your
site. Google's algorithm takes recency into account, so having
fresh content is one quick and easy way you can improve your ranking.
PPR: Content and social media marketing are real buzzwords right
now. Should these be considered separately from an SEO strategy?
Or, are they all part of a broader online marketing strategy?
BH: All of these pieces should be considered together in a holistic
marketing strategy. Everything you do online will have some affect on SEO, good or bad. Adding fresh content is key to an ongoing SEO
strategy, so content marketing and SEO go hand-in-hand. And having a social presence that attracts visitors by sharing that content helps spread the word about your site and may earn you inbound links to your site from the new connections. Everything plays a part and everything really works together.
PPR: When does it make sense to create a paid search campaign?
Or, should every company be using paid search?
BH: It makes sense to have a paid search campaign when you have the budget to spend on paid traffic and you have the time to work
on both paid and organic traffic at once. Paid search is a quick way to drive traffic to your site, but you need to have the time to spend on it daily to make sure you’re getting the correct traffic and that traffic is behaving how you want in your conversion path. If you don’t have time to optimize these things, it
will be a waste of money, and you’ll sour on the idea of paid search.
PPR: You also help companies run email campaigns. What is the most important thing to remember when creating an email campaign?
BH: The single most important thing to remember when
thinking about sending an email is what you want the user to do after they read your email. Do you have clear call to action? Is it simple for them
to understand? Most likely, you want them to visit your website
and order or read something, so make that easy for them to do.
Use a button or
a well defined link to direct them where you want. And
remember, people like to skim, so don’t get too wordy! And of course, always run
tests, because what you think is the best way is not always what will resonate with users.
Have a burning question about SEO? Leave us a comment, and we will find you the answer.
84 comments:
I have a question regarding SEO. What are the kind of backlinks you think works the most at this point of time except PBN?
Dallas SEO expert supplying complete search engine optimisation, research advertising, social networking, and specialist electronic digital marketing services.
very nice and impressive blog.
Affordable Search Engine Optimization
Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us. best link building service bhw
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon! best link building service
Your blog provided us with valuable to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging.Glass Curtains Spain
Digital Marketing Agency located in Dallas, Texas ... We empower customers by offering online marketing services like SEO Dallas Marketing1on1,
Excellent and very exciting site. Love to watch. Keep Rocking. http://www.seoexpert.ninja/
I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before. seo company
much obliged this is great website. agencia seo barcelona
I have recently started a blog, the info you provide on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work. https://www.dynamicmarketing.sg
Website inspectors carry out full SEO (search engine optimization) evaluation of websites and report suggested changes that should be made in order to make a website more search engine friendly. Star Wars
backlinks
This is an extraordinary rousing article.I am basically satisfied with your great work.You put truly exceptionally supportive data. Keep it up. Continue blogging. Hoping to perusing your next post.
http://linkpushing.net/
I require this article to finish my task in the school,
santayana design
That's very knowledgeable post because I am also a new business owner and have been uncovering various marketing techniques that can help me have a boost in the sales graph. I have been thinking to use the Twitter and facebook ads campaign management methods for our first campaign. What do you think about it?
Let me tell you, your writing skills are amazing. After reading your blog, I have got so much detailed information about SEO that I need to implement. SEO Services Delhi
I was searching for the SEO information and then came across to your blog. Your blog clearly shows how well you have the knowledge in this particular subject. seo agency singapore
While going through and surfing online I saw the great article on SEO and was getaway with it’s just wanted to say. Keep going! Best SEO Company Delhi
Be it your knowledge or writing skills, I am overwhelmed by both. You should continue writing such great articles about SEO every now and then. SEO Reseller India
I would like to read more of your articles as it have helped me to do SEO better. SEO Reseller India
Moreover the utilization of web based life can likewise be utilized for the limited time purposes. ExcelR Digital Marketing Course in Sydney
Thanks a lot for your interesting article. I have been searching for such message for a very long time. Not all your content is completely clear to me, even though it is definitely interesting and worth reading. small business marketing agency
Nice to be visiting your blog once more, it has been months for me. Well this article that ive been waited for therefore long. i want this article to finish my assignment within the faculty, and it has same topic together with your article. Thanks, nice share. ExcelR PMP Certifications
The people are very lucky to have this blog because it has better knowledge.
seo services for ecommerce website
Excellent Blog! I would like to thank for the efforts you have made in writing this post. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. I wanted to thank you for this websites! Thanks for sharing. Great websites!
Please check this digital marketing training in pune
Cool stuff you have and you keep overhaul every one of us
ExcelR Digital Marketing Courses In Mumbai
Attend The PMP Certification in Abu Dhabi From ExcelR. Practical PMP Certification in Abu Dhabi Sessions With Assured Placement Support From Experienced Faculty. ExcelR Offers The PMP Certification in Abu Dhabi.
ExcelR PMP Certification in Abu Dhabi
In a perfect world you will utilize a turn around search device that will empower you to type in words you believe are catchphrases individuals would look for and which will disclose to you the occasions those watchwords were scanned for over a given timeframe. blog comments service
mbbs in abroad
The importance of SEO affordable SEO service You Alway use Blogspot Site Comment Because Blogspot Site Comments are Always Approve Your Comment.
I am definitely enjoying your website. You definitely have some great insight and great stories. seo service
A well established Internet Marketing Company, provides reliable SEO ,SMO services for local business, website designing and development in India
Excellent Blog! I would like to thank for the efforts you have made in writing this post. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. I wanted to thank you for this websites! Thanks for sharing. Great websites!
Digital marketing course mumbai
You completed certain reliable points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all persons will agree with your blog.
Please check this Pune Digital Marketing Course
A great website with interesting and unique material what else would you need.
Digital Marketing Course Pune
Welcome to the party of my life here you will learn everything about me.
Digital Marketing Courses in Pune
This is an awesome motivating article.I am practically satisfied with your great work.You put truly extremely supportive data. Keep it up. Continue blogging. Hoping to perusing your next post
Pune Digital Marketing Course
I used to be recommended this website through my cousin. I am now not certain whether this put up is written by him as nobody else recognize such special about my difficulty. You are incredible! Thank you! 스포츠중계
------------------------------------------------------------------
very nice publish, i certainly love this web site, carry on it 해외스포츠중계
This is an awesome motivating article. I am practically satisfied with your great work. You put truly extremely supportive data. Keep it up. Continue blogging. Hoping to be perusing your next post
Courses in Digital Marketing in Pune
I just couldn’t go away your website before suggesting that I actually loved the standard info a person supply on your guests? Is going to be again frequently to investigate cross-check new posts. Change Management
This is a wonderful article, Given so much info in it, These type of articles keeps the users interest in the website, and keep on sharing more ... good luck.
best digital marketing course in mumbai
Just want to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is just nice and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work. 스포츠중계
---------------------------------
I adore your wp web template, wherever would you obtain it through? nba중계
Attend The Digital Marketing Course Bangalore From ExcelR. Practical Digital Marketing Course Bangalore Sessions With Assured Placement Support From Experienced Faculty. ExcelR Offers The Digital Marketing Course Bangalore.
Digital Marketing Course Bangalore
Simply a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding pattern . buy niche comments
Thanks for sharing this unique information about SEO. Keep update like this. SEO Services Delhi
I will really appreciate the writer's choice for choosing this excellent article appropriate to my matter.Here is deep description about the article matter which helped me more.
PMP Certification
I am genuinely thankful to the holder of this web page who has shared this wonderful paragraph at at this place
Courses in Digital Marketing in Pune
This is a splendid website! I"m extremely content with the remarks!.
Digital Marketing Course in Pune
You should take part in a contest for just one of the finest blogs online. I’ll recommend this website! Anton Psak
you employ a fantastic weblog here! want to earn some invite posts on my blog? Singapore SEO consultant
Thanks For Sharing such a good Information
Seo services in Delhi
Seo in Delhi
Seo company in Delhi
SEO expert Delhi
Seo agency in Delhi
best seo services in delhi ncr
seo consultant delhi
Attend The Artificial Intelligence course From ExcelR. Practical Artificial Intelligence course Sessions With Assured Placement Support From Experienced Faculty. ExcelR Offers The Artificial Intelligence course.
Artificial Intelligence Course
I’m very happy to uncover this page. I want to to thank you for ones time just for this wonderful read!!
I definitely really liked every little bit of it and i
also have you bookmarked to check out new stuff on your website.
Buy Real TikTok Likes
Buy TikTok Followers
Buy Facebook Video Likes
Buy Real Facebook Video Views
Good article and explain briefly SEO technique Thanks.
ProWeb365 Web Design
If more people that write articles really concerned themselves with writing great content like you, more readers would be interested in their writings. Thank you for caring about your content. likes instagram
Glad to chat your blog, I seem to be forward to more reliable articles and I think we all wish to thank so many good articles, blog to share with us.
Data Science Course
I will really appreciate the writer's choice for choosing this excellent article appropriate to my matter. Here is deep description about the article matter which helped me more.
Data Science Training
I really enjoy simply reading all of your weblogs. Simply wanted to inform you that you have people like me who appreciate your work. Definitely a great post. Hats off to you! The information that you have provided is very helpful.
Data Science Certification in Bangalore
Fantastic, thanks for the awesome article. I’m having troubles subscribing to your blogs feed. Thought I’d let you know 메이저사이트
Strategy is essential for SEO planning. click here if you are looking for SEO agency.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say excellent blog! Green Box Carts
====
Your blog is one of a kind, i love the way you organize the topics.:,”-* 토토사이트추천
I was also reading a topic like this one from another site.`’”:; 먹튀검증
This may be the appropriate weblog for anyone who wants to discover this topic. You know a great deal its practically hard to argue on hand (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic thats been revealed for many years. Great stuff, just great! purchase backlinks
Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore have already spoken out against the idea, saying that they’d rather not encourage anymore people to stalk celebrities. So, the first thing to do is to decide the purpose of your ad. 프리미어리그중계
-----------------------------------------
I wish to express my respect for your generosity supporting men and women who require guidance on this one topic. Your special commitment to getting the solution all-around has been especially important and have all the time made those much like me to attain their objectives. Your amazing important recommendations implies much a person like me and a whole lot more to my office workers. 대전출장안마
Great article, but a frustrating read, due to the lack of proper punctuation in a lot of spots. Please close your quotations! If this article is following some sort of nouveau grammatical style, of which I’m not aware, I remain frustrated; however, I apologize. mlb중계
--------------------------
I believe one of your ads caused my browser to resize, you might want to put that on your blacklist. 올인구조대
i love cougars that is why i love to watch Desperate Housewives and also Cougar Town~ 먹튀검증
you’ve a fantastic blog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog? digital marketing
Hi mate, .This was an excellent page for such a complicated topic to talk about. I look forward to reading many more excellent posts like this one. Thanks 먹튀폴리스
Fantastic post found to be very impressive to come across such an awesome blog. I really appreciate the blogger for the efforts they have made to bring such an awesome for all the curious readers who are in very keen of learning an innovative content all the way. Eventually, this blog brings an amazing experience while going through this blog. Thanks a lot and keep sharing the content in further as well.
360DigiTMG Artificial Intelligence Course
Trying to say thanks won't simply be adequate, for the fantastic clarity in your composition. I will in a split second get your rss channel to remain educated regarding any updates.
360DigiTMG supply chain analytics training
Wonderful blog found to be very impressive to come across such an awesome blog. I should really appreciate the blogger for the efforts they have put in to develop such an amazing content for all the curious readers who are very keen of being updated across every corner. Ultimately, this is an awesome experience for the readers. Anyways, thanks a lot and keep sharing the content in future too.
360DigiTMG Machine Learning Course
Its most perceptibly horrendous piece was that the item just worked spasmodically and the data was not exact. You unmistakably canot confront anyone about what you have found if the information isn't right.
difference between analysis and analytics
I would like to say that this blog really convinced me to do it! Thanks, very good post. https://www.seorango.com
Your articles are very well written and unique.
user experience design agency
I think I have never watched such online diaries ever that has absolute things with all nuances which I need. So thoughtfully update this ever for us.
iot training in noida
Through this post, I realize that your great information in playing with all the pieces was exceptionally useful. I advise this is the primary spot where I discover issues I've been scanning for. You have a smart yet alluring method of composing.
PMP Certification
Attend The Data Science Training Bangalore From ExcelR. Practical Data Science Training Bangalore Sessions With Assured Placement Support From Experienced Faculty. ExcelR Offers The Data Science Training Bangalore.
Data Science Training Bangalore
Great Article IoT Projects for Students
Deep Learning Projects for Final Year
JavaScript Training in Chennai
JavaScript Training in Chennai
The Angular Training covers a wide range of topics including Components, Angular Directives, Angular Services, Pipes, security fundamentals, Routing, and Angular programmability. The new Angular TRaining will lay the foundation you need to specialise in Single Page Application developer. Angular Training
Very Informative information and Thank you for sharing very useful information and
PPC Freelancer
Congrats you individuals are doing with this blog site.
Their communication, transparency, and the results they provide are the things that set them apart
San Francisco branding companies
An fascinating discussion is worth comment. I think that it’s best to write more on this topic, it won’t be a taboo topic however usually individuals are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers voice seo
Good web site! I really love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day! digital marketing agency
Post a Comment