All search engines like Google and Bing use algorithms to display content that is ranked based on what the search engine decides is most relevant to internet users. These algorithms use hundreds of factors to decide which websites are ranked higher than others, and some factors have more weight than others.
Search engine optimization, or SEO, is the process of increasing both the quality and quantity of the traffic your website receives from organic search engine results. Search engines do not publish which factors their algorithms use, although high-ranking websites share many factors in common.
The following are some of the most important SEO ranking factors that Actionable Agency will address to help your law firm’s website improve its organic traffic and visibility.
Backlinks are links to your firm’s website from other websites, such as a chamber of commerce’s website, an online directory, or a local newspaper website. It is nearly impossible to rank well for competitive search terms without backlinks.
In the past, the sheer number of backlinks your website had was all that was important. Today, the relevancy, authority, quality, and variety of your backlinks are more important. Google analyzes your backlinks to decide if they come from websites relevant to yours. It’s also good to have backlinks from many types of websites, including directories, educational websites (.edu), news sites, chambers of commerce, and more.
It’s important to have many internal links within your website. This helps Google understand the structure of your website, and it helps readers who land on your site understand the variety of ways in which you can help them.
Google considers how pleased visitors are with search results in its algorithm. A common means of determining user satisfaction is looking at your website’s bounce rates. Your bounce rate is how fast a user leaves your site after arriving. The better your content is, and the more quality content you have, the longer a user will stay, resulting in a favorable bounce rate, therefore prompting Google to assign more authority to your site.
Google places a big emphasis on quality content over keyword-heavy spam or unoriginal, filler, or plagiarized content. Useful content that offers value is rewarded with higher rankings. This is where an attorney blog that offers fresh insight on a regular basis can rank much higher than their competitors.
How often is your website updated? Google considers how often you publish new content and update old content to rank your website. If you do not have regular new content being added, over time Google and other search engines will begin to view your website as out of date and no longer an authority.
On-page SEO elements are also important. This includes title tags that are relevant and include the main keyword of the page and meta descriptions that are optimized with a description of the content. Other important elements of on-page SEO include image optimization, the use of H1, H2, and H3 tags, and the use of bulleted lists to make the content user-friendly.
At Actionable Agency, we combine years of experience and in-depth knowledge of search engine algorithms to help your firm’s website rank well on Google, Bing, and Yahoo through better SEO practices. We strive to remain at the forefront of the latest SEO strategies to help you maintain and grow your online presence and ability to rank well. Contact Actionable Agency today to get started with a cost-effective search engine optimization strategy to help your firm reach its goals and increase the visibility of your website.
In the digital age, a strong online presence is crucial for business success, with SEO being the key component. Without effective SEO strategies, businesses risk being invisible in search results. If your business isn't on the first page of search engine results, potential customers may not find you. Case studies demonstrate the impact of a solid SEO partnership, showcasing success across various industries. Each study highlights how SEO improves online visibility and drives organic traffic, whether for small local firms or large enterprises.
