Top SEO Questions for 2023

What is SEO

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of optimizing a website to improve its ranking on search engines like Google. The key parts of SEO include:

1. Keyword research: Identifying the keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for, and incorporating them into your website content.
2. On-page optimization: Ensuring that your website is structured in a way that search engines can easily understand, including elements like title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and alt text for images.
3. Content creation: Producing high-quality, relevant, and original content that provides value to your target audience and supports your overall business goals.
4. Technical optimization: Improving the technical aspects of your website, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and crawl ability, to make it easier for search engines to understand and index your site.
5. Link building: Acquiring high-quality backlinks from other websites, which help to establish the authority and credibility of your site in the eyes of search engines.
6. Measurement and tracking: Using tools and analytics to measure the success of your SEO efforts and make data-driven decisions for future optimization.

These are some of the key parts of SEO, and optimizing your website in these areas can help improve your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your site. However, it’s important to keep in mind that SEO is a continually evolving field, and best practices may change over time as search algorithms and user behavior evolve. If you’re looking for an SEO expert to either consult or help manage your SEO efforts please contact us today!

How long should blogs be to rank on Google?

The length of a blog post does not directly determine its ranking on Google. However, as a general rule of thumb, longer blog posts (1000+ words) tend to perform better in search results because they provide more in-depth information on a topic and are more likely to be informative and valuable to the reader.

This makes the website more likely to be seen as an authority on the subject and earn higher rankings in the search results. However, the most important factor for ranking well on Google is producing high-quality, relevant, and original content that satisfies the needs of the user.

How many blogs should I post a month on my website?

The frequency of blog posts is not a determining factor for ranking on Google. However, regularly posting high-quality blog content can help increase traffic to your website and improve your overall online presence.

The ideal frequency of blog posts depends on various factors, such as the size of your target audience, the niche of your website, and the amount of time and resources you have available. A good starting point is to aim for one or two well-researched and high-quality blog posts per week, but this can vary. The important thing is to consistently create content that provides value to your audience and supports your overall business goals.

How do I do keyword research for my blogs?

Keyword research is a crucial part of SEO and a key step in the process of creating high-quality blog content. Here are some steps to help you do keyword research:

1. Identify your target audience: Who are you writing for and what are their needs and interests? This will help you determine the types of keywords and phrases they are likely to search for.
2. Create a list of seed keywords: Start with a list of broad terms related to the topic you want to write about.
3. Use keyword research tools: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to generate a list of related keywords and their search volume.
4. Analyze search volume and competition: Check the search volume of each keyword to see how many people are searching for it and the level of competition for those keywords.
5. Find long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are more specific and tend to have lower competition, making them easier to rank for.
6. Incorporate keywords into your content: Once you have identified relevant keywords, use them in your blog post title, headings, and body text in a way that feels natural and provides value to your audience.
7. Regularly re-evaluate your keywords: Keyword research should be an ongoing process, as the keywords that work best for you may change over time.

By following these steps, you can effectively conduct keyword research and use the insights you gather to create content that ranks well in search results and provides value to your target audience.

How do I avoid bad keyword research?

To avoid bad keyword research and ensure that your SEO efforts are effective, it’s important to keep the following in mind:

1. Focus on relevancy: Choose keywords that are relevant to your audience and the content you’re creating. Avoid keywords that are too broad or too narrow, as they may not accurately reflect the content on your page.
2. Avoid keyword stuffing: Incorporating too many keywords into your content in a way that feels unnatural or detracts from the quality of your writing can result in search engines penalizing your site.
3. Look beyond search volume: While search volume is an important metric to consider, it’s not the only factor that matters. You should also consider factors such as relevance, competition, and potential traffic to your site when evaluating keywords.
4. Monitor changes in search algorithms: Search algorithms are constantly evolving, and best practices for keyword research may change over time. Stay up to date with the latest trends and changes in the industry to ensure that your keyword research strategies remain effective.

By following these tips and conducting thorough, relevant keyword research, you can avoid the pitfalls of bad keyword research and create high-quality, optimized content that drives traffic to your site and meets the needs of your target audience.

What is on-page SEO?

On-page SEO refers to the optimization of individual web pages to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic in search engines. This includes optimizing the content and HTML source code of a page to make it more accessible to search engines and improve the user experience.

Here are some common on-page SEO elements:

1. Title tags: The title tag is the text that appears in the search engine results page (SERP) as the title of your page. It should accurately reflect the content of the page and include relevant keywords.
2. Meta descriptions: The meta description provides a brief summary of the page’s content and appears in the SERP under the title tag. It should be descriptive and engaging, and also include relevant keywords.
3. Header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.): Header tags are used to structure the content on a page and make it easier for both users and search engines to understand the main topics and subtopics of the page.
4. Content optimization: Your content should be well-written, relevant, and informative, and should include relevant keywords throughout.
5. Image optimization: Use descriptive file names and alt text for images to help search engines understand the content of the images and improve accessibility for users who are visually impaired.
6. URL structure: URLs should be clear, concise, and descriptive, and should include relevant keywords when appropriate.
7. Internal linking: Use internal links to help search engines understand the relationships between pages on your site and to make it easier for users to navigate your site.

These are some of the key elements of on-page SEO, and optimizing your web pages in these areas can help improve your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your site. However, it’s important to remember that on-page SEO is just one part of a comprehensive SEO strategy, and should be combined with other optimization techniques such as technical optimization and link building for best results.

What is link building in SEO?

Link building is the process of acquiring backlinks to your website from other websites. Backlinks, also known as “inbound links” or “incoming links”, are links from other sites that point to your site. Search engines view these links as a “vote of confidence” in your content, and the more high-quality, relevant links you have pointing to your site, the higher your site is likely to rank in search engine results pages (SERPs).

There are several methods for acquiring backlinks, including:

1. Content creation: Create high-quality, relevant content that other websites would want to link to.
2. Guest posting: Reach out to other websites in your niche and offer to write a guest post for them, including a link back to your site.
3. Broken link building: Find broken links on other websites and offer to replace them with a link to your own content.
4. Resource page link building: Find websites that have resource pages in your niche and reach out to them to see if they would be interested in including a link to your site.
5. Social media promotion: Share your content on social media and encourage others to share and link to it.

It’s important to note that not all links are equal, and links from low-quality or spammy websites can actually harm your search engine rankings. It’s important to focus on acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks from authoritative websites in your niche. Additionally, search engines are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can identify unnatural link patterns, so it’s important to build links in a way that appears natural to both users and search engines.

Link building is an important part of a comprehensive SEO strategy and can help improve your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your site. However, it’s important to approach link building with caution and avoid engaging in practices that violate search engine guidelines.

What is a guest post vs. what is a backlink?

A guest post is an article that is written by an individual and published on another website. The purpose of a guest post is to provide valuable, relevant content to the audience of the host website, and to build visibility and credibility for the author.

A backlink, also known as an inbound link or incoming link, is a link from one website to another. Backlinks are important for SEO because search engines view them as a “vote of confidence” in the content of the linked-to website. The more high-quality, relevant backlinks a website has, the higher it is likely to rank in search engine results pages (SERPs).

In the context of guest posting, a backlink is a link from the host website to the guest author’s website. The purpose of the backlink is to provide additional visibility and credibility for the guest author and to drive traffic to their website.

Guest posts can be a valuable component of a link-building strategy because they provide the opportunity to acquire high-quality backlinks from relevant websites. However, it’s important to approach guest posting with caution and ensure that the content and backlinks are relevant, valuable, and natural-looking to both users and search engines.

How do I get backlinks to my website?

Backlinks, also known as inbound links or incoming links, link from other websites that point to your website. Here are some ways to acquire backlinks:

1. Create high-quality, relevant content: The more valuable and relevant your content is, the more likely other websites will be to link to it. Focus on creating content that provides unique insights, addresses important topics in your niche or offers solutions to common problems.
2. Reach out to other websites in your niche: Find websites in your niche that have a similar audience to your own and reach out to them to see if they would be interested in linking to your content.
3. Participate in guest posting: Offer to write guest posts for other websites in your niche, and include a backlink to your own site in the author bio.
4. Participate in online communities: Engage in online communities related to your niche and provide valuable insights and information. When appropriate, include a link to your own site in your profile or in your responses.
5. Monitor broken links: Use tools such as Ahrefs or Moz to find broken links on other websites and offer to replace them with a link to your own content.
6. Utilize resource pages: Look for websites in your niche that have resource pages and see if they would be interested in including a link to your site.
7. Promote your content on social media: Share your content on social media and encourage others to share and link to it.

It’s important to focus on acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks from authoritative websites in your niche. Search engines are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can identify unnatural link patterns, so it’s important to build links in a way that appears natural to both users and search engines. Additionally, it’s important to avoid engaging in link schemes or other practices that violate search engine guidelines, as these can harm your search engine rankings.

How do I get guest posts?

Here are some steps to get guest posts for your website:

1. Identify websites in your niche: Look for websites that have a similar target audience to your own, and that publish high-quality, relevant content.
2. Reach out to the website owner or editor: Contact the website owner or editor to introduce yourself and express your interest in contributing a guest post. Be clear about what you can offer, and be willing to provide examples of your writing if requested.
3. Offer unique, high-quality content: Make sure that the content you offer to guest post is unique, high-quality, and relevant to the target audience of the host website. Focus on creating content that provides value to the reader, and that is likely to be well-received by the host website’s audience.
4. Be flexible: Be willing to work with the host website to meet their needs and preferences. This may include editing your content to better fit the tone and style of the host website, or adjusting the length or format of your article.
5. Promote your guest post: Once your guest post is published, be sure to promote it on your own website and social media channels. This will help drive traffic to the host website, and will increase the visibility of your guest post.

Remember that the goal of guest posting is to build relationships with other websites in your niche, and to provide valuable content to their audiences. Be patient and persistent, and focus on building relationships over time. The more you contribute high-quality content to other websites, the more likely you will be to secure additional guest post opportunities in the future.

How many backlinks should I get a month to rank in SEO?

There is no set number of backlinks that you need to acquire each month to rank well in SEO. The quality and relevance of the backlinks are much more important than the quantity.

Having a small number of high-quality, relevant backlinks from authoritative websites in your niche is much more valuable than a large number of low-quality, irrelevant backlinks. Additionally, search engines are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can identify unnatural link patterns, so it’s important to build links in a way that appears natural and organic to both users and search engines.

It’s better to focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that others will want to link to naturally, rather than trying to artificially acquire a specific number of backlinks each month. If your content is high-quality and valuable, other websites will be more likely to link to it, and your backlink profile will grow organically over time.

What is managed SEO?

Managed SEO is a service provided by an agency or consultant that involves managing and optimizing a website’s search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. The goal of managed SEO is to improve a website’s visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs) by implementing a variety of SEO strategies and techniques.

Managed SEO services typically include a comprehensive analysis of a website’s current SEO performance, keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and content creation. The agency or consultant will work with the website owner to identify areas for improvement and will implement strategies to address these areas.

Managed SEO services are typically provided on a monthly retainer basis, with the agency or consultant working on a website’s SEO efforts on an ongoing basis. The scope and length of the managed SEO relationship can vary depending on the needs of the website and the goals of the website owner.

Managed SEO can be a good option for website owners who do not have the time or expertise to manage their own SEO efforts, or who want to leverage the expertise of an agency or consultant to improve their website’s search engine visibility and ranking. However, it’s important to choose a reputable and experienced managed SEO provider to ensure that your website’s SEO efforts are aligned with best practices and ethical standards.

How do I find an SEO agency?

Here are some steps to help you find a reputable SEO agency:

1. Identify your SEO goals: Before you begin your search for an SEO agency, it’s important to clearly define your SEO goals and objectives. This will help you determine the type of agency that will best meet your needs.
2. Research potential agencies: Start by searching for SEO agencies online, using search engines and professional networks such as LinkedIn. Look for agencies that have a strong online presence and a reputation for delivering results.
3. Check references and case studies: Reach out to the agencies you are interested in and ask for references and case studies. This will give you a good idea of their experience and the results they have achieved for other clients.
4. Evaluate their approach: Make sure you understand the agency’s approach to SEO, including their methods for keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and content creation. Be wary of agencies that use unethical or manipulative techniques, as these can harm your website’s ranking and reputation.
5. Consider the cost: Consider the cost of the services offered by each agency, but remember that the cheapest option is not always the best. The most important factor is the value that the agency can deliver for the cost.
6. Ask for a proposal: Finally, ask each agency for a detailed proposal that outlines their approach, their expected results, and the cost of their services. Compare the proposals from each agency to choose the one that best meets your needs and budget.

It’s important to choose a reputable and experienced SEO agency that has a proven track record of delivering results for their clients. Take your time to do your research and evaluate each agency thoroughly to ensure that you find the right partner for your SEO efforts.

How much should SEO cost?

The cost of SEO services can vary greatly depending on the scope and complexity of the project, the size of the website, and the experience and reputation of the agency or consultant providing the services.

On average, the cost of SEO services can range from $500 to $5,000 per month for smaller websites, and from $5,000 to $30,000 per month for larger, more complex websites. Some SEO agencies may also offer a one-time SEO audit for a flat fee, which can range from $500 to $5,000 or more.

It’s important to remember that the cost of SEO is an investment in your website’s long-term visibility and success. A reputable and experienced SEO agency or consultant can help you achieve higher rankings and increased traffic, which can lead to more leads, sales, and revenue.

What should I look out for?

However, it’s also important to be cautious of SEO providers who offer “quick fix” solutions or promise guaranteed rankings, as these practices are often unethical and can harm your website’s reputation and ranking in the long run.

When evaluating the cost of SEO services, it’s important to consider the value that the agency or consultant can deliver for the cost. Look for an agency or consultant who has a proven track record of delivering results for their clients, and who can help you achieve your SEO goals in an ethical and sustainable manner.

What is whitelabel SEO?

White-label SEO is a type of service provided by an SEO agency or consultant to another agency, company, or individual, under a private label.

This means that the provider of the white-label SEO services performs the work and produces the deliverables, but the end product is branded and presented as if it were produced by the agency, company, or individual who has outsourced the work.

White-label SEO services are typically provided to digital marketing agencies, web design agencies, or other companies that offer SEO as part of their services but do not have the expertise or resources to perform the work in-house.

By outsourcing their SEO work to a white-label SEO provider, these agencies can offer a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services to their clients, while maintaining their own brand and reputation.

What’s normally included in white-label SEO?

White-label SEO services can include keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, content creation, and other elements of a comprehensive SEO strategy.

The services are customized to meet the specific needs and goals of the agency, company, or individual who has outsourced the work, and the results and deliverables are typically reported and presented under their brand.

White-label SEO can be a good option for companies who want to offer comprehensive digital marketing services to their clients, without having to invest in building their own SEO expertise or resources.

However, it’s important to choose a reputable and experienced white-label SEO provider to ensure that the work is performed to the highest standards and that your clients receive the results and deliverables they expect.

Should I outsource SEO efforts?

The decision to outsource SEO efforts will depend on your company’s goals, budget, and internal resources. Here are a few factors to consider:

1. Expertise: SEO is a complex and constantly evolving field, and it requires specialized knowledge and skills. If your company lacks in-house expertise in SEO, outsourcing may be a good option to ensure that your efforts are managed by experienced professionals.
2. Time and resources: Implementing an effective SEO strategy requires a significant investment of time and resources. Outsourcing can free up your internal resources to focus on other aspects of your business, while allowing the SEO work to be handled by a dedicated team of experts.
3. Cost: Hiring in-house SEO experts can be expensive, especially for small or medium-sized businesses. Outsourcing SEO efforts to an agency or consultant can be a more cost-effective option, especially if you need to make a significant investment in SEO but don’t have the budget to hire a full-time team.
4. Results: A reputable and experienced SEO agency or consultant can deliver results more quickly and efficiently than an in-house team. They have the expertise, tools, and resources to implement a comprehensive SEO strategy, and can help you achieve higher rankings, increased traffic, and improved conversions.

Ultimately, the decision to outsource SEO efforts will depend on your specific goals, budget, and resources. It’s important to carefully evaluate your options and choose a reputable and experienced agency or consultant who can help you achieve your SEO goals in an ethical and sustainable manner.

How long does it take to do SEO for my small business?

The time it takes to see results from SEO for a small business will depend on several factors, including the size of the business, the competitive landscape, the level of investment in SEO, and the quality of the SEO efforts. Here are a few general estimates:

1. On-page optimization: Improving your website’s on-page optimization can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the size of your website and the extent of the changes needed.
2. Link building: Building high-quality backlinks takes time and effort, and can take several months to a year to see significant results.
3. Competition: If your business operates in a highly competitive market, it may take longer to achieve high rankings and significant traffic gains.
4. Consistency and effort: SEO is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and investment. The more effort you put into it, the faster you are likely to see results.

It’s important to remember that SEO is a long-term strategy and that the results you achieve will be proportional to the effort and investment you put into it. While it may take several months to a year to see significant results, a well-executed SEO strategy can deliver ongoing benefits for years to come.

Should I run ads or work on SEO?

The decision to run ads or focus on SEO will depend on your specific goals, budget, and target audience. Here are a few factors to consider:

1. Goals: If your goal is to generate immediate traffic and sales, then running ads may be a good option. Ads allow you to reach a large audience quickly and can deliver results in a relatively short amount of time. On the other hand, if your goal is to build a sustainable, long-term online presence, then investing in SEO may be a better choice.
2. Budget: Running ads can be expensive, especially if you’re targeting highly competitive keywords or industries. SEO, on the other hand, can be a more cost-effective option, especially if you’re willing to invest time and effort into building a comprehensive SEO strategy.
3. Target audience: If your target audience is highly responsive to ads, then running ads may be a good choice. On the other hand, if your target audience is more likely to engage with organic search results, then investing in SEO may be a better option.
4. Long-term benefits: While ads can deliver immediate results, they may not provide long-term benefits. On the other hand, a well-executed SEO strategy can deliver ongoing benefits for years to come, helping you to build a strong online presence and reach your target audience more effectively over time.

Ultimately, the decision to run ads or focus on SEO will depend on your specific goals, budget, and target audience. You may also find that a combination of both ads and SEO is the most effective approach, allowing you to reach your target audience through multiple channels and achieve your goals more quickly and efficiently.

Want to do SEO and gain organic “FREE” traffic?

Contact Media Shark today to get started. Rather you’re looking for a fully managed monthly plan or just have simple questions. We offer a wide range of products including blog writing, backlink building, and reputation management.

Click here to contact us today!