Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About SEO – Your Questions Answered!

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can sometimes feel like a bit of a mystery – full of technical jargon, ever-changing algorithms, and conflicting advice. Whether you’re just starting to think about optimising your website or you’ve been dabbling in SEO for a while, it’s totally normal to have questions. That’s where we come in!

At O’Brien Media, we’ve helped businesses of all sizes improve their online visibility through smart, effective SEO strategies. We’ve pulled together some of the most common questions we get about SEO – and answered them in plain English. From understanding how SEO actually works, to knowing how long it takes to see results, we’ve got you covered.

So, pop the kettle on, get comfy, and let’s dive into the SEO FAQ!

What is Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?

SEO is the process of optimising your website to rank higher in search engine results. The goal is to attract visitors who are actively searching for the products or services you offer. Contrary to misconceptions, ethical SEO is endorsed by search engines like Google because it improves the structure of web pages, making it easier for them to provide useful information to users. This creates a beneficial situation for everyone involved.

How do you approach creating an SEO strategy?

We begin by building a strong foundation based on thorough keyword research. This research is conducted using Google’s keyword tool within a paid Google Ads account to ensure accuracy and up-to-date search volumes. We don’t solely rely on keywords the client believes are used; our research informs the winning strategy.

What are some key practices you follow for on-page SEO?

We implement several best practices for on-page optimisation. This includes ensuring each page has at least one H1 and one H2 heading, which should be vaguely keyword-focused. We also focus on interlinking content within the site to improve user experience and support other pages. We utilise schemas (structured content) to help search engines understand the site better and potentially improve click-through rates. Page titles and meta descriptions are crafted using pixel length for optimal display in search results, typically following a structure like [Page Keyword] – [Another Page Keyword/Higher Level Keyword] | [Site Name].

How important is mobile-friendliness for SEO?

Mobile-friendliness is extremely important. With over half of all internet traffic now coming from mobile devices, providing a positive experience for mobile users is crucial. Google’s algorithm prioritises mobile-first indexing, meaning a poor mobile site can negatively impact your SEO performance and user experience. We ensure websites are designed to cater effectively to mobile visitors.

How do you help businesses target customers in their local area?

Local SEO is vital for targeting customers in a specific area, especially given recent Google updates that have increased local competition. We help businesses improve their local search rankings by ensuring their website clearly communicates their location and services, as Google uses website text as a primary indicator. We also assist in getting businesses listed on popular online directories like Google My Business, Yelp, and Bing Places, which are prominently featured in local search results and help attract local customers.

What role does content play in SEO?

Content is a significant factor in SEO. We aim for page content to be at least 350 words, with anything over 750 words being ideal. Longer “epic” articles (over 2000 words) can be powerful for supporting other content and addressing a wide range of search queries. Blog posts are also valuable for supporting existing content and capturing additional keywords. We ensure all content is interlinked where possible.

How do you handle technical aspects like redirects and page speed?

Before launching new or updated sites, we implement redirects to ensure no loss of rankings from old URLs. We use SEO tools to identify and manage redirects and fix any 404 errors. Page speed is also crucial, and we aim for Google’s Page Speed Insights score to be above 75/100 for both mobile and desktop. This is achieved through methods like image compression and potentially using AMP for mobile pages.

What reporting methods do you use for SEO performance?

We generate SEO reports using data from sources like Google Webmasters, SEMRush, and Google Analytics. We can utilise tools like Google Data Studio to create reports that automatically update and are easily understandable, balancing detailed information with clarity to avoid data overload. SEMRush is used for tracking positions, site audits, and gaining insights into keywords and competitor performance.