Author: Luke (NTWD)

SEO authority is an important concept for anyone looking to improve their website’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). But what exactly is SEO authority and how is it measured?

In simple terms, SEO authority is a measure of the strength or quality of a website’s search engine optimization. It is determined by a variety of factors, including the quality and quantity of links pointing to the website, the relevance of the content on the website to the search terms being used, and the overall authority and credibility of the website or domain.

One of the most important factors in determining a website’s SEO authority is the number and quality of links pointing to it. These links, known as “backlinks,” act as a vote of confidence for the website and can help to improve its ranking in the SERPs. However, not all backlinks are created equal. Links from high-quality, authoritative websites carry more weight than those from low-quality or spammy websites.

Another important factor is the relevance of the content on the website to the search terms being used. Search engines want to provide users with the most relevant and useful results, so websites with content that closely matches the search terms being used are more likely to rank higher. This is why it’s important to use relevant keywords and phrases in your website’s content, as well as to regularly update and refresh that content to keep it fresh and relevant.

Finally, the overall authority and credibility of the website or domain can also play a role in determining its SEO authority. Websites that have been around for a long time and have a strong reputation are generally considered more trustworthy and authoritative, which can help to boost their ranking in the SERPs.

Here are some good first steps for a small business to establish SEO authority:

1. Claim your Google My Business listing: This will allow you to appear in Google Maps and local search results. Be sure to include accurate and up-to-date information about your business, such as your address, phone number, and hours of operation.
2. Optimise your website for local SEO: Include your location in the title and meta tags of your website, as well as in the content of your pages. This will help search engines understand that your business is local.
3. Get listed in online directories: In addition to Google My Business, be sure to get listed in other online directories, such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, and local chamber of commerce websites.
4. Encourage customer reviews: Online reviews can help to improve your local SEO and build credibility for your business. Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing and other review websites.
5. Build local backlinks: Obtain backlinks from local websites, such as the websites of local organisations, events, and news outlets. These backlinks can help to improve the credibility and authority of your website.
6. Optimise your website for mobile: More and more people are using their smartphones to search for local businesses, so it’s important to make sure your website is mobile-friendly.

In conclusion, SEO authority is a crucial factor in determining a website’s ranking in the SERPs. By focusing on building high-quality backlinks, creating relevant and useful content, and maintaining a strong reputation, you can improve your website’s SEO authority and increase its chances of ranking well in the search results.

Are you just starting your business and feeling overwhelmed by the hidden world of SEO? Look no further! In this article, we’ll focus on general SEO principles for standard websites, blogs, and social media. E-Commerce SEO will be covered in a future article.

As a small business owner, you know that location is crucial when it comes to SEO. Think about it – you’re walking through Newcastle-upon-Tyne and you want to grab a slice of pizza. You open your phone and search for “pizza places near me” or “pizza places in Newcastle.” Google brings up the search engine results page (SERP) and you scroll down to the top results under the Google Maps snippet. The top results are the golden standard for any business with an online presence. In fact, ranking on the first page of Google is the ultimate goal. But let’s be real – there are some results pages that you just won’t be able to beat, like Amazon or TripAdvisor, depending on your industry. So how do you secure a spot on that coveted first page?

First and foremost, it’s important to establish authority in your field. This can be achieved through high-quality content, good customer service, and online reviews. Another factor to consider is local SEO. Ranking locally is a great way to build up your business’s presence in Google’s search algorithm. And don’t forget – with Google’s location tracking capabilities, you may not even have to search for “near me” when looking for a specific type of business. However, including the location name in your search terms can still be beneficial.

Now let’s say you’re in the e-commerce business, selling combat sports equipment like boxing gloves, MMA gloves, punching bags, and weights. The top listings for this industry are likely to be big brands like Sports Direct, Amazon, Venum, Adidas, Tatami, RDX, and Argos (in the UK, at least!). It can be intimidating to go up against these heavy hitters, but with a solid SEO strategy, you can still make your mark.

One of the first things you should do is conduct a quick Google search for your target keywords and see what the top results are. This will give you an idea of the competition you’re up against and what kind of optimization strategies they are using. It’s important to remember that good research into SEO is crucial, especially if your business has a lot of competition.

But don’t worry – we’re not advocating for plagiarism here! What we are advocating for is taking a look at your most successful competition and considering what they are doing. As a small business owner, you have to balance a lot more than just SEO, so it’s helpful to see what’s working for others in your industry. Of course, it’s important to stay true to your own brand and values, but there’s no harm in taking some inspiration from the big players.

What the big players have, however, is ‘Authority’….

In our next article, we’ll delve deeper into the first principle of SEO: establishing authority. Stay tuned!