If you’re getting ready to launch an SEO initiative for the first time, or relaunching it after a break, preparation is half the battle. So, what are the steps you need to take when preparing for an SEO program? Here are seven critical things to do:
- Get the Right Buy-In
- Be In It for the Long Haul
- Take SEO Training
- Be Nimble
- Review the Website Design
- Consider a Dedicated Content Producer
- Create Your Tool Stack
1. Get the Right Buy-In
Of course, the first step to any successful campaign is getting the right buy-in. That means buy-in from the people at the top, but also cooperation with the people in different departments. Buy-in from the top also means that they communicate how important SEO is as a strategic business initiative. This helps get everyone on the same page.
Read: 6 Practical Ways to Get Buy-In for SEO
Watch: 6 Successful Ways to Get Company Buy-In for SEO
Read: Think SEO or Work Somewhere Else
2. Be In It for the Long Haul
SEO isn’t a “one and done” project. It’s ongoing for the lifecycle of a website. So the company needs to integrate SEO into its workflow. If it has to do with the website, each person needs to ask before acting: How will this impact SEO? How can SEO support this initiative?
Read: Myth: SEO Is a One-Time or Sometime Initiative
3. Take SEO Training
Company-wide SEO training can help everyone get a basic understanding of SEO. Understanding why SEO recommendations are being made will only benefit the progress of SEO. You will be more likely to implement all recommendations rather than taking the attitude that these changes won’t make a difference.
Read: What Is SEO Training?
Read: It’s Time to Rethink Your SEO Training
Get proper SEO training: SEOtraining.com
4. Be Nimble
Implement SEO recommendations in a timely manner. Depending on the size of your company, this is not always so easy. But remember: The longer you take to implement SEO initiatives, the faster your competition will get ahead of you in the search results. Smaller or more nimble businesses have an advantage here.
Read: Don’t Be Surprised by the Traffic You Didn’t Get for the SEO Work You Didn’t Do
5. Review the Website Design
Have you updated the design of the site in the past three to five years? If not, you may have an outdated website. Think about if you need to redesign the site first because SEO will need to be involved every step of the way to ensure it is optimized for search engines.
During this time, you will also determine if the code can be improved or cleaned up. Search engines need to be able to easily index your pages. And while you’re at it, you’ll make sure the URL structure is organized and makes sense to a search engine and website visitor.
Read: SEO Siloing: What, Why, How
6. Consider a Dedicated Content Producer
When you launch SEO, expect to need a lot of quality content. It may not just be text, either. Think videos, images, etc. How will you accomplish this? Consider either having a dedicated content producer in-house or hiring out to an expert content creator who can focus on this important piece of SEO.
7. Create Your Tool Stack
Tools give you key data about SEO – without it, you’re shooting in the dark. So make sure to have the search marketing tools to get the job done. This includes basics like your Google Analytics and Search Console to measure the impact SEO is having. But you will likely need other tools along your journey as well to monitor the site, analyze competition, understand your links and much more.
Read: 7 Google SEO Tools Every Website Publisher Should Use
Read: The Top SEO Software That Experts Use Every Day
Try our powerful SEO tools: SEOToolSet.com
Our team of SEO experts can elevate your SEO program to the next level. Contact us to discuss how we can help you get more traffic, online visibility, qualified leads, sales, customers and revenue.
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