8 SEO Tasks You Need to Complete: Our To-Do for Keeping Google Happy

Ah, the joys of making Google content. SEO tasks—a mix of necessary chores and digital pampering—keep your site in Google’s good books. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. From appeasing the almighty search engine to understanding its quirks, here’s your guide to making Google a smidge happier while keeping your website from throwing an online tantrum.

1. Time to Check the Console

First things first, head to search.google.com and peek at your stats. If your site’s throwing a tantrum with 404s, show some love by setting up those 301 redirects. And if there are pages playing hide and seek with Google’s index, figure out why. Maybe you’ve got those hush-hush internal staff pages or just some secret stuff you don’t want Uncle Google to find.

2. Giving Your Website a Health Checkup (Because Google Says So)

Ensuring your website’s optimal performance aligns perfectly with Google’s preferences. Embrace the idea of conducting a thorough health check for your digital space. Utilize HubSpot’s SEO tool to delve deeper into your website’s intricacies. This isn’t just a diagnostic tool; it’s your secret weapon to uncover hidden glitches or overlooked optimization opportunities. Trust in the power of an AI-driven analysis to unearth areas for improvement that might have eluded human eyes. 

A comprehensive site health check isn’t just about appeasing Google; it’s your gateway to a more efficient, user-friendly, and Google-favored online presence.

3. Conduct a Content Audit 

Oh, the joy of content audits! Whip out SEMRush and see what’s going on in your blog-land. If you’ve got multiple pages hustling for the same keyword, it’s like having an internal showdown. Merge those power struggles and redirect the weaker ones to the bossiest page. Oh, and while you’re at it, cozy up to the idea of cornerstone content and schema structures. It’s like teaching Google its ABCs.

4. Update Old Posts

Google’s a sucker for fresh content, so serve up those vintage posts with a modern twist. Sprinkle some “new” here and there to keep Google’s bots from yawning. Psst, and while you’re spicing things up, take a peek at your URL structure. If your links are stuck in a time warp, it might be time for a makeover. Just don’t throw everything into a 404 frenzy!

5. Ensure Your Security is Updated

Google prioritizes user safety. Regularly updating themes, WordPress versions, and plugins shields your website from vulnerabilities. This proactive approach ensures your digital space isn’t an easy target for cyber threats, aligning with Google’s security-centric approach. We don’t want Google’s house to be the easiest one to break into, do we?

6. Do a GA4 Tag Check

In case you missed the memo, ensure your GA4 tags are all cuddled up in your tag manager. Google’s got to know who’s visiting, right? This step ensures Google Analytics is accurately tracking visitor data. Providing Google with comprehensive insights into user behavior allows for informed decisions and targeted strategies.

7. Submit that XML Sitemap

Picture your XML sitemap as the comprehensive guidebook for search engines navigating the intricate maze of your website. This roadmap isn’t just a passive document; it actively assists search engine crawlers in efficiently traversing your digital landscape and indexing your content. By submitting your XML sitemap to Google, you’re essentially rolling out the red carpet for search engine bots, ensuring they effortlessly explore every corner and crevice of your site. 

This proactive step not only caters to Google’s preference for well-organized and accessible content but also elevates your chances of having every valuable piece of your website duly recognized and indexed in the vast digital expanse.

8. When Google Gets Too Complicated: Call in the Reinforcements

If all of this makes your head spin faster than Google’s algorithm updates, don’t panic. We’ve got your back. Check out our services to learn how we can help!

Other SEO Tips:

Optimize for Mobile

Google loves mobile-friendly sites. Ensure your website is responsive across devices. Test your site’s mobile-friendliness using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool. Consider enhancing the mobile experience by optimizing loading times, text readability, and ease of navigation.

Embrace Rich Snippets

Stand out in search results with rich snippets. Implement schema markup to enhance your listings. Rich snippets can include reviews, FAQ sections, product information, and more. They catch the eye and can improve your click-through rates.

Prioritize User Experience (UX)

Google values user experience. Optimize your website for speed, easy navigation, and engaging content. Make sure visitors find what they’re looking for quickly. A user-friendly experience leads to longer sessions and lower bounce rates, which Google appreciates.

Content Diversification

Expand beyond written content. Incorporate diverse content formats like videos, infographics, podcasts, and interactive elements. Varied content engages users and can improve your site’s visibility in different search formats.

Build Quality Backlinks

Quality backlinks from authoritative and relevant websites can significantly boost your site’s SEO. Aim for natural link-building through guest posting, collaborations, or creating shareable content that others would want to link to.

Monitor and Adapt

SEO is an ongoing process. Regularly monitor your site’s performance using tools like Google Analytics and Search Console. Track keyword rankings, user behavior, and traffic patterns. Adapt your strategies based on these insights to stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Leverage Social Media

While not a direct SEO ranking factor, social media signals can impact your online visibility. Share your content across platforms to increase brand visibility, engagement, and potential traffic to your site.

Local SEO Optimization

For local businesses, optimize your site for local search. Create and verify a Google My Business listing, encourage customer reviews, and ensure consistency in NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information across directories.

Interested in learning more? Check out our guide to maximizing your SEO, here.

Need a Little Help with SEO?

Being visible online goes a long way to growing and maintaining your business. When you’re easily found and high-ranking, prospects are more likely to trust you, your business, and the products or services you offer. Being easily found on search engines also allows you to foster relationships with current and prospective clients.

But crafting a personalized content marketing strategy for your business takes time and effort, and sometimes, you don’t have that. Enter Digital Storyteller!Our outsourced digital marketing agency is here to help create content, optimize your site, and make you more relevant to search engines on all social fronts. To develop an organic content marketing strategy with the SEO you need to make your business thrive, reach out to our diverse team of marketing experts at Digital Storyteller today!