SEO Ranking Factors & Correlation: When a Metric is correlated with Google Rankings

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In this opportunity we are going to talk about SEO ranking factors and correlation. In the other words, we want to see how correlation can impact on SEO factors. If you have likely seen, over the course of your career in the SEO services, you will see how much SEO works with correlation stuff and how many companies put these out. Actually there are also so many myths about correlation, but aside from that let’s figure out a few smart ways to use and understand the data at hand.

What is correlation good for?

So, what’s correlation actually good for? We know a bunch of myths, but actually that do not work. So, here are some things that correlation is good for.

1. IDing the elements that more successful pages tend to have

When you look across a correlation, you will find lots of pages are twice as likely to have X and rank highly as the ones that don’t rank highly which you can use this finding as a good piece of data.

2. Watching elements over time to see if they rise or lower in correlation

it is important to keep your eyes on links to see if they raise or lower, and then we can say:”Oh, does it look like links are getting more or less influential in Google’s rankings? Are they more or less correlated than they were last year or two years ago?” If the links drop dramatically, you may test the power of links again and it’s the time for you to try another experiment. Then, see if links still move the needle or if they’re becoming less powerful or if it’s merely because the correlation is dropping.”

3. Comparing Sets of search results against one another we can identify unique attributes that might be true

The example above shows that in a vertical like news, we find that domain authority is much more important than it is in fitness; this is where smaller sites potentially have much more opportunity or dominate. Other thing that we can figure out is that https is not too suitable to stand out in news since everybody has it. On the other hand, it works well in fitness as it produces a more stand out result and people who do have it will do it much better or maybe they also invest more in their sites.

4. Judging Metrics as a Predictive Ranking Ability

One question may come up to your mind when you’re looking at a metric like domain authority, such as how good is that at telling me on average how much better one domain will rank in Google versus another? In fact, you can see the number is a good indication of that. When the number goes down, then domain authority is less predictive less sort of useful for me. Conversely, it will be more useful if it goes up. A study is conducted to look at traffic metrics with Alexa Rank and SimilarWeb and which ones are best correlated with actual traffic. The result shows that Alexa Rank is awful while SimilarWeb is better.

5. Finding Elements to Test

You will be amazed to see large images embedded on a page that’s already ranking on page 1 of search results in the first few. This is why we need correlation, especially in SEO when it comes to ranking factors or ranking elements might be misleading.

So, now that you know the area that correlation is good for. However, you still need to be careful as correlation in SEO can be very misleading, especially when it comes to ranking factors or ranking elements. After all, with this explanation, hopefully you can understand how to use and not to use that data.

 

7 Common On-Site Search Mistakes and How to Fix Them

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Search function is necessary in any website; therefore, you need to be more careful as search function could be damaging your conversion rates. However, when it is well optimized, you can enhance the search function, the usability and enjoyment of your site. As a web developer, you surely want more users enjoy your site, right? Learn how to optimize on-site search and avoid the common mistake that may occur.

It isn’t Visible
First, make sure that your search form isn’t invisible. Creating a search form that is hard to find will frustrate your users. So, ideally your search bar should be located near to the top and left side, the closer, the better. While the search box might not be the first thing that users will see, but you need to be smart to know where you can place it. The right location should be within normal reading patterns.

It isn’t Easy
Anything that places an obstacle between your user and completing their search detracts from its accessibility. So, make sure that any text would disappear once the user starts typing. On the other hand, it is important to increase the accessibility of your search bar include cosmetic changes like color use and text readability. Then, make sure they are sharp and contrasting.

Auto-Suggestions Aren’t Provided
With auto-suggestions, you can speed up the search process significantly for the user, especially if you offer multiple models or versions of a core product. In fact, the less time users must spend typing in their query, the longer they can spend engaging with the content they’re trying to find.

The 404 Isn’t Helpful
You can maximize the usage of 404 pages. It can be useful and beneficial for your users. For instance, you can place links to main directories, offer suggestions for reworking the search query, or direct them to your contact page. The point is to offer solution or answer to your users.

Results Aren’t Straightforward
It is important to create familiar and dressed down search result pages. Hide the bells and whistles of your engine under an advanced search link and, if possible, have the search menu expand without leaving the page. Make sure that the search results landing page is easy to read on first pass, providing legible, plain fonts, and clean composition so that results can be assessed individually.

Filters and Sorting Methods are separated
Since users don’t want to perform any additional work, ensure that sorting options, such as date, popularity, and etc. can be accessed from the same page. Place the options on the top left corner at the start of the search results to increase visibility.

No Search Variation
Always provide your users with variation search results. For example, when a user types “black dress”, you can offer them with alternative search query options and results (such as “black” and “dress”) in separate sections.

By this way, Google can provide closest equivalent, even if you don’t have the product or information they’re looking for. Providing something close, even if not exactly what they searched is more beneficial than an empty results page.

 

3 Easy SEO Tips to Enhance Your Site’s Rank in Under an Hour

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Having a great website only is not enough as you need to optimize it in order to bring more people to it. Therefore, knowledge about SEO service becomes important, but there are many people who still feel reluctant to master this area, some of them even too afraid to start it. But, SEO is no rocket science, it is all about logic, so as long as you have good logic thinking, you will find it out. Here are several SEO tips that can help you reach a higher rank in Google.

  1. Utilize Anchor Text

Having anchor text on your site is a good thing for your SEO. Anchor text is simply text that visitors can click on to be taken directly to another web page, either on your site or anywhere on the internet. Effective anchor text should exist to help users navigate your website and find what they are looking for.

It should also include keywords and phrases related to what you do. If you own a shoe store, for example, the words, “check out our selection of children’s shoes,” on your homepage can link via anchor text to your online store that is stocked full of – you guessed it – children’s shoes. Anchor text is a great way to boost your SEO, but keep in mind that excessive linking or anchors that don’t really help your readers can raise red flags with Google.

  1. Add Alt Text to All Your Images

Even though search engine may be great in analyzing the text on your site, but it still finds difficult to examine the images on your site. Therefore, search engines will use “alt text”, a concise written description about each image on a website to understand what’s displayed in a photo or graphic.  The important point in writing alt text is to ensure that you describe accurately what is shown in the image, but also try to include the name of your business or a few keywords related to what you do.

  1. Connect Your Site to Your Social Channels

Not many people know that social media has impact on Google’s rank. So, being active at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is an essential part of boosting your SEO. Moreover, you also need to ensure that you include prominent icons for each of your social network, linking directly to your profile on each site.