Use Hash Tags to Prevent Duplicate Pages

Junk sites will often publish several pages with the same content except for a few differences in keywords. Search engines have started to filter these sites out as spam. Unfortunately, there are legitimate reasons a website might have pages that are similar in content. Utilizing a hash tag, or number symbol, in related URLs tells search bots these pages should be counted as one entry. Not only do you avoid being blocked as spam, but the search engines still track the content on those pages.

Use Text-based Buttons and Links

Search engines can’t read images, which can cause issues when creating links both within your own and to other sites. That doesn’t mean your pages have to be boring. Using a variety of fonts – like those available through Google’s Font Directory – can be used to add a little sparkle to any layout.

Clean up Coding

Unnecessary code, white space in scripts and similar issues can have a negative impact on loading speed. It may not seem to make a difference for visitors, but taking out the waste will significantly improve your search engine ranking.

Use Responsive Web Design to Maximize Mobile Views

Responsive web design is new technology which frees designers up from having to create new sites for mobile applications. Instead, a company’s basic site changes to fit the size of a visitor’s screen. This prevents you from losing search engine ranking because your mobile site doesn’t enjoy the same inbound links. Without worrying about creating a specific site or pages on that site for mobile users, a search engine focuses only on relevant content and the quality of sites your URL is associated with.

Include Social Media Feeds for Faster Updates

Search engines prefer websites that update frequently and what is updated more often than social media feeds? Integrate your Twitter, Facebook and social media site feeds into your page design to give your SEO a kick.

Use Blocked URL Registration with Care

It seems like a new trend for domain services to offer privacy features for free. What they don’t tell you is by choosing to have your name and information hidden over WHOIS, search engines may flag your website as a potential problem.

Concentrate on Content

Attractive, engaging design that includes interesting content is a much. The next wave of search engine tinkering is expected to place an emphasis on how long visitors stay on your site, how long they visit pages and how often they return to read and watch more.

Aim for Descriptive ALT Text

Photos and videos have their own ALT text, and the words “image,” “picture,” “video” or some similar label helps your content stand out in search results.

Capitalize on Social Media Clicks

Getting a page mentioned on enough related social media accounts and you will not only get organic traffic, your site will wind up with high-quality inbound links.

Funnel New Visitors Through Off-site Content

Videos, photos, articles and other valuable content can be published on other sites and drive traffic your way. Whether they are created by you or not, they still count as inbound links. Other people who like your creations and share them with their own readers will improve your SEO rank too.