Search Engine Optimization: Understanding the Foundation of Google Ranking

Documentation · 7 min · Published on Mar 20, 2023

Digidop icon on a podium in first place with a magnifying glass and the Google logo.

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Use AI to summarize this article

Yes, in this article we will mainly discuss searches on Google. Why? Which search engines did you use to find this documentation?


Moreover, in terms of numbers, Google currently captures over 80% of the global market share for search engines (source: Journal du Net). Therefore, we focus our efforts on the largest market. The goal is to be visible to as many people as possible, right?


In this article, we will address the topic of online visibility, specifically focusing on organic search engine optimization (SEO). We will share our perspective as a digital agency specialized in client acquisition on the internet, along with some best practices and relevant tools that everyone should use.

How can I improve my company's online visibility?

So, you are online. You are visible to everyone. Well, almost. Over 90% of traffic is generated from the first page of search results. Having a website is good, but having a visited website is better. So, how can we enhance traffic generation?

To provide some context, we have identified four elements that evaluate and determine the ranking of your business in the eyes of search engines.
‍
· 30%: Making your content and text easier to understand for bots
· 30%: Sharing quality information and content on a regular basis
· 30%: The authority of your domain name; at least 6 months old and having other businesses linking back to you (backlinks)
· 10%: A quality user experience optimized for mobile

1 - The Basics: Website, Social Media, User Experience, What to Optimize?  

1.1 SEO: Google Organic Search Optimization

The goal of SEO is to improve your ranking in search results.
For example, when you search for: Task Automation?  You want your article, and thus your business, to rank first.

1.2 Optimized Use of Social Media

Use social media as a showcase. This allows you to increase points of contact with your target audience and share quality content. For instance, it is relevant to publish market news related to your activity or to enhance your brand image by highlighting significant achievements.

1.3 “Mobile-Friendly” Design

More than 50% of traffic is now generated on mobile phones. Google has thus decided to consider (perhaps even prioritize) the ergonomics, loading speed, and responsive design of your online presence. If you're wondering about your current status, I recommend this tool to analyze and gain insights. Bonus: You'll find action recommendations 👉  Think with Google

1.4 User Experience

Does your content engage internet users? To determine this, Google uses the average time spent per user session (you can track this metric using Google Analytics).

2 - Keys to Success in an SEO Strategy:

To be effective, one must understand how search engine algorithms work. It is essential to gather information on the technical aspects initially, but also to build a step-by-step strategy. We detail our views on the  KFS optimizations.

2.1 Analyze

Google Search Console Analysis
Excerpt from a Google Search Console report

To be effective, it is necessary to conduct an analysis beforehand. The internet offers data, a lot of data. It is important to target it accurately and work on the right questions, the ones your potential clients are asking. Start by analyzing the structure of your website, the terms used, its markup, and its optimization for all devices.

2.2 Targeted Keywords

As a reminder, the goal is to be found following the search for your value proposition. However, if you present your offer using words that no one understands or uses, search engines won't connect you. Make sure to choose terms that are in demand.
Our recommended tool: Google Trends identifies search trends by region.

Quick tip: It's official; qualitative searches have surpassed price searches. “The best” is searched more than “The cheapest.”

2.3 Reputation and Social Proof

Example of a Google My Business listing
Example of a Google My Business listing

Social proofs are strong arguments in the eyes of Google. Implement a request for reviews in your sales funnel to gather feedback from your clients on the quality of your services.
Tools:  Google My Business, TrustPilot, Yelp, TripAdvisor.

2.4 SEO Tools

There are many no-code tools and SaaS (paid or free) that allow you to save time in your analyses.  USE THEM. SEO is a science, and organic search results are not a matter of chance. Test and collect data about your activity to adjust your strategy and achieve better ranking performance.

3 - Techniques and Tools to Help You Gain Ranks in Search Engines

3.1 Redesign

Build a site optimized for organic search, with clean code quality (for CMS, we recommend Webflow).

3.2 Backlinking and Netlinking

Have you heard of “SEO Juice”? Technically act on the web using netlinking. This practice involves having links from your URL on other websites. The search engine then increases your authority in its eyes, as it hears about your business elsewhere. It's the same principle as word-of-mouth.  For SEO optimization, this link should be placed on a website that has authority in Google's eyes and be included in a set of keywords relevant to your semantics. For example, if you sell websites: being cited in an article about SEO or e-commerce.

3.3 Accessibility

Make sure you don't have any “dead” links, error 404s, or orphan pages. Each page should have a redirect link and be connected at least to your main page.

Our SEO advice: personalize your 404 page! It frequently happens that you end up with a broken link. A nice 404 page with a clear call to action can at least redirect your visitor to your homepage!

3.4 Create Content

Content strategy or inbound marketing. It has been said time and again: content is king. Give before receiving.  Writing blog articles (like this one) on topics relevant to your business improves your organic ranking. After all, the internet is now the largest information exchange platform. Search engines simply ask you to contribute and participate.

3.5 Keyword Optimization

Optimizing your keywords is vital to enable search engines to connect you with internet users. In concrete terms, if you never mention that you're selling an item X on your website, the algorithm, no matter how powerful, cannot guess it. You need to assist it by placing clear text on your website. Be cautious of old over-optimization practices. Search engines no longer fall for the trap of keyword stuffing but evaluate the overall quality of your writing.

3.6 Updated Content

Regularly update your content. Search engine bots frequently scan your website. When they notice that the content has been changed and updated, it encourages them to improve your ranking.

3.7 FAQ Page

Example of a FAQ page
Example of a FAQ page

Having a FAQ page on your website is a significant boost for SEO.  How to feed this page? Answer as naturally as possible to various inquiries from clients or prospects of your business. This has two advantages: improving your organic ranking and enhancing the user experience on your website. Users will easily and quickly find the answers to their questions.  Our advice for maximizing this page's SEO results is to use schema.org markup. Search engines will greatly appreciate that.

3.8 Tracking Tools

Site diagnostics: Lighthouse (Performance, Accessibility, SEO, and Best Practices)
Comprehensive SEO analysis of your website: Ryte (paid but has a freemium version)
Daily position updates: Octopulse
Position and visibility of your URLs: Google Search Console
Choosing relevant text: Google Trends

3.9 Improve Your Digital Image

From a purely technical standpoint, it's essential to assist bots by establishing a healthy foundation:

  • Complete title tag and meta description to optimize display in SERP and improve click-through rate
  • Describe each image on your site with alt attributes
  • Add open graph illustrations in 1200x630 px format for social media sharing
  • Define a primary URL: global canonical
  • Create and connect Google Analytics, Search Console, and Google My Business to your domain name
  • As part of a local SEO strategy, share positioning information to allow search engines to adapt and position you in proximity searches.
  • Use schema.org (our preference: the writing assistance solution in Json format → schema-markup-generator)

3.10 Web Hosting

Choose a quality hosting provider. Our recommendation: Amazon Web Service or Webflow.

3.11 Good Hierarchical Structure of Titles <hn>: H1-H2-H3

There are many SEO tools to improve a site's structure, but it's crucial to know the basic rules. Check the correct structure of your web page titles:

  • One H1 only
  • No heading skips
    ❌ H1 -> H2 -> H4 -> H2
    ✅ H1 -> H2 -> H3 -> H4 ->  H3 -> H2
  • Respect hierarchy
Guide to properly structure and prioritize headings <Hn> for SEO
SEO Friendly Structure of Title Markup

4 - Why Choose Digidop to Improve Your Organic SEO?

Digidop offers two services for SEO. Our 360° package includes comprehensive support. We start with a redesign of your website, applying best practices to the core of SEO, the famous first 30%. Then we provide support for a minimum duration of 6 months. This strategic support for organic SEO lasts at least 6 months, allowing us to gain insights and perspective on your results. Every month, we provide you with a detailed report on the various actions taken and their impact on your SEO optimization. In detail, this offer includes the following points:

4.1 Building an Optimized Website

Optimization of the back-end of your website. We ensure your business complies with the best practices of search engines to position you and achieve your ranking goals on strategic queries related to your activities.

  • Open graph (universal sharing on all social networks)
  • Optimized title tag and meta description (sets of data presented in SERP and visible in searches)
  • Alt Tagging and image optimization
  • Compliance with good heading practices (one H1 per page, respecting hierarchy, etc.)
  • Schema.org (we are convinced that schema.org will influence your ranking and differentiate you from competitors) included
  • Performance audit report with Lighthouse > 90 (In addition to improving the overall design of your site, and thus your conversions, we optimize the loading speed of your pages to avoid high bounce rates)

4.2 Blog Content Writing Service

As we said, content is important in your online visibility strategy. However, creating content takes time and skill to achieve its goal. Instead of dedicating your internal marketing service to writing your content, we offer you an all-inclusive package:
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· Competitor analysis and keyword targeting in the sector
· SEO article (800 words) / month for 6 months

This allows you to stay focused on your work and benefit from our experience.

4.3 Netlinking Campaign

Now for the last 30%: netlinking. Work on optimizing your SEO through a strategy of links leading to your URL.
‍
· Competitor analysis and keyword targeting in the sector
· Article (800 words) / month for 6 months
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Want to continue the discussion? Another way to generate traffic? Paid search or SEA!

The ultimate SEO guide for Webflow

Florian Bodelot

Florian Bodelot
Co-founder

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