In the realm of SEO, small and medium business owners (SMBs) are increasingly recognizing the vital role of high-quality media in enhancing their on-page SEO strategy. As 2024 unfolds, it’s evident that superior images, graphics, and innovative forms like short-form videos are essential for boosting search engine results page (SERP) rankings, competing in short-form video SERPs, and generating organic backlinks. For SMBs, the strategy involves a shift from generic stock images in blog posts and social media to creating or sourcing unique visual content. This, along with a strong commitment to SEO best practices, can significantly improve content visibility and influence how target audiences view their offerings. In this article, we delve into these critical aspects, discussing how to effectively implement these tactics within a small team framework.
1. Develop Content That Naturally Creates Backlink Opportunities
Backlinks are crucial for search engines to assess the quality of your website and determine its position on SERPs.
High-quality backlinks can propel you to the top of Google rankings.
Before we explore how small teams can accelerate backlink building, let’s briefly examine how backlinks can enhance your SEO and promote business growth.
The Role of Backlinks in SEO & SERP Ranking Improvement
Backlinks are an essential component of your overall SEO strategy due to their impact on your site’s discoverability. They indicate your website’s appeal to users and communicate to Google that your content holds value and merits linking. Think of it as a stamp of approval; the greater the number of high-quality backlinks you possess, the stronger your website’s performance on SERPs. In terms of link building, your goal is to secure endorsements from various trustworthy sources for your site.
So, how can you persuade reputable, relevant websites to link to yours? How do you demonstrate to Google that your site is trustworthy? By developing backlinks.
For small teams, creating content that naturally attracts links is advisable.
The Secret to Generating Organic Backlinks
To obtain the most powerful backlinks, ensure that you produce unique, current, and more accurate content than your competitors.
Accurate, one-of-a-kind content holds significant value for high-reputation websites.
Backlinks make it easier to reference statistics, support claims, or provide context β thus, by presenting relevant information within your domain, you’re positioning your site as an authority, which in turn helps attract more incoming links.
Optimal Content for Organic Link Building
The most effective content for organic backlink building is infographics. Visual content, like infographics, generally performs well for marketers because it’s easier to digest and share. Why? Infographics are 50% simpler to read than a full blog β readers will share them more rapidly. Almost 41% of marketers reported that original graphics (e.g., infographics and illustrations) help them achieve their marketing objectives.
Best Practices for Crafting an SEO Infographic
Whether you want to create an informational, comparative, statistical, timeline, or other impactful types of the infographic, adhere to these best practices:
- Begin with a clearly defined audience.
- Determine your infographic style.
- Develop a wireframe for your concept.
- Identify your primary success metric.
- Craft an engaging headline and persuasive pitch.
- Make your infographic easy to find and share.
2. Prioritize Videos & Images for Competitive Keywords
Many users rely on visual search to find what they need.
Video search is also becoming more prevalent, with video results appearing more prominently on SERPs, especially on mobile searches. Social media search also impacts, as many users turn to TikTok and YouTube search bars to find visual product reviews, detailed tutorials, and more. Incorporating video into your content strategy gives your site a competitive advantage, as searchers will have more chances to discover your content.
Connecting Images to Competitive Keyword SERPs
Competitive keyword research is a crucial first step in any successful SEO strategy. Understanding their requirements and search intent helps you connect to customer needs. Target relevant terms, queries, and phrases with high search volume to achieve better rankings and attract more traffic.
But how can you determine which keywords to focus on? How can you identify which images will perform best for each campaign? [Predict] employs AI to suggest creative elements that are anticipated to yield results, providing immediate knowledge on the ideal images, templates, and colors to construct the flawless design β instantly.
3. Apply Image SEO Best Practices
Utilize an image search tool and the following advanced filters to comply with basic SEO standards:
- Size
- Orientation
- Colors
Knowing how to find and use the appropriate images is essential, as is how you format them.
Your audience and Google care about the quality of your images and their appearance within the page layout.
Search engines also reward well-optimized images.
6 Image SEO Techniques From Google
Here are six image optimization techniques from Google:
1. Eliminate image cumulative layout shift (CLS).
2. Properly size your images.
3. Use the most appropriate image file format.
4. Compress images suitably.
5. Cache images in the browser.
6. Correctly sequence your image downloads.
4. Select Images Unique to Your Brand
With a small team, how can you find images that no one else is using?
In 2023, you can create them!
Shutterstock’s AI image generator allows you to harness creative intelligence.
Compose an elaborate description outlining your desired creation, and the generator will materialize your concept.
Best Idea Generation AI Prompts
Start with this basic combination: Use any noun + any verb + any artistic style. And presto! In no time, you’ll have a graffiti mural-style unicorn riding a bicycle!
Using an AI Image Generator:
- Imagine anything! Then type it into the search bar. Click Generate.
- Shutterstock.ai generates several versions for you to choose from.
- Edit the image in Create if desired. Or just license and download.
5. Stay Updated on Emerging Search Trends
Keep an eye out for emerging SEO trends.
Currently, short-form video is one of the latest SEO trends to emerge.
As TikTok has gained popularity in recent years, an increasing number of social media platforms have turned their attention to concise, attention-grabbing videos.
Instagram has been putting emphasis on its Reels feature, while YouTube β usually known for long-form videos β has been promoting the upload of shorter clips through its Shorts feature.
From this perspective, incorporating short-form videos into your strategy is crucial.
6. Incorporate Short-Form Video SEO into Your Strategy
Are you looking to use short-form video content in your SEO strategy?
Need more resources to create videos for specific keywords?
Shutterstock’s Flex Subscription allows you to use your credits to search for engaging stock footage that suits your brand’s needs.
See also: Video SEO Tips: Optimize Videos for Search Engines.
Optimizing Video for SEO
Based on the platform where you’re uploading your videos, it’s important to optimize visibility and make the most of the search algorithm.
To increase the chances of your short-form video content being found in search results, consider the following:
- Craft a compelling caption.
- Develop distinctive, memorable content.
- Utilize filenames rich in keywords.
- Adapt the aspect ratio/video duration according to the platform.
- Employ appropriate tagging/hashtags.
- Include an attention-grabbing thumbnail/cover image.
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7. Enhance ROI with Adaptable SEO & Content Creation Tools
With a Flex free trial, you gain access to Shutterstock’s expansive media library as well as its comprehensive array of tools, templates, and AI-driven technology, all designed to help you craft captivating content and enhance your rankings.
Eager to take your content strategy up a notch and maximize results? Shutterstock is the ultimate answer to your content creation requirements.
Obtain your free Flex trial in just 3 simple steps:
- Choose the 10 credits/month annual plan on Shutterstock’s pricing page.
- Enter the offer code TRYFLEX10 at checkout.
- Download your projects’ images, videos, and music assets while enjoying access to an AI image generator and advanced design tools.
With ten free credits, you can get up to 10 images, 2 music tracks, or 1 video.
- 1 credit = 1 image.
- 10 credits = 1 video.
- 4 credits = 1 music track.
Utilize Shutterstock’s Creative Flow platform, which offers a collection of AI-enhanced apps to assist in personalizing your visuals.
High-quality content creation is crucial for a successful SEO strategy, and to elevate your marketing campaigns, the Flex plan serves as a unique media solution.
Shutterstock has transformed from a top stock photography provider into an all-encompassing platform for creators.
Now, you can leverage it to your benefit and produce the content necessary to surpass your competitors.
Consider Hiring The SEO Pros
As we’ve explored the various strategies and tactics for enhancing your SEO, it’s important to recognize that achieving your SEO dreams can sometimes require expert guidance and support. This is where Pushleads comes into play. With their wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving SEO landscape, Pushleads offers personalized solutions tailored to your unique business needs. Whether you’re looking to optimize your website, craft compelling content, or navigate the complexities of search engine algorithms, their team of experts is equipped to help you every step of the way. By partnering with Pushleads, you can unlock the full potential of your online presence, ensuring that your business not only reaches but also exceeds its digital marketing goals.
You might also like: You Can Now Make Corrections To Published YouTube Videos.
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