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Your 2024 SEO Checklist
Talk of SEO being a dead (or dying) art form is nothing new. Quite the contrary – it’s something that’s been predicted...albeit completely erroneously...for some time.
Instead, what we continue to see is the world’s relentless and constantly accelerating reliance on the major search engines. And just as long as we count on search engines to do their thing, SEO will continue to be one of the web’s biggest driving forces of all.
All of which makes now the right time to get stuck into an SEO audit, in order to see how you're positioned for the year to come. Irrespective of the size or type of business you run, you'll want to base your New Year SEO audit on the following:
Industry Trends
The first item on your checklist is whether there have been any big changes in industry trends. Keeping an eye on these shifts is crucial as they can significantly impact your SEO strategy. For instance, changes in how search engines rank content or variations in user search behaviour could lead you to reevaluate your current practices.
Audience Insights
Your audience is the lifeblood of your SEO strategy. Since last year, consider how your customers' search behaviour might have evolved. Do they use different platforms or search terms? Are their buying habits shifting due to cultural, social, or technological advancements?
Competitors
SEO is a battlefield, and your competitors are taking no prisoners. Think about it - are you monitoring them closely enough? Competitive analysis helps you identify what strategies are propelling their visibility. Capitalise on their missed opportunities while learning from their strengths to bolster your SEO approach. Remember, your competitors' movements are insights you can't afford to go without.
SWOT Analysis
An honest look at your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats is also crucial. Maybe your website's mobile performance (strength) sets you apart, but your backlink profile (weakness) needs stepping up. Perhaps new market trends present untapped opportunities, whereas changes in search engine algorithms could pose potential threats.
Artificial Intelligence
The practical benefits of AI in SEO can be huge. As technology progresses, AI tools offer unprecedented advantages in analysing data, automating tasks and personalising content. Are you integrating AI effectively? Whether it's for predictive search, content creation, or data analysis, incorporating the latest AI innovations can give your SEO efforts a significant upward thrust.
Reporting
Solid SEO reporting and analysis form the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. In-depth reports can unravel the stories behind the metrics, helping you make informed decisions. Ensure that your reporting processes are precise, frequent and actionable, enabling you to adjust and enhance your SEO tactics based on real-time data.
Keywords
Keywords have always played an important role in SEO, but putting them to use properly has changed. Review your keyword strategy and research what terms or phrases might have surfaced or become obsolete. Be sure to focus on user intent and topical relevance, incorporating long-tail phrases that align with conversational searches and voice queries.
Content
Content is the foundation of any SEO strategy. Think carefully whether you have a diverse and dynamic content schedule in place, one that reflects the changing needs of your audience and the agile nature of search engines. Prioritise quality and relevance with consistent posts that add real value to your audience.
Technical SEO
Finally, you’ll want to fully assess the technical health of your website. SEO concerns the all-round user experience, encompassing all aspects of your website's performance. Review your site's speed, mobile compatibility and crawlability. Take yourself through the user’s journey from start to finish, scrutinise every detail and pick up on anything and everything that could be improved.