AKGenz

Let’s discuss SEO, while it may seem overwhelming, it’s a manageable process if approached strategically. This is all about selecting the right keywords and optimizing your content so Google will start giving you some attention. Put some energy into those “underperforming” keywords, go to town on your title tags and build some backlinks like a boss. If you do all that, your traffic will break the records. So let’s get into it and help you get ranked higher!

Understanding the Foundation of SEO Success   

SEO isn’t magic, it’s strategy. You’ve got to know your audience, nail your keywords, and seriously commit to optimizing your pages. Once you figure this out, your traffic will go through the roof. Get your strategy right, and you’ll be high-fiving yourself in no time.

 Step 1: Identify Underperforming Keywords   

1. Find Keywords that Are Performing Decently but Aren’t Ranking High Enough

If you’re already on page 1 of Google but traffic is disappointing, then it’s time to take a good, hard look at those underperforming keywords. Seriously, those are the golden tickets. We’re talking about keywords that are already doing “okay” (hello, positions 3-10), but aren’t quite at the top where you want them. Trust me, a tiny bump in ranking (like going from 4th to 3rd) can make a massive difference. It’s like sitting at the cool kids’ table at lunch instead of on the outskirts where nobody notices. So, jump on Ahrefs or Google Search Console, sort those keywords by estimated CTR (click-through rate), and start hunting for the ones that are JUST about to pop. Don’t overthink it! Find the ones with potential and give them a little TLC to get them ranking higher.

1. Prioritize Keywords to Improve

So there’s a list of keywords, but which ones are worth the time? Spoiler alert: not all of them are! Don’t waste time on keywords that are more competitive than a top-tier industry leader in your niche. Focus on the ones that bring in actual business keywords that convert, not just bring traffic for the sake of it. Look for the ones that already get some love from Google, but maybe don’t have SERP features like featured snippets or video carousels crowding them. If significant traffic is already coming in but a little boost is needed, prioritize those; don’t waste time on keywords that are never going to get anywhere.

1. Analyze Why You’re Being Outranked

If a page is outranking, there’s probably a reason for it. Let’s understand why that’s happening. First off, is the content matching search intent? It’s like offering someone a gift they didn’t request; if it doesn’t align with their needs, it’s unlikely to be effective. Next, check those backlinks. If the competition has a stack of backlinks like a celebrity’s Instagram followers, it’s time to step it up. Don’t forget page-level authority, it’s like the page’s “street cred.” Higher authority means better rankings, so don’t neglect it. Lastly, is the overall website authority low? That could be holding things back too, so check the Domain Rating and show Google that the site is an authority in the space.

 Step 2: Optimize Your Page to Beat Competitors   

1. Search Intent Issue

Let’s talk about search intent. If the content doesn’t match what people are searching for, it’s just wasting everyone’s time. Seriously, it’s like submitting a proposal that doesn’t align with the client’s needs, it’s not what they were expecting, and now you’re left with no credibility. If the blog title doesn’t match the exact question someone’s Googling, it’s never going to get the love it deserves. Understanding exactly what the audience wants is key.

If the ranking is there but the clicks aren’t, it might just be that the answers aren’t hitting the mark. Another common blind spot is missing out on targeting niche audiences for better SEO impact, which ensures your content is reaching the exact users most likely to convert.

1. Backlink Issue

Backlinks are crucial. If a competitor with an abundance of backlinks is outranking your page, it’s time to step up the game significantly and focus on building quality links to boost your rankings. Don’t expect to slide by with just one or two links. Think of backlinks like a popularity contest. If competitors have an army of people vouching for them, they’re getting the spotlight. Nothing stings more than seeing a page outrank due to more backlinks. It’s time to go out, make connections, and stack up those quality backlinks. It’s a total game changer.

1. Page-Level Authority

Page-level authority is vital. This refers to the level of credibility and trust a specific page holds in the eyes of Google. If the page doesn’t have enough authority, it won’t achieve high rankings. No one wants to sit at the kids’ table. Great content doesn’t matter if the page lacks authority. It’s like showing up to a party without an invitation. To improve this, focus on internal linking and ensure that other high-authority pages on the site are linking to the one in question. The more authority the page has, the higher it will rank.

1. Website Authority Issue

Website authority is essential, as it plays a crucial role in determining how well a site can rank across various search queries. If the domain lacks reputation, it will be challenging to outrank established competitors. A site with low authority is like trying to get noticed at a party when nobody knows you. Google wants to see that the site’s got some clout, some real reputation. If it’s just starting and nobody’s backing it up, it’s like competing with the big names while still trying to get a foot in the door. So, what’s the solution? Start building those high-quality backlinks, optimize the content, and get the brand out there. The more recognition the site gets, the higher the Domain Rating, and the better the chances of ranking for a ton of keywords. Don’t let that low authority hold things back, it’s time to level up!

 Step 3: Track Your Rankings and Adjust   

1. Monitor the Impact of Your Optimizations

Okay, so the hard work’s been put in, and the changes are live. Now it’s time to just sit back, relax, and watch those numbers soar, right? Wrong. The fun’s only just begun. This is when tracking and adjusting become crucial. First, set up rank tracking. Seriously, whether using Ahrefs’ Rank Tracker, Google Search Console, or any other tool, tracking rankings is non-negotiable. Watching those numbers rise? It’s like hitting a jackpot, it’s addictive, and it feels so good. But don’t get too comfortable. Keep an eye on things and adjust when needed. For instance, jump into Google Analytics to track traffic and rankings. Look at how tweaks are paying off.

Did adjusting the title tag push the ranking higher? Or maybe landing a couple of quality backlinks and seeing the position improve? Take notes on what’s working and what isn’t. Keep a log of every change made, and pay attention to the patterns. Tracking is key. Think of it like following the drama of a reality show, you can’t just fast-forward; you need to watch every detail. Stay on top of rankings, adjust when needed, and continue tweaking to make those numbers climb higher. After all, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep working it, and the results will speak for themselves.

 Step 1: Repeat the Process   

So the tweaks have been made, results are showing, and maybe the feeling is like being on top of the SEO game. But listen, don’t get too comfortable. SEO isn’t a one-time thing, it’s a constant hustle. The key here is repetition. The work doesn’t stop after a few tweaks, and expect the world to change overnight.

So, what’s next? Go back to

Step 2: Identify more underperforming keywords.

Thought the work was done? Think again. There are always more gems hiding in positions 3-10. Once found, prioritize. Focus on the ones that are going to give the most bang for the buck. If they’re not performing well yet, but could lead to conversions, that’s the goldmine.

After optimizing, track results like keeping an eye on rankings, traffic, and overall performance. If something isn’t working, adjust. No one’s got time to sit around waiting for something that’s not going anywhere, right?

Then, once the changes are made, repeat. Keep that cycle going. SEO isn’t a sprint, it’s more like a marathon with an endless to-do list. Keep tuning the process, finding new opportunities, and making the necessary moves. Rinse and repeat. Yes, sometimes it feels like being in a never-ending loop, but that’s the fun part. Watch the site climb higher, get more traffic, and eventually, dominate.

1. Additional SEO Tips: Focus on the Title Tag   

Let’s talk about title tags. If they’re not optimized properly, you’re missing out on major SEO potential. If this isn’t nailed, it’s a missed opportunity. It’s like putting a half-assed effort into an outfit before a big night out, you’re not going to turn heads. Make sure the target keyword is front and center. Keep it tight, relevant, and simple. Google’s obsessed with this, and playing the game right from the start is key.

 Step 1: Shift Your Mindset   

Alright, let’s get this straight: SEO doesn’t have to be some big, complicated mess. Seriously, it’s not rocket science. A lot of people overthink it, and that’s not the move. The first thing to get in your head? The title tag is a big deal. Google practically looks at it first when figuring out what the page is about. If the title tag isn’t on point, don’t even bother expecting high rankings. Focus on simplicity! Don’t get caught up in every little detail. Make sure that the title tag is tight, relevant, and includes the exact keyword you want to rank for.

Think of it as a billboard; if it doesn’t communicate what you’re offering, people are just going to drive past. You want your title to be both informative and enticing, making users want to click. Make sure it reflects what the searcher is looking for and speaks to their intent.

But here’s where most people mess up. They’ll start fiddling with hundreds of ranking factors and forget about the basics like their title tag. It’s like forgetting to wear shoes to a party and still expecting to look good. It happens all the time. So, take a step back, focus on the one thing that matters, and optimize that title. Keep it simple, keep it direct, and, already ahead of the game.

SEO’s all about playing smart, not hard. Think about the title tag as the VIP pass into Google’s world. Get it right, and everything else follows. No need to make SEO more complicated than it needs to be. Once that mindset clicks, legit results will start showing up.

 Step 2: Find Low-Competition Keywords Using Modifiers   

Now that the headspace is right, let’s talk about finding the good stuff. You know, those low-competition keywords that are just sitting there, waiting to be snatched up. These are the hidden gems. And here’s a little secret: Google’s search operators, like the “in title” modifier, are key to unlocking these opportunities.

This approach is a complete game-changer. Simply search “in title: Euphoria Interiors,” and just like that, you’ve got the data! The number of pages already using that keyword in their title is right in front of you. The less competition? The better. It’s like fishing in a pond with hardly any fish. Catching something becomes a breeze.

Moreover, here’s where it gets interesting. If only a few pages are ranking for your target keyword, it’s time to dive in and grab that ranking. When there are fewer than 100 results, that’s a green light to move in. Competing with 500 pages? No thanks. But with 50? Doable. It’s like being the only one at the party with the best dance moves everyone’s watching, and the spotlight is yours.

 Step 3: Select Keywords with Low Competition   

Now that low-competition keywords have been found, it’s time to pick battles wisely. The goal is to focus on keywords with low competition, and when low is mentioned, that means under 100 search results. The fewer the results, the less competition there is, making it easier to rank. This is the sweet spot where growth can really happen.

For example, if targeting “web design Euphoria Interiors,” and only 52 results pop up, that’s a clear green light, it’s a goldmine waiting to be tapped. It means fewer people are fighting for the same spot, and you’re in a prime position to outrank them. Think about it: when there are only 52 pages, it’s like being one of a handful of people trying to get into an exclusive VIP event. The odds are in your favor.

These low-competition keywords are your secret weapon. They might not be the most searched or the high-profile keywords, but they can lead to quick wins, and who doesn’t want quick wins? These keywords can bring in traffic faster than you think, and the best part is that ranking for them will give you that momentum to push forward. It’s like starting with a small win and using that energy to keep growing.

The beauty of targeting low-competition keywords is that they often lead to faster results. As you rank higher for these terms, you’ll start building authority and trust with search engines. And guess what happens when you build that trust? You can start expanding to higher competition keywords and keep scaling. It’s like starting with a few small steps and gradually running a marathon.

So, take a good look at your list of potential keywords, ensure they’re under that 100-result threshold, and pounce on them like it’s Black Friday. The low-competition keywords are the stepping stones to building a solid foundation for your SEO strategy, and once you have that foundation, the sky’s the limit. Don’t overlook them as these keywords could be the secret to unlocking higher rankings and driving more traffic.

 Step 4: Optimize the Title Tag   

Alright, if the importance of the title tag hasn’t sunk in by now, let’s make it crystal clear. The title tag is literally the most crucial element of a page’s SEO. It’s like the cover of a book, if it doesn’t grab attention, no one is going to bother opening it. This is the first impression Google gets of the content, and that impression needs to be solid. If the title tag isn’t on point, no matter how much time was spent on creating content or selecting keywords, it’s all going to fall flat. Many have made this mistake, and it’s clear getting this right matters.

So, what’s the secret? The first step is ensuring the exact keyword being targeted is front and center in the title. No fluff. No unnecessary creativity. Straight to the point. Google cares about relevance and whether it matches the search intent, not how fancy the title is. The more specific, the better. Instead of something vague like “Web Design,” it’s better to go with something like “Web Design Euphoria Interiors.” This approach targets the searcher’s intent directly. A little extra detail helps the title stand out in the best way possible.

Now, don’t get carried away. Google isn’t a fan of keyword-stuffed titles that read like spam. The title needs to feel natural, with the keyword fitting smoothly in. Think of it as making a great first impression at a party, confident and friendly, but not trying too hard. Keep it clean, clear, and don’t skip over including the main keyword, as it remains the centerpiece of the title.

When this is done right, rankings will climb. A perfectly optimized title tag is like the golden ticket to better visibility on Google. If done wrong, the page will sit there in the search results like a forgotten book on a shelf. Get it right, and it could be the boost needed to soar to the top of the SERPs.

 Step 5: Use Tools for Efficiency   

Let’s talk about tools. If they aren’t part of the SEO strategy, then it’s basically like trying to drive a car with no gas; you’re going nowhere fast. SEO can get overwhelming quickly if you’re manually researching every keyword, tracking each result, and trying to analyze every tweak. That’s not sustainable, and it’s a serious time-suck. This is where Shine Rinker comes in as a game-changer. This tool streamlines the entire process and makes SEO much simpler, saving both time and energy.

Shine Rinker allows users to do things like the “in title” search automatically, which alone cuts down hours of work. Instead of painstakingly checking each result, keywords that are easiest to rank for can be quickly identified, and keyword difficulty can be tracked Plus, using these insights strategically can help you get your content featured in Google’s snippets—a powerful way to gain visibility at the top of search results.

It’s like having a personal SEO assistant that’s always on point. Plus, progress can be easily monitored, meaning no more manually checking rankings every single day. The satisfaction of watching rankings climb quickly is exactly what Shine Rinker helps speed up.

But wait, there’s more! This tool also allows users to delegate tasks, so there’s no need to micromanage. Specific keywords can be assigned to writers, letting them optimize content while the focus stays on the big picture. Less time spent overseeing every little detail means more time scaling and expanding. This is how SEO should be efficient and scalable.

Using the right tools like Shine Rinker doesn’t just make things easier; it also makes everything faster and more efficient. If SEO’s a marathon, this tool’s like giving a head start, fine-tuning the process so results come quicker, leaving more time to focus on strategies that can grow the business. So, if SEO feels overwhelming, let Shine Rinker do the heavy lifting and watch how much smoother everything flows.

 Step 6: Scale Your Efforts   

Once a few low-competition keywords have been nailed and optimized like a pro, it’s time to scale. But don’t rush into it like you’re in a race to the finish line. Take time to build a solid foundation before expanding. The goal is to steadily create more content, optimize more titles, and target even more keywords. It’s all about steady growth, not jumping ahead and trying to tackle everything at once.

Here’s the secret learned along the way: don’t try to do it all at once. Focus on the best keywords, optimize them, and then add the next set. These approaches are similar to building a playlist. You start with the bangers, the songs that’ll move the crowd, and you put those in place and then you fill in the rest of the tracks that work with the bangers and keep the flow going.” Over time, reliable input of optimised keywords will accumulate, leading to more traffic.

Over time, as the optimization process goes on and more keywords are added, positions for a wider variety of terms can ramp up. But attempting to do it all at once only causes overwhelm and misdirected effort. The optimal strategy is refinement, optimization,  and scaling. Stay disciplined with the process, and real, sustainable results will come.

It is important to note that SEO is not a “set it and forget” type of game. It’s all about continual adjusting, optimizing and constructing over time. SEO is akin to a garden; it requires constant watering, attentiveness, and nurturing to grow. And the more content that you create and optimize, the better you can move up the rankings and ultimately conquer Google.

Patience is key. SEO takes time, it is not something that will work overnight. But once the pieces fall into place, the results will follow. Scale slowly, stay disciplined, and success will compound over time. Once that starts happening, eventually Google will take notice too, and the traffic will follow.

2. Build Authority with Backlinks   

 

Backlinks are essential; if you’re not building them, your site is stuck in traffic. Backlinks are the lifeblood of SEO; they’re like high school popularity. If no one’s talking about you, you’re invisible. So, how do you get noticed? Time to dive into the process and learn how to get these backlinks working for you like a charm!

 Step 1: Target Reputable Websites for Quality Backlinks   

First things first, don’t just grab any link from some random site. Seriously, avoid making that mistake. Quality backlinks come from reputable, authoritative websites. It’s like getting a shoutout from a major influencer instead of a distant acquaintance with a low-profile online presence. Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush are essential for finding quality domains in a niche. These sites with strong traffic and Domain Authority will move the needle. Start with those, make connections, and get those backlinks flowing. It’s all about building a solid circle of trust. Go for the reputable ones, and the results will follow.

 Step 2: Outreach Like a Pro   

Backlinks won’t just fall into your lap. Outreach is key. Reach out to top-tier sites with a friendly, personalized email. Don’t just ask for a link; offer something valuable in return, like a guest post or a resource. Avoid sliding into DMs with a simple, “Hey, can you link to me?” That approach is lazy and won’t get far. Think of it like making friends: show up with something of value, and backlinks will naturally come.

 Step 3: Guest Post Like a Boss   

Guest posting is an effective way to score quality backlinks. While it does take some effort, the payoff is worth it. Find blogs in the niche with solid traffic and engagement, and offer to write a guest post for them. Avoid throwing together anything mediocre; ensure the content is top-notch. When the post is well-crafted, not only does it bring a valuable backlink, but it also drives traffic to the site. It’s a long-term strategy that, when done right, delivers results.

 Step 4: Leverage Broken Links   

Broken link building is a sneaky but effective tactic. The trick is to find broken links on high-authority sites in the niche and offer your content as a replacement. It’s a win-win situation, you help them fix their broken link and get a shiny new backlink in return. Though this method takes more effort, the rewards are worth it. It’s much more effective than simply asking for links and provides real value to the site owner.

 Step 5: Keep Track of Your Backlink Progress   

Once backlinks are secured, it’s important not to forget about them. Regularly track their performance using tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console. Check if the backlinks are still active and relevant. Think of it like checking a credit score; if something’s off, the right adjustments can be made. Tracking helps ensure that backlinks are doing their job and driving the desired results.

 Step 6: Build Relationships, Not Just Links   

Backlinking goes beyond just collecting links, it’s about building meaningful relationships. Engage with the niche community, leave thoughtful comments, share content, and interact with others. The more involved, the more people will notice. And the best part? They’ll start linking back naturally. Building relationships within the niche leads to a network where everyone supports each other. Create these connections, and the backlinks will come.

 Final Thoughts   

SEO isn’t a quick fix; it’s a journey, and trust me, it’s learned the hard way. But once the hang of it is found, the magic starts happening. First things first, optimize those title tags, target those underperforming keywords, and get those backlinks rolling in. At Gen Z Pro, we believe SEO isn’t just about rankings—it’s about consistent execution, smart targeting, and long-term growth. 

That’s where the real success lies! It’s not about overnight wins; it’s about staying patient and consistent. Keep refining, keep scaling, and with every tweak, the rankings get closer to domination. The traffic will follow, and success? It’ll be all yours! Keep grinding, it pays off!     

SEO sounds easy, right? I used to think you could just throw in a few keywords and boom, instant rankings. But, spoiler alert: that’s not how it works! After diving deep into the SEO world, I’ve realized it’s a total maze of technical details, never-ending updates, and strategies that constantly need adjusting. And if you’re in Dubai, finding the right strategy is even more critical, which is where a SEO agency in Dubai can really make a difference.  But trust me, once you nail it then it will be so worth the effort!

1. Why SEO Isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All Solution   

SEO is like a puzzle, and trust me, I’ve spent way too much time trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together. Here’s the thing: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. I’ve seen people obsess over getting the perfect keyword strategy, but guess what? It doesn’t always work. Every website, industry, and goal has its own set of rules. What worked for one site won’t necessarily work for another. I’ve tried to copy strategies from other successful websites, but I quickly learned the hard way what clicks for one audience might flop for another.

SEO isn’t just about throwing in the right keywords or optimizing for the latest trend. It’s about understanding your unique audience, your niche, and your goals. Honestly, it’s like building your roadmap, and let me tell you, it’s one wild ride!

 A Web of Factors Influences SEO Success   

Page Content: It’s the backbone and powerhouse of your website. No one cares about 200 words of nonsense. I’m talking about rich, detailed, and relevant stuff that’s gonna grab people’s attention and satisfy Google. I learned this the hard way: Google’s all about serving the best stuff to users. If your content’s weak, don’t even bother.

Page Structure and Coding: Okay, so you’ve got your content, but is your website set up to be besties with search engines? If your structure’s all over the place, or if you’ve got sloppy code, you’re making life difficult for Google. Trust me, I’ve had my share of headaches with broken links and messy URLs. That stuff? It can tank your rankings faster than you can say “SEO disaster.” So yeah, make sure your pages are neat, clean, and coded for success.

CMS Setup: If you’re using WordPress or something else, the setup matters WAY more than you think. Don’t get lazy with this, okay? I’ve tried a few different CMS setups, and let me tell you some make SEO a breeze, others make you pull your hair out. A solid CMS is like your best friend, it’ll help you tweak all the little things, like metadata and images, without breaking a sweat.

Technical SEO: Okay, brace yourself. We’re getting into the nerdy stuff now, but listen technical SEO is where the magic happens (or doesn’t happen, if you screw it up). Stuff like schema, structured data, and hreflangs? Yeah, you can’t ignore those. I mean, I tried, and oh boy, the consequences. Think of it like your site’s backstage crew; without them, your show won’t even make it to the stage.

External Platforms: Google My Business, Angie’s List, Yelp, all that jazz, use them. Seriously. I almost didn’t, and then I realised, wait, these platforms are like SEO BFFs. They give your site a credibility boost, especially for local searches. So if you’re not leveraging these, you’re seriously missing out.

Bottom line: SEO isn’t a one-hit-wonder. You can’t just fix one thing and call it a day. Nope. You need to get all these elements working together, like a perfectly synced dance. I’ve learned that the hard way, trust me! And when everything clicks? Oh, honey, that’s when the rankings start to shine.

1.  Why Quick SEO Fixes Are Ineffective   

Okay, let’s be real, tempting as it is to think you can just do a quick SEO fix and suddenly have your site ranking at the top, it’s not that simple. I’ve totally been there, diving in, making a few tweaks, and hoping for instant results. But here’s the thing: SEO is NOT a one-time deal. It’s ongoing, and it requires consistent effort. Like, your website has to be constantly evolving and adapting. Trust me, I learned the hard way. Those quick fixes might give you a temporary boost, but if you’re not staying on top of things, your site will drop faster than a hot mess in a breakup drama.

One-Time Changes Don’t Ensure Long-Term Success   

Search engine algorithms are constantly evolving.

Google’s algorithms change all. The. Time. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve done all the right things, followed the latest trends, only for Google to switch things up the next day. It’s like playing chess with a partner who keeps changing the rules mid-game. I’ve had ranking drops that made my stomach drop, too. What worked last week? Yeah, might be out of the game this week.

I remember thinking I finally cracked the code, only for some random Google update to make my site tumble. It’s a rollercoaster, my friend, and if you’re not on top of these updates, you’ll get left behind. So, the moral of the story? Stay updated and be ready to adapt, because SEO is basically a game of constant change.

Continuous effort is essential.

Listen, SEO is like this ongoing, never-ending saga that demands your attention. I’ve tried to just optimize my site once and call it a day, thinking I could kick back and relax. Ha! Big mistake. If you’re not continuously tweaking, adjusting, and evolving, you’re basically asking to be buried under your competitors. Google’s algorithms don’t just change once in a while; they evolve constantly.

You can’t just do the work and forget it. I’ve learned that the hard way. Keep checking in on your site, keep testing, and keep improving. Tools like Search Console or Analytics help you measure the performance of your SEO efforts accurately, ensuring you’re not wasting time on things that don’t work. Otherwise, your rankings will drop faster than your last binge-watch session’s plot twists. Trust me, I’ve been there. You’ve got to keep that SEO engine running or risk getting left in the dust.

1.  The Central Pillar of SEO: User Experience   

SEO is all about the user experience. You can have killer content, but if your site’s a nightmare to navigate, good luck. Google loves sites that are easy to use and give people what they’re looking for. If you’re not focused on UX, you’re falling behind.

 Delivering Value to the User   

Content Quality: Ensure your content is helpful, relevant, and high-quality

Content is king, but let’s be real, it can’t just be a random mess thrown together.  Once you start focusing on real, quality content, things will take a major turn. Your rankings shot up, and Google doesn’t mess with fluff, so you’ve got to bring the goods!I used to focus on cranking out blog posts, but let me tell you Google doesn’t give a damn if you write 20 posts a week if none of them help people.

I had to slow down and think about what my audience wanted, what answers they were looking for, and how I could give it to them in a way that felt valuable. The content has to hit and solve a real problem, not just be full of fluff and keywords. Quality wins, period.

Clear Layout and Structure: Organize your site so users can easily navigate it

Listen, if your site’s layout is a hot mess, good luck. I’ve been there thinking I could get away with a cute design, only for it to be impractical. Big mistake. When I took the time to organize my site so users could find what they wanted in like two clicks, things got way better. It’s not just about looking pretty, it’s about making sure your visitors can easily navigate through your content and find what they’re after.

I realized that if people couldn’t get to the info they needed fast, they’d bounce, and I didn’t want that. A clean, clear structure helps keep them engaged and, trust me, that boosts your rankings like nothing else. No one wants to dig through a maze for an answer.

Ease of Conversion: Whether it’s filling out a form or making a purchase, ensure your site facilitates smooth conversions

If your website isn’t converting, what’s the point? I used to think that traffic was everything, but I quickly learned that getting people to convert was the real game-changer. I’m talking about filling out forms, making purchases, signing up for newsletters, you name it. If your site’s checkout is a nightmare or the forms are too long, people will drop off, and it hurts your rankings.

I’ve revamped my conversion process over time, making it as easy as possible for visitors to take action. The simpler and smoother it is, the better the results. Trust me, when you make things easy for your users, they’re much more likely to follow through.

1.  Uncovering Low-Hanging SEO Opportunities Through Audits   

Website audits are like a cheat code for SEO. I’ve done a ton of audits, and let me tell you, it’s all about finding those easy wins that can seriously boost your rankings From fixing broken links to applying smart SEO tips to boost website traffic organically, you’d be surprised at how much of an impact small changes can make. Little fixes like outdated content or broken links? Game changers. I used to ignore those, thinking they weren’t a big deal, but once I cleaned them up,

my site performance improved big time. Plus, fixing those redirects and making your URLs cleaner? Seriously, it makes such a difference in how your site functions and how search engines crawl it. Don’t skip the basics, those low-hanging fruits might just be the easiest wins you’ve been missing.

 Key Areas to Address in an SEO Audit   

Outdated Content & Broken Links

Ugh, I’ve been there, leaving outdated content and broken links on my site like a messy closet I just didn’t wanna deal with. But let me tell you, cleaning that stuff up is like a breath of fresh air for your site! I started by going through old posts, refreshing them, and fixing broken links, and wow, it felt like magic. Google loves fresh, relevant content, so I started updating my older blogs and deleting anything that wasn’t helpful anymore. And those broken links? Seriously, they’re like SEO poison. Fix them. Trust me, it’s not just good for your user experience, it’s good for your SEO. Clean URLs and no redirects? Your site will thank you, and so will Google.

Navigation Optimization

Okay, I’ll admit it, I used to think the more complicated the navigation, the fancier the site. WRONG. When I finally took a step back and cleaned up the navigation? EVERYTHING changed. I started thinking about how people use my site, and trust me, it’s not about making them click through a maze. I cut down on unnecessary clicks and made sure they could get where they wanted quickly, and honestly? It was a game-changer. Google loves a good, clean path. You want users and bots to find the destination page with as little effort as possible. Trust me, the easier it is for people to navigate, the better your site’s gonna perform.

Page Load Speed

Oh my god, if you’re not optimizing your page load speed, you’re committing SEO suicide. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve had to deal with slow pages, and yeah, it was embarrassing. I mean, if I’m waiting more than 3 seconds for a page to load, I’m already bouncing. So, I started compressing large images (headshots were my downfall, don’t even get me started) and trimming down file sizes. I mean, who’s got time for slow websites? Not your visitors, not Google. Once I sped things up, I saw my bounce rates drop and my rankings go up. Moral of the story? Make your site fast.

Content Quality & Length

You want to keep things quick and to the point. But here’s the thing: Google loves content that says something. I used to post these quick, 300-word blogs and wonder why I wasn’t seeing results. Then, I started putting in the effort writing longer, more informative posts (around 650-850 words) that helped people. And bam, my rankings went up. Don’t get me wrong, you don’t want to write a novel for no reason, but your content should give real value. And trust me, the longer users spend on your page? Google notices that. So, go ahead, give the people what they want, and let Google reward you for it.

Enhance User Experience

Let me tell you, user experience is EVERYTHING. I used to think if my site looked pretty, that was enough. WRONG again. You can’t just have a bunch of text and images thrown around. I started adding relevant images and videos to my content, and the change was wild. Not only did it make my pages more engaging, but Google also loved it. It’s about making the site easy to navigate, keeping users engaged, and making sure they get what they came for. And don’t forget about internal linking! I started linking to related articles, and it was like a bonus, more engagement, more time on site, better rankings. It’s the little things!

Avoid Minimalistic Content

Okay, let’s talk about minimalistic content. I know, I know, it looks sleek and trendy, but here’s the cold, hard truth: Google needs content to be substantial to rank it well. I used to just throw a few sentences down and call it a day, but guess what? My rankings tanked. When I started fleshing out my content, I saw a huge improvement. Google needs to see that you’re giving your users something valuable. Short content? It’s cute for Instagram captions, but not for SEO. Give them at least 650 words and watch how your site performs better. It’s worth it.

1. SEO: A Complex Web of Skills   

SEO is not just about slapping a few keywords onto a page and calling it a day, trust me, I’ve tried that, and it doesn’t work. What makes SEO so tricky is that it’s a whole mix of skills across different areas. You need to understand everything from technical stuff like coding to marketing strategy to content creation. Seriously, it’s like trying to juggle while riding an unicycle. I’ve had to learn a lot of these things on the fly, and let me tell you, it’s not easy. But when all these skills come together? Magic. So yeah, SEO is a lot more than just optimizing a page, it’s like building an empire.

SEO as an Integration of Many Disciplines   

Technical Expertise

When I first dove into SEO, I thought I could just focus on keywords and call it a day. Nope. There’s so much more to it, like technical expertise, which I learned the hard way. You can’t ignore things like JavaScript, hreflangs, or rel=canonical tags. I had to seriously up my coding game, and let me tell you, I was not ready for all that. I remember when I first tried to figure out why a page wasn’t ranking, and then someone dropped the term “rel=canonical” on me. Like, what even is that? But once I got the hang of it, things clicked.

You need to understand code-level optimization, and don’t get me started on structured data. It’s all a puzzle, but once you solve it, the results are amazing. So, yeah, SEO is way more technical than you think, and if you want results, you better be ready to dive into the nerdy stuff.

Cross-Platform Marketing

Here’s the tea: SEO isn’t just about your website. You can’t just optimize a site and hope it works; nope, you need to make sure your marketing is firing on all cylinders. When I first started, I didn’t realize how much cross-platform marketing matters. Social media? It’s like your sidekick in this SEO journey. And email campaigns? Yeah, they need to be in sync too. I used to think SEO was this solo mission, but the truth is, it’s a whole team effort.

You need to make sure everything’s working together: your social media, your content, even your paid ads. If you’re not cross-promoting and integrating all these channels, your SEO efforts will fall flat. Once I started pushing content on multiple platforms and driving traffic from all sides, I saw a huge difference. It’s not just about what’s happening on your website; it’s about how everything works together to give your SEO a little extra oomph.

Project Management

I don’t know about you, but I used to think SEO was all about writing good content and slapping in some keywords. That was adorable. But the real secret? It’s project management. SEO projects need coordination, lots of it. When I first started, I realized quickly that I wasn’t just optimizing a site; I was also juggling a million tasks. There are different people involveddesigners, content creators, developers, marketing teams, and you’ve got to make sure everyone’s on the same page.

I learned that the hard way when I’d get ahead of myself with content but forget about site speed. Talk about a mess. Once I started managing SEO projects with a clearer plan and timeline, everything clicked. SEO doesn’t just need creativity; it needs organization. I don’t know about you, but I’m not trying to be the one dropping the ball. Make sure your team is synced up so that every little detail gets attention. Trust me, it makes all the difference.

Conversion Optimization

Alright, here’s the truth bomb: traffic is great, but if it doesn’t lead to conversions, what’s the point? I used to think SEO was just about getting people to my site, but then I realized if no one’s taking action, it’s all a waste. Whether it’s filling out a form or buying something, conversion optimization is key. I’ve been there getting all that traffic, but then seeing no sign-ups or sales. It was frustrating.

But once I started focusing on making things easy for my visitors, like streamlining the checkout process, improving call-to-action buttons, and making sure my forms weren’t a nightmare, things turned around. SEO isn’t just about drawing people in; it’s about getting them to do what you want them to do. So yeah, don’t just focus on getting traffic, make sure it leads somewhere. Trust me, it makes all the difference.

1. The Struggles of Learning SEO   

SEO is not something you can just pick up overnight. I wish. I remember thinking I could binge-watch a few YouTube videos and boom, I’d be a pro. Spoiler: I was wrong. SEO is this massive beast with a million moving parts. Sure, the basics are easy to grasp, but mastering them? That takes real time and effort. I’ve spent hours (okay, days) testing things, making mistakes, and learning the hard way. There’s no shortcut, but honestly? The struggle makes the wins so much sweeter. If you’re in it for the long haul, keep grinding.

The Need for Continuous Learning   

Master the technical aspects.

Okay, here’s the real tea: if you wanna be good at SEO, you’ve got to get your hands dirty with some techy stuff. Like, at first, I thought I could just write good content and call it a day. Nope. I had to dive deep into how my site’s architecture affects SEO. Things like page speed, internal linking, even headers, they all matter, and trust me, I learned that the hard way. Once I started tweaking the technical side of my site (like fixing broken links and optimizing images), my rankings seriously leveled up. The nerdy stuff is key.

Understand consumer psychology

Okay, this one’s huge and I had to learn it fast. I used to think SEO was just about ranking high on Google. But, honey, if you don’t understand why people click on your site, you’re missing the point. I had to really dive into consumer psychology and figure out what makes my audience tick. Why do they stay on my page? What makes them bounce? Once I started designing my content around them and their needs, offering solutions, answering questions, and keeping it relatable, everything changed. Understanding how users behave is half the battle. Your content needs to speak to them, not just to Google.

Stay up-to-date

Girl, I can’t stress this enough: SEO is constantly changing. Like, constantly. I used to think I could learn it once and be done, but I quickly realized that’s not how it works. I started following the experts Moz, Rand Fishkin’s Whiteboard Friday, Search Engine Land and honestly, it’s a game-changer. SEO’s always evolving, and if you’re not staying in the loop, you’re getting left behind. I literally have Google Alerts set up for SEO news, because you never know when the next update will drop. Keep learning, keep adapting, and keep up with the changes. It’s the only way to stay ahead.

Building a network of trusted experts

Okay, here’s the secret I wish I knew sooner: networking. I mean, I thought I could do this SEO thing solo, but then I started connecting with other experts, and it was like a lightbulb went off. They help you stay ahead of trends, share tips, and even save you from making dumb mistakes. I began to spend some time in SEO communities, listening to the experiences of others who have been in this for years. It’s leveraging trusted advisors that can help you go in the right direction. Get yourself a team who knows what they are doing, it is a world of difference!

1. SEO’s Perception Problem   

SEO has a serious PR problem! I don’t want to tell you how many times I see business leaders freeze entirely when I hear the value of SEO. They believe it’s some ‘quick fix’ that’s going to boost their ranking through the roof overnight. Newsflash: it’s not. The constant battle is to get people to see SEO as an investment and not a hack. I’ve had to say so many times that SEO is about creating a strong foundation for the relatable future, not just for knocking your rake for a few days. SEO’s true value is poorly understood. It has one of its biggest hurdles.

The Challenges of Educating Stakeholders   

Undervaluation of SEO

SEO is not some afterthought; it is a critical part of the business strategy, and I’ve had to put so much work into convincing business leaders that that is the case. It’s frustrating, as many of them take it very lightly, undervaluing it a lot. They do SEO as and done project, and wonder why they aren’t seeing results. Let me be the first to tell you: I’ve had to explain over and over that SEO is a long-term step (not a one-and-forget-it if you will).

The worst part? When businesses don’t invest properly in SEO, they miss out on massive growth potential. It’s not about a quick fix; it’s about committing time and resources for long-term success. Believe me, I’ve been there, and it’s a fight every single time!

Misconceptions about SEO’s Effectiveness

SEO often gets treated like some magic trick that delivers instant results. Trust me, I’ve had to burst that bubble for so many clients. I remember explaining to one that SEO is a slow, steady process. Yeah, you might see a small improvement after some tweaks, but don’t expect to land on the first page by next week! SEO takes time, effort, and constant tweaking.

I’ve had to get real with a lot of business owners about patience, especially when they expect immediate results. Setting the right expectations is key because, honey, SEO isn’t a magic pill, it’s a long-term strategy. So, don’t expect to be on top tomorrow, but if you stick with it, the payoff is so worth it.

1. Looking to the Future of SEO   

SEO is always changing. I mean, I’ve barely caught up with one update before Google drops another one! If you’re not staying ahead of the curve, you’re falling behind. I’ve learned the hard way that SEO isn’t a one-and-done thing; it’s an ongoing hustle. If you’re serious about staying on top, you’ve gotta keep up with trends, adapt to new strategies, and always be learning. AI, voice search, you name it, it’s all shifting the SEO game. So, get comfy with change, because this is one space that’s never static. The future? It’s a rollercoaster, honey, and we’ve got to hang on tight.

Adapting to Changing Algorithms   

If you think SEO is a set-it-and-forget-it deal, I’ve got news for you: it’s not. Google’s algorithms are changing all the time. I remember when I thought I finally cracked the SEO code, only for Google to throw a curveball. You’ve got to stay on top of these updates, or your rankings will drop faster than a bad reality TV show plot twist.

I’ve had to tweak strategies, change content, and optimize for new things I didn’t even know existed. And don’t even get me started on AI. If you’re not evolving with these changes, you’re losing ground. So yeah, get ready to keep adjusting, because if SEO’s not evolving, you’re falling behind. It’s all about being flexible and adapting to the changes. This isn’t a race; it’s a long-term game.

Final Thoughts   

SEO sounds easy, right? I used to think you could just throw in a few keywords and boom, instant rankings. But, spoiler alert: that’s not how it works! After diving deep into the SEO world, I’ve realized it’s a total maze of technical details, never-ending updates, and strategies that constantly need adjusting. And if you’re in Dubai, finding the right strategy is even more critical, which is where a SEO agency in Dubai can really make a difference. Agencies like Gen Z Pro understand the local market and can help you implement strategies that actually move the needle.

Let us talk SEO for a minute. Getting noticed is the result of behind-the-scenes SEO magic. However, here is the big question: is there a need to employ someone to take care of it? I’ve done it myself (spoiler: it didn’t work as expected) and I’ve had professionals do it as well. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve got some strong opinions on this, and trust me, I’ll develop some. Let us begin!!

Understanding SEO Services  Technical SEO: Behind-th

 e-Scenes Optimization    

We had a website that needed a lot of improvement in its technical setup. Its performance was hindered by issues such as poor site structure, slow loading speeds, and lack of optimization, and most importantly, it was not able to achieve the desired results due to those things. Pages took more than 8 seconds to load, so the site’s speed was particularly problematic. To tackle this, the team put in compression and caching such that the load time, for example, went down from 8 seconds to 3.5 seconds, or 56% better. User engagement noticeably improved as the bounce rate decreased.

Then the team tackled the website’s internal linking structure, which was messy and inefficient. They cleaned it up, fixed broken links, and fixed navigation, which made the site much easier for search engines to crawl. On the organic traffic side, however, this resulted in a 25% increase.

Another focus was mobile optimization since the site was not mobile-friendly. With the implementation of responsive design, the mobile traffic increased by 30%, and mobile conversions did in fact grow. It also revamped the URL structure, which was previously confusing and not search engine friendly. Once I cleaned it up, its rankings for the targeted keywords increased 20%.

A critical part of improving the website performance and driving such significant results has been technical SEO (often overlooked).

On-Page SEO: Making Your Content Shine   

A popular way in which the SEO blog Backlinko, run by Brian Dean, took a strategic approach to on-page SEO, boosting ranks and traffic. Backlinko chose to focus on implementing keywords that were relevant to their audience, like “advanced link building strategies “, rather than just conducting research. This earned them 40% more organic traffic within those three months. They also enhanced the meta description and title tag for a more compelling search result. For example, they changed their old title tag from “Link Building Techniques” to “The Ultimate Guide to Link Building in 2025”, which boosted the click-through rate by 25%.

Backlinko used that to improve their internal linking by making sure key articles were easy to find through contextual links. It allowed them to crawl deeper within their site and enhance their page authority, which in turn actually brought them to a 20% increase in keyword rankings for key topics.

In addition, they were able to optimize images by compressing them without lowering the quality of the image and reducing page load time by 30%. As a result, all these on-page SEO changes brought a 50% increase in overall traffic and firmly established Backlinko as a leader in the SEO space. And yes, measurable results on multiple SEO metrics could be observed through targeted optimization by Backlinko.

Content Creation: Fueling Your Website   

The subscription-based grooming brand Dollar Shave Club effectively used content to engage consumers and boost sales simultaneously. Firstly, the company successfully used blog posts, articles and landing pages covering grooming tips, product reviews, and life advice consistently. It was given to the audience it was meant for and made SEO optimized. Consequently, in six months they have increased their organic search traffic by 45%.

To revamp their product descriptions further and informational content on the site, they also did. Each product page featured engaging, brand-infused copy that highlighted product benefits, leading to a 30% increase in conversion rates.

Additionally, Dollar Shave Club’s content strategy was all-encompassing with videos, infographics and user-generated content. From a social media engagement perspective, their social channels increased by 50 percent as YouTube content alone increased customer referrals by 60%. Dollar Shave Club not only grabbed new customers but also built a loyal community, and by increasing retention by 25% over the year, Dollar Shave Club was able to get a good grip on its growth.

But their content-driven strategy is a textbook example of a way to shoot website growth and customer loyalty because it is the content you build (and they build) that will drive people there. That’s why aligning your content with search intent is key to ensuring your audience finds what they need — and stays engaged.

Off-Page SEO: Building Authority   

Off-page SEO was used by Moz, a leading SEO software company, to establish its online authority and to gain traffic to its site. The backlink building was one of the main tactics. Moz had authoritative sites like Search Engine Journal and Neil Patel backlink the post along with high-profile industry blogs. This significantly boosted their domain authority and, more importantly, increased organic traffic by 35%.

In addition, they focused on managing local SEO to target businesses in the Seattle area, where Moz is headquartered. Moz optimized their Google My Business profile and encouraged review by working with Yelp, leaving reviewers with programmatic Thank You emails after submitting a review, as well as updated NAP (name, address, phone number) consistent across all online directories, and an increased 50% local search visibility. It consequently drove an increase in local leads and inquiries.

Lastly, Moz used Moz for Building Brand Awareness through optimizing their social media profiles. When it came to social media platform engagement, they aimed at raising engagement by posting SEO tips that make sense and linking them back to their happy little site. These platforms brought 40% of referred visitors to their website.

Moz had boosted its authority using backlinks, local SEO, and social media to grow its traffic and brand visibility to significantly higher levels across multiple channels. If you’re looking for expert help tailored to your business, Genzpro Tech offers strategic SEO solutions that bridge technical, content, and off-page SEO into one seamless growth plan.

Analytics & Reporting: Measuring Progress   

Analytics and reporting have greatly helped Airbnb make measurable improvements to online performance. They used SEMrush for ranking reports, which helped track their keyword rankings.

Airbnb consisted of tools such as Google Analytics to track website traffic as well as how users were behaving on the site. It found out where the visitors were coming from and which pages were more engaged. The data that they analysed made them realise that mobile traffic was growing so fast that they needed to optimise their mobile experience. Mobile traffic was 25% up in the last six months as a result.

The tools Airbnb used for ranking reports included SEMrush, which helped track their rankings for the various search terms like vacation rentals and short-term rentals. They identified which keywords were underperforming keywords and used that data to revise their content and SEO strategy. If you’re trying to achieve similar improvements,

it’s critical to run a complete SEO audit for better results, ensuring all areas of your site are optimized for search engines and users alike., which gave them the ability to change their content strategy and SEO tactics so that they are able to get a 30% improvement in rankings for these keywords.

Airbnb also took the time to closely keep an eye on conversion rates as a way to measure how well their website was converting viewers into bookings. They optimized their checkout process and A/B tested various landing page layouts to finally improve their conversion by 15%. Airbnb did this through comprehensive analytics and reporting and thereby got their foot forward to drive targeted improvements and as a result boosted traffic, rankings and bookings.  

 2.  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of SEO Providers        

 The Good: High-Quality SEO Providers   

Aira is another great example of a good and long-term SEO provider. The Fitnessista works together with them to enhance their SEO visibility and audience engagement. The difference between Aira and agencies that guarantee results was that they set up a sustainable SEO base, giving organic traffic a 50% gain in 6 months.

Their track record of proven success with strategic and white hat SEO using clients such as T Mobile and Gumtree stands as evidence of a track record backed by success. When starting with The Fitnessista, Aira did research on keywords that were low in competition but had high value and that applied to the audience. Then they used already existing blog content and optimized it to match these keywords, increasing their ranking on these key terms to a large extent, thus contributing to the massive traffic increase.

The Fitnessista’s ability to see exactly what was going to change made them feel comfortable enough to communicate transparently, so The Fitnessista knew exactly what was going to change. Aira also came with some clear proposals on what each phase of the SEO strategy is meant to be (content updates, on-page updates and link building). This increased engagement, organic leads resulted in long-term growth for The Fitnessista.

Aira has stood for the most part and has built trust and obtained real outcomes for clients through their commitment to serious, moral SEO rehearses.

The Bad: Avoid These Red Flags   

A business, DoodlePrints, that provides custom print on demand fell into the trap of a budget SEO provider who was ‘guaranteeing overnight rankings’ for a whopping small fee of $200 per month. The agency, without providing any evidence, promised to get them on the first page of Google in 30 days for several competitive keywords, guaranteed. When they were excited at first to start seeing some initial improvements in their traffic, a spike arrived and disappeared.

The agency purchased backlinks to their website from irrelevant sites with poor quality, which Google flagged as black hat tactics. About a month later, the DoodlePrints website dropped its rankings drastically and organic traffic tanked by 45%. Worst of all, the agency would not be transparent about the methods they used and refused to provide any details to repeated requests. Moreover, they continued sending mass emails with generic offers for ‘more discounted’ services, showing a lack of attention to DoodlePrints’ actual needs.

Hence, the business wasted months recovering from the penalties, which not only blew away their rankings but also slashed their sales by 50%. The plight of Yahoo SEO represents just how critical it is to be on the lookout for agencies on offer low prices, unrealistic guarantees, and short-term guarantees that invariably end up causing perpetual injury to your SEO and your general business execution.

The Ugly: Beware of Scams   

When I hired an SEO scam agency to bring me rankings for just $150/month, in the end, it all fell into the hands of GreenTech Solutions, which was a small environmental consultancy. GreenTech signed on, desperate to expand their online presence, but the offer seemed just too good to be true. The agency, however, had no professional website, no professionally written MI, and no client testimonials or case studies to back up their claims. GreenTech completely overlooked these red flags.

He paid for the service and never got any useful reports or updates. The agency’s so-called ‘SEO programme’ was vague with a lot of overuse of keywords and just shady backlinks from dodgy sites. GreenTech held a static rank within a month, and yet organic traffic did not improve. And worse still, as they ranked well for their keywords, they were starting to drop in the Google rankings, and Google was flagging their website for unnatural linking practices. This reduced traffic by 35% and leading the company to lose potential clients due to the penalty.

The agency could not be reached for clarity or results following repeated requests, and GreenTech was stuck with nothing to do. All that cost them more time and money to recover from the penalties. Clearly, in this case, one should not trust agencies willing to offer them a deal that is too good to be true, untrustworthy and unable to produce verifiable results.

3.  When Should You Pay for SEO?    

When to Invest in SEO

Glossier faced intense e-commerce competition, which required expert SEO intervention to scale effectively. A popular brand with a direct-to-consumer model in its DNA was aware it had several technical issues related to its website—old, slow load times, bad mobile optimization, etc. When Glossier had unsuccessfully been trying to do their SEO in-house, they chose to hire SEO services to help overcome these challenges.

In order to optimize their site’s technical aspects, they hired a specialized agency. Its ability to fix issues such as page speed, mobile responsiveness, as well as site structure allowed the agency to improve their mobile traffic by 35% and their bounce rate by 25%. In addition to this, the agency also did keyword research to focus on high-value beauty-related keywords that are optimised for the search engines as well as user intent. It led to a 50% increase in organic traffic in the first six months.

With intense industry competition, SEO expertise was essential for Glossier to continue growing and maintain its leadership. By hiring an expert, they could solve the technical issues and the industry-specific thing; in other words, they do not have to bother with the SEO things anymore and concentrate on different angles of business development that deliver so much measurable SEO success. The unfortunate fact of this case is that in these cases, you have a complicated project, a technical barrier, is outside of your control or if you don’t have much time, you’re in an industry with specific needs, you should invest in a professional SEO.

When Not to Pay for SEO   

Melbourne electrician Jason Rainsforth says he spent nearly $20,000 under the impression Supple Digital would help his business improve its online rankings. Despite a significant investment in technology and the website, he received only four visits a month and no leads. Over 17 months, his Google search rankings declined, and Supple Digital suggested purchasing additional keywords for an extra $500 per month. When attempting to terminate the contract early due to dissatisfaction, Rainsforth was informed he would need to pay 50% of the remaining fees to exit the agreement.

This case illustrates the risks of hiring an SEO firm without thorough vetting. Any business should be sceptical of agencies who overpromise results, lack transparency or demand upfront payments and deliver no tangible results. Research and selection of reputable SEO partners is important to formulate their marketing budgets efficiently and thus lead to tangible business growth.

4.  Key Investments for SEO Success    

SEO Tools   

The main SEO tools would be Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz Pro, and Screaming Frog. In other words, these tools give you the innermost insights of how you can improve your website and what you should be working on. Ahrefs and especially Ahrefs have backlink analysis and keyword research, which exposes that the websites are linking to you and what keywords you’re ranking for.

With SEMrush, you have the opportunity to completely analyse your competitors’ strategies to follow and adjust your own. Within Moz Pro, there are a number of tools that come in handy for auditing your site, tracking your keywords and developing a link-building strategy. Screaming Frog is great for conducting the technical audit, finding things like broken links, missing meta tags, or duplicate content, for instance.

Having a use for these tools at all times, you can monitor your SEO progress, identify opportunities and improve your strategy to achieve the desired results. Backbone for an effective SEO campaign.

Training and Education   

Staying ahead of the SEO curve is fundamental in ever ever-changing world of SEO, and it is necessary to keep investing in your learning continuously. Platforms such as Coursera or Udemy provide us with in-depth SEO training courses that one can take online. Be in touch with workshops and webinars to know about the best practices and latest trends on the market. MozCon or even SMX is the type of industry conference where you can network with other SEO experts directly and get some valuable insights. These resources help you become familiar with SEO intricacies and apply effective strategies to your website.

Quality Content Creation   

One big thing to invest in is hiring professional writers, content strategists, and subject matter experts who will have a huge impact on your SEO efforts. Professional team, these experts can create excellent, interesting, as well as optimized for search engines content that is both informative and helpful. Written content will gain you more authority, usher in more organic traffic and hold users engaged. Having dedicated content strategists means your content will help you towards your SEO goals, and subject matter experts bring the credibility and depth to your topics. This combination improves your rankings, provides a better user experience and will strengthen your site’s overall SEO performance.

Technical Audits   

It’s essential to have regular technical audits to preserve a good-performing website in search rankings. Such audits help determine and fix such things as poor mobile optimization, slow load times, broken links, duplicate content, etc., that can impede SEO. They can be identified using tools such as Screaming Frog or Google Search Console.

This is done by doing these audits often, to ensure your site is completely optimised and therefore, search engines will crawl and index your site well. Get technical issues fixed immediately to avoid a penalty and keep or even improve the position of your web page on the search results list.

5.  How to Choose the Right SEO Provider    

Research Before You Hire   

Before hiring an SEO provider, it is necessary to do proper research to make sure you choose wisely. First, check their website and portfolio. This will give you an understanding of the types of existing businesses they’ve worked with and their abilities. A strong portfolio of successful projects is a good indicator of their expertise. Second, search for client testimonials and case studies to determine how the company has aided in the success of a customer or two.

They are useful real-world examples and give good insight into their effectiveness. In addition to that, read online reviews, but be wary of writing too positive reviews; some reviews might be biased or even faked. Look out for any repeating type of feedback, as it can be useful in understanding if their services match with what you need. And when you carry out this research, you choose a good, well-set-up and reputed SEO service provider who can yield measurable results.

Ask the Right Questions   

If you are going to entrust an SEO provider with your business, you should ask these kinds of questions to know whether they could be a good fit for your business. Therefore, the first thing you will probably want to ask is about their strategy for your business. They do not have the one-size-fits-all approach and instead should opt for adapting the plan to your industry, goals, and target audience.

Then, inquire about how they define their success. Do they care about traffic growth, conversions, or keyword rankings? Aligning expectations with performance is what will help you to understand their metrics. Finally, have questions about what you can realistically expect as results. SEO is a long-term strategy, so avoid anyone who promises immediate results, as it takes time to show outcomes. A reputable SEO company should have defined objectives for your site, and outline the timetable for which you can anticipate seeing obvious signs of progress. These questions guarantee that you are hiring a provider that is transparent, realistic and really cares about seeing your business succeed.

Get Everything in Writing   

Before hiring an SEO provider, you need everything in writing to avoid miscommunication and keep things transparent. Then, ensure that deliverables are set out in the agreement in order of specific goals, services offered and what is expected from them. Both parties know exactly what is expected of you in the event.

Then set out timelines for which each phase of the SEO strategy will be carried out and milestone dates to review progress. Pricing structures need to be agreed on flat fees, hourly rate or on a performance basis upfront. It takes out surprise charges, or it doesn’t have any hidden fees. Finally, decide upon your set communication expectations: how often will you communicate, what methods of communication are preferred, and to whom are you your key points of contact. This ensures accountability and alignment with the SEO provider on clear, measurable goals.

Set Realistic Expectations   

Patience is what SEO is all about. While paid ads are able to yield instant results, SEO is rather a long-term strategy that needs to be left to bear fruit after some time. On average, you should see measurable results anywhere between 6 and 12 months as SEO results vary depending on industry competitiveness, the quality of your website and the effectiveness of your SEO strategy.

When we talk about SEO, each part is of equal importance: technical optimizations, content creation and link building – each will lead to gradual changes in rankings and traffic. Setting realistic expectations means understanding that SEO isn’t a quick fix; it’s about regular growth over time. Find out anyway you can if any SEO provider offers to deliver instant first-page rankings. Think of SEO as a journey and one with consistent effort, which leads to sustainable growth and long-term results.

6.  The DIY SEO Approach    

Learn the Basics   

Moreover, just to start learning SEO, you must learn the basics. Then begin by tracking down respected SEO blogs such as Moz, Backlinko, or even Neil Patel’s blog, because they tend to regularly share understandable, helpful, and in the case of many, even humorous insights, secrets, and updates.

They will also serve in keeping you up to date with changes within the industry and what the best practice is. It should also include taking online courses from platforms like Udemy, Coursera, HubSpot Academy, or similar, which provide beginner-friendly tutorials and certifications. Moreover, join SEO communities on forums such as Reddit or Twitter and ask questions, share experiences and learn from people. Interacting with other SEO Goers will further help you to understand better and get support while learning this skill. This will help you: a) learn about SEO from these steps b) understand these very foundational SEO steps.

Focus on the Fundamentals   

When it comes to SEO, there are a few top things you can do to get long-term success. The first step is to have quality, valuable and relevant content. Google rewards good quality sites with useful well well-written content. Subsequently, mobile friendliness should be prioritized since more people browse on mobile devices than on desktops.

Your website should be easily responsive, and the navigation to be easy on any device. And finally, if your website structure is to be user-friendly, your website has to be a user-friendly one with clear headings, easy-to-read content and the like. A structured website that makes users and search engines to find what they need also helps in increasing engagement and rankings. Consistently working on these fundamental parts will both give your web page some SEO friendliness and improve your site’s quality to please Google with higher rankings.

Use Free SEO Tools   

It doesn’t cost you much to start with SEO tools. Google Search Console and Google Analytics are free tools. Google Search Console lets you see how your website performs in search results and find errors, such as crawl errors, and submit site maps for indexing. It shows you how visitors interact with specific pages on your site and deep down where they came from.

These are SEO metrics tracking tools that help you track what you need to and help you find what you have overlooked. Furthermore, Bing Webmaster Tools as well as Google Keyword Planner can aid in your keyword research as well as allow content to be optimized based on real user data. Using these free tools regularly will help you fine-tune your SEO strategy and see your progress without spending too hard.

Monitor, Adjust, and Improve   

SEO isn’t a quick task and should not be followed up with set and forget. Keep track of your rankings in the promotion of the targeted keywords. Tools like Google Search Console and SEMrush help you track your keyword rankings and monitor how they evolve. Use Google Analytics to watch your traffic and see which pages and which drivers bring the most visitors.

If the pages are simply not performing, then the content might need tweaks, or on-page elements could be optimized. Finally, based on the data, adjust your tactics. If something isn’t working, it is the most straightforward thing to do to change it to see if that solves it and to be as specific as possible about what isn’t working. SEO is an ongoing process, so continuously improving based on data helps your site stay competitive and visible.

7.  The Power of SEO: Why It’s a Game-Changer    

SEO vs. Paid Ads: A Long-Term Strategy   

One such example of that difference between SEO and paid ads is the case of Everlast, a popular fitness brand. Everlast had always relied on pay-per-click advertising to drive high amounts of traffic to its website. They initially drove traffic from paid ads, but this brought instant traffic at a constant budget, which was required to maintain it. After they focused on SEO, they started by developing organic rankings for high-converting keywords.

In the next 12 months, their site’s organic traffic went up by 60%, yet the cost plummeted for acquiring new visitors. The key benefit? Consequently, their organic traffic continued to grow even without ongoing ad spend, and paid ads only provided them temporary traffic. This switched them to SEO, thereby saving costs on ads and improving the revenue on investment with time. By the end of the year, paid ads cost per acquisition dropped by 35%, and the company experienced an increase in sales revenue through organic search.

Revenue Growth Through SEO   

Revolve, a widely popular fashion retailer, decided to take advantage of SEO to complement its already successful paid advertising campaigns. Up until recently, Revolve heavily relied on paid ads to get traffic, but they saw the potential long-term benefit of focusing more on organic search. In the content area, they invested in creating high quality SEO optimized fashion collection, influencer partnerships and seasonal trends-related content. In its first six months, Revolve went from gaining 40% more organic traffic to $50K of organic revenue and $ 250 K.

But the key to their success was that they were targeting specific long-tail keywords from their niche, one of which was ‘summer dresses for beach weddings’ or ‘sustainable fashion brands.’ However, while these long-tailed keywords are more competitive, they did help Revolve show up higher on Google for highly relevant, high-converting search terms. This traffic was SEO driven growth, which meant they did not have to rely on expensive ads to start getting traffic and convert at a higher rate.

Therefore, by adopting a long-term SEO strategy, Revolve has built a steady revenue stream that is now a big part of its business growth and, in doing so, reduced reliance on ad spend, leading to greater profitability.

ROI from SEO   

A good example of a business that has gotten so much return on its SEO investment is Shopify, the e-commerce platform. It was only by investing heavily in SEO by creating a comprehensive content strategy and honing its technical SEO that both Shopify and Dropbox saw a 3X return on an investment within the first year. Their strategy involved rendering their website structure and content, which has value, then building backlinks from trusted domains.

This led to them becoming over 50% more traffic from the organic search traffic year over year, and conversions from organic visitors increasing by 40%. With Shopify, for each dollar spent on SEO, there was $3 of additional revenue. This is an example of an ROI, proving that SEO delivers strong returns when businesses invest in long-term, sustainable strategies rather than quick fixes. Future years show that SEO offers one of the most cost-effective digital marketing solutions, as returns can only continue to increase on such an appreciative platform.

Final Thought   

A long-term, inexpensive strategy of SEO is strong and delivers sustainable results, but it demands patience and smart skills in creating one. Some businesses may get away with paid ads for the moment, but it can pay off more in terms of building long-term, in terms of growing, having conversions and generally things that really make your ROI bigger. Regardless of whether you do it yourself or hire experts, you have to make sure that you have realistic expectations, choose the right provider and make the right investments into the right tools to be successful in SEO.

Every few months, a bold headline makes the rounds in the digital marketing world: “SEO is dead.” But let’s be clear, the SEO agency in Dubai isn’t dead, it’s evolving. What worked five years ago won’t cut it today, and blindly following outdated tactics can hold your site back or even damage its performance. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll break down why SEO is still alive and thriving, how it has changed, and the practical strategies you need to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond.

Don’t Rely Solely on Google: Diversify or Risk Losing Everything   

James Dooley, a well-known SEO expert, stresses a key lesson many marketers learn the hard way: relying only on Google traffic is a ticking time bomb. Diversifying your traffic sources isn’t just a “nice-to-have”, it’s essential for survival and growth in today’s volatile SEO environment.

The Niche Site That Lost It All Then Bounced Back Through Diversification   

One of James’s students built a successful affiliate site in the health niche, generating over 90% of traffic from Google. Everything was going smoothly until a core Google update hit. Overnight, traffic dropped by more than 60%, and with it, the site’s revenue.

But instead of giving up, they shifted strategy:

• Started publishing short-form tips on Twitter/X, gaining traction in the health community.

• Answered niche-specific questions on Quora, linking back to the site.

• Created evergreen video explainers on YouTube and embedded them into existing blog content.

• Leveraged Pinterest for traffic through visual infographics (especially effective in the wellness space).

• Created a small but loyal email list to drive repeat visits.

Within 6 months, their Google traffic partially recovered, but more importantly, their total traffic was now more stable and diversified. They began to earn backlinks naturally as content was discovered across platforms, not just through search. This directly improved their Google rankings in the long term.

Google alone is too risky. Multi-platform presence makes your site more algorithm-resistant and increases brand visibility across the web.

Build a Brand, Not Just a website: Think Long-Term, Not Just Rankings   

In the past, anyone could spin up a website, do some keyword research, and rank quickly. But with Google now prioritizing E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust), brand-building has become the backbone of sustainable SEO. James Dooley and many other experts advocate for investing in real brand equity rather than just chasing rankings.

Beardbrand: From Niche Blog to Industry Leader

Beardbrand started as a simple blog and YouTube channel targeting men’s grooming tips. Instead of trying to game search engines, they focused on:

• Building a strong visual identity and tone of voice

• Sharing personal grooming journeys via YouTube videos

• Creating a loyal community through social media and storytelling

• Offering value-packed, trustworthy content with a consistent publishing schedule can even help you get your content featured in Google’s snippets — one of the best ways to instantly build authority and visibility for your brand.

As a result, they not only ranked highly in Google over time but also became a recognizable brand in the grooming industry. Their blog content ranks well, their YouTube channel drives product interest, and their brand name itself now brings in thousands of monthly branded searches, which Google loves.

When algorithm changes hit other grooming niche sites hard, Beardbrand’s traffic held strong because people weren’t just searching for “beard oil,” they were searching for “Beardbrand beard oil.”

Build a brand people remember and search for by name. Not only does this increase direct traffic and loyalty, but it also signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy, authoritative, and worth ranking.

Adapt to SEO’s Evolution, Not Its Obituary   

The phrase “SEO is dead” gets thrown around often, but the truth is, SEO is very much alive; it’s just changed form. The old tricks (keyword stuffing, link spamming, exact-match domains) don’t work anymore. What does work? Smart strategies, how high-quality content drives SEO results, and technical excellence — the new core pillars of sustainable SEO in 2025.

NerdWallet: From Niche Blog to SEO Powerhouse   

NerdWallet started in 2009 as a simple personal finance blog. At the time, many sites were still ranking through aggressive backlinking and thin content. Instead of playing that short game, NerdWallet focused on building trustworthy, in-depth, and user-centric content. They also invested heavily in technical SEO, clean architecture, fast-loading pages, and mobile responsiveness.

Fast forward to 2023:

• NerdWallet gets over 18 million organic visitors per month (Ahrefs data).

• Ranks on Page 1 for ultra-competitive keywords like “best credit cards,” “mortgage rates,” and “student loans.”

• Has over 40,000 indexed pages, many ranking via high-quality clusters and structured content.

Even during volatile Google updates, NerdWallet’s rankings have remained relatively stable because they never relied on loopholes. Instead, they focused on long-term, trustworthy SEO built around user intent.

Takeaway: SEO today rewards sites that focus on users, not just algorithms. E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust) is the new SEO currency.

Watch Emerging Channels Like Bing & Google Discover   

 

Many SEOs underestimate the power of non-Google search platforms until they see the numbers. Bing, Google Discover, and Google News can collectively drive tens of thousands of visits per day, especially when Google’s core search traffic becomes unstable.

In 2022, a mid-sized tech review site with about 250,000 monthly users noticed a 30% drop in Google organic traffic after a core update. Instead of panicking, they took two key actions:

1. Optimized for Bing SEO:

   1. Ensured proper schema markup.

   2. Focused on Microsoft ecosystem keywords (e.g., “Surface Laptop tips”).

   3. Improved crawlability in Bing Webmaster Tools.

2. Leveraged Google Discover:

   1. Focused on timely, visually rich content with engaging headlines.

   2. Used large images, shorter intros, and mobile-optimized layouts.

   3. Published content tied to trending news and evergreen topics.

Results (over the next 4 months):

• Bing traffic rose by 80%, growing from 12,000 to 21,600 monthly users.

• Google Discover traffic jumped from 5,000 to 38,000 monthly visits, outperforming their homepage organic clicks.

• Overall traffic surpassed pre-update levels, despite Google search losses.

Takeaway: Bing and Google Discover aren’t secondary anymore; they’re essential parts of a diversified SEO strategy. Especially during algorithm shifts, these platforms can keep your traffic steady (or even growing).

Master Content Strategy in the AI Era   

AI + Human = Winning Combo   

Yammy Ross hits a critical point here: AI is not the enemy, abuse of AI is. Google has made it clear through its recent Helpful Content Updates (especially in 2023 and early 2024) that mass-produced, low-quality AI content won’t rank. However, when paired with human editing and strategic oversight, AI becomes a powerful tool.

BankRate & CNET’s AI Content Rollout (2023–2024)

Both BankRate and CNET, massive players in the personal finance and tech space, were publicly found to be publishing AI-generated articles starting in late 2022. Initially, they faced a backlash, but what’s more interesting is how they recovered and adapted:

What Went Wrong:

• The initial AI content had factual errors and little human editing.

• Google’s Helpful Content System reportedly de-ranked dozens of AI-heavy articles.

• Traffic dropped: CNET’s organic search traffic fell by over 50% in early 2023 (per Similarweb).

How They Recovered:

• Both sites revised their workflows to include heavy human fact-checking and rewriting.

• CNET publicly committed to adding clear bylines and editorial oversight to AI content.

• New AI-assisted content went through 3 layers of human editing, including a final editor check.

Results by Early 2024:

• CNET regained approximately 60% of lost traffic after updating and re-publishing AI content with proper editorial quality.

• Time on page increased by 37%, and bounce rates dropped across articles that were manually improved.

• Featured snippet rankings began returning to previously de-ranked articles.

Takeaway: AI content can scale your content strategy, but without human involvement, it can sink your rankings. Treat AI like an assistant, not the final author.

Reduce Keyword Stuffing: Clarity and Relevance Over Density   

James Oliver’s advice about keyword stuffing is more relevant than ever. Google is smarter now, it evaluates context and user intent, not just frequency. Overuse of keywords, especially in intros and meta descriptions, can trigger penalties or make your content feel spammy to readers.

Niche Tech Blog’s Keyword Optimization Revamp (2023)

A mid-tier tech blog (~100K monthly visitors) noticed that its top-ranking reviews were losing ground after Google’s August 2023 core update. Their intros were keyword-packed with unnatural repetition, like this:

“If you’re looking for the best budget smartphone 2023, this best budget smartphone 2023 review is for you.”

They conducted a 60-day optimization experiment:

• Rewrote intros and meta descriptions to prioritize clarity and flow.

• Reduced keyword density from 3.5% to 1.8% on average.

• Focused on semantically related terms and user questions instead of repeating exact matches.

Results After 60 Days:

• Bounce rate decreased by 22% on updated articles.

• Average session duration increased by 31%, indicating improved readability.

• Organic rankings for “best budget smartphone” rose from #12 to #4.

• Click-through rate (CTR) on SERPs increased by 18% due to more natural meta descriptions.

Takeaway: Modern SEO is about writing for humans first, search engines second. Over-optimization is a red flag in today’s algorithms. Clean, helpful intros and metadata matter more.

Leverage Expired Domains the Right Way   

Alex from Odis stresses an important truth: expired domains are not dead assets; they’re powerful marketing tools when aligned strategically with your niche. The mistake many SEOs make is treating expired domains as loopholes for quick wins. Instead, they should be viewed as media properties with pre-existing equity, capable of boosting authority, accelerating indexing, and shortening the trust-building process for new projects.

Rebranding via Expired Domain: A DTC Pet Brand (2023–2024)   

In 2023, a new Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) pet supplement brand was entering a highly competitive space. Instead of launching on a fresh domain, they acquired an expired domain previously owned by a well-known pet health blog (which had shut down but still had good standing and backlinks).

Strategy:

• The expired domain had 1,800+ referring domains, including links from WebMD Pets, PetMD, and Huffington Post.

• It had no spam history, and its past content closely aligned with the new brand’s target audience (pet owners concerned about health and nutrition).

• Instead of a blind 301 redirect to the homepage, they:

  • Rebuilt key high-traffic pages using updated content.

  • Mapped expired URLs to relevant new product or blog pages.

  • Used branded anchor text to preserve topical relevance.

Results After 90 Days:

• Domain Authority increased from 6 to 28 (Ahrefs DR).

• Average page indexing time dropped from 10+ days to under 48 hours.

• Received over 50,000 sessions in the first 3 months without running paid ads.

• 22% of traffic came from referral backlinks originally pointing to the expired domain’s old content.

• The brand achieved page one rankings for 8 high-intent keywords (e.g., “best joint supplement for senior dogs”) in under 4 months, results that would typically take 12–18 months on a new domain.

Key Lessons from the Case:

1. Topical Relevance is Non-Negotiable: The domain worked because it was in the same niche. Google rewarded the continuity.

2. Don’t Use Blanket Redirects: Mapping expired URLs to appropriate new content preserved link equity and improved UX.

3. Treat It Like Media Buying, Not a Shortcut: The brand treated the domain as an acquisition, not a quick SEO play. This mindset shift ensured a sustainable foundation.

Expired domains are like pre-built roads in a city; if you pick the right one, traffic can flow faster. But if you’re trying to drive people from a travel blog to a fintech startup, you’re asking for confusion and penalties. With strategic alignment, expired domains can slash your time-to-rank and supercharge your SEO without cutting corners.

Diversify Your SEO Monetization    

Relying solely on display ads or affiliate commissions is risky in today’s SEO landscape. Ad rates fluctuate, affiliate programs change policies, and Google updates can tank your traffic overnight. The key to sustainability is monetizing across multiple verticals from lead generation to info products and strategic content placements.

 A Data Journalism Site Monetizing via Backlink Bait and Lead Gen (2023–2024)   

A small digital publishing team launched a data-focused blog in late 2022 covering trending global statistics in areas like mental health, tech adoption, and education. Initially, their plan was the standard model: ads + affiliate links. But by early 2023, they saw low RPMs (under $5) and inconsistent affiliate earnings, prompting a pivot.

Strategic Shifts:

1. Built Valuable “Link-Bait” Pages:

   • Published deep research pieces on topics like “Global Smartphone Usage Stats” and “AI in Education: 2024 Trends”.

   • Optimized these pages with charts, original data visualizations, and embeddable graphs.

2. Promoted Those Pages Using Paid Ads:

   • Spent around $2,000 on Facebook and Reddit ads to drive initial visibility.

   • Journalists and bloggers discovered the pages, resulting in natural backlinks from major sites like Mashable, TechRadar, and Visual Capitalist.

3. Added Lead Gen via Downloadable Reports:

   • Gated their raw data as downloadable PDFs in exchange for emails.

   • Created segmented email flows promoting research services and custom reports to startups and agencies.

Results After 6 Months:

• Earned over 180 high-authority backlinks, many DA 70+.

• Page authority for link-bait posts jumped from 17 to 43.

• Email list grew from 0 to 11,200 subscribers.

• Launched a new service offering custom research, generating $42,000 in B2B revenue by Q1 2024.

• Dropped reliance on display ads to under 10% of monthly revenue.

Stop thinking of content as just a vehicle for clicks. Think of it as a revenue engine: a well-placed piece can generate backlinks, attract leads, and convert visitors into high-value customers. Diversify not only your traffic sources but also your income channels.

SEO Is a Business Function, Not Just a Skill    

Mads Singer nails a crucial truth: being good at SEO isn’t enough anymore. The SEOs who win big in 2024 are those who think like business operators, not just traffic hackers. That means building systems, leading teams, managing deliverables, and aligning SEO with business goals, not just optimizing meta tags and disavowing links.

You can only scale so far as a solo SEO freelancer. Real growth comes when you transition from “doing SEO” to building an SEO-driven business.

The Solo SEO Who Built a 7-Figure Agency (2021–2024)   

A UK-based SEO consultant, who started as a solo freelancer in 2021, initially worked with 4–5 local business clients doing all the SEO work manually, audits, content, outreach, technical fixes, and reporting. Burnout was real, and monthly revenue hovered around £4,000–£6,000/month with no room to scale.

The Shift:

In early 2022, they decided to shift from freelancer to SEO business owner, based on advice from consultants like Mads Singers.

Here’s what they did:

1. Hired & Delegated:

   • Built a team of 3 full-time VAs (content, reporting, prospecting).

   • Partnered with a white-label tech SEO provider to handle audits and fixes.

2. Created Repeatable SOPs:

   • Turned every SEO task into a step-by-step process (onboarding, link building, audits, content briefs, reporting).

   • Used project management tools (ClickUp + Loom) to manage workflows and track KPIs.

3. Moved Upmarket:

   • Stopped taking local “everything SEO” jobs and instead focused on niche SaaS clients.

   • Offered monthly strategy, execution, and reporting, not just rankings.

4. Repositioned as a Growth Partner:

   • Focused conversations around leads and ROI, not rankings.

   • Included SEO in a broader funnel strategy with CRO, analytics, and lead capture.

Results by Q1 2024:

• Revenue scaled from £5K/month to over £45K/month.

• 18 active clients on retainers between £1,500–£5,000/month.

• SEO deliverables were 95% outsourced or delegated, freeing the founder to focus on sales and strategy.

• Grew an internal email list of 3,000+ agency leads and launched a productized offer.

• SEO stopped being just a service and became a core business engine.

Key Lessons:

• Systems = Scale: Turning services into repeatable processes allows growth without burnout.

• Leadership > Technical Skill: Managing people and setting clear expectations gets better results than doing everything solo.

• Client Success = Business Success: When clients see SEO as a business investment, not a cost, they stick around and refer others.

If you want to thrive in SEO long-term, stop thinking like a technician and start thinking like a CEO. SEO isn’t just a skill, it’s a lever for real business growth. And the people who build systems, teams, and value-driven offers are the ones who dominate the space.

Focus on UX, Branding, and Execution   

Patrick Rice hits the nail on the head: too many SEO strategies look perfect on paper, but flop in execution. It’s not enough to know what should be done; you have to implement it correctly, consistently, and with user experience (UX) and branding in mind.

In 2024, Google’s algorithms prioritize user behavior signals, such as bounce rate, dwell time, and interaction, alongside branding cues like branded searches, return visits, and engagement metrics. SEO is no longer siloed; it’s tied to how your site feels and how users perceive your brand.

Allbirds: SEO Growth Through UX and Brand Execution   

In 2020–2021, Allbirds’ organic traffic growth had slowed, and competitors like Rothy’s and Veja were catching up. Despite having strong brand recognition offline, their on-site experience and content strategy weren’t translating to consistent online growth.

What They Did (Execution Improvements)

1. UX Optimization

• Revamped their mobile experience with faster loading speeds and a clean, minimalistic layout tailored for quick browsing.

• Used sticky menus, simplified CTAs, and personalized shopping guides.

• Improved Core Web Vitals, which are direct Google ranking factors.

2. Branded Content Strategy

• Shifted from generic product descriptions to story-driven product pages, integrating their sustainability mission into every part of the customer journey.

• Added FAQ schema, educational pages like “Why Wool?”, and sustainability reports.

• Emphasized “brand-first” SEO optimizing for long-tail branded terms like “Allbirds sizing,” “Allbirds sustainability,” and “Allbirds vs Nike”.

3. Executional Consistency

• Rolled out localized content in key markets (UK, Canada, Australia).

• Used heatmaps and scroll tracking to adjust content blocks based on user behavior.

• Created a content hub focused on sustainability education, driving backlinks and engagement.

4.Numerical Results (2021–2023)

• Organic traffic grew from ~230K/month in early 2021 to over 590K/month by mid-2023 (source: Similarweb and Ahrefs).

• Branded searches for “Allbirds” increased by 85%, according to Google Trends.

• Bounce rate dropped by over 25% after UX optimization.

• Their product and story pages began earning natural backlinks from publishers like Fast Company, Forbes, and WIRED.

• Featured in Google Discover, boosting visibility for their sustainability content.

Takeaways

• Allbirds didn’t win SEO by chasing hacks; they won by executing a strong user experience, aligning brand values with content, and rolling out SEO changes cleanly across markets.

• UX and branding improved not just SEO rankings, but user engagement, dwell time, and repeat visits.

• Their SEO growth was the result of smart strategy + flawless execution.

Don’t Just Learn but Experiment    

In today’s fast-moving SEO landscape, analysis paralysis kills momentum. Instead of obsessing over perfect content, test, publish, measure, and adjust. Experts like Julian Goldie, James Dooley, and Patrick Rice repeatedly emphasize that speed of execution and experimentation matter far more than trying to get everything perfect from day one.

 Ahrefs’ YouTube Channel Growth (2019–2023)   

Ahrefs is one of the leading SEO tools, but in 2019, its YouTube presence was minimal, with only a few tutorial videos and basic walkthroughs. Instead of overthinking production, Ahrefs took a bold approach under Sam Oh’s leadership: commit to consistency, publish often, and treat content like live testing.

Experimentation Strategy

1. High-Frequency Publishing:

   • They published 20+ videos within a few months to gather feedback, identify high-performing topics, and dial in their tone and style.

   • Topics ranged from beginner SEO to advanced link building and case studies.

2. Rapid Iteration:

   • Early videos had basic editing and simple intros.

   • Based on viewer retention data and comments, they:

1. 1. 1. Shortened intros from 30+ seconds to under 10 seconds.

      2. Added structured outlines (chapters).

      3. Improved thumbnails and titles based on A/B testing.

3. Cross-Platform Feedback Loops:

   • Used blog readers and newsletter subscribers to seed video views.

   • Asked for feedback directly in YouTube comments and via email.

Numerical Results

• Subscribers grew from ~7,000 in 2019 to over 360,000 by early 2024.

• Their top video, “SEO for Beginners: A Basic Search Engine Optimization Tutorial”, surpassed 3.8 million views.

• Watch time increased by 2.5x within the first year due to editing and format tweaks.

• Their YouTube channel became a major top-of-funnel driver, bringing thousands of signups per month for Ahrefs’ SEO tool.

Key Lessons from Ahrefs:

• Perfection isn’t the goal, progress is. Their first 10 videos didn’t have polished production, but they taught valuable lessons.

• Publishing 20+ pieces of content quickly gave them enough data to understand audience behavior and improve.

• Each experiment (title, CTA, length, thumbnail) was treated as a data point, not a final product.

Takeaway:

If even a data-driven brand like Ahrefs prioritizes speed, testing, and feedback over perfection, that’s your cue: you don’t need the best setup or strategy, you just need to start. Publish, learn, and refine. It’s the fastest path to SEO and content mastery.

Master Technical SEO Basics   

Saurabh Rana’s core SEO belief is simple yet powerful: you don’t need fancy hacks, you just need to execute the fundamentals well. And time after time, websites that experience ranking drops often haven’t nailed the basics.

 Canva’s Technical SEO Overhaul (2022–2023)   

Canva’s blog and design tutorial sections had thousands of pages, but inconsistent performance across regions. Their growth was plateauing in several competitive search verticals, especially outside the U.S.

They hired Aira, a UK-based SEO agency, to conduct a full technical SEO audit and optimization plan across their global content infrastructure.

What They Fixed (Core Technical SEO Areas)

1. Meta Tags Optimization:

   • Standardized titles/descriptions across 10,000+ template pages.

   • Removed duplication and used keyword research to craft meta tags aligned with local search trends.

2. Clean, Consistent URLs:

   • Consolidated multiple versions of URL structures (e.g., /infographic-template-123/ vs /templates/infographic-123/).

   • Implemented a scalable URL taxonomy to match searcher intent.

3. High-Quality Structured Content:

   • Rewrote thin blog content and added clear HTML structure (H1, H2, bullets, and internal linking).

   • Used structured data (Schema.org) for articles, FAQs, and templates.

4. Site Speed Optimization:

   • Reduced LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) from 4.9s to 1.8s on average using:

     • Image compression

     • Lazy loading

     • CDN enhancements

   • Monitored and benchmarked speed using PageSpeed Insights and WebPageTest.

5. Indexing and Crawlability:

   • Fixed broken internal links and redirected orphaned pages.

   • Updated robots.txt and sitemap.xml to prioritize indexable, revenue-driving pages.

   • Used Google Search Console and Sitebulb to detect crawl anomalies.

Results Within 6 Months (Q3 2022 – Q1 2023)

• Organic traffic increased by 124% to tutorial and template pages across non-US regions (e.g., India, UK, Australia).

• Average keyword rankings improved by 3.7 positions globally (based on SEMrush and GSC data).

• Indexed URLs reduced by 20%, eliminating duplicate content and crawl waste.

• Page speed improvements led to a 17% drop in bounce rate across mobile devices.

• Enhanced structured data earned them new featured snippets and FAQ-rich results, especially in how-to content.

Why It Worked:

• They didn’t try to game the algorithm; they focused on fixing what was broken.

• They followed Saurabh Rana’s principle: optimize what you already have before building more.

• They used basic but powerful tools: PageSpeed Insights, GSC, and Sitechecker to guide execution.

Takeaway:

Whether you’re Canva or a small affiliate blog, technical SEO fundamentals never go out of style. Clean structure, fast load times, smart metadata, and crawlable architecture are non-negotiables in 2024.

Recovering from Google Updates    

Getting hit by a Google algorithm update feels like getting sucker-punched. But the difference between sites that recover and those that fade away? A calm, analytical approach. As the saying goes: Don’t panic diagnose.

Rather than blaming Google or clinging to outdated tactics, treat your site like a patient. Diagnose. Prescribe. Fix. Monitor. Repeat.

 Search Engine Journal (SEJ) – Core Update Hit & Recovery (2023)   

In August 2023, Search Engine Journal, one of the most trusted sources in SEO news, experienced a significant drop in organic visibility not just in traffic but also in rankings across high-volume pages.

Instead of panicking or jumping to drastic domain moves, the editorial and SEO team acted like doctors: audited everything, fixed foundational issues, and took a data-led approach.

Their “Doctor’s Approach” to SEO Recovery

1. Conducted a Full SEO Audit

   • Used SEMrush, Google Search Console, and Sitebulb to identify:

     • Thin content

     • Keyword cannibalization

     • Broken internal links

     • Pages with declining CTR and dwell time

2. Fixed Site Speed & Schema Issues

   • Improved mobile load times by optimizing images and scripts.

   • Updated or added missing schema on articles, especially for FAQs and How-To formats.

   • Audited Core Web Vitals, leading to:

     • LCP improvement from 3.2s → 1.6s

     • CLS stabilized to <0.1 on most pages

3. Removed & Refreshed Underperforming Content

   • Deleted or redirected outdated posts (especially news content older than 5 years).

   • Consolidated articles on overlapping topics to strengthen topical authority.

   • Updated meta titles and intros to reduce over-optimization and improve clarity.

4. Used Lightweight Chrome Tools for Spot Checks

   • Lighthouse, Web Vitals Extension, and Redirect Path were used for spot-checking.

   • Checked for broken JavaScript, slow-loading fonts, and unnecessary plugin bloat.

5. Stayed Patient & Tracked Progress

   • Made no sudden changes to site structure or domains.

   • Waited for the next data refresh and began to see rankings improve within 3–4 months.

Recovery Results (Aug 2023 – Jan 2024)

• Organic traffic rebounded by 52% by January 2024 (per Similarweb & GSC).

• Top informational pages regained 8–15 positions in SERPs.

• Bounce rate dropped by 19% and average session duration increased by 27%.

• Over 120 pages updated or consolidated, with a clear impact on visibility and engagement.

Key Lessons from SEJ:

• Don’t chase hacks, fix fundamentals.

• Google updates are not punishments, they’re pressure tests.

• SEJ didn’t start over, but they also weren’t afraid to prune and rebuild weak areas.

• Patience paid off. It took ~6 months, but the site not only recovered it also came back stronger.

Takeaway:

Getting hit by an update is painful, but it’s not the end unless you give up. If your rankings drop, don’t whine or panic; run a full diagnostic. Most sites can recover if you focus on speed, structure, content quality, and user experience.

Learn from the Big Brands   

The most successful brands today don’t bolt SEO onto a finished product. They bake it in, starting with keyword research, content mapping, and technical structure before writing a single line of content or code. This is how brands like PhysicsWallah, NDTV, and Adda247 dominate SERPs despite heavy competition.

 PhysicsWallah – SEO-Led Product Launches (2022–2024)   

PhysicsWallah (PW), founded by Alakh Pandey, started as a YouTube channel but quickly became a full-stack edtech platform. Today, it competes directly with giants like BYJU’S and Unacademy but with a leaner content-first, SEO-smart approach.

PW doesn’t treat SEO as a marketing function. It treats it as part of product development. Every new course, exam prep series, or subject-specific resource is mapped out with SEO in mind.

How PhysicsWallah Integrates SEO from Day One

1. Product Planning with Keyword Research

• For every new exam category (e.g., CUET, NDA, UPSC), they:

  • Analyze search trends.

  • Identify top queries like “CUET 2024 syllabus,” “CUET mock test free,” or “best CUET study plan.”

  • Use these to define product scope and content modules.

2. Wireframe & Content Architecture

• Before launch, the content team collaborates with product and dev teams to wireframe:

  • Landing pages

  • Chapter-wise breakdowns

  • FAQs and resource hubs

• They ensure a clean URL structure, breadcrumb navigation, and schema markup readiness.

3. Technical SEO Foundation

• Sites are optimized for Core Web Vitals, mobile performance, and crawlability.

• Early deployment includes sitemap indexing, internal link structure, and page speed optimization.

• Technical stack allows for lightning-fast page rendering, even on mobile and tier-2/3 internet speeds.

4. Content Rollout with Purpose

• Instead of mass-publishing content, they release strategic content clusters around high-intent search terms.

• Example: The “NEET 2024 Biology” page internally links to “Chapter-wise Notes,” “Previous Year Questions,” “Mock Tests,” and “Video Explanations.”

5. Backlinks Come Naturally

• Their high-value content earns mentions and citations from forums like Quora, Reddit, and student blogs.

• They rank without relying on guest posts or paid links.

Numerical Results (2022–2024)

• Organic traffic grew from 1.2M to over 9.5M monthly visits in less than two years (Ahrefs + Similarweb).

• Over 70% of traffic is non-branded, meaning it comes from keyword-targeted queries.

• Average time on page: 6+ minutes, particularly on structured notes and mock test pages.

• Pages like “NEET Biology Chapter-wise Notes” and “CUET 2024 Syllabus PDF” consistently rank in the top 3 for competitive keywords.

• Bounce rate decreased by 28% after implementing content-aligned wireframes and internal linking.

Why This Works:

• SEO is part of product development, not a separate marketing task.

• Their pages are purpose-built for searchers, not retrofitted.

• Everything is done in tight coordination between SEO, content, and dev teams.

Takeaway:

Brands like PhysicsWallah don’t chase rankings; they design for them. When SEO is built into your wireframes, content flows, and product offerings, you get search visibility, engagement, and conversions by design, not luck.

Avoid Common SEO Mistakes   

You can have the best SEO strategy in the world, but if your team doesn’t implement it well, it won’t deliver. Common culprits? Broken indexing, slow load speeds, sloppy AI content, and over-prioritizing backlinks. As with any business process, execution and communication between teams (writers, devs, and marketers) make or break the outcome.

 The Verge: Technical Issues & Traffic Dip (2022–2023)   

In September 2022, The Verge underwent a major redesign aimed at improving UX and unifying content across platforms. While the visual overhaul looked great, the execution from an SEO and technical standpoint was flawed.

Despite being one of the top digital publications in tech news, The Verge suffered from several execution errors post-launch.

Execution Mistakes Identified

1. Crawlability and Indexing Issues

   • Important sections of the site became non-indexable due to errors in robots.txt and incorrect use of meta tags (e.g., noindex inadvertently applied to key article templates).

   • Result: Dozens of high-authority evergreen posts disappeared from Google SERPs.

2. Slow Site Speeds

   • The new design was heavy on JavaScript and animations.

   • Core Web Vitals tanked:

     • LCP jumped to 5.3 seconds (above Google’s recommended <2.5s).

     • CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) increased due to dynamic ad loading and embedded media.

3. Rushed AI/Automated Content Testing

   • The Verge experimented with AI-generated summaries and widgets for tech specs without thorough editorial review.

   • Some summaries were inaccurate, affecting trust and engagement.

4. Over-Focus on Link Equity

   • While their backlink profile was massive (~5 M+ referring domains), they didn’t prioritize internal linking or on-page clarity, which affected new article discoverability.

5. Poor Team Communication

   • Writers reported delays in CMS updates and unclear formatting standards.

   • Developers weren’t aligned with SEO best practices, and changes were rolled out without SEO sign-off.

Numerical Results (Oct 2022 – Feb 2023)

• Organic traffic dropped by ~34%, according to Similarweb.

• Dozens of top-performing articles lost rankings, especially those in evergreen content categories like “best phones,” “how-to tech guides,” and reviews.

• Google Search Console showed crawl anomalies and a 17% decrease in indexed pages.

• Bounce rate increased by 21% on mobile due to slower speeds and layout instability.

• Featured snippet appearances fell by 40%, especially in product comparison posts.

Recovery Efforts

• By mid-2023, The Verge’s SEO team rolled back some JavaScript-heavy components and restructured internal linking.

• Pages were reindexed after technical audits using Screaming Frog, GSC, and PageSpeed Insights.

• Editorial and dev teams implemented a cross-functional publishing checklist, improving execution flow and QA.

• Gradually, traffic recovered, but the recovery took 5–6 months and significant manual effort.

Takeaways:

• Execution is where great strategies live or die.

• A redesign, AI integration, or content revamp means nothing without cross-team alignment.

• SEO is a team sport; devs, writers, strategists, and project managers must work in sync.

• You can’t “backlink” your way out of poor site speed, UX issues, or indexing blocks.

Understand User Intent and Behavior    

Sim Camp put it best: Google is the world’s biggest store, and every search is either someone browsing or someone buying. Too many businesses focus on vanity keywords or broad topics. But the real wins come from thinking like the customer and targeting intent-driven, long-tail queries that signal a high likelihood of purchase or conversion.

 Glossier: Capturing Buyer Intent with Long-Tail SEO (2022–2024)   

Glossier is a DTC beauty brand that rose to fame via content and community-driven marketing. Initially, their SEO strategy was fairly basic, focused on branded search and some high-level skincare terms. But as competition in the beauty eCommerce space exploded, they pivoted to a more searcher-focused, intent-based SEO strategy.

How Glossier “Thought Like the Searcher”

1. Shift from Brand-Led to Intent-Led Pages

   • Instead of targeting “Glossier skincare” or “Glossier moisturizer,” they focused on questions people were asking, such as:

     • “Best moisturizer for sensitive skin under $30”

     • “Where to buy fragrance-free face cream”

     • “Is Glossier good for acne-prone skin?”

2. Optimized for Long-Tail, Purchase-Driven Queries

   • Created FAQ-rich content, comparison pages (e.g., Glossier vs The Ordinary), and listicles.

   • Added schema markup for FAQs, product reviews, and How-Tos.

3. Built Search-Optimized Product Descriptions

   • Instead of fluff marketing copy, they included:

     • Ingredients, usage instructions

     • Answers to common buyer questions

     • Social proof via review snippets

4. Localized Purchase Intent

   • Targeted location-modified keywords like:

     • “Where to buy Glossier in Canada”

     • “Glossier shipping UK – customs & duties explained”

Numerical Results (2022–2024)

• Organic traffic increased by 65% from mid-2022 to early 2024.

• Over 22% of all organic conversions came from long-tail, intent-driven keywords.

• One single page titled “Best Skincare for Sensitive Skin Under $30” generated over 180,000 visits and a 3.2% conversion rate in under 12 months.

• Featured snippet wins rose by 50%, particularly for product-related questions.

• Branded search volume increased as users discovered them through informational queries and moved down the funnel.

Takeaways

If you’re not targeting searchers who are asking “Where can I buy [product] now?” or “Best [product] for [pain point],” you’re missing the most valuable SEO opportunities. Glossier built a beauty empire by answering real questions, not just pushing product pages.

Final Thought    

SEO in 2025 isn’t dead, it’s just grown up. Success today demands more than keyword tricks; it’s about building trust, diversifying traffic, mastering technical foundations, and thinking like a brand, not a blogger. Whether you’re leveraging AI, expired domains, or long-tail intent, sustainable growth comes from experimentation, execution, and empathy for your users. The best SEO strategies are no longer standalone; they’re business strategies. This is where partnering with a B2B SEO agency like Genzpro Tech can make a significant difference — offering guidance built on real experience, scalable systems, and proven content strategies.