Beyond Keywords: An Overview of the Different Types of SEO for Every Digital Marketer

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) serves as the cornerstone of digital marketing strategies, encompassing a range of techniques and tactics aimed at improving a website's visibility and ranking on search engine results. Understanding the various types of SEO techniques is paramount for any digital marketer aiming to excel in today's competitive online landscape. 

At its core, SEO involves optimizing various elements of a website, to align with the algorithms used by search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. This optimization enhances the website's relevance, authority, and trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines, ultimately leading to higher organic (non-paid) traffic and improved visibility to potential customers.

While the generic concepts of SEO, such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building, form the foundation of any SEO strategy, there are several types of SEO techniques that marketers employ to achieve specific goals and target different areas of search engine ranking factors.

Here are three key types of SEO techniques:

I. Technical SEO: Optimizing the technical aspects of a website

Technical SEO focuses on optimizing the technical aspects of a website to improve its crawlability, indexability, and site speed. This includes

1. Checking on Website Functionality & Usability 
• Optimizing website structure
• Use the Secure Protocol – HTTPs
• Improving the mobile-friendliness of the website
• Build Search Engine Friendly URLs
• Set Preferred Version
• Making Resources Crawlable
• Optimizing Robots.Txt File to Show Google the Right Content
• Verify the Indexed Content
• Reviewing Sitemap to Avoid Being Outdated
• Reviewing Blocked Resources
• Use Hreflang for Language and Regional URLs
• Resolving technical issues like broken links and crawl errors
• Adding Breadcrumbs for Better Navigation
• Test On as Many Platforms and Devices as Possible
  
  
2. Website Loading Speed Time
• Improve Server Response Time
• Optimize & Reduce Image Size Without Affecting the Visual Appearance
• Minimize the Render-Blocking Javascript and CSS
• Limit the Number of Resources & HTTP Requests
• Set a Browser Cache Policy
• Reduce the Number of Redirects & Eliminate Redirect Loop
• Avoid Loading Your Site With Too Much Stuff
  
  
3. Content Optimization
• Redirect/Replace Broken Links & Resources
• Audit Internal Links 
• Get Rid of Duplicate Content
• Use Structured Data/Implementing Schema Markup to Highlight Your Content
• Keep a Reasonable Number of Links On-Page
• Avoid Canonicalizing Blog Pages to the Root of the Blog

II. On-Page SEO: Optimizing the content on a website for users and search engines

This involves optimizing individual web pages to improve their relevance and visibility in search engine results. On-page SEO tactics include 

1. Optimizing meta tags, headings, content, images, and internal linking structures to make the page more attractive to search engines.

III. Off-Page SEO: Creating brand assets to enhance brand awareness and recognition

Off-page SEO refers to activities conducted outside the website to improve its visibility and authority. This includes 

1. Building backlinks from other reputable websites
2. Engaging in social media marketing
3. Participating in online communities to increase the website's credibility and trustworthiness.

By employing a combination of these SEO techniques and adapting strategies to suit specific goals and target audiences, digital marketers can maximize the effectiveness of their SEO efforts and achieve significant results in terms of improved visibility, increased organic traffic, and ultimately, business growth.