Search engine optimisation (SEO) is crucial for any blog looking to gain visibility and attract more traffic. For users of Showit, the visually driven website builder known for its robust design capabilities and flexibility, optimising for search engines requires a specific approach. This comprehensive guide provides Showit users with a detailed SEO checklist, covering everything from basic setups to advanced strategies, ensuring your Showit blog not only looks great but also ranks well in search results.
Understanding SEO on Showit
Before diving into the checklist, it's important to understand how SEO works specifically with Showit. Unlike traditional content management systems that often blend front-end and back-end elements, Showit relies heavily on visual design while integrating with WordPress for blogging purposes. This unique setup means you need to manage SEO considerations across both platforms.
SEO and Showit: The Dual Approach
Showit: Focuses on the design and structural aspects of your website.
WordPress: Handles the blog content, where most of your SEO efforts will be concentrated.
Initial Setup and Basics
1. Secure Your Site with HTTPS
Action: Ensure your Showit site uses HTTPS by default. Secure sites are not only favored by Google but also protect your visitors’ data.
Tool: Check with Showit support to activate HTTPS if it’s not already enabled.
2. Connect Your Site to Google Analytics
Action: Set up Google Analytics to track website traffic and user behavior.
Action: Verify your Showit site with Google Search Console to monitor how Google views your site and optimize its performance in search results.
Tool: Add your Showit site to Google Search Console using the HTML tag method through your Showit dashboard.
On-Page SEO Techniques
4. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Action: Ensure each page and blog post has a unique title tag and meta description that include relevant keywords.
Tool: Utilise WordPress SEO plugins like Yoast SEO to manage these elements easily.
5. Use Header Tags Correctly
Action: Structure your content using header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.). Use the H1 tag for your main title and H2s for subheadings to improve readability and SEO.
Tool: WordPress editor or Showit text modules to apply header tags.
6. Optimise Your Images
Action: Compress images to reduce load times and include descriptive, keyword-rich alt text for each image.
Tool: Use online tools like TinyPNG for compression and ensure alt text is added when uploading images to WordPress.
Content Optimisation
7. Keyword Research and Application
Action: Conduct keyword research to find terms your audience is searching for and incorporate these into your content naturally.
Tool: Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to identify valuable keywords.
8. Create Quality Content Regularly
Action: Publish well-researched, valuable content consistently to keep your site fresh and engaging.
Tool: Develop a content calendar and use WordPress to schedule posts.
9. Internal Linking Strategy
Action: Use internal links to connect your content and guide visitors through your website, which also helps search engines crawl your site more effectively.
Tool: Link to relevant posts and pages within your new blog posts.
Action: Ensure your site has a sitemap.xml file to help search engines better index your pages, and a robots.txt file to manage crawler access.
Tool: Generate these files using WordPress plugins (Yoast will generate your WordPress pages, Showit pages will automatically generate under siteinfo.xml) and submit your sitemap through Google Search Console.
Advanced SEO Strategies
13. Schema Markup
Action: Implement schema markup to help search engines understand your content and enhance your appearance in search results.
Tool: Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper and add the generated code to your WordPress site.
14. Backlink Building
Action: Develop a strategy to gain high-quality backlinks from reputable sites within your industry, enhancing your site’s authority and rankings.
Tool: Reach out for guest blogging opportunities and use tools like Moz or Ahrefs to track your backlinks.
15. Regular SEO Audits
Action: Periodically review your SEO strategy and adjust based on performance and latest SEO trends.
Tool: Use comprehensive SEO platforms like SEMrush or Ahrefs for detailed audits and insights.
Conclusion
By following this detailed SEO checklist, Showit users can significantly enhance their site’s visibility and performance in search engines. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process that requires regular updates and adjustments. Stay informed about the latest SEO practices and continuously refine your strategies to ensure your Showit blog remains competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
This is great info. Thanks for the insight into the idea of regular SEO audits. I did one many months ago, but it didn’t cross my mind again until you mentioned it. I had so many things to touch up! You’re the best!
This is great info. Thanks for the insight into the idea of regular SEO audits. I did one many months ago, but it didn’t cross my mind again until you mentioned it. I had so many things to touch up! You’re the best!
Thank you to sharing the valuable information.