Gear up for Google’s New Algorithm Update: Page Experience 2021
Jun 16, 2020
10 min read
Google has recently announced an upcoming update to its existing search algorithm as page experience in 2021. You might ask what’s so new in this as Google is known for releasing around 400-500 updates along with fixes for its search algorithms each year.
Well, this is a well-known fact, but it is the first time ever that Google has announced an update that will be taking effect in the coming year. Usually, Certified SEO professionals get to know about the algorithm updates only after they have been implemented by Google.
The new update termed as Google Page Experience Update is being touted to change the whole scenario of Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs). The rankings of the pages will be altered by this update because the new algorithm will rank the web pages based on the user experience. This means the websites that have been indexed for poor user experience by Google are much prone to lose their current rankings. This new metric of page experience is going to be a game-changer for most of the website owners and administrators.
What Is Page Experience?
Google wants to make the user experience much more refined and smooth. To attain this goal the new metric of page experience is being introduced.
Google defines page experience as the metric to decide how the users perceive the experience of interacting with a web page. There has been no official list of terms that affect the user experience of a website but considerable factors that may affect it are the speed of a web page, its affinity with HTTPS, mobile-friendliness, and the placing of ads. The pop-ups and display ads that spring up while surfing a page also determine the user experience score of a webpage or website.
Why Is This Update So Important?
As it is clearly evident that the parameters of the new algorithm are dependent on many existing metrics. So why is this new update being considered in such high regard?
Being a user-centric platform, Google is devoted to refining the search metrics so that the end-user can have the best possible web surfing experience.
And the blunt truth is that the users do not care about the number of backlinks that you have provided on your webpage or whether the page has an indexed code or not? While these features may provide the users with some additional accessibility, they are still not the sole focus of the user when browsing your site. Ask any link building specialist, and they will tell you that backlinks are for strengthening the on-page SEO and not for improving the user experience.
Looking at the online marketplace through this lens levels the playing field for big brands as well as small and medium-sized business owners. You already know the impact of a brand name on its SEO.
For instance, take a look at the SEO ranking graph of Neil Patel. Over time the SEO ranking for his websites has gone up. This increment is due to the ever-growing brand popularity of Neil Patel. He has converted his ad agency and his name into a well-known brand in the field of digital marketing. But Google is trying to change that with this new update. Google is aware of the fact that most of the online business owners do not enjoy the benefits of having a big brand. With this update, Google aims to give the sites a chance to grow its traffic irrespective of their brand name and brand value. This is being done to create a sustainable environment for the website owners, where everyone can grow their business.
How to sustain and improve website performance in 2021
With every new update, a race to achieve the top rankings is commenced. This update is no different. There is no need to panic as Google has notified about this update months prior to its release. Based on the considerations that Google has indicated in its official announcement, here are the key pointers that will help you sustain and improve your website performance in 2021:
Content is still the king
Content is still the backbone of your whole web presence. Ensure that relevant content is being provided to the end-users. Without content, there is no audience. The quality of the content must be top-notch. Invest in a good content marketing strategy and build your content around the keywords that your users are mostly searching for. Hire an SEO specialist for a good content marketing strategy.
Mobile is the way to go
Certified SEO professionals advise creating a mobile version for every website. Google also rolled out an update for this way back in September last year. The update requires every website owner to have an AMP version of their website. The AMP helps the web pages to load faster on a mobile device.
Also, make sure that your website’s interactiveness is as good on mobile as on desktop.
Say nay to pop-ups
Pop-ups are considered to be intrusive for smooth user experience. They also hamper the SEO rankings and many certified SEO professionals advise against using them. So it is better to avoid pop-ups on your web pages. If it is almost necessary to place a pop up make sure that the pop up does not cover the majority of content on your webpage.
Steer towards providing a safe browsing experience
The optional choice of incorporating HTTPS into your domain has now become mandatory for every website. HTTPS was introduced in 2000 to provide a safe browsing experience to its users. And from 2006 onwards Google has been pushing its usage actively.
With the increasing number of cyber threats, it has become necessary to use HTTPS. Additionally, it also affects the ranking of your page on the Search Engine Result Page (SERP).
Conclusion
With every new update, Google tries to make the virtual experience better and safer for its users. This update is a culmination of the updates that Google has rolled out in recent years. You will need to adapt to the same or else you might lose your ranking. If you are well aware of the metrics, then you do not need the services of a certified professional SEO. But in case you need to hire an SEO specialist, then you can contact us. We have SEO specialists and link building specialists that will help you to rank higher in the SEO rankings.
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Choosing the Right SEO Partner: A Guide to Selecting the Best NJ SEO Company
In SEO Horizon, choosing the right SEO agency is essential to drive more traffic to your website, improve your search ranking, and boost sales. On the other hand, if you choose the wrong agency, your website's ranking may suffer. For any business, having a solid online presence is important to success. However, since many companies aim for the top spot in search results, it can take time to outsmart the competition. To establish an online presence, businesses must invest in effective online marketing, usually managed by an SEO company that can deliver results. Choosing the right SEO partner, especially in a location like New Jersey, can be challenging. In this blog, we'll guide you on avoiding common SEO mistakes and offer key considerations when selecting an SEO agency. Understanding Your SEO Needs Assessing Your Business Goals and Objectives Before searching for an SEO company, clearly defining your business goals and objectives is imperative. Are you looking to increase organic traffic, improve rankings, SEO Help DTC Brands, Website’s Domain Authority or boost conversions, SEO Audits? Understanding your specific objectives will help you communicate effectively with potential SEO partners. Identifying Specific SEO Requirements for the New Jersey Market Recognizing the nuances of the New Jersey market is essential. Local SEO strategies can play a significant role, so check if the SEO company has experience optimizing for the New Jersey audience. Budget Considerations for SEO Services Establishing a realistic budget for your SEO efforts is crucial. While going for the cheapest option is tempting, it is essential to recognize that quality SEO services require a significant investment. Avoid companies offering unrealistically low prices, as they may need more expertise and resources to deliver effective results. Evaluate your budget constraints and find a balance between affordability and the level of service you require. Benefits of Choosing the Right Partner To achieve online success and top ranking on Search Engine, it is crucial to choose the right SEO Partner: Improved Website Ranking: A good SEO company can make your website appear higher on Google, bringing in more visitors. More Brand Exposure: The right SEO company helps more people discover your brand, getting it in front of potential customers. Quality Traffic: It is not just about more visitors, but the right kind of visitors who will likely become customers. Easy Measurement: A reliable SEO company gives you regular reports and stats so you can see exactly how well your website is doing. Core Factors in Selecting an SEO Company in New Jersey Transparency and Communication Effective communication is the fundamental pillar of a successful SEO partnership. Find a company that demonstrates transparency in its operations, willingly discloses its methodologies, and consistently offers updates on the advancements of your SEO campaign. A transparent approach fosters trust and informs you about the implemented strategies well. Customized SEO Strategies A successful SEO strategy must be carefully tailored to align with your business's unique objectives, industry characteristics, and target audience's preferences and SEO pricing guide. A reputable SEO company will thoroughly analyze your business and competitors before planning a customized strategy that aligns with your unique requirements. Technical Proficiency and Innovation SEO is a dynamic field that requires knowledge of the latest SEO trends and technological advancements. Assess the technical proficiency of the SEO company, including their understanding of search engine algorithms, on-page and off-page optimization techniques, and mobile responsiveness. A forward-thinking company that embraces innovation is more likely to adapt to industry changes and deliver sustainable results. Take a Look at the SEO Agency's Work (Portfolio) Start by checking out the SEO agency's website and see if it's easy for search engines to find. Keyword brainstorming is crucial for SEO success. Conducting a session can help identify relevant keywords to optimize your content. Ensure search engines easily find your content by choosing effective keywords.. Also, see how other businesses they've worked with are doing on Google. Look at their website, too. Choose an Ethical Company Prioritize understanding the fundamentals of search engine optimization (SEO) before researching an SEO company. Distinguish between legitimate and questionable SEO tactics by gaining insights into the SEO process, its real nature, and the expected outcomes. Ensure the selected SEO company complies with the guidelines established by search engines such as Google and Bing. Avoid agencies following unethical practices, known as "Black Hat SEO," as they may lead to short-term visitor boosts but risk permanent site bans. Verify whether the SEO agency handles all aspects internally or seeks external assistance from other countries. No Guarantees of Results Avoid companies claiming to "guarantee" specific Google rankings or visitor numbers, as Google doesn't accept payment for priority submissions or higher rankings. A trustworthy agency should adhere to search engine guidelines to ensure high-quality work and proper implementation of the SEO process and, a guide for technical SEO Given that Google frequently updates its search algorithm, choose an agency that stays informed about these changes. Check SEO Company Reviews Examine customer evaluations and testimonials for the SEO company under consideration. Seek additional reviews online, apart from those on the agency's website. If there are numerous complaints, it could signal issues with the company. Evaluate a company's online culture and work ethics by reviewing its portfolio, social media pages, and other information. Detailed Reporting Ask about their reporting practices before you sign any collaboration with the company. Using tools like Google Analytics is good, but they must analyze the site's performance and explain it to you. Make sure you get more than just a report, you need insights to help your business grow. Comparing Price and Service Packages SEO agency pricing can vary significantly, so it is crucial to understand different pricing structures and what services are included. This information equips you to make a well-informed decision when evaluating other choices. 1. Monthly Retainer: This popular structure involves a fixed monthly fee for specified services and tasks. Monthly retainers offer consistent engagement with experienced SEO teams, making them suitable for achieving substantial SEO goals. Small and medium-sized businesses typically budget between $700 and $2500 for SEO services. A higher budget may yield faster results, making monthly retainers ideal for those with competitive SEO targets and financial flexibility. 2. Project-Based Pricing: This model involves a singular, complete one-time fee for an entire project, contingent upon its scope, timelines, and specified goals. Project-based pricing, averaging between $10,000 and $49,999, according to Clutch.co, caters to businesses expressing interest in SEO without an immediate commitment to long-term engagement. It allows organizations to test the waters before committing to extended collaboration, with common inaugural projects encompassing SEO audits. 3. Hourly Consulting Rate: Certain SEO agencies and individual consultants adopt an hourly billing approach, with rates typically ranging from $50 to $150. Suited for enterprises seeking specific guidance on isolated SEO matters, hourly consulting offers flexibility without a fixed, ongoing commitment. This model facilitates targeted solutions to singular SEO needs, maintaining a professional and adaptable approach. Why Setting Up Your Budget is Important? Decide how much money you can spend on SEO services, which helps narrow your options. Remember that SEO might take time to show results, but its impact lasts. It is important to note that higher costs do not always mean better outcomes. Instead, evaluate options by focusing on the agency's track record and expertise. While agencies might provide a vague answer, asking agencies for a rough idea of when you might see results based on your budget is advisable. Be flexible with your budget so it can grow as your business does. If you are on a tight budget, consider starting small with a consultant or specific SEO projects as needed. This way, you can adapt to your financial situation while getting the SEO help you need. Wrapping Up Choosing the right SEO Partner in New Jersey requires careful consideration. You must understand your business goals and research thoroughly to select the best firm. You should also consider important factors such as transparency, customized strategies, technical proficiency, and client-agency relationships. Remember that SEO requires continuous efforts that require ongoing collaboration. Choosing an SEO company that provides a constructive working relationship is crucial. Your customers use Google to search for everything, so having an experienced SEO firm by your side is essential to help you stand out in a saturated market. Saffron Edge is an NJ SEO Company that can assist you in achieving this goal seamlessly and efficiently. With a track record of client satisfaction, comprehensive services, and a commitment to ethical practices, Saffron Edge is a perfect choice for businesses seeking to improve their online search engine visibility. Contact us today to learn more about our services and offerings! ...
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How to Allot Budget for the Social Media Marketing Campaign?
With 3.08 billion people on social media sites and people spending an average of 3 hours on these enticing platforms, having a good social media strategy has become crucial for businesses. There are many ways a business can benefit from a social media site and this is why we are witnessing the proliferation of Social media marketing in most of the organizations. Businesses of all sizes and industries are working hard to build an impeccable social media strategy but in order to make it give you palpable results, you will need to set the right budget for it. Allocating the right amount ensures that your goals are always backed up by the required amount of money. Whether it is about promoting a new product or rebranding an existing category, you will always need a proper budget for social media marketing campaigns because, without a budget, it will become impossible for you to know the ROI of your work. But since there is no one-size-fits-all approach while setting the budget for your SMM campaign, you will have to analyze your finances, goals, and priorities in order to allocate the right amount. It doesn’t matter which industry you are in or how low your budget is, these are the key components that you need to consider for deciding the right budget for your SMM campaign. What is the impeccable amount of money that a business should spend on SMM campaigns? Social media marketing is paramount for every business since 40% of the world population is on social media sites. In order to harness the advantage of such a large audience base, you will have to make sure that money allocation for social media marketing campaigns should be one piece of a large marketing pie. According to the U.S Small Business Administration, if your business is doing less than $5 million in a year then you should be spending around 5 to 7 percent of your revenue on your marketing budget. And if you will go with the most basic marketing budget allocation then you can adopt the 5% rule as well. But this should only act as an influence while deciding the marketing budget since the budget and goals of every business are different and that’s why using these standard budget allocations as a base might not be a good idea. In order to decide the right budget for the SMM campaign, you will have to consider various factors that will affect your money allocation. But what are these factors? Let’s find out. Factors to consider while allocating budget for SMM campaign You will never be able to decide the right budget for your SMM campaign if you will have no idea about your goal. For example, if you are hoping for better brand exposure through your SMM campaign, then you might need to invest heavily in paid ads rather than relying on free promotion.In order to decide the budget on the basis of your goal, you will need to look at your previous year’s goal and budget. Were you able to meet your goal with the decided budget? Was there any mismatch between the goal and the budget? Considering these factors will aid you with your goal based budget allocation. 1. Content creation Content creation is the most time-taking process of your SMM campaign and that’s why it will also influence your budget allocation. It doesn’t matter whether you are going to create content through your full-time content writer or outsource it, it will surely need time, money, patience, and planning.If you have a plan of multiple posts in a single day then you will have to produce content on a similar basis and thus it will increase the amount spent on creating content for your social media marketing campaign. Both the frequency of content creation and its quality will impact budget allocation for the SMM campaign. 2. Social engagement A social media campaign is a far cry from banner ads as unlike banner ads, you will have to engage and respond to people that will be reacting with your social media ads. And since there will be many social media ads and many people will be interacting with them, you will need professional help to manage this.These social media experts provided by social media marketing services will interact with the people responding to your ads and since it is a very necessary part of your SMM campaign, you will need to work with experienced and skilled people. Hiring, training, and managing these professionals will have a big impact on your SMM budget and that’s why you can’t ignore it. 3. Tools/Software Automation is crucial for your SMM campaign since you can’t do everything manually and for this paradigm shift to automation in your SMM campaign, you will need software and subscriptions. The advanced software solutions used by companies providing social media marketing services will help you in giving you detailed reports about your SMM campaign, and you will also be able to schedule your SMM ads through them. But for using these software solutions, you will have to buy the subscription that needs to be renewed on a monthly or yearly basis. If you are already using software and looking forward to upgrading it or use a completely new software solution then you might need to include some padding to the budget. 4. Advertising Advertising is another large budget portion that you will need to cover in your SMM campaign. If you are using a multi-channel approach then you will have to decide how much you are going to spend on each channel. If you have a better presence on Instagram then you will have to allocate a bigger portion of the advertising budget to Instagram in comparison to other platforms.You should know that the average click per ad varies from one platform to another and it also depends on the type of industry you are in. In order to keep your advertising budget economical, you will have to target a specific group of customers as the more the target base will be, the more money you will need to spend. A reputed company providing social media marketing services can help you with your advertisement planning.In order to make a social media marketing campaign successful, you will need the right people, the right strategy, and most importantly, the right budget. If you will have money to back up your plans and strategy, then you will surely get palpable results from your efforts. From measuring the ROI to using resources properly, a properly planned budget for the SMM campaign will help you in many ways. If you feel like talking to our SMM experts and want to know more regarding budget allotment for your SMM strategy, then we are just a call away! Contact us today! ...
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How is Voice Search revolutionizing SEO once and for all?
The digital platform keeps on evolving, and every aspect of this evolution affects how your website will rank in the search result. Even a small introduction like a featured snippet affects your SEO strategy, and this is why keeping tabs on the latest changes on the online platform is essential. You will be surprised to know that the Google algorithm changes at least once or twice every day. And even voice search is a result of such evolution of the digital platform and the changes in Google algorithm. People made a paradigm shift from qwerty keypads to touch screens, and now they are shifting from touchscreen typing to voice search. There is no surprise in this type of shift since we always speak three times faster than we type. Well, if you haven’t noticed the rise of voice search in the past couple of years then you should look at the below-mentioned stats:- By the end of 2020, more than 50% of the searches will be voice searches, and this number will keep on increasing. By 2022, around 55%of the homes in the U.S will have smart speakers, and this will further fuel the growth of voice search. Till January 2018, the number of voice searches made every month increased to around 1 billion. During the holiday shopping of 2017, 1 in 4 customers used voice search assistants to ease the process of shopping. More than 41% of the people using smart speakers feel like they are talking with a friend or family member. All these stats might have made you realize the influx of voice search but do you know which type of effect it will have on your SEO and what you will need to do for voice search optimization? Let’s find out through this blog post. The difference between voice search and text in terms of SEO You might be surprised to know that there is not any difference between text and voice search, especially when you are talking about results. The audio received from the internet users forwarded to the voice recognition API, and then this voice is converted into text. This simply means that when you type ‘best mobile phones of 2020’ and use voice for searching ‘best mobile phones of 2020’, you will get the exact same results. But when you talk about the difference between voice search and text in terms of the person’s interaction with the search, then there is a big difference, and this is what will affect your SEO. Everyone using the internet will interact with voice search in a completely different way than search boxes. You should know that users mostly have more of a conversational tone while using voice search. Five ways in which voice search will change SEO The importance of semantic search will increase Google is not only dependent upon keywords as it uses many different kinds of factors like the search history of the user or different patterns of searches to show the best result. Well, this is what we call semantic search, and it is basically a word used for describing that Google is improving its ability to know what people are looking for on the internet. It is because of semantic search that when you type ‘Movies New York’, Google will understand that you are interested in watching movies in New York not movies about New York. And since voice searches are more about conversational tone, you will need to optimize your content accordingly. Start incorporating long-tail keywords to rank better for voice searches. Content will need to be optimized for customers Because of the proliferation of voice search, you will have to make sure that your content is not only optimized for search engines but for the customers as well. You will need to start understanding how customers are talking about your firm on social media and other platforms. You will also need to ask your sales team and customer support team about the most common question asked by the customers and the most common words used in those questions. In addition to this, you will also need to take advantage of your FAQ page and answer some of the most common questions in a detailed way. Don’t make the mistake of using marketing jargon since a customer will never use such words during voice search. You can’t miss a mobile first site Google has already made it clear that there is no way you can skip mobile-first sites, and if your website does not play along, then your survival on the digital platform will become problematic. If your website will take time to load on mobile phones or if it will not fit the screen, then no one will be interested in staying on your website. But even when you consider optimizing your website for voice search, the mobile-first index will come to top the list. Mobile phones acted as a springboard for voice search, and more than 50% of the people use voice search while driving. So, it’s high time that you should start optimizing your website according to the mobile-first index or you will be kicked to the bottom of the search result. The role of featured snippets and ranking zero A wide array of voice searches are answered through rich answer boxes that are now being called as ranking zero in the world of digital marketing. There are many of these boxes that will show you public domain information like how many cms in a meter and these types of answers are given by Google directly. But when you talk about featured snippets, then it is a whole different story. Featured snippets are pulled off from information available on the websites, and Google will give credit to those brands that will regularly come on voice searches and featured snippets. And since you will only need to appear on the first page instead of the first position, featured snippets are a more practical solution for businesses of every kind. If your website is already ranking on the first page, then you will just need to make a few changes in your content and your SEO optimization strategy. The need to pass the radio test When it comes to featured snippets, then Google shows the website aligns with the information, and thus the user can click on the website to get more information. This brings more organic traffic to the website. But when it comes to voice search, then Google presents the answer by saying According to’ or ‘We find this information for you’. This simply means all the brands can gain more from brand awareness. Here, the radio test means that people can hear your brand name just like in the case of a radio broadcast and then remember it for a longer period of time. So this means that all the new brands out there will need to have a band name that can be easily pronounced by Google Assistant. We are living in an era that is being driven by different kinds and phases of evolution and to stay relevant and grow in such an age, you will need to make the right adjustments to your strategy. Well, the same thing can be said about the change in SEO strategy because of voice searches. You can’t deny the influx of voice search, and you will never wish to be left behind when voice search will become a new normal for everyone. This is why, instead of waiting for others to make changes according to the rise of voice search, you should start working out on your SEO strategy and allow your website to grow even when people are searching for you through voice searches. ...
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