{"id":9763,"date":"2021-04-22T15:44:22","date_gmt":"2021-04-22T19:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ladybugz.com\/?p=9763"},"modified":"2023-10-20T02:49:10","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T06:49:10","slug":"marrying-seo-with-ux-for-page-rankings-traffic-and-retention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ladybugz.com\/marrying-seo-with-ux-for-page-rankings-traffic-and-retention\/","title":{"rendered":"Marrying SEO with UX: A Winning Combination"},"content":{"rendered":"

Marrying SEO (Search Engine Optimization) with UX (User Experience)<\/a> is a winning combination for increased page rankings, website traffic, and user retention.\u00a0 Gone are the days when SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and User Experience (UX) were two completely separate website functions – now website design and development implement marrying SEO with UX. More than ever, these two areas work together to meet website objectives: to increase high-value traffic\u2014and then retain, engage, and convert visitors. Whether you\u2019re talking about satisfying the needs of search engines or users, SEO and UX are partners in the conversation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SEO and UX work hand-in-hand to meet website goals.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

SEO and UX are complementary partners in developing a successful website. First, we look at SEO\u2019s role in sending relevant organic traffic<\/a> to our website. We accomplish this by helping Google find our pages, index them, and rank them for search queries. Second, we look at UX\u2019s role in providing users with relevant, valuable information so they stay on our site.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So which is more important\u2014SEO or UX? This is a trick question! The reason is that neither can exist without the other, and both are required to reach website goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Marry<\/p>\n

The question to answer next is how to combine best practices for marrying SEO and UX on our websites. Here are some key lessons:<\/span><\/p>\n

Select keywords in a different way when marrying SEO with UX.<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Keywords have long been <\/span>THE<\/span><\/i> central element in our SEO toolbox, but Google search has to better match webpages with search queries. Its search algorithm now uses AI to discern user intent and identify the context of words used in a search\u2014rather than look at words and phrases on their own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a simplistic example, instead of just finding \u201ccurtain\u201d in a search query, Google can use the entire search term to better understand if a user <\/span>wants to know how to make curtains, different styles of curtains, or where to buy curtains \u201cnear me.\u201d The intent + context equation is further reinforced by the rise of <\/span>voice search, where queries are based on more natural speech patterns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The end result looks something like this:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Use long-tail keywords that mirror natural speech to mirror the search term and improve page rank.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Apply SEO techniques to further help searchers notice and encourage them to click for better search traffic.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Deliver high-value pages that meet the user\u2019s expectations based on the SERP listing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Use UX techniques to engage and convert visitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Once we get search traffic, good UX will deliver on what the search listing has promised and keep the visitor engaged on our website.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Users have a positive experience, signaling to Google that the page delivers high-value information for the query\u2014reinforcing high page rank and increased traffic.<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. This will, in turn, send positive user signals to Google, further lifting page rank and boosting traffic.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u2026And on and on. This circular type of process shows exactly how intertwined SEO and UX are.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Marrying<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Leverage the Google Snippet.<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

    The snippet is the description of the webpage that appears on the Google SERP. <\/span>According to <\/span>Google<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>\u201cthe goal of the snippet and title is to best represent and describe each result and explain how it relates to the user\u2019s query.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The snippet consists of two elements:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Title Tag (SEO Title):<\/b> T<\/span>he clickable blue link at the top of the snippet is the searcher\u2019s first impression and is highly influential in the user\u2019s selection of what to click. Its importance includes its use on social shares. Limit to 50-60 characters to avoid truncation and include the keyword if possible.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Meta Description<\/b>: This is the text below the title tag in a search result. Limiting it to 155-160 characters will prevent truncation. It should include what the page is about and why it is valuable. Use your keywords at the beginning of the description.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      You can customize your snippet through your CMS or a plug-in app such as <\/span>Yoast<\/span><\/a>, which is much better than relying on Google to choose your snippet for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      https:\/\/www.ladybugz.com\/googles-december-2020-core-update-for-seo\/<\/p>\n

      Use headings for easy-to-understand pages.<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

      One key intersection of UX and SEO is in creating pages that are logically organized and easy to read. A hierarchy of headings, from H1 to H6, makes it easy for search engines to understand and parse your content<\/a> for indexing.<\/span><\/p>\n

      In much the same way, it helps readers understand what the page is about, the topics that are covered, and where to find the information that is valuable to them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      The first item viewers see is the H1 tag or the main on-page title (this is different from the title tag which users don\u2019t see). Each page has just one H1 tag, which should define the primary focus of the page and typically includes the keywords. Lower in the hierarchy are H2 tags, which represent key supporting ideas and should be placed at least every few paragraphs. Each should focus on a discrete topic, and keywords should be used\u2014if they appear to be natural to a reader\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Open up pages for better comprehension of how to Marry SEO with UX.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

      Dense blocks of copy with little formatting are hard on the eyes, are more difficult to comprehend, and reduce the ability to scan a page\u2014decreasing the user experience. Some ways to create more open pages are to:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Include plenty of white space in the page design.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • \u201cChunk\u201d copy by using subheads and frequent paragraphs.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Use images, bullet points, numbered lists, call-outs, and other formatting methods to break up the page and highlight interesting information.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Increase branding with logo SEO.<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Your logo is the most important image associated with your brand and your website. Consistent placement of your logo\u2014typically on the top left and in the footer\u2014will reinforce brand recognition. Your logo can also be useful for SEO when it is associated with ALT text that will link every page, with each page then being linked to your homepage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        Develop Consistently High-Quality Content.<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

        High-quality content is the number one factor for both page ranking and user experience. Good advice includes using professional-level copy<\/a>, images, and video; showing your authority and trustworthiness through employee testimonials, awards, original studies, and content assets, and other evidence; and garnering as many backlinks as possible. Next, make sure that all visual items are discoverable and indexable by Google, as well as accessible by users with visual impairment. Accessibility is now an important ranking factor and can expand your readership.<\/span><\/p>\n

        A 2022 Plan to Improve your Blog Content and Turn it into Rocket Fuel<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n