SEO is a powerful strategy, but only when enhanced by these other peripheral digital marketing strategies.
There’s a misconception that SEO is a strategy unto itself. Sure, you can fix your site structurally, optimize the headers of your site pages, and build links to increase your domain authority, but those SEO-exclusive tactics can only get you so far. If you want to see real results—and a positive ROI—from your SEO strategy, you need to include these five peripheral strategies:
- Content marketing. If you don’t have a regular blog, you need to get one. Write new posts weekly, or preferably more often, and include many different mediums in your cycle. Infographics and videos carry tons of authority, but remember—quality always comes first.
- Social media marketing. Signing your brand up for Facebook and Twitter simply isn’t enough. You have to post actively and engage with your followers if you want to build a loyal following and reap the SEO rewards of a social audience. Share your content often, and reply to every response.
- Offsite guest posting. Increase your brand’s authority by getting yourself published on lots of offsite channels. Start out by posting on blogs and forums in your industry, then expand to more high-level publishers.
- Quality design. Your site may work okay, but a proper design with a quality layout for user experience is necessary if you want to earn those top ranks. Keep users onsite for longer and encourage more click throughs with a quality design.
- Local review optimization. If you want to rank for a local search, you need a presence in as many top local directories as possible. Ensure your presence (and accuracy of information) in places like Yelp and TripAdvisor, then use indirect methods to encourage your customers to leave more positive reviews (directly soliciting reviews is a violation of their terms of service). More reviews on more channels equals higher ranks.
When working together, these digital marketing strategies can yield a powerful stream of traffic directly to your site. You’ll rank higher, your reputation will grow, and you’ll earn far more conversions onsite.
