Components of SEO Ranking

1. Responsive Design

Responsive Design – Is providing optimal viewing, easy reading, navigation with minimal resizing, panning, and scrolling across all device types. The reasons why responsive design is necessary are:

• a. Only one address/URL to allow visitors to link to content.
• b. Easier for Google to designate indexing properties to your content instead of requiring different signals for the mobile and desktop states.
• c. Reduced load times caused by redirects between device types.
• d. More content is indexed because Googlebot does not need to crawl multiple device versions.

2. Mobile Friendly Ranking

In 2015 Google released a mobile friendly algorithm that gives a ranking boost to all mobile friendly websites. Google defines mobile friendly web pages as easily legible without any interaction, buttons have adequate spacing from one another, and there is minimal content that only shows on a desktop. Since the mobile device has by and large replaced the desktop as the preferred means of access to the internet, Google announced in 2018 they were starting to migrate sites to mobile-first indexing. Now the mobile version of a site will be used for indexing and ranking to better serve the user base.

3. Bounce Rate

A “Bounce” is when someone visits a site and leaves with no interaction. Google Analytics can show bounce rates for the overall site, segments, and specific pages of the site. Reduced bounce rates allow Google to rank your site higher based on successful SEO. Three main factors attributed to bounce rates are Content, Links, and RankBrain. RankBrain is a Google name for a machine learning artificial intelligence system used to help process search results. The main purpose of RankBrain is to improve search results for users. High bounce rates tell Google your site is not what the user is looking for in their search. Low bounce rates are one goal for higher SEO rankings. Ways to lower bounce rates are:

• a. Improve readability of content. Avoid large sections of text by using subheadings, bullet points, images, and bolding words.
• b. Ensure font is easily read, avoid pop-ups, opt-ins, and advertisements while providing the user what they are looking for right away.
• c. Avoid choice paralysis, which is too many options that make it harder for the user to find what they seek. Sites should be minimalistic and not overwhelming with options. Navigation, sidebars, and calls to action should be simplified.

4. Conversion Rate Optimization

The system for increasing site visitors to take a desired action (call your business or fill out a contact form) is called Conversion Rate Optimization. The strategy to optimize the conversion rate is to make the phone number or contact forms visible at all times, usually at the top or right side of the page, and locked in place. Extra clicks to find the call to action will minimize the conversion rate, therefore reducing the overall site ranking. The more pages the visitor views, the more likely they are to contact you. Utilize calls to action related to the photo gallery, interlinking monthly specials, or other pages.

5. AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages)

Developers are moving to this new mobile format (AMP). Google and users prefer fast loading sites. A stripped-down version of the site will load instantaneously because they are pulled directly from the Google server. The downside to this loading speed is users tend to bounce before they get to your actual full website. To get users from the AMP version of the site to your actual website, the design of the AMP version must be as similar as possible to your mobile website. This should include the header, navigation and call to action. Enticing the user to click on to another page will bring them in to your website and conversion funnel.

Conclusion

Site Design for any industry requires a combination of customer service and technical expertise. In order to achieve optimal results, working with Thrasker will utilize these same requirements to bring the desired online presence to grow your business.