Best SEO Practices to Focus On in 2014

2013 has been a year of transformation for the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Industry. The way digital marketing agencies approach SEO was altered forever in 2013. Google brought out many changes in its strategies, which left SEO consultants and companies alarming. Some of the major changes include further releases of Penguin and Panda, and Hummingbird taking a big flight.

It is important, however, to understand that these changes by Google are aimed to improve the quality of search results Google delivers its users. And as predicted by industry experts, this year too Google will certainly continue pushing the matter of quality. So, looking back on all the changes in SEO, the questions arise: How will be 2014 for SEO industry? What will be the SEO best practices in 2014?

Based on the present changes taking place in the SEO industry, and analysis from experts, let's have a look at what you should do in 2014 to have the most effective approach.

Bring a Halt to Low Quality and Low value SEO Services

Remember, all latest changes and updates made by Google in 2013 were specifically targeted at "low quality websites", and many websites have already been a victim of these updates.

Therefore, it is high time to bring to halt all low quality and low value SEO services that you have been using till now. If still not stopped, your website may really suffer in terms of search engine rankings and you may be a victim of the future updates of Google.

It is recommended to delete all your low value SEO techniques that you have used in the past. Also, try and add some extra good quality links to your website, which can overpower your low quality links.

Increase Focus on Content and Content Marketing

It goes without saying that with many changes taking place in the SEO world, the relevance of content has touched the sky-rocketed height. Presently, creating simple, unique and interesting content can lead to an instant buzz and traffic on your website.

Note that the content you create cannot exist for long until it gains more exposure and makes more impact by adopting the best content marketing strategies. In the current landscape, the best methods you can use to promote your content include social media, public relations, paid advertising, etc.

Make Mobile-Friendly SEO Strategy

A significant shift has been witnessed among Internet users, from computers and laptops to smartphones and tablets within a very short span of time. According to the statistics available with the comScore, as of April 2013, more than half of US Internet users accessed Internet through both a phone and a desktop device.

So, with the mobile search market already growing very quickly, it is essential that you make your website friendly for the mobile user, as otherwise the chances are that you will lag far behind from what is happening currently.

Create Authority Using Google+

You must be aware by now that Google is using Google+ on a large basis to get more socially influenced search results, and so it is critical that you invest in your Google+ presence. The major areas that you need to focus on include,

• Creating Google Authorship of your content, and binding it to your Google+ account.
• Directing efforts to add up those +1s, as it is one major aspect in the “social signals” factor of Google algorithm.

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The Bottom Line

In nutshell, with SEO in 2014 going through many amendments and updates, it is high time to think how you can breathe some life to your website and make it more lively and interesting for users. Best practices mentioned above will not only ensure a better SEO approach, but will also help keeping your website safe from any future updates of Google.