You've entered the realm of SEO, and you keep hearing these two buzzwords: On-page and off-page SEO. From the outside, it might seem like two different sides of a coin, and in some ways, they do. If you're looking to boost your web presence and make it more prominent on Google, it's important to understand the differences between them.
Let's break it down into basic English (no technology jargon, please).
What Is On-Page SEO?
Consider On-page SEO as the entirety you have control over directly within your site. It's like giving your website an overhaul so that both users and search engines enjoy it.
This is what SEO on-page includes:
1⃣ Keyword Optimization
Pick the appropriate terms your readers are searching for and incorporate them (naturally) in your text, including headings, URLs, as well as alt text for images.
2⃣ Quality Content
It is at the core of the on-page SEO. Original, informative, well-written material that addresses your visitors' queries keeps them coming back to your website and helps build confidence.
3⃣ Meta Tags
They're the title and description that you are likely to see on Google result pages. Making compelling meta titles and descriptions will increase your click-through rate.
4⃣ Headings (H1, H2, H3 ...)
Making sure your pages are organized with proper headings does more than help users navigate your pages easily; however, it also assists search engines in comprehending your page's structure.
5⃣ Internal Linking
Linking other pages on your website helps users navigate through your site and provides the search engines more information about the structure of your site.
6⃣ Image Optimization
The addition of descriptive alt text and compressing images to speed up loading times, as well as using the correct format, ensures your website is fast and easily accessible.
7⃣ Mobile-Friendliness & Page Speed
Google prefers mobile-friendly, fast-loading websites, and so do visitors. If your website takes too long to load or is unreadable on a mobile device, that is a warning.
What Is Off-Page SEO?
Off-page SEO is about how other people view your site. It is a process that takes place on your site but affects your search engine rankings.
This is what it looks like:
1⃣ Backlink Building
Finding other trustworthy websites that connect to your site is similar to receiving a resounding endorsement from Google. The more quality backlinks you are able to get, the more favourable.
2⃣ Social Media Engagement
Although social signals don't serve as direct rankings, having a strong presence on popular platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram could help boost the visibility of your site and bring more users to your site.
3⃣ Guest Posting
The publishing of content on others' blogs (and connecting to your website) increases your credibility and draws in specific visitors.
4⃣ Online Reviews and Brand Mentions
Reviews on websites such as Google My Business, Yelp or even mentions that are not linked to your company's name could affect the reputation of your website. Search engines are aware of that as well.
5⃣ Influencer Outreach
Engaging with influential people or thought-leaders in your area to promote your brand or content will help expand your reach and generate valuable backlinks.
