- Amelia Sabestine
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Have you ever launched a website and wondered, “Is anyone even finding this thing?” If you’re nodding your head frantically, then you, my friend, need a handle on your SEO performance. But don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about tracking your SEO performance, ensuring your website isn’t hiding in the digital shadows. We’ll show you exactly how to measure SEO performance, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately watch those website visitors climb! Buckle up and let’s start!
What Is SEO Performance?
SEO performance is all about the ranking of your website on search engine results pages (SERPs) and how successfully it draws in and engages with visitors. The visibility, relevance, and user experience of your website collectively determine its success in the digital space.Â
By understanding SEO performance, you can understand what is effective and what is not, enabling you to use data-driven choices to improve your online visibility. The primary aims and targets of an SEO strategy including local SEO involve growing natural website visitors, enhancing keyword positions, and increasing conversion percentages.
Your goal is to develop material that connects with your specific audience, making sure your website is easily visible to search engines and offers a smooth user interface. Setting specific goals allows you to monitor your advancement, pinpoint opportunities for enhancement, and make knowledgeable decisions to enhance your strategy, ultimately leading to increased web traffic and reaching your business objectives.
Key Metrics to Track
Here are various criteria you can utilize to monitor the progress of your SEO strategy.
Organic Search Traffic
Organic traffic refers to visits to your website that originate from unpaid search engine results. It provides valuable insight into the ranking of your web pages for keywords that your target audience searches for online. And the number of visits you receive could lead to an increase in the number of customers in the long run.
If your competitors are receiving much more organic search traffic, conduct a thorough competitor analysis (such as identifying their targeted search terms, evaluating their content, etc.) to determine the reason. And devise a plan to surpass them.
Organic Revenue
Having properly implemented eCommerce tracking for eCommerce SEO allows access to organic revenue data, which is revenue earned from organic visits to the site. Naturally, you’ll want to ensure that revenue is on the rise each month and year, but don’t let yourself be disheartened by occasional drops due to factors like seasonal fluctuations. When you observe a decrease without a clear reason, it’s necessary to further investigate your data.
Bounce Rate
The bounce rate of a website is the proportion of visitors who exit your site after viewing just one page. These users frequently return to the successful search results page to discover something more suitable to their search query.
A high bounce rate may not be negative, as it could indicate that users quickly found the information they needed on the page and exited. Frequently, a high bounce rate means that visitors are not finding what they expected when they clicked on your result, which is a concern. This might indicate that you are not focusing on the correct keywords, that your website does not appear trustworthy, or that other factors are hindering visitor interaction with your site.
Examining the bounce rate of your website as a whole provides a general insight into its usability and engagement. To gain a more valuable perspective, delve into the bounce rate of individual pages, categories, or visitor types to pinpoint the specific factors driving organic visitors to leave and return to search engine results pages.
Click-Through RateÂ
The percentage of users who click on your website from the SERP is known as the click-through rate (CTR). It demonstrates the effectiveness of your titles and descriptions in SERPs in capturing searchers’ attention and interest. The calculation involves dividing the number of clicks by the number of impressions and then multiplying the result by 100.Â
E-Commerce Conversion Rate
The e-commerce conversion rate is the ratio of website visits that led to an e-commerce purchase. In Google Analytics, you can focus on the traffic source to view your organic e-commerce conversion rate, allowing you to determine if your organic traffic is leading to a purchase. Defining a strong e-commerce conversion rate can be challenging, as in certain sectors converting just 1% of your website visitors into customers or leads could be seen as impressive.
Ensure that your organic e-commerce conversion rate remains consistent or slightly increases, and evaluate your checkout funnels for any drop-offs to pinpoint obstacles hindering user purchases. At times, just incorporating trust badges in your store can help users feel more assured about the security of their transactions.
Conversion Rate Optimization refers to any modifications made to a website to increase the proportion of visits that result in conversions. Conversion rate optimization involves strategically modifying your website in the hopes of boosting your conversion rate. You can test out any ideas to boost sales on your website using various Conversion Rate Optimization tools, providing you with the information necessary to make educated choices on what encourages your users to make a purchase.
Time Spent On Page
Another crucial SEO measurement available on Google Analytics is the duration of time that your page visitors are staying on your site. This is particularly crucial for your organic landing pages since these are the initial pages your organic visitors will encounter. This data is very helpful in grasping the search intent of your audience and ways to enhance it. If visitors are coming to a landing page and promptly moving to a different part of your site, you might consider improving their ability to locate the desired information. The aim is to ensure that your website is as easy to use for users as can be.
Goal Completions
Google Analytics enables you to set up “goals” on your site and monitor their achievement. Almost every possible user interaction on your website can be defined as a goal, such as clicking on an element, submitting a contact form, or completing a purchase. You can also set more non-specific objectives like having a user stay on a particular page for a set amount of time. Certain advanced objectives may need assistance from your front-end developers with some Javascript.
Consider the main goal of your website to decide on the actions you want visitors to take and monitor their completion using Google Analytics monthly. Analyze the proportion of organic goal completions to total goal completions to determine the sources of your goal completions every month. Ideally, your number of organic goal completions will rise each month as your website’s search visibility improves, leading to an increase in leads and revenue.
Percent of Total Traffic That Comes from Organic Search
The higher the proportion of your overall traffic that is from organic sources, the more dependent you are on organic search to generate traffic to your website. Usually, we strive for a high percentage of traffic to be organic because it is considered “free” once you have achieved good rankings. Monitor the proportion of organic traffic to your website closely, as a decrease in this percentage could indicate the need to reassess your SEO approach.
Naturally, alternate sources of website visitors are also crucial, and a decrease in organic traffic percentage could simply indicate a shift in focus toward Social Media or Pay-Per-Click traffic. In any case, it is essential to be aware of the percentage of traffic from organic search in your total traffic.
Pages Per Visitor
The higher the number of pages a visitor browses post-arrival, the more captivating your site appears. Google’s main goal is to deliver the most valuable and relevant websites to users, providing value that is not easily found elsewhere. Examining this data from a natural perspective might indicate if you are reaching out to the correct audience or to users who may not be interested in your website upon visiting.
Conversely, your audience might find your content appealing, but your website may lack user-friendliness. Keep in mind, that data remains unbiased while your interpretations are based on personal opinions. Make sure to delve deeply to uncover causation in your data, not just correlation.
Returning vs. New Users
The amount of returning visitors to your website can indicate the level of engagement and brand connection users have. If all your visitors make a purchase but never come back to purchase again, you are missing out on a significant income opportunity! In an ideal situation, your visitors will not only make a purchase but also share it on social media, post links in forums such as Reddit, and come back to buy again!
I like to view the graphical pie chart that Google Analytics offers, even though they present the data in various visual formats. Moving the cursor over the pie chart will display the exact amount of visitors. The number of new and returning visitors must continue to grow every month, but it is also important to monitor the balance between new and returning visitors to gauge the organic growth of your site.
Crawl Errors
Search engines depend on automated crawlers to scan your website and include it in their database. If Google and other search engines cannot comprehend your website, your rankings will be affected, no matter how excellent your website is.
Luckily, Google offers a feature in their Search Console (previously known as Webmaster Tools) that enables you to inspect crawl errors and notify you about any problems with crawling your pages. If you are experiencing numerous crawl issues in the Search Console, there are likely other significant SEO issues present.
Traffic By Device Type
As mobile eCommerce statistics reveal a growing number of users are using the internet without traditional desktops, it’s crucial to monitor the devices accessed for your website. Currently, most online traffic is generated by mobile devices, underscoring the significance of identifying the devices your visitors use to optimize user experience on your website for all users.Â
You have the option to verify the mobile-friendliness of your website by using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test page. You have the option to further analyze this data to determine if the majority of your users have a preference for a certain type of device over another. If most of your mobile users use Android OS, focus on optimizing your site for Android devices before considering IOS devices.
Phone Tracking
You won’t have a complete understanding of your SEO campaign performance without monitoring phone calls originating from your website. This is particularly valid for websites that focus on generating leads and holds greater significance for certain sectors compared to others. Based on the sector, all of your leads might come from phone calls, ranging up to 100%! If call tracking is not in place, you will not have much information on how they discovered you.
Call tracking gives you customer data and insights needed for informed strategic decisions, allowing you to concentrate on effective traffic sources. While some call tracking services offer more features than others, most will provide information on the source of the call, call duration, customer search query, and other pertinent details.
Some companies provide products and services that may require a phone call discussion before making a purchase. This is particularly accurate in numerous B2B (business-to-business) sectors. Call tracking is a crucial aspect of a digital marketing strategy and should be given proper attention.
Keyword Volume
Are you focusing on keywords that are commonly searched for? Being ranked on the initial page for numerous keywords with no search traffic is not valuable. Picture a scenario where your company offers for sale various furniture items including beds, bedsides, dressing tables, cupboards, and chest of drawers.Â
If everything else is the same, it would be smart to concentrate on “beds” because it has the highest search volume. Nevertheless, it is recognized that there is a disparity in the profitability of cupboards, with their profit margins being unreasonably high in the current market.
Keyword Relevance & Search Intent
To measure SEO success you need to see if the keywords you are focusing on match your audience’s interests. Do you have a clear understanding of the search intent and are you providing what the searcher is likely looking for? For instance, if your site specializes in selling cupboards, being ranked for “free cupboards” is not as valuable as being ranked for “cupboards for sale”. However, a small number of people searching for free cupboards might be convinced to purchase some, so do not dismiss those keywords entirely.
Keyword Quantity
Naturally, we desire popular and pertinent keywords, but we also desire a large quantity of them! Every month, make sure to monitor the quantity of keywords ranking at the top position, on the first page, and also on the second and third pages of search results.
Search for monthly growth in these figures and prevent losing positions on keywords that have generated valuable traffic. The more relevant keywords your site ranks for, the more organic traffic it will receive.
Domain Quantity
The number of domains that are linked to your site shows how credible you are. In a general sense, the greater the number of domains that connect to your website, the more beneficial it is.
Domain Quality
The search engine evaluates domain quality based on various factors such as backlink profile, domain age, and numerous other metrics.
Domain Relevancy
The importance lies not only in the quantity and quality of domains but also in their relevance. Google’s search algorithm can form numerous kinds of connections.
Page Quality
Just like domain quality, but focusing on individual pages instead. If the links are from low-quality pages on a strong domain, they will not have the same impact as links coming from a high-quality page on that same domain.
Anchor Text
The anchor text ratio of a website’s backlink profile has become significantly important with the latest updates to Google’s Penguin algorithm to sustain the overall well-being of your website. Your website’s backlink profile should ideally be natural, with the anchor text of the links also being important. When observing major brand websites, you will notice a naturally balanced distribution of anchor text in incoming links.
Tools to Measure SEO PerformanceÂ
To monitor your SEO progress effectively, you require the appropriate tools. Every tool comes with its special characteristics and advantages, enabling you to collect the information needed to improve your website’s visibility and ranking. Let’s explore a few indispensable tools that you should utilize.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a strong tool that offers a large amount of information on the traffic of your website. It enables you to monitor different metrics like page views, session duration, bounce rate, and conversion rates. By comprehending these measurements, you can acquire a deeper understanding of user engagement on your website and pinpoint opportunities for enhancement.Â
To establish Google Analytics, you must first make an account and insert a tracking code onto your website. After being established, the platform allows you to create reports, establish objectives, and monitor your advancement throughout the duration. By using Google Analytics, you can gain a thorough understanding of how your website is performing and use this data to improve your SEO tactics.
Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a necessary tool for monitoring SEO performance. It offers an understanding of how Google organizes and prioritizes your website, allowing you to detect and resolve any problems that could impact your presence. Performance reports in Google Search Console display a website’s search traffic and performance, while coverage reports highlight any indexing problems.Â
To establish Google Search Console, you must confirm ownership of your website and submit your sitemap. After you have everything prepared, you can keep track of how well your site is doing, improve your content, and make sure your website follows Google’s rules. The Google Search Console is essential for managing and enhancing your search engine rankings.
SEMrush
SEMrush is a complete SEO tool that provides various features to assist you in monitoring and enhancing your SEO results. SEMrush allows you to do keyword research, monitor your keyword rankings, study your competitors, and carry out site audits. These characteristics offer a thorough comprehension of the strengths and weaknesses of your website.Â
To begin using SEMrush, input your domain to receive an analysis of your website’s performance. After that, you have the option to investigate particular resources such as the Keyword Magic Tool for keyword investigation or the Site Audit tool for technical issue detection. SEMrush’s wide array of tools makes it a great option for those who are committed to improving their SEO strategies.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a potent SEO tool recognized for its thorough backlink analysis features. You can monitor your backlink profile, examine your competitors’ backlinks, and discover chances for building links. Aside from backlinks, Ahrefs also provides services for keyword research, content analysis, and rank tracking.Â
To begin using Ahrefs, input your domain to view a summary of your website’s performance. Afterward, you can delve into individual reports to assess the health of your site as well as your backlinks and keywords. Ahrefs offers practical tips to improve your SEO results and increase your search engine rankings.
How To Measure Search Engine Optimization Success?
It is challenging to measure SEO performance without clear objectives in place. Establishing specific goals, such as boosting organic traffic by 5%, enables efficient allocation of resources and assessment.Â
Attaining a 10% rise could be considered a noteworthy achievement. Nevertheless, falling short of achieving more challenging objectives, such as increasing organic traffic by two-fold, could lead to feelings of dissatisfaction.Â
Defining SEO goals from the beginning is crucial to prevent exceeding or falling short of budget. This may pose difficulties, particularly for new or established businesses as they move into the online world. Seeking the expertise of professional SEO services for an audit, competitive analysis, and goal setting can offer valuable insights and direction.
Their skills can help establish achievable objectives grounded in data and research, leading to a more prosperous SEO strategy and efficient utilization of marketing funds.
Reporting Search Engine Optimization Performance
Regularly analyzing SEO data is essential to track website performance and achieve digital marketing goals. Consistent reporting is crucial for understanding the improvements needed. Utilize tools to streamline the process and stay on track.
Importance of Regular Reporting
Consistent reporting gives you a clear idea of how your SEO is progressing and allows you to spot trends, opportunities, and areas that require improvement. By continuously monitoring your SEO performance, you can make educated choices, adapt plans, and remain in line with your company objectives. Not keeping up with updates can cause you to overlook important information that may affect how well your website is seen and operates. Get into the routine of reporting to stay ahead of competitors and improve your SEO efforts consistently.
Components of an Effective SEO Report
A good SEO report needs to be thorough and practical. Begin by outlining important performance indicators such as organic traffic, keyword positions, and conversion rates for a brief overview of performance. Provide thorough evaluations of these measurements, emphasizing accomplishments and identifying challenges.Â
Utilizing visual aids like charts and graphs can help to make the data easier to understand. Furthermore, offers suggestions for enhancement according to the data. This method guarantees that you are not simply monitoring numbers, but utilizing them to enact significant adjustments to your SEO plan.
Tools for Creating SEO Reports
Platforms such as Google Data Studio can streamline reporting and offer valuable insights. Google Data Studio enables users to generate personalized and engaging reports by extracting data from different sources, such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console. By using its intuitive interface, you can create reports tailored to your needs and effortlessly share them with stakeholders.Â
Moreover, SEMrush and Ahrefs also provide integrated reporting tools to assist in monitoring and showcasing your SEO progress efficiently. Utilizing these instruments guarantees that your analyses are precise, enlightening, and clear.
Improving SEO Performance
Now that you have a strong grasp of SEO performance analysis, it is time to concentrate on improving it. Enhancing SEO results is essential for increasing website traffic and improving search engine rankings. Here are a few important tactics to assist you in maximizing your SEO endeavors and witnessing concrete outcomes.
Strategies for Optimizing SEO Performance
To enhance your SEO results, it is important to implement a comprehensive strategy. Start by establishing specific SEO objectives, consistently evaluating SEO and monitoring your advancement. Perform a comprehensive review of SEO to pinpoint areas needing enhancements, including technical problems, keyword shortages, or content deficiencies.Â
Execute modifications driven by data from your audit discoveries and consistently oversee the outcomes. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics and SEMrush can assist in monitoring these fluctuations and adapting your approach accordingly.
Learn more about: How to Write SEO Content: 8 Steps to Create Search-Optimized Content
On-Page and Off-Page SEO Techniques
On-page SEO strategies aim to enhance specific pages on your site to increase visibility and draw in targeted visitors. Begin by making sure your page titles, meta descriptions, and headers contain relevant keywords and are interesting. Improve your content by making sure it is easy to read and stays relevant, while also including keywords seamlessly. Furthermore, improve the user experience of your website by ensuring quick loading speeds and compatibility with mobile devices.
Off-site SEO, conversely, focuses on enhancing your website’s credibility through outside influences. This involves obtaining top-notch backlinks from trustworthy websites, participating in social media promotion, and using online PR tactics. By making your website a trustworthy and useful source, you increase the likelihood of it appearing higher in search engine rankings.
Learn more about: Your Essential On-Page SEO Checklist Guide
Content Optimization Tips
Ensuring content is optimized is crucial to attracting and keeping visitors. Put your attention on producing top-notch, pertinent material that caters to the needs and interests of your audience. Utilize keyword research when creating content to make sure you address topics that have significance and can be easily found.Â
Frequently update your content to ensure it stays current and pertinent, and include multimedia elements such as pictures and videos to increase audience interaction. Furthermore, incorporate internal links to direct users to relevant content within your website, enhancing both user satisfaction and search engine optimization (SEO). If you don’t have enough resources, you may refer to professional SEO Blog Writing Services.
Link-Building Strategies
Establishing a strong collection of backlinks is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of SEO tactics. Begin by producing high-quality, engaging content that naturally draws in backlinks. Engage with influential figures in the industry and bloggers to boost your content and seek their support in linking back to your website. Engage in appropriate online communities and forums to develop connections and acquire backlinks.Â
Furthermore, you should also think about writing guest posts for well-known websites to build credibility and increase visitors to your site. By prioritizing quality rather than quantity, you can establish a solid network of backlinks that boosts your website’s authority and improves its ranking on search engines.
Learn more about: Why Are Backlinks Important For SEO? 9 Types Of Backlinks
Reap the Rewards of SEO with AFX Web Studios!
Tracking and improving the performance of SEO is essential for achieving better search engine rankings and driving more traffic to your website. By understanding key metrics, leveraging effective tools, and implementing strategic optimizations, you can measure SEO performance, transform your SEO efforts, and see measurable results. Regularly assess your performance, adapt your strategies based on data insights, and stay current with SEO trends to maintain your competitive edge. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process that requires persistence and adaptability.
Are you prepared to step up your SEO skills? Get in touch with AFX Web Studios today for expert help and see your website skyrocket!
