Whether it's white hat vs. black hat, the ever-changing Google algorithm, or conflicting strategies about how best to gamify the Google algorithm — cutting through the confusion regarding SEO can have tangible results on your web traffic and profitability.
This blog looks at seven SEO techniques looking ahead to 2023. Plus, we look at how you can smash your SEO out of the park by working with a HubSpot Diamond Partner with proven results in SEO performance.
What is SEO?
If your SEO strategy could use a touch-up or you're not quite hitting the markers you were expecting, then it's time to go back to the basics.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is any number of strategies to make your website more visible to online traffic. With SEO, you attempt to achieve a higher ranking in the search engine results pages (SERPs).
Of course, as it stands, Google has over 85% of the search engine results making it the target of most SEO strategies.
Why Is SEO Important?
The importance of SEO is based on two critical metrics: quality and quantity of traffic flow (potential customers).
With a successful SEO strategy, you can achieve the following:
- Quantity: a higher number of visitors means more chances of conversions, i.e., turning visitors into customers.
- Quality: the visitors don't randomly land on your page and instead are in the market for your products or services or primed to go further.
Search engine optimization is crucial to driving the traffic you need to find and convert quality leads for your business!
7 SEO Techniques to Prepare for 2023
So, how can small businesses improve SEO as we look ahead to 2023? Finish our 2022 with these seven techniques to improve organic traffic for your business website.
1. Undertake Keyword Research As a Basis For Quality Content
Keywords help you hone in on your content parameters by giving an idea of what potential customers may be searching for. To get started, exploring a range of keyword tools allows you to brainstorm, create, and optimize content much faster.
Concerning keywords, there's a vast range, with each keyword serving a different purpose. If you're new to the SEO world, focus on three keyword types: primary for the content idea, secondary for the subheadings, and support to be dispersed throughout the content.
When creating content, make sure to develop helpful content that isn't solely focused on keywords.
2. Level Up Your Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions are the little excerpt of text you see below the heading on results pages for search engines. While it does not directly impact the Google algorithm, it does affect your clickthrough rate (CTR), meaning more viewers to your page.
When writing your meta description, include your target keyword and create a call to action that includes what's on the page and why someone should click it. It's worth noting that Google rewrites the meta descriptions 63% of the time.
3. Target Effective Titles for Content
Titles are often the first point of contact potential leads will have with your content, like a blog post or web pages. Therefore, you should include your primary keyword and a short, accurate page description when writing titles for published content.
The title is different from the heading in the code of the page. Instead, it's a tag that Google uses to index your page.
4. Include Internal Links
Internal links are links to pages on your website.
When linking, ensure the related content is relevant and will add value to the visitor experience. Therefore, link with relevant words in the text rather than calls to action. How many links to include is discretionary and will depend on the content length.
Pro tip: adding hyperlinks to individual words can look spammy. Try to link 2-5 words as your anchor text wherever possible.
5. Streamline Images
Don't treat images as an afterthought!
Images impact everything from page speed to user experience, so ensure you name images descriptively and add alt text in case the picture doesn't load.
Regarding image size, focus on dimensions and angles, as reducing the size of media on the page will boost speed and performance. Remember that in the eyes of Google, slow page speed = lousy ranking.
6. Optimize for Mobile and Desktop
In terms of usage, mobile beats desktop every time. This means your page must be scroll-friendly no matter the device used.
Consider the design from both perspectives. Is it easy to navigate? Are the links well-placed? Mobile-friendly sites rank higher in the SERP, according to Google.
7. Analyze Your Page Speed
A faster loading page will help your SEO performance. You can analyze your page speed using a free tool like Lighthouse and gain insights into the elements hindering this process. 
What if I Need Help With SEO Performance?
SEO is an ever-changing game, and staying on top of all the latest updates can be exhausting. If you're a business owner wanting to focus on what you do best, growing your business, outsourcing your SEO strategy to a HubSpot Diamond Partner like Geekly Media is the way to go.
SEO performance is vital to securing new leads and building brand awareness and authority. So, put your SEO in the capable hands of a proven agency with the right search engine optimization strategies to get the job done.
The Right SEO Techniques Can Boost Your Business in 2023!
Following the basic SEO strategies above will help you get more eyes on your business and set the foundations to garner new customers. If you're ready to level up your SEO performance and get new customers fast, reach out to Speak to a Geek soon!
Get more insights into SEO with our free resource, "The Business Owner's Guide to SEO."
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