In the dynamic landscape of 2023, SEO challenges remain ubiquitous – even for you, the reader of this post.
Do you need help with dwindling rankings in Google’s search results? Puzzled by your site’s recent slide from the first page? Frustrated that your position remains stagnant at #34?
Rest assured; you’re in the right place!
If you contend with these SEO predicaments, it’s high time to subject your website to an SEO assessment.
This is how you’ll pinpoint the issue, enabling you to prescribe the appropriate remedy.
Outlined below are steps to unveil your predominant SEO challenge. We’ve aided countless sites grappling with search-related difficulties, and now, we extend our expertise to assist you.
Get ready to acquire valuable insights and knowledge.
1. Pause for a minute to Review Changes You’ve Made to the Website (That Can Have an SEO Impact)
The modifications you implement on your website can wield a substantial impact, differentiating between securing a prime position on SERPs and languishing beyond Page 1.
In a fleeting glimpse, here are some prevalent issues that may arise on your website:
- Altering individual URLs or the URL structure.
- Modifying page layouts.
- Adjusting internal linking.
Engaging with Google Analytics annotations (if available) might provide valuable insights in this context.
2. Audit Google Updates (Get Ready for Some Good Tools for Diagnosing SEO Issues)
Stay current with the latest Google updates – they can either revolutionize your site’s fortune or leave it adrift.
If you’ve recently witnessed a dip in your rankings, it might be attributed to a Google algorithm update nudging your site downward.
So, what exactly is an algorithm update? Google’s search algorithm is the mechanism it employs to determine a page’s placement in SERPs for specific keywords. Some savvy SEO tactics, known as “tricks,” can propel a site to the top. When these tactics are discovered, Google modifies the algorithm to nullify effectiveness.
However, that’s not the sole purpose. Google also updates its algorithm to enhance search results for users. In such cases, the aim isn’t to thwart “black hat” SEOs but to deliver more relevant search outcomes.
3. Have You Been Penalized? Calculation Changes and Penalties are Different
Your worst fear may have materialized: Google has initiated a manual review of your website, resulting in a halt in search traffic until Google affirms your compliance.
Penalties can be daunting. We’ve aided numerous sites facing varied penalties, which can prove arduous.
Remember, your site might incur penalties even if you didn’t intentionally violate guidelines. You may have acquired a link from a link farm.
Additionally, you might be contending with digital espionage.
To ascertain potential penalties, access the Google Search Console (formerly Google Webmasters), choose your site, and navigate to the “Search Traffic” section in the left-hand menu. A submenu should unveil featuring “Manual Actions” as an interactive option. Click to explore further.
4. At times Google Just Fluctuates (Actually, A great deal of the Time it Does)
In 2023, the term “Google Dance” was coined by specific SEO experts to depict pages that exhibit fluctuating positions within search results on any given day.
Admittedly, we’re not fond of the term; it might be deemed somewhat nerdy. Nevertheless, SEO is inherently technical.
Regardless…
A page might secure the #7 spot for a specific keyword on a given day. The next day, it could be at #9. And yet another day, it might ascend to #5. This pattern persists.
Such fluctuations can arise due to varied factors: Google’s experimental results, updates influenced by links and content, or Google’s algorithmic changes.
Don’t be disheartened by witnessing your site’s oscillation across SERPs for a particular search term. It’s common for Google’s algorithm to shuffle search results daily.
5. Utilize this List to Review Your Analytics Like a Pro (Great for Technical SEO Problems)
In 2023, employing Google Analytics remains essential to identify traffic loss and deduce underlying SEO issues. Here are key areas to focus on:
- Landing Pages: Scrutinize landing page performance. A drop from high daily hits might be attributed to changes in content relevance, competitive shifts, or potential penalties.
- Keywords: Utilize Google Analytics coupled with tools like BrightEdge, Conductor, SEMRush, or SpyFu to dissect keyword drops and competitive insights.
- Browsers: Ensure compatibility across browsers, notably Internet Explorer, which can impact user experience.
- Search Engines: Probe ranking discrepancies between Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Analyze source and medium reports.
- Devices: Assess performance disparities between desktop and mobile, as distinct SEO strategies might be needed.
- Local vs. Global SEO: Recognize nuances in local, global, and conventional SEO strategies.
Language structure optimization remains a critical aspect, often overlooked by major websites.
Adapt to this ever-evolving SEO landscape.
6. Getting a Little More Advanced with Google Search Console
In the context of 2023, revisiting Google Search Console and penalties remains crucial, but here’s something distinct:
To begin, review any significant messages from Google within Search Console. The issue you’re grappling with might have already been flagged, accompanied by guidance for resolution – adhere to their recommendations.
Next, cross-reference Search Console’s search queries with Google Analytics. Discrepancies could indicate Analytics issues, potentially revealing a less dire situation than anticipated.
Inspect crawl data, accessible by selecting “Crawl” from the left sidebar and clicking “Crawl Stats” in the ensuing context menu. Confirm consistent site crawling by analyzing the main page’s graphs.
Equally vital, beware of URL parameter settings – an often underestimated source of SEO challenges.
Stay vigilant in navigating these nuances for effective SEO management.
7. Audit Rankings for Individual Keywords and Keyword Themes
Experiencing a significant decline in a crucial keyword or a series of terms within a specific topic? Dive into your Rankings Lost and Gained report, obtainable from tools like SEMrush or SpyFu. While tracking newly achieved rankings is valuable, focus primarily on the rankings that have been lost. Once the issue is identified, proceed to ascertain the underlying causes using the abovementioned methods. Stay vigilant to navigate these challenges effectively and adapt your SEO strategy accordingly.
8. Still Unable to Determine and Resolve your SEO Issues? All Fails Crawl the Website One More Time
Now is the opportune moment if you still need to conduct a site crawl.
Moz and SEMRush provide tools for refining your on-site SEO, each approaching the task with slight variations.
Resolve the Issue, Regain Your Ranking
Your diligent efforts have driven business growth and website creation.
