How to Improve WordPress SEO

A client came to us with a common question: How can we rank even higher on Google?

We had already set up solid SEO for their WordPress website, and they were appearing on the first few pages for their main keywords. But could we push them even further up the rankings? Challenge accepted! Here’s what we did.

Step 1: Tweaking Your Keyword Strategy

First, we revisited their existing keyword plan. Using Semrush, we analysed their site and discovered new, better keyword opportunities for their main pages. We then updated their content accordingly, making sure the new keywords fit naturally (because keyword stuffing = bad SEO karma).

Step 2: Perfecting On-Page SEO

Next, we gave their WordPress pages a full SEO makeover using the Yoast SEO plugin. Our goal? Get as many green SEO & readability scores as possible! Here’s what we did:

• Added alt text to all images.
• Placed keywords strategically within the content (without overdoing it).
• Expanded content where needed to provide more value to visitors.

Small tweaks, big impact!

Step 3: Adding Schema Markup

Semrush also suggested adding schema markup for Aggregate Review to enhance their search result display. Here’s what we updated:

• ratingValue (Average rating)
• bestRating (Highest possible rating)
• worstRating (Lowest possible rating)
• ratingCount (Number of reviews)

This helped Google understand the business’s ratings better, potentially increasing click-through rates.

Step 4: Using SEObility for Extra Optimisation

After Semrush, we turned to SEObility for even more SEO tweaks that weren’t covered before. These included:

• Adding titles to images that included the page’s keywords.
• Using tags around key phrases to emphasize them.
• Renaming image URLs to include relevant keywords, for example:

• Before: /wp-content/uploads/2022/05/service-1.png
• After: /wp-content/uploads/2022/05/digital-marketing.png

We also cleaned up the site by removing unnecessary pages, like old test pages and blank content.

Step 5: Adding Google Reviews for Credibility

While not a direct SEO factor, we embedded a Google Reviews widget in the website footer. Why?

Visitors who don’t find the company through a direct Google search might never see its reviews. By adding them to the site, we made sure potential customers could see positive feedback even if the website wasn’t ranking #1.

Step 6: Optimising Website Speed for a Better User Experience

A slow website can hurt both your SEO and user experience, leading to higher bounce rates. To contribute to improving WordPress SEO, we optimise the site’s speed by:

• Compressing images using online tools like Bulk Resize Photos or website plugins such as Smush.
• Enabling caching, with a plugin like WP Fastest Cache, to load pages faster for returning visitors.
• Reducing unnecessary plugins – especially plugins that are inactive! – as lots of plugins on your WordPress website can contribute to a slower load time.

A faster website means happier users and better SEO rankings – a win-win!

Step 7: Ensure Your Website is Secure

Google prioritizes secure websites. Make sure your site is:

• Using SSL (HTTPS) for encryption and trust.
• Regularly scanned for malware with plugins like Wordfence or iThemes.
• Protected from brute-force attacks by limiting login attempts.

Step 8: Improve Mobile Optimisation

Google uses mobile-first indexing, so your mobile experience matters:

• Use responsive design (most WordPress themes already are).
• Avoid intrusive pop-ups that harm the mobile experience.
• Optimise font sizes and spacing for readability.

Step 9: Optimise Category & Tag Pages for SEO

Many WordPress sites neglect category and tag pages, but they can rank too!

• Write unique descriptions for categories and tags.
• Optimise meta titles for better rankings.
• Set noindex on low-value tag pages to avoid duplicate content.

Step 10: Keep Content Fresh & Updated

Google loves fresh content, so don’t just post and forget:

• Regularly update old blog posts with new information.
• Refresh outdated stats, broken links, and visuals.
• Repurpose top-performing content into different formats (videos, infographics, etc.).

Final Thoughts

With these improvements, the client’s site had stronger keyword targeting, improved on-page SEO, and a better user experience – all essential for climbing up those search rankings! 🚀

Looking to improve your WordPress SEO too? Try these tactics and watch your rankings soar!