It’s 2024 and the digital landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace. That presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses striving to make their mark online.
In this dynamic environment, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) remains a cornerstone of digital success. Investing in SEO can deliver visibility, traffic, and conversions. As with any business investment, it’s essential for businesses to prioritise their SEO efforts for maximum benefit. So if you’re going to invest in SEO in 2024 – where should you focus?
SEO priorities for 2024: organic ranking success starts here.
We pulled together our top 5 areas of SEO where we think you can enjoy the best bang for your buck if you need to bring your website up to speed.
Not sure how your website is performing online? Why not request a FREE SEO audit from caddie digital? We’ll tell you where you have problems and you can spot where to prioritise your SEO efforts.
1. Mobile Optimisation
In 2023, mobile devices accounted for over 50% of global website traffic, a trend that is expected to continue its upward trajectory in 2024. That means that mobile optimization is non-negotiable for businesses aiming to enhance their online presence.
Google’s mobile-first indexing means that websites optimised for mobile devices are more likely to rank higher in search results. Moreover, a study by Google found that 53% of mobile site visitors will leave a page if it takes longer than three seconds to load. That means that optimising for website speed and responsiveness for mobile users can significantly impact user experience and search rankings.
2. Content Quality and Relevance
High-quality, relevant content has always been a fundamental aspect of SEO, and its importance has only heightened in 2024. Google’s emphasis on Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T) underscores the significance of producing authoritative content that demonstrates expertise and builds trust with users.
According to HubSpot, businesses that blog receive 97% more backlinks to their website, indicating the correlation between content creation and link building. In addition, a survey by Demand Metric found that content marketing generates three times as many leads as traditional outbound marketing. This highlights the potential powerful impact of quality content on lead generation and conversion rates.
3. Voice Search Optimisation
With the proliferation of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, voice search has emerged as a prominent trend in SEO. Comscore predicts that by 2024, 50% of all searches will be voice-based.
Optimising content for conversational queries and long-tail keywords can help businesses capitalise on the growing popularity of voice search. A study by PwC found that 71% of people would rather use voice assistants to search for something than physically typing their queries, indicating the rising preference for voice-enabled search experiences.
Find out more about Voice Search Optimisation in our blog is your website ready for voice search?
4. User Experience (UX)
User experience plays a crucial role in determining search rankings, with search engines like Google prioritising websites that deliver seamless, intuitive experiences to users.
Core Web Vitals, which measure aspects of user experience such as page loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability, have become key ranking factors in 2024. According to Google, websites that meet Core Web Vitals thresholds are more likely to rank higher in search results. In addition, a study by Forrester Consulting found that businesses that invest in improving their website’s user experience see an average conversion rate increase of 400%.
5. Local SEO
For businesses with physical locations, optimising for local search is essential for attracting nearby customers. Google’s “near me” searches have surged in recent years, with 46% of all searches having local intent.
Optimising Google My Business listings, obtaining positive reviews, and ensuring NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) consistency across online directories can significantly impact local search rankings and drive foot traffic to brick-and-mortar stores. A study by BrightLocal found that 86% of consumers read reviews for local businesses, emphasising the importance of reputation management in local SEO strategies.
Are you set up for Google My Business? If the physical location of your business matters to your customers, getting set up and keeping up-to-date with Google My Business is important for your online success. Find out about caddie digital and our Google My Business service here.
Contact caddie digital for SEO support in 2024
The SEO landscape in 2024 presents businesses with a wide range of opportunities to grow online visibility and drive meaningful results. If you’re not already planning to invest in SEO in 2024, then now’s a good time to start.
Sign up for our Free SEO Audit or talk to our experts about opportunities to make your website work smarter in search. We’re located in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, and we’re ready to help you grow your business online.
By prioritising areas such as mobile optimisation, content quality, voice search optimisation, user experience, and local SEO, you can stay ahead of the curve and maximise your SEO efforts in the year ahead.
