Spooky Good SEO Tricks To Optimize Your Website. 5 SEO Tricks That Will Certainly Treat Your Website to Higher Rankings on Search Engines ??

When it comes to SEO, a little magic can make a big difference! With ever-changing algorithms and evolving best practices, getting higher rankings can feel like a grooling challenge.?

Despite the changing landscape, mastering a few essential SEO techniques can create a solid foundation for increased organic reach. Keeping up with Google’s algorithm updates is essential for navigating these shifts and ensuring your SEO efforts remain effective.

In 2024 Google has had a few tricks up it’s sleeve with multiple alogrithm updates aimed at highlighting quality content over quanity and tackling spam. A core theme has been Google’s emphasis on “helpful content” over AI-driven or low-quality, high-quantity material.

Google Algorithm Updates:? The March 2024 update, for instance, introduced stricter spam controls, reducing the visibility of AI-generated and manipulative content while prioritizing user-focused results. This was supported by SpamBrain, Google’s AI for identifying spam and low-quality sites, to ensure that results better match user intent and relevance.? Another significant change came in the May Site Reputation Abuse update, which penalized sites using manipulative techniques to boost rankings.? While the August 2024 core update continued focusing on delivering valuable, human-created content in response to user queries. Google’s recent?post on tackling spammy content?dives into policies and algorithms designed to prioritize high-quality, user-focused content.?

This may seem like a lot to track, but what better time for a sprinkle of magic—and a PSL pick-me-up? Now that you’re fueled up, here are five SEO tricks to boost your website’s visibility, drive more traffic, and increase engagement.?Also signup for our learning webinars.

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1. Cast a Spell with Quality Content ??

Trick: Create content that’s informative, engaging, and full of value. Google loves content that answers user questions and addresses real needs. A well-researched blog post, a helpful FAQ, or a detailed guide can boost your rankings faster than you think.

How to Do It:

• Focus on User Intent: Talk to your team, do they recieve the same questions or inquiries over and over again? Create a page dedicated to answering common questions. By understanding what users are actually looking for and addressing it directly you’ll increase the quality of your content and save your staff from answering the same question over and over again.
• Create Long-Form Content: Longer, more in-depth content tends to perform better in search rankings. Consider creating an annual events page that showcases the fantastic local happenings throughout the year. Highlight your community involvement with a dedicated page that showcases your company’s efforts and contributions or compile a top 10 list of nearby restaurants that are within walking distance of your condo or hotel. This approach not only enhances your site’s content but also provides valuable information to your visitors, boosting both engagement and visibility in search results.
• Keep It Fresh: Update your content regularly to ensure it stays relevant and accurate.

This is one of the most powerful SEO treats you can give your site. Not only does it drive organic traffic, but it also encourages longer engagement and higher conversions. If you’re interested in learning more tips on creating high quality content check out this blog to master content marketing.?

2. Conjure Up Keywords Wisely ??

Trick: Keyword research isn’t just about picking the most popular search terms. Instead, focus on high-intent, relevant keywords that align with your audience’s needs. Use a mix of primary keywords, long-tail keywords, and related phrases to create a natural flow.

How to Do It:

• Research Seasonal Keywords: Terms like “best place to see fall foliage” or “2025 holiday getaways” can help attract users searching for seasonal information.
• Use Free Extensions Like Keywords Everywhere: These tools help you build on keywords. Find other keywords that relate to your main topic but expand on its depth. For example, if your main keyword is “vacation rentals,” include related terms like the area or “family-friendly rentals” or “pet-friendly stays.”?
• ???BEWARE: Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Keep keywords natural, and let them blend into your content like magic. Stuffing keywords is like handing out stale candy corn, it turns people away. Overloading pages with keywords lowers quality and can lead to search penalties. Stick to natural language, and let keywords complement your content.
• Check Out AnswerThePublic: Enter a seed keyword and click “Get Questions.”Review the visualized data showing questions and phrases people are searching for related to your keyword.

3. Get Your Site in “Frighteningly” Good Shape ??

Trick: Technical SEO isn’t just about site speed or mobile-friendliness (though those are key!). It’s about ensuring your site is crawlable and optimized for search engines. A fast, responsive site treats both users and search engines to a pleasant experience.

How to Do It:

• Optimize for Mobile: Since most searches happen on mobile devices, your site needs to look and work great on smaller screens. That means after developing a page check it out on mobile and make sure your images are sized correctly.?
• Improve Site Speed: Images are the biggest factor you can control. Here are a few tricks:? Common Dimensions Full-Width Images: 1200 to 1920 pixels wide for large background images or hero sections. Standard Images: 800 to 1200 pixels wide for general content images. Thumbnails: 150 to 300 pixels wide for small images or gallery thumbnails File Format: Use JPEG when trying to reduce the files sizes, this is best for photographs.Only use PNG for images with transparency or detailed graphics
• Create a Clear Site Structure: When you’re putting together your website’s navigation, think of it like a department store! Just like the aisles are clearly marked with signs to help shoppers find their way to what they want, your site should have easy-to-follow navigation that leads visitors to their desired pages. And remember, not every page has to be in the main navigation menu. Some can be linked from other pages, adding layers to the user experience
• Update Your Search Bar:?I’ll let you in on a very scary secret… Roughly only 20% of all users scroll passed the search bar on your homepage… That means you need to make the top fold of your homepage count! Don’t let yourself get tricked into thinking lots of choices here are the right choice, save that for the refined search on your interior pages. The goal with the quick search is to engage the user and get them into the site by providing a wide variety of options and letting them narrow those options down as they search. Keep your quick search simple, dates, area and view to make sure the user has results to browse. As a treat for any readers that have made it this far, check out our?suggested searches blog?.

When your site is in great technical shape, search engines are more likely to rank it highly, while users enjoy a smooth browsing experience. Learn more about this and get back to basics when you check out this?SEO blog on the fundamentals of optimization.?

4. Brew Up Backlinks ??

Trick: ?Cast A Spell? Wool of Bat and Tongue of Dog; Build Links That’ll Clear the Fog.. . Screaming Frog to be more exact. Aim to earn backlinks from reputable sites in your niche. Backlinks are a powerful signal to search engines that your content is credible and valuable. They act as a positive endorsements when they come from other reputable sites, giving your SEO a major boost.?High-quality?backlinks from?trusted sites?can help drive traffic and increase your website’s authority… but…

??BEWARE:?low-quality backlinks can seriously harm your site’s reputation and rankings. Links from spammy or irrelevant websites can lead to penalties from search engines, potentially tanking your website’s visibility and performance. Always prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to building backlinks.

How to Do It:? An Eye for an Eye??Or in this case a “A link for a link.” Here are a few examples of how to approach link building effectively: Guest Blog, Build Beneficial Relationships, Create Linkable/ Shareable Content

1. Collaborate with Local Businesses: Consider linking out to a local rental equipment company. For instance, if you run a vacation rental business, you could feature their services on your website, like providing guests with kayaks or bicycles. In return, ask them to link back to your site from theirs. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship, boosting both of your sites’ authority.
2. Work with Your Local Chamber of Commerce: Partnering with your local chamber can significantly enhance your online visibility. Offer to provide a resource or article for their website that highlights local tourism or events. In exchange, ask them to include a link to your website. Being associated with such a reputable local organization not only boosts your backlinks but also enhances your credibility within the community.
3. Engage in Community Events: Sponsor or participate in local events, and ensure your business is mentioned on event websites or community blogs. These often provide backlinks to your site, helping establish you as a local authority while driving relevant traffic.

5. Channel Your Inner Ghoul & Creep On Your Competitors By Studying The SERP ( Search Engine Result Page) ??

Trick: Want to rank higher? Start by searching your target keywords and analyzing the top websites that appear in the results. What are they doing right? Look closely at their content and structure and which page on their website is ranking.?

How to Do It:

• Analyze Their Content: Do they have images or multimedia where you don’t? Are they using the keywords effectively throughout the page?
• Check for Engagement: Does their page feature more links to high-quality content that keeps users engaged longer?
• Evaluate Layout and UX: Is their site layout intuitive and user-friendly compared to yours? Make sure to search on your mobile device too. In 2024?Semrush?reported approximately 66% of all Google searches are performed on mobile devices.

Competitor research allows you to understand what works in your industry, helping you refine your strategy and capture higher search rankings.?

If you follow these tricks you’ll be an SEO Wizard in no time at all!

Effective SEO is a mix of high-quality content, smart keywords, a technically sound website, strong backlinks, and thorough competitor analysis. By combining these five tricks, your website will be well on its way to higher rankings—and you’ll treat your audience to a user experience that’s as delightful as a full-size candy bar.?

And for taking the time to read through this blog, I’ll treat you to one last digital marketing trick.?

Treat: Video Marketing ??

Nothing catches attention faster than a well-done video, whether it’s short-form on TikTok or in-depth on YouTube. Seasonal trends or themes can create maximum engagement whether it’s leaves changing or the sunrising this type of content can go viral quickly. A short video can not only leave a lasting impression but can be spliced with others to create usable content for years to come!

Jill Highsmith

Jill is a Digital Marketing Manager and SEO Specialist with a decade of experience in the Vacation Rental Industry. Growing up in Florida, her parents' rental business gave her firsthand insight into the challenges faced by Property Managers. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of West Florida, she moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There, she spent five years as an in-house Marketing Specialist for a large Vacation Rental Company, gaining diverse experience in various roles. Her passion for analytics and industry knowledge led her to her current position as a Digital Marketing Specialist at Intercoastal Net Designs, where she manages multiple nationwide accounts within the vacation rental market.View all posts by Jill Highsmith