Walking & Hiking Brands - How do they do SEO?
Embrace Spring: A Journey through the Walking & Hiking Sector.
As the blossoms bloom and the days get longer, we welcome the arrival of Spring in the UK. It's not just a season of renewal for nature but also an opportune moment for us to step out, breathe in the fresh air, and embark on walks amidst the picturesque landscapes.
In the spirit of this season, I've delved into an exciting analysis using Embryo's pioneering SEO tool, focusing on six brands in the walking & hiking sector. Through insights gathered from websites like ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk, columbiasportswear.co.uk, sportpursuit.com, winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk, grisport.co.uk, and highlander-outdoor.com, we uncover trends, strategies, and opportunities that shape this industry.
Visibility in searches relating to Walking & Hiking gear in the UK
Let's take a stroll through the digital wilderness and uncover the organic visibility journey of each brand in the walking & hiking sector.
Columbiasportswear.co.uk emerges as the frontrunner, soaring to new heights on Nov 23 and peaking on Feb 24. However, their ascent takes a sudden downturn towards the end of February, perhaps due to Google's latest core update shaking up the landscape.
Next in line is ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk, closely followed by winfieldoutdoors.co.uk claiming the third spot.
Grisport.co.uk strides into fourth place, with sportspursuit.co.uk trailing closely behind in fifth. Bringing up the rear is highlander-outdoors.com, showcasing ample opportunities for all six brands to seize the market share on Google's coveted page one.
But here's where it gets intriguing: while paid search and Google shopping remain vital channels, there's a golden opportunity for brands to harmonise their organic and paid strategies. By aligning these efforts, not only can they enhance their digital marketing investment, but they can also witness a surge in sales and top-line profit.
In our next leg of the journey, we'll delve into the untapped potential and strategic opportunities awaiting this sector in the realm of organic search. Stay tuned as we uncover pathways to digital success amidst the ever-evolving landscape of SEO.
How many keywords does each site rank for?
Ensuring your website ranks for relevant keywords is paramount in today's digital landscape, bridging the gap between search engines and potential customers. From the image above, we can glean valuable insights into keyword rankings across prominent brands in the walking & hiking sector.
Sportpursuit.com leads the pack with 53,600 keywords ranking, followed closely by ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk with 41,343 and winfieldoutdoors.com with 39,673. In contrast, grispsort.co.uk trails behind with only 8,959 keywords ranking, highlighting the importance of comprehensive keyword optimisation.
While it's tempting to chase after high-volume keywords, it's essential to maintain relevance to the products or services offered. By strategically incorporating content that addresses consumer queries and concerns, we can tap into the "messy middle" of Google's search results, where customers have a higher purchase intent. In our exploration of growth opportunities, we'll delve deeper into leveraging these insights to optimise conversions and drive sustainable business growth.
How many links point to each site?
The Crucial Role of Unique Links in the walking & Hiking industry.
The number of unique links pointing to a website holds significant importance in the realm of organic search. It serves as an indicator of the website's authority, credibility, and popularity among other online entities. Let's delve into the number of unique links for each of the brands;
Link building has been a long-established SEO tactic for building rank. Simply put, rank refers to how high up your website and web pages appear in search engine results when certain keywords are input. Naturally, the goal is to have your website rank as highly as possible. This increases the chances that whoever has input the targeted keywords will click through to your website. This adds to the online traffic that will be directed towards your website and establishes the site as an authority.
Link building involves other websites linking back to your website. It is like a recommendation from the other website that your content is relevant to the keywords. Search engines like Google that detect these links will take note of this recommendation. The more highly ranked sites that create these links, the more valuable your site will appear. Search engines will then boost your ranking as a reflection of how worthy our website has become of citation.
How many indexed pages?
Indexed pages play a pivotal role in a brand's online visibility and search engine performance. They serve as the gateway for search engines to discover and rank a website's content.
As we can see from the stats above, Ultra Light Outdoor Gear towers above the rest of the brands.
These indexed pages are the building blocks of a brand's online presence, allowing them to communicate their expertise, product offerings, and credibility to both search engines and potential customers. An expansive and well-optimised collection of indexed pages not only enhances a brand's chances of appearing in relevant search results but also establishes trust and authority in its niche. Therefore, in the competitive landscape of walking & Hiking products, the number and quality of indexed pages should not be underestimated as they can significantly influence a brand's overall SEO success.
What is the 'domain rank' for each site?
In the dynamic realm of online visibility, two essential metrics stand out as powerful indicators of a website's authority and potential to rank well in search engine results: Domain Rank and Domain Authority (DA). These scores, often abbreviated as DR and DA, respectively, hold the key to unlocking the digital prowess of brands. Let's delve into the importance of these metrics and explore how they impact the competitive landscape of the ice tub market.
Domain Rank (DR):
Domain Rank, often calculated by various SEO tools, assesses a website's overall strength and its potential to rank in search results. The DR score considers multiple factors, including the quantity and quality of backlinks, domain age, and other SEO-related indicators. A higher Domain Rank typically indicates a website's prominence in its niche and its ability to command search engine attention.
Domain Authority (DA):
Domain Authority, a metric developed by Moz, reflects a website's potential to rank well in search engine results. Like DR, DA evaluates the quality and quantity of backlinks, domain age, and other factors. It offers a comparative assessment of a website's authority within its industry, helping businesses gauge their online competitiveness.
Looking at the scores provided for walking & hiking brands;
Google's Messy Middle.
The "messy middle" of Google's search results holds profound significance for walking and hiking brands, serving as a pivotal battleground where consumers navigate their purchase journey. This intermediate space encompasses queries and considerations beyond mere product specifications, delving into nuanced aspects like user reviews, comparisons, and recommendations. For walking and hiking brands, understanding and leveraging this landscape can profoundly influence consumer decisions. Consider searches like "best waterproof hiking boots for long trails," where users explore various options, weighing factors like durability, comfort, and price before committing to a purchase. Similarly, queries such as "top-rated lightweight backpacks for day hikes" or "comparative review of trekking poles" exemplify the messy middle, where brands have the opportunity to provide valuable insights and establish trust through informative content. By strategically positioning themselves amidst these exploratory searches, walking and hiking brands can not only capture consumer attention but also guide them seamlessly towards conversion, ultimately fostering brand loyalty and advocacy.
Summary
In our snapshot analysis of the walking & hiking sector's SEO landscape, we've uncovered crucial insights into keyword rankings and the pivotal role of Google's "messy middle" in consumer engagement. Sportpursuit.com shines brightly with an impressive 53,600 keywords ranking, closely followed by ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk and winfieldoutdoors.com. However, the considerable gap in rankings for grisport.co.uk, with only 8,959 keywords ranking, highlights the urgent need for comprehensive keyword optimisation across all brands.
It is worth noting for each SEO metric analysed we see a mixed picture, for example, Columbiasportswear.co.uk emerges as the front-runner for overall organic visibility. We then see Ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk take 1st prize for overall indexed pages.
To truly elevate their SEO game, each brand must peek under the bonnet and ensure all technical issues are addressed. This includes conducting thorough audits to identify and rectify any crawl errors, broken links, or site speed issues that may hinder search engine visibility. Additionally, optimising metadata, implementing schema markup, and improving site architecture are vital steps to enhance search engine crawlability and indexing efficiency.
Furthermore, brands must invest in robust website security measures, ensuring user data protection and safeguarding against potential cyber threats. A secure and reliable website not only instils trust among consumers but also boosts search engine rankings, as security is a key ranking factor.
By proactively addressing technical issues and fortifying their digital infrastructure, walking and hiking brands can lay a solid foundation for sustainable SEO success. This holistic approach, coupled with strategic keyword optimisation and engaging content creation, will not only enhance online visibility but also drive organic traffic and ultimately elevate the brand's competitive edge in the market.