SEO Strategies for 2013: 7 Factors that Dominate the SEO Landscape.

A top priority for any website should be to create valuable content for the reader. Although there is an increase in competition, it is advised that you should employ strategic practices to assist in your SEO efforts. Here are the tactics and strategies that will help you dominate the SEO landscape in 2013.

1. Valuable Content

Ultimately, it all comes down to the quality and value of the content on your website. Google has been very explicit this year about good-quality content, and we expect this trend to carry over into next year in full force. By content quality, the metrics are:

Google has been very explicit this year about creating unique and valuable content, and we expect this trend to carry over into these next few years in full force. Ultimately, it all comes down to creating value to the reader by posting quality content. The current metrics for valuable content are:

• uniqueness of the content/topic
• resourcefulness and information richness

 

2. Content Marketing

Content marketing is being touted as the next big thing. Experts have called it the new SEO. To an extent, this is true. As a general rule, content marketing attracts backlinks, and adds value for the user/reader. It is more challenging, because you have to generate more content of high quality, circulate it, and make sure your content gets published widely with ample social signals to generate substantial SEO value.

Since Google takes valuable content seriously, a solid content marketing strategy will be the key to climbing to the next level in SEO.

Experts have determined that content marketing is the next big thing. To an extent, this is true. Content can be circulated to bring in backlinks by getting the content published widely which creates ample social signals to generate great value in your SEO efforts. Now, that Google has decided to take valuable content seriously, you should to, by creating a solid content marketing strategy to boost your SEO rankings.

 

3. AuthorRank

AuthorRank has emerged as a vital metric in deciding SERPs, although studies about its value are still ongoing. One thing that we can be sure of in 2013 is that AuthorRank will add credibility and value to your website, and it will be vitally important for every webmaster.

 

4. Social Signals

Simply put – a social signal is a link from someone’s social networking profile to your web page. If you were to click on the ‘like’ button next to this very blog post then you, my friend, have given me a ‘social signal’. After much debate and discussion, social signals have largely been accepted as valid ranking factors. In the next few years, social signals will play a growing role. Shares, retweets, mentions, and perhaps most importantly, +1s are golden tickets every webmaster should be proud of.

 

5. Mobile Design

Although a mobile friendly website does not directly influence the ranking of a page, it will play in your favor. Google was one of the first companies to become aware of this trend in web browsing due to the growing presence of tablets and smartphones. Responsive design may not be an explicit SEO factor, but in terms of usability, it is likely to be a highly influential element to consider in 2013.

6. Localization

Google’s growing preference for local websites and information has become evident in many searches. It’s safe to assume 2013 we’ll witness an increase in this preference. Websites that apply local SEO will enjoy higher rankings and visibility. This includes map data, listings, citations, and reviews on local information sites.

 

7. Media

Media content such as images and videos have become staples on the Internet. We’ve constantly seen that relevant results that include videos getting ranked higher than text-only content. The further emergence of media content is an important development you can expect next year. It’s becoming essential to add relevant non-textual media to text content, because this adds value and makes the content more resourceful.

Master these 7 factors and you will be sure to dominate the SEO landscape for 2013!