SEO is an ever-evolving process. To help you keep up to date, here is a quick look at some key trends you will need to know about in 2019.
1. Page speed
This is an often-overlooked aspect of SEO; however, the loading speed of both your desktop and mobile sites is a key ranking factor. If this is an issue for your site, there are things you can do to improve your speed; for example, you can start by taking advantage of Google’s PageSpeed Insights for your mobile site. This is also a good opportunity to see whether there are unnecessary widgets or multimedia content impacting your site’s loading speed.
2. Indexing
You are probably aware that Google has introduced mobile-first indexing and is migrating sites over. This simply means that Google now primarily uses your mobile site for indexing and ranking your pages. It does not mean that your desktop site is ignored, just that you need to spend time ensuring your mobile site works optimally in terms of usability and speed.
3. Data protection
This is currently a hot topic, largely because of the introduction in May 2018 of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. These rules place certain obligations on any business or site-owner that handles personal data. Essentially, the rules shift ownership of data shared online to the individual, who now has more control over how this data is processed. As a result of these changes, Google has updated its Analytics. If you haven’t done so already, it is well-advised to read up on your duties and obligations, even if you or your customer base are located outside the EU.
4. Brand
Did you know that Google uses the brand as a ranking signal? What this means is that having your brand mentioned online can help to underscore your authority and boost your reputation. While backlinking is often seen as one of the most important ranking factors, unlinked natural brand mentions are also valuable. As with all these strategies, using professional SEO services from an agency such as elevateuk.com/ can help you to use this ranking factor to your advantage.
As we move into the new year, it is the perfect time to take a look at your SEO practices and assess whether you need to refresh your strategy for 2019.
