Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for businesses that want to improve their online visibility, attract more traffic, and ultimately drive more revenue. However, SEO is not a one-time effort, and it requires ongoing attention and effort to maintain and improve search engine rankings. In this blog post, we will explore the essential SEO tasks that businesses should be doing on a monthly and quarterly basis to stay ahead of the competition and achieve their online marketing goals.
Monthly SEO Tasks
1. Analyze website traffic and user behavior using Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that can provide valuable insights into website traffic and user behavior. By analyzing website traffic, businesses can identify areas for improvement and adjust their SEO strategies accordingly. For example, businesses can use Google Analytics to identify high-traffic pages, bounce rates, and user engagement metrics. This information can be used to optimize website content, improve website design, and enhance user experience.
2. Conduct keyword research
Keyword research is an essential SEO task that can help businesses identify new search terms and optimize their website content accordingly. By conducting keyword research, businesses can identify high-volume, low-competition keywords that they can target with their content. Keyword research can also help businesses identify new content ideas and topics that are relevant to their target audience.
3. Check for broken links
Broken links can negatively impact user experience and search engine rankings. Therefore, it's important to regularly check for broken links and fix them promptly. Broken links can be identified using various tools such as Google Search Console or broken link checkers. Once broken links are identified, businesses can fix them by either removing the link or redirecting it to a relevant page.
4. Create new content
Creating new content is an important SEO task that can help keep a website fresh and engaging. New content can also help attract traffic and improve search engine rankings. Businesses can create new content in various forms such as blog posts, videos, infographics, and more. However, it's important to ensure that the content is high-quality, relevant, and optimized for target keywords.
5. Optimize metadata
Metadata, such as title tags and meta descriptions, are important on-page SEO elements that can impact search engine rankings and click-through rates. Businesses should regularly review and optimize their metadata to ensure that it is compelling, relevant, and includes target keywords. It's important to avoid keyword stuffing and focus on creating high-quality metadata that accurately reflects the content of the page.
6. Build high-quality backlinks
Backlinks are an important off-page SEO factor that can impact search engine rankings and website authority. Businesses should regularly focus on building high-quality backlinks from relevant and authoritative websites. Backlinks can be acquired through various strategies such as guest posting, broken link building, and more. However, it's important to avoid low-quality and spammy backlinks that can negatively impact search engine rankings.
Quarterly SEO Tasks
Perform a comprehensive website audit
A comprehensive website audit is an important SEO task that should be done on a quarterly basis. A website audit can help identify technical issues, such as broken links, duplicate content, and other technical errors. A website audit can also help identify areas for improvement, such as website design, user experience, and more. Businesses can use various tools such as Screaming Frog or SEMrush to conduct a comprehensive website audit.
Review and update website content
Website content is an important SEO factor that can impact search engine rankings and user engagement
. Therefore, it's important to regularly review and update website content to ensure that it is high-quality, relevant, and optimized for target keywords. Businesses can use Google Analytics to identify pages with low traffic and engagement metrics and optimize those pages accordingly. Additionally, businesses can conduct a content audit to identify outdated or irrelevant content and either update or remove it.
Evaluate and adjust SEO strategies
SEO is a dynamic field that requires constant evaluation and adjustment of strategies. Therefore, businesses should regularly evaluate their SEO strategies and adjust them as necessary to improve search engine rankings and achieve online marketing goals. For example, businesses can evaluate the effectiveness of their keyword targeting strategies, backlink acquisition strategies, and content marketing strategies.
Monitor search engine algorithm updates
Search engine algorithms are constantly evolving, and businesses need to stay up-to-date with the latest updates and changes. By monitoring search engine algorithm updates, businesses can adjust their SEO strategies and avoid penalties from search engines. Businesses can use various resources such as Moz or Search Engine Journal to stay informed about search engine algorithm updates.
Conduct a competitive analysis
Competitive analysis is an important SEO task that can help businesses identify areas where they can improve their online visibility and gain a competitive advantage. By conducting a competitive analysis, businesses can identify their competitors' SEO strategies, strengths, and weaknesses. This information can be used to adjust SEO strategies and improve search engine rankings.
Conclusion
SEO is a continuous process that requires ongoing attention and effort. By focusing on these essential monthly and quarterly SEO tasks, businesses can improve their chances of getting found online and achieving their online marketing goals. However, it's important to avoid keyword stuffing and focus on creating high-quality, relevant, and engaging content that accurately reflects the brand and appeals to the target audience. By staying up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and best practices, businesses can maintain and improve their search engine rankings, attract more traffic, and ultimately drive more revenue.
Written by Caty Zimmerman
As the Director of Client Services and Account Manager, Caty's ongoing goal is to define client delight at Tribute Media and help our clients become heroes in the eyes of their customers.
