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At Emulent, we have worked with websites that have upwards of 40 million pages, we understand that the world of SEO is vast and varied, especially when comparing strategies for smaller websites versus large publishers. As we dive into this topic, we want to share insights that we’ve gathered from our extensive experience working with clients across the spectrum.
When it comes to SEO strategies, the approach can vary significantly between smaller websites and large publishers. Here are five key strategies that highlight these differences:
1. Content Creation and Optimization
Smaller Websites:
- Focus on quality over quantity. Smaller sites should prioritize creating high-quality, evergreen content that provides value to their specific audience.
- Target both high traffic keywords and long-tail keywords that are less competitive but highly relevant to their niche. This can help in attracting targeted traffic.
- Regularly update existing content to keep it relevant and improve its rankings over time.
Publishers:
- Produce large volumes of content regularly to maintain a high level of engagement and retain their audience.
- Optimize for a broad range of keywords, including trending topics and short-tail keywords, to capture a wider audience.
- Implement a robust editorial calendar to ensure a steady stream of fresh content, keeping the audience engaged and attracting repeat visitors.
2. Link Building
Smaller Websites:
- Focus on building relationships within their niche to earn high-quality backlinks from relevant and authoritative sites.
- Utilize guest blogging, local citations, and directory listings to build a strong backlink profile.
- Engage in outreach to industry influencers and bloggers to secure backlinks.
Publishers:
- Leverage their authority and reach to naturally attract backlinks from other high-authority sites.
- Implement a comprehensive link-building strategy that includes content syndication, press releases, and partnerships with other media outlets.
- Use their platform to create link-worthy content such as in-depth research, studies, and exclusive interviews.
3. Technical SEO
Smaller Websites:
- Ensure that the website is technically sound with a focus on mobile-friendliness, fast loading times, and a secure connection (HTTPS).
- Implement basic schema markup to enhance search visibility and improve click-through rates.
- Regularly audit the site for technical issues and fix any errors to maintain optimal performance.
Publishers:
- Invest in advanced technical SEO practices, including extensive schema markup, AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), and structured data to enhance search engine understanding.
- Implement sophisticated content management systems (CMS) that can handle large volumes of content without compromising site speed or user experience.
- Regularly conduct in-depth technical audits to identify and resolve issues that could affect crawling, indexing, and overall performance.
4. User Experience (UX) and Design
Smaller Websites:
- Prioritize a clean, intuitive design that facilitates easy navigation and improves user engagement.
- Focus on creating a seamless mobile experience as a significant portion of traffic may come from mobile devices.
- Use clear calls-to-action (CTAs) and ensure that the site is easy to navigate.
Publishers:
- Invest in a sophisticated UX design that can handle high traffic volumes and offer a personalized experience to users.
- Implement features like infinite scroll, related content widgets, and personalized content recommendations to keep users engaged.
- Ensure that their site design supports a large amount of content without overwhelming the user.
- Because of the size of publisher websites, they need to focus more on getting pages indexed in Google, father than targeting specific keywords.
5. Analytics and Measurement
Smaller Websites:
- Use basic analytics tools to track key metrics such as traffic, rankings for specific keywords, and conversions.
- Regularly monitor keyword rankings and adjust strategies based on performance data.
- Focus on actionable insights that can help in making data-driven decisions to improve SEO efforts.
Publishers:
- Implement advanced analytics tools to track a wide range of metrics, including user behavior, page views per user,content performance, and ad revenue.
- Use data-driven insights to optimize content strategy, targeting, and monetization efforts.
- Conduct A/B testing to continuously improve user engagement and conversion rates.
Conclusion
At Emulent, we’re passionate about helping our large clients achieve their SEO goals. By understanding the distinct strategies required for larger website, you can tailor your approach to maximize your online presence.
No matter the size of your site, the key is to stay adaptable and informed about the latest SEO trends and best practices.
As always, we’re here to support you on your journey to digital success. Reach out to our team for personalized SEO solutions that align with your unique needs.