The Ultimate Guide to Building an SEO Strategy for a New Website

Welcome to your comprehensive guide on creating an effective SEO strategy for a new website.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your approach, this guide will walk you through every step you need to take.

With over a decade of experience leading successful SEO campaigns, I’m here to share my insights to help you build a strong foundation.

Ready to dive in?

Let’s get started!

SEO Strategy for a New Website The Steps

1. Understanding the Search Landscape:

Before diving into SEO tactics, it’s crucial to understand the search landscape you’re entering.

This means analyzing how search engines, especially Google, present search results for your targeted keywords.

• Google SERP Analysis: Start by comparing search results between the U.S. version of Google and other regional versions. This is particularly important if your target audience is global. While there might not be much variance in some cases, understanding these differences can help you tailor your strategy accordingly.
• Sponsored Ads and Organic CTR: Sponsored blocks at the top of the SERPs can significantly impact your organic click-through rates (CTR). This is a signal that investing in ads might be worth considering, as it’s prioritized by Google. But don’t stop there—organic results are still vital.
• Opportunities in the SERP: Pay attention to features like ‘People Also Ask’ sections. These present great opportunities for content creation. By answering these questions well, you might find yourself ranking in these sections. Additionally, if you’re targeting a local audience, ensure you’re set up to rank in the local pack, which requires a well-optimized Google Business Profile.

2. Keyword Research and Domain Strategy:

Your SEO strategy starts with selecting the right keywords and setting up your domain to support those keywords.

• Choosing the Primary Keyword: The core keyword you select will be the backbone of your entire SEO campaign. For a new website, choose a keyword that’s not only relevant but also has the potential to bring in traffic. Your keyword should align with the main focus of your business.
• Keyword-Rich Domain Name: A keyword-rich domain can give you an edge, especially when your website is new and doesn’t have much authority yet. Use tools like Instant Domain Search to find a domain that closely matches your primary keyword. This step helps build initial relevance on the domain level, making it easier to rank for your chosen keyword.

3. Building the Keyword Database:

Once you’ve nailed down your primary keyword, it’s time to build a comprehensive keyword database that will support your core SEO strategy.

• Supporting the Core Keyword: Your goal is to create a web of interconnected keywords that support your main keyword. This helps build topic authority, which is essential for ranking well in search engines.
• Keyword Gap Analysis: Use tools like SEMrush’s Keyword Gap feature to enter your new domain and compare it with your top competitors. Choose competitors that are similar in size and location to ensure your analysis is accurate. By identifying gaps, you can find opportunities to rank for keywords your competitors might be missing.

4. Content Strategy Development:

Now that your keywords are in place, it’s time to develop a content strategy that will drive your SEO efforts.

• Content Clusters: Organize your content into clusters that revolve around your core keyword. This means creating a central pillar page for your main topic and supporting it with sub-pages that dive deeper into specific aspects of that topic. Internal linking between these pages will help strengthen your topic authority.
• Content Outline Creation: Before writing, create a detailed content outline using tools like ChatGPT. Make sure your outline includes NLP (Natural Language Processing) keywords to optimize your content for search engines. This outline will serve as the blueprint for your content, ensuring it’s well-structured and SEO-friendly.

5. Local SEO Strategy:

If your business has a local presence, ranking in the local pack is critical.

• Ranking in the Local Pack: For local SEO, having a keyword-rich business name and a well-optimized Google Business Profile is key. Ensure your business name includes your primary keyword to improve relevance. Additionally, focus on gathering positive reviews, as they play a significant role in local rankings.
• Review Strategy: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews by making the process as easy as possible. Consider using a QR code that links directly to your review page, and ask for reviews in person when possible. You can also incentivize your team to collect reviews by offering rewards for the most reviews gathered.

6. On-Page SEO Execution:

With your content strategy in place, it’s time to execute by creating high-quality pages that are optimized for search engines.

• Content Creation: Write your content with a focus on quality and relevance. If you’re a subject matter expert, consider writing the content yourself, or collaborate with a skilled copywriter who can bring your ideas to life. Ensure that each page is optimized around a specific keyword and supports your overall SEO strategy.
• Content Optimization: If you’re using AI to generate content, make sure to humanize it by adding expert insights and nuances that only someone with real-world experience would know. This not only helps with SEO but also makes your content more engaging and valuable to your readers.

7. Backlink Strategy:

Backlinks are the backbone of any successful SEO campaign.

Here’s how to build them effectively.

• Bridging the Backlink Gap: Start by identifying the backlinks your competitors have and aim to acquire similar ones. Use tools like SEMrush’s Backlink Gap to find these opportunities. Focus on getting backlinks from high-authority sites to bridge the gap faster.
• High Authority Links: Engage in PR tactics, respond to journalist queries through services like HARO (now Connectively), or hire a service like Search Intelligence to secure high-quality backlinks. Remember, one strong backlink from a reputable site can be worth thousands of lower-quality links.
• Directory-Based Links: For local SEO, don’t overlook directory-based links. Services like Lenic can help you build citations quickly, adding dozens of referring domains in a short time.

8. Conversion Optimization:

Driving traffic to your website is just the first step.

You need to convert that traffic into leads and customers.

• Conversion-Driven Design: Ensure that your landing pages are designed to convert. This means eliminating distractions like social media icons above the fold and focusing on strong calls to action. Your phone number should be clickable, and your content should be easy to read and visually appealing.
• Page Layout and Copywriting: Use a left-right format for content and images, avoid large blocks of text, and ensure your call-to-action buttons stand out with contrasting colors. Everything on the page should guide the user towards taking the desired action, whether it’s making a purchase, filling out a form, or calling your business.

Conclusion:

Building an SEO strategy for a new website is a complex, multi-step process that requires careful planning and execution.

From understanding the search landscape and selecting the right keywords, to developing a content strategy and building backlinks, every step plays a crucial role in your success.

By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you can set your new website up for long-term SEO success.

Remember, consistency and quality are key—so take your time, do it right, and watch your organic traffic grow.