Day: October 14, 2020

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Exploring Domain Authority and Page Authority to improve the SEO “Organic Growth”

There is no doubt in the fact that the internet has become a necessary part of everyone’s life

Nowadays, and if you are not using it to promote your business, then you are missing out on some of the good ways to increase your sales. However, when we talk about business “selling through the internet,” your audience is looking for your services and authenticity.

Google’s rank websites based on over 200 factors, and it is quite difficult for you to optimize for all of them. But here we are going to know about two factors (not included in Google’s list) which not only help you increase the audience on your website but also helps your audience to know the legitimacy of your website. In other words, these two factors are like your website’s reputation as a thought leader.

These two factors are-

1. Domain Authority

2. Page Authority

Domain Authority

Domain Authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score that predicts your website’s ability to rank on search engine result pages or SERPs. It is developed by the SEO software company Moz and is not related to Google in any way.

It informs you about the ability to rank your domain.

Calculating Domain Authority score

To calculate the website’s DA, Moz accounts for over 40 factors; the DA score of your website is relative to the DA score of the highest authority website. Since Moz can not give a score over 100 to the highest-authority websites, it lowers the DA score of other sites.

DA scale is logarithmic(ranging from 1 to 100), and this means that when your DA is higher, it’s harder to improve your authority score. For instance, increasing your DA from 60 to 70 is more challenging than increasing your DA from 20 to 30.

Understanding Good Domain Authority Score

According to Moz, DA is best used as a comparative metric rather than an absolute concrete score. In simpler terms, let’s take, for instance, that your domain score stands at 70 while your competitor stands at 90, then your competitor has better chances to rank up on SERP.

So if you think that you have a great DA score, then you might be wrong till you know where your competitors stand. Keeping this in mind, your objective should be to have an authority score higher than your competitors.

Page Authority

Moz, an SEO software company, also develops Page Authority(PA).  PA is a search engine ranking score that predicts a certain page’s ranking ability on your website on SERP. The value obtained at PA includes DA as a factor. PA also ranges from a score of 1 to 100. 

Calculating Page Authority score

PA score is ranked using a 100-point logarithmic scale. PA rank. Similar to DA, it isn’t easy to increase from 70 to 80 rather than 20 to 30.

One thing to keep in mind here is that since PA considers DA as a factor, having a good DA score is definitely going to benefit the score of your website’s pages.

Understanding Good Page Authority score

PA, similar to DA, is also affected by several factors. So finding the exact reason for PA rank changes is quite difficult, but you can always make predictions and simply run experiments to improve your PA score. Google includes several criteria to rank your page, and all of them can affect your score.

How does the Domain Authority and Page Authority affect the SEO?

Now that you have a clear idea about DA and PA and how they rank or score your website, you must be wondering if they impact SEO. Well yes, they have–

Helps in determining your business website’s authenticity

There exist thousands of illegitimate websites on the internet that disappear after a course of time. So it becomes quite challenging to earn your audience’s trust and convince them to buy your product. DA score tells you the legitimacy of a website, and it’s experience. Having a good DA and PA score helps you perform well at SERPs and ultimately improve your SEO.

Connecting with high ranking websites

Connecting with a website having a better DA than yours can help in improving the visibility of your website on the search engine, but while investing your time and money in other websites, make sure they are authentic and are having a DA score better than yours. Websites with a high DA score are supposed to have a strong domain, and your connection with them improves your DA score, and you get a better optimization on SERP. DA and PA Score, making SEO processes easier.

Checking the ranking ability of keywords

The first thing you need to know is your links help you rank. Apart from getting a higher ranking, you can access more keywords or be specific “competitive keywords.” Thus it becomes essential to check the ranking ability of a keyword you are using. This process is simple; you need to Google the keyword and check the PA for it to know it’s ability to rank.

Good PA score makes Google crawl your pages

When you have more PA scores, Google will crawl more of your pages. But suppose you only have a handful of links and a million pages on your website. In that case, it will be complicated to get Google to crawl and index all those million pages until or unless you are some big e-commerce or business website like ebay, Amazon, with a DA of 100 you might not be able to attract Google.

Helps in increasing indexation speed

You might be able to get Google to crawl your pages with low DA, but it will take a while for Google to revisit those pages. At this point, we get into the idea of indexation speed. With a higher DA, Google will crawl and index your content at a much faster rate than at a lower DA score.

Make your links powerful

Just so you know that with increased link equity, your links become more powerful, which gives you incredible ranking power. So it makes everything easier to rank. Your link with other businesses or websites increases your value. 

Getting rid of bad links

Google has a policy of penalizing the sites with spam links on them, increasing your risk of being impacted by negative SEO. A good DA score makes Google crawl on your web pages, and by this, you can check and remove those links.

Saving you from over-optimization

Google says that they don’t have an over-optimization penalty. But many SEOs understand that if you’re a small site that is just starting, it is straightforward to over-optimize for keywords. With a high DA score, you can save yourself from over-optimization and thus increase your SERP rank.

Having unique content is the key

According to a saying- “Everything has been said or done but not by you” sort of fits right in this context. In the digital market, everyone is trying to experiment with their content to attract the right audiences. You need to see what is out there and do it in your own creative and better way. This ultimately increases your DA and PA score and has a significant impact on your SERP ranking.

Zero error and properly working external links

Before posting any content on your website, make sure there are no errors or improperly working external links. It can have an adverse effect on your DA and PA score and so on the SEO of your website.

Researching keywords to have a good DA/PA score

Keyword phrase research involves identifying the keyword or phrases used in optimization. This step is the balanced combination of two essential factors: highly used keywords by searchers and relatively low competition within the search engines.

Determining the most used phrase that contains your targeted keywords is easy but has high competition. Thus, it is better to opt for less competitive keywords to have a good DA and PA score and save your optimization efforts.

Conclusion

If you were wondering why, despite having clinging and robust content, you were unable to attract an audience, then you must try working for a better DA and PA score for your business website. On the one hand, PA will determine your content’s success when it comes to search keywords, and on the other hand, DA is going to determine how your domain ranks compared to every different domain.

Read More: Voice Search SEO: The Importance of Voice Search Optimization

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Google May 2020 Core Update: Analysis of its Impact on Web ranking

May the “fourth” be with you” – this is the phrase Star Wars fans look forward to saying on May fourth; it is typically a happy day. Unfortunately, this day was met with gloom, unhappiness, and unjust.

So, you heard about Google’s “core “update, and you’re wondering what changed. What is so special about this particular update? Why has your website’s ranking changed so significantly? Why the nepotism towards top sites like Amazon, Pinterest, Etsy, etc.? Lastly, was this update core enough?

While every day and night bring the same monotony to the rest of us amidst this rising pandemic environment, things seem to be a little more exciting at Google.

 The pandemic does not directly handicap the workings of the major search engine as it has done to us – and Google takes proper advantage of this perk. No pandemic, or recession or anything stops it from doing its job – and that is precisely what it did on May fourth, 2020. It was just protocol, having a major update – yet this update was just over-hyped and not as relevant as it was made to seem.

Every year, Google has some updates; records show that it made a whopping 3000+ updates in 2018, which must mean that it had 8+ updates each day- can we keep up?

Every year, Google has these updates – some are regular ones, and some are the more important updates. In 2018, amongst the incredible 3000+ updates, one such update was of significant importance – called the “Medic.”

Coming back to 2020, there have been two updates so far – One In January and one that took place on May fourth.

Now obviously being a core update, it was of major significance because these core updates substantially affect site ranking. Despite this, the response so far has been far from affirmative.

 What exactly is a core update? How is it important to Google?

Well, for starters, it brings about some major changes to Google’s algorithm – which means it affects several websites. And these major changes are relevant for sites because while these changes roll-out, the rankings are highly volatile. The sites with better and updated content will rank higher and then ultimately, proudly take home the winner award.

To put it in simple words, rankings can move around a lot during a core update. Now, although there was a major update back in January (when going out was not illegal), the one that happened in May has seen some negative responses from several sources. But a core update is supposed to be important and relevant, not bring about a negative pool of opinion. So what happened to the update, and why are people taking to Twitter to troll Google’s newest update? Does Google plan on retaliating and defending the update?

What are Google May 2020 Core Update facts, and what do we know?

Well, if you would have noticed, your website probably was going through a volatile period sometime between May 4th-6th. This was not there before, obviously, and you might have been able to track it this time – it’s pretty natural during a core update.

But after it got over, you would have noticed that your website seemed to show a fluctuation in rankings because of the volatility, and would also notice that your website’s ranking has either gone up or down. If your website’s ranking has gone up, then Kudos to your hard work, and you would have nothing to complain about – but, if your website ranking dipped dangerously lower than expected, then fret not, you are not alone.

This was the case for many websites.

To the dismay of many e-commerce sites, there were a few top companies that took to the winner’s list. According to famed blogger and entrepreneur Neil Patel, Industries such as travel, real estate, pets and animals, health, etc. were affected by this volatility. Some companies, you normally wouldn’t notice otherwise, showed an unexpected surge in rankings.

Several people found this rather surprising and unexpected. It’s still believable that the health industry took a few hits on the upper side, but what about the others?

That’s not all.

Sources have revealed that only top-notch companies such as Amazon, Ebay, Etsy, Pinterest, etc. were on top of the search results during the update. What about the other companies?

Don’t they matter? Or are they not top-notch enough to get on the list? No one really knows why it happened, because there isn’t an exact reason. However, we are aware and agree that this is not fair. Some people call this update “a carnage,” “a monster,” “heavily flawed,” – seen as trolling on Twitter – and other negative things, and no one could blame them for showing such a blatant display of disdain towards the change.

It is difficult to comprehend that when all the hard work put in towards your business doesn’t work out and, in fact, turns out to be a set of futile exercises, then disappointment prevails. Everyone works hard to attain some objective or success, and should it not be fruitful, then the expected result would be heartbreak, to say the very least.

Many renowned sites such as Spotify.com, Linkedin, etc. had turned prey to this partial ranking. This led to an outcry, trolling, and reposts on social media – something that is natural when anything scandalous turns up, and this was nothing short of one.

But does this mean that the other companies have to cut their losses and move ahead? Does this mean that these sites will never see the light of top SERPs?

Fortunately, unlike the Coronavirus, there is a cure to this raw deal – you just need to keep updating your content and make it fresh to get back on top. The best interpretation would be to strive to make each piece of content the most holistic resource on the web for the user and the website owner.

But what is the relation between Covid-19 and search results?

Pinterest’s quarantine surge – rightly compared to a typical Christmas bump?

Studies have shown that during the quarantine period and more specifically, during this core update volatility period, sites like Pinterest, Etsy, Amazon, etc. have shown a significant surge in SERPs – one that can be rightly compared to the Christmas season sales, which are at an all-time high every year.

Sources have mentioned that sites like Pinterest and Etsy have been at the top of results during the 2-3 day rolling out. Essentially Pinterest and Etsy are the sources of handmade DIY projects, which several people have started to enjoy. It could be possible that since the pandemic has handicapped our ability and access to the outside world, most of us have resorted to traditional handmade projects at home – it is a beautiful hobby that helps kill some of the boredom and gloom from being locked up at home all day, every day.

Studies and cases have also shown a surge in SERPs involving Pinterest and Etsy, and sometimes Amazon too. There seemed to have been a direct link with Pinterest, where the keyword “handmade” was typed. It’s not that we have something in particular against the sites; it’s just that Google SERPs did not give other companies and businesses a chance to be found on the internet, despite belonging to the same niche as the desired keyword.

However, this was not the only site where Google’s flawed SERPs showed so much partiality.

Spotify, a leading music and streaming service, showed a sharp decline during this two-day rollout. All of us know that Spotify has gradually risen to the top music apps list. It is known to dominate the streaming industry, with first-hand professional expertise always ready to update the content, market, and promote. It is considered number one in most countries; hence domination and authority are clear. However, having an authoritative position could not spare this site from ranking low during the core update.

Linkedin’s Ranking Crash – Did Google adjust its algorithms according to quarantine?

Another example of an unjust ranking was Linkedin. During the 2 day roll with Google’s heavily flawed SERPs, Linkedin was shown to disappear from the list completely. Linkedin – a major communications site where professionals and employees connect and have helped millions of people get jobs matching their requisites – too, could not save itself.

It is agreeable that Linkedin, as an online employment site, had not much of a role to play during this pandemic situation where employment was laid off, retrenched, and forced remote jobs were the trend – but the treatment this site received was not just, and entirely out of proportion.

Linkedin is such a powerful website that the name itself creates brand loyalty – and yet, it failed to do well during this core update. The ratings had gone so low in the SERPs that it just disappeared from the search results. For many of us, what could be more unfair than that?

This led to a flood of negative opinions, trolls, articles, etc. Although things have stabilized a little after the live rolling out – this question still plays on so many minds. Why did this happen? Why was Google so partial about selected companies? Did these companies not deserve any better?

Read More: Exploring Domain Authority and Page Authority to improve the SEO “Organic Growth”

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Top 5 Digital Marketing Books to Read in 2020

Books are the best source of knowledge (and sometimes wisdom). Digital marketing is no exception in this aspect. Finding and reading books is much easier than in the past since the onset of Internet usage. Here we have chosen the top digital marketing books that every marketer should read. Scroll down to find more about the sources of knowledge in the field of Digital marketing.

Top 5 Digital marketing books that every marketing professional should read in 2020

Digital Marketing for Dummies by Ryan Deiss

This is the guide the world turns to, to stay afloat in the quicksand of ever-changing trends. Ryan explains the how-to-dos of a wide range of topics from the art of ad campaigns to the basics of Social media marketing.

Google AdWords for Beginners by Cory Rabazinsky

Google Ads can easily be the most powerful tool for advertisement in the digital realm if used wisely. Explore the labyrinth of procedures and processes behind the scenes of AdWords to understand and use it for your business’ progress.

Spin sucks by Gini Dietrich

A widely ignored fact by companies in social media: followers are humans and they expect human communication from companies. Spin Sucks explains this concept in-depth to establish an ethical communication system between the audience and the companies to foster trust.

The Clarity Project by Liam Thompson

In this book, Liam explains the ways to identify the target audience,  digital marketing strategies to increase visitors and conversion rates, building a relationship with clients, and many other mind-bending concepts of digital marketing in easy-to-grasp concept bits and with clarity.

Hug Your Haters by Jay Baer

Ego stands in between negative feedback and an effective solution. Hug your haters explains exactly how to overcome it to avoid both ignoring and reacting to haters by drawing in crazy case studies to show us what went wrong. This book on digital marketing is the perfect solution to turn your haters into stepping stones for success.

Search Engine Optimisation for Dummies by Peter Kent

Keywords linked to the webpage are what help search engines to save us the pain of wading through the heavily crowded Internet. In this digital marketing book, Peter helps you to unravel the secrets of optimizing these keywords for your company’s Ads to be readily found by search engines.

These digital marketing books will be an unequivocal power in our hands. However, always do remember that books can only do so much. Learn from them and never hesitate to put what you learn into practice. After all, the experience cannot be dug out from books.  

Mantras for Writing Great Content

Once upon a time, writing was a tool for the rich and the powerful. In this digital era, it is no longer a privilege reserved for the elites. Anyone can write to express their views on anything they wish to. However, the art of creating great content is an elusive dream for many. Slide down to make the dream come true.

Read, read, read….

Reading is the unequivocal solution to sow and grow ideas. It doesn’t matter what one reads. Time spent on reading is never wasted. Besides, it comes with an added benefit- increased vocabulary. Great ideas to present content and good vocabulary to write it downturns good content into great content.

Know what you write

Lengthy and purely opinion-based writings are no match to the compelling and short articles out there. If one decides to write more, then the length of the article must reflect the depth of his research. Not knowing what one writes is the quickest way to lose track of the point.

Draw a picture

Humans are visual beings. We love visual content rather than text. So, painting a scene with visually stimulating vocabulary would help to process and retain content. To make them more enjoyable, literally inserting relevant images can enhance the reading experience manifold.

Don’t settle for it

Losing the will to push harder is the difference between a trending writer and a former writer. Trying to learn and practice new techniques and subjects will make one stay on track. In the long run, people read content for what it is, not for who wrote it.

Keep editing

Never submit the first draft for publishing! However appealing it may look, it is not the best. Simple errors like a typo and grammatical glitches will ruin the overall feel of the piece. So, editing drafts repeatedly with a short time between each draft will make wonders for the final copy.

Be an SEO expert

As we are focusing on digital content writing, being discoverable is very important to reach the potential audience. This requires the need to be listed in the SERP (Search Engine Results Page). Learning to incorporate keywords that have a high potential to be searched for will go a long way to gain a wide outreach.

2020 Digital Marketing trends

One may call 2020 the year of reform. Changes are happening in every possible social, medical, and technological setting. Marketing trends are no exception here. Keep scrolling to learn the emerging trends in digital marketing

Voice searches see an upward slope

With the advancement in voice assisting tech like Alexa and Google Assistant, voice searches have gone up by around 20% and are still increasing. Optimizing the keywords for marketing ads for voice searches by switching from broken groups of words to full sentences are helping businesses gain greater outreach.

Position zero- nothing less

Position zero- the first result in a SERP- is the most coveted position in 2020 for any business. Being on the first page alone is no longer enough. Increased optimization of SEO is done to fight for the top position.

Personalization to a new level

Consumers now readily dismiss irrelevant ads, without even a glance. Utilizing modern tech like AI and chatbots with human backup is done to extract details from every single user. These data are promising in displaying highly personalized ads for every denizen of the internet.

New tech: VR and AR

People love to know more about a product before buying it, with very little difficulty. Virtual and Augmented Reality are the most informative means available in 2020. Their realistic feel is being used by companies to sell large products like a car, furniture, or even a house that conventionally relied on video ads and personal visits. 

Finding the right influencer

More than 72% of Instagram users buy products via the app. 70% of teens trust products supported by an influencer rather than a celebrity. Putting this knowledge to use by partnering with the right influencer has guarantee increased sales for all kinds of products. 

A video ad is a must

More than 49% of Internet users watch at least 5 videos per day!

That means people are more willing to watch video ads than any other ad forms. This has made all companies scramble to make video ads.

Content marketing is not dead, yet

Even though the technological advances may seem to say a different story, they all are diverting the traffic to the contents! People now wish to learn more about a product than ever before. So, it is imperial for companies to deliver quality content with more focus on the context.

Read More: 10 effective Content Marketing ideas for small business