Top SEO predictions of 2017Whether you love it or hate it, SEO is one of those things that will keep changing – for some it keeps life interesting and for others it’s a struggle to stay ahead. There are constant updates, developments and new trends. Of course there are the usuals, user experience, mobile use and updates but in an attempt to get ahead for the New Year, we’re going to run you through a few of 2017 SEO predictions that are a bit outside the box.
- SEO is far from being over… Okay, so this one isn’t the mind blowing or head scratching prediction you expected but it’s an important one to start with. Over the past few years, there are always sceptics who declare that the industry is dwindling and every year it is nowhere close to happening. This is because every year that passes, technology and the digital world become more important and more complex. We’ve covered a few statistics last year that highlighted the growth of e-commerce and the significance this holds for businesses and their SEO rankings. This is just one trend of many that requires professional and specialised SEO to get the best and most competitive results possible.
- A Google crackdown is on the way Because of the rise of the SEO and digital-sphere, there are more and more people utilising SEO, whether it is self-taught or through an agency. Sometimes, users intentionally or not use techniques that incur penalties. From the looks of things, the crackdown has only begun. There is no doubt that Google will be enforcing more stringent criteria to ensure the quality of content on the search engine. The best way to avoid the wrath of Google is to invest in an ethical and experienced SEO agency such as SEO Premier to ensure that all industry guidelines are being adhered to and that your site avoids potentially long-term setbacks from penalties.
- Algorithims We've already seen changes to the Google algorithms in the past year from the wonderful Penguin update to Panda becoming a core rank algorithm. The next year shouldn't be any different with more developments to come. This is especially true considering the growth of SEO and the digital sphere, meaning there will be more aspects to improve and refine.A huge 71% intend to increase digital spendNew year, new you, new budget. Not only is the New Year a chance to start that new hobby or lose that 2kg but it is also an opportunity to reboot and re-evaluate your business. Whether it’s a new workspace or investing in endeavours that will benefit your business both long and short term, it’s the perfect opportunity to start fresh. And this is exactly what people intend to do. A recent survey has indicated that 71% of individuals wish to increase their digital spend, while only 14% wish to spend less and 15% intend to maintain their current expenditure. Because the digital sphere is so broad, it can sometimes be difficult to choose which branches of the industry to specifically invest in. Some of our top picks for the biggest digital activities to invest in for 2017 include:
- Social Media Marketing Social media is one of those platforms that continue to grow, change and develop as they become more and more popular. Each social media network are developing their own twist on ephemeral content, live video and of course the traditional images and posts have not been forgotten either. It is no longer enough to have a social media account but to actively engage and make use of this medium, so it’s definitely worth the investment this year.
- SEO SEO is one of digital tools that you will need regardless of annual trends because until search engines are rivalled by another source, your rankings have a large impact on your business. Use SEO to increase traffic to your site, not only for brand awareness but also to increase e-commerce. It’s important to note that SEO is best invested outside your business, in an experience agency to avoid penalties that can incur from lack of knowledge and understanding of the process.
- Content Marketing Content material is an excellent way to showcase your knowledge and expertise within your industry. It also provides the opportunity to boost your online presence, which as you would know is a critical aspect of owning a business within this technological age. Content includes anything from the content on your website, well-written blogs, lifestyle posts graphics and even guides. It’s easy to assume that because you have the knowledge needed for your content, that you are able to do this yourself, however, this is not always the case. Using an agency such as SEO Premier to professionally write your content for you ensures that your content marketing is superbly written in a manner that is both engaging and easy to understand. Content is only valuable if it can be consumed by the traffic on your site. Written by Katreena Pevec
