Learn the Value of Internal and External Links from a Los Angeles SEO Agency
As a business owner, you want your website to perform well. While you can measure traffic and conversions with the help of a Los Angeles SEO agency, having an effective context for that data means having a base understanding of just what search engine optimization (SEO) is. As its name hints at, SEO is all about positioning your site prominently on search engine results pages (SERPs). In the digital marketing space, this is often referred to as “ranking.”
Your goal should be to rank as highly as you can on Google and other search engines when a potential customer or client is searching for a relevant keyword. Much study has been done and the simple truth is people are more likely to click on the first few results they see.
So, how can you keep your site on page one (and preferably, at the top of it)? The only way to accomplish this marketing feat is to develop a comprehensive SEO strategy. One component of a dynamic, robust SEO strategy is linking, both externally and internally.
How Should You Apply Internal Links?
An internal link is a hyperlink that brings users to another page on your website. You may be thinking, “Yes, this is a great way to keep people on my website. I should put as many internal links in my content as possible.” This approach is antithetical to sound SEO strategy. You should avoid stuffing internal links within your content. Limiting your page to linking just what’s relevant is typically the way you want to go. You can ensure that your linking strategy is well-designed by creating a site structure that flows intuitively. A good place to start is with your navigational linking. Create a nav that brings users to pieces of cornerstone content, such as the homepage, or the “contact us” section. As Yoast suggests, SEO is also always changing, so revisiting your linking strategy from time to time is a wise maneuver.
Be Smart When Choosing External Links
Though it may seem counterintuitive, having a link within your content that leads to an external site is good for your SEO (if done right). The reason for this is that Google and other search engines consider credibility when ranking pages. By linking to other trustworthy sites (think: news outlets, journals, government sites), you show that your page features legitimate and useful information. External linking is corny pun aside, also good for networking. Creating links can help you connect with other sites that can in turn link back to you. These are called “backlinks”, and they can help identify your webpage as a “high-quality” site, which will aid your ranking potential.
A Los Angeles SEO Agency Can Help
SEO is a complex and ever-changing piece of the digital marketing puzzle. While it’s smart to get a handle on the basics, working with an SEO professional can help your site climb to the top of page one. For an initial consultation to discuss how we can help your business, call us today at (888) 477-9540.
