2023 is the year for small businesses to invest in qualified content writers, especially if you are looking at adding a topical blog to your website (which you absolutely should!) or improve the one you currently have. Small businesses will see huge changes in their long-form content rankings and those who have invested in expert writers will see increased popularity and rankings.

Let’s talk about the 5 SEO trends that will impact small businesses in 2023.

1. Why is it important to keep up with SEO trends?

First and foremost, SEO trends are constantly evolving, and staying up to date with these changes is critical to maintaining your search engine rankings. As search algorithms become more sophisticated, it is important to understand which factors are most important to search engines and how you can optimise your website to meet those criteria. By keeping up with SEO trends, you can make sure your website is always optimised for the latest ranking factors, which will help you stay ahead of the competition and attract more organic traffic to your site.

SEO trends can help you better understand your target audience and create more effective marketing campaigns. By tracking keyword trends and analysing search data, you can gain valuable insights into what your customers are searching for and how they're finding your website. This can help you refine your content strategy, target your advertising more effectively, and ultimately drive more conversions and revenue.

Keeping up with SEO trends is an investment in the long-term success of your business. By staying on top of the latest best practices and optimizing your website for search engines, you will be able to build a strong online presence that will continue to pay dividends for years to come.

2. Trend number one: Voice search optimisation

Voice search optimisation (natural language search) is important for small businesses because it can impact a company's visibility and reach in search engine results pages. With the growing usage of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, businesses that optimise for voice search are more likely to appear at the top of the results and reach a wider audience.

Optimising for voice search can also enhance the user experience for customers, as it provides a more convenient and seamless search experience, especially when they are on the go or multi-tasking. This improved user experience can lead to increased engagement, loyalty, and sales for your small business.

Voice search optimisation can provide a competitive advantage for businesses that are early adopters of this trend. By optimising for voice search, small businesses can position themselves as leaders in their industry, especially since many businesses have yet to fully embrace voice search optimisation.

3. Trend number 2: Video content optimisation

Video content optimisation is crucial for small businesses because video is one of the most engaging and effective forms of content for consumers, particularly for the newest generation of humans. By optimising their video content, businesses can create compelling and shareable content that resonates with their target audience.

In addition to increased engagement, video content optimisation can also help small businesses reach a wider audience. Videos can be easily shared on social media and other online platforms, and by optimising their video content for search engines and social media algorithms, businesses can increase the visibility and reach of their videos.

Video content optimisation can improve the user experience and drive conversions. By optimising their video content for mobile devices and improving the loading times and playback quality, businesses can provide a better user experience for their customers. This, in turn, can increase the chances of conversions, as video content can be used to showcase products, services, and customer testimonials. By optimising their video content for calls to action and incorporating them strategically into their videos, small businesses can increase the chances of conversion and drive more sales.

4. Trend number 3: User experience

User experience (UX) on Google has been at the heart of trends for a while. It is crucial for small businesses because it affects their visibility, engagement, and conversions in search engine results pages. Websites that provide a good user experience are rewarded by Google with higher search rankings. By optimising their website's UX, businesses can improve their visibility in search engine results pages, attract more traffic, and reach a wider audience.

A good user experience can also increase engagement, reduce bounce rates, and improve the likelihood of conversions. By providing a seamless and intuitive user experience, businesses can make it easier for visitors to find what they're looking for, navigate the site, and complete their desired actions. A website that provides a good user experience can also help to establish a business's brand reputation by building trust with customers and establishing the company as reliable and reputable.

Mobile optimisation is immensely important for small businesses because of the increasing use of mobile devices for online searches. 60% of searches are conducted through mobile phones, and this number increases year-on-year. Google places a high priority on mobile optimisation, and businesses that optimise their website's UX for mobile devices can improve their search rankings, attract more mobile traffic, and provide a better user experience for their customers.

5. Trend number 4: Local SEO

Local SEO is important for businesses because it helps them reach customers in their local area. By optimising their website and online presence for local search queries, businesses can increase their visibility and attract more local customers. This can be especially beneficial for small businesses that rely on local customers for their revenue.

Local SEO can also improve the quality of traffic to a business's website. By targeting local search queries, businesses can attract visitors who are more likely to be interested in their products or services. This can result in higher engagement, lower bounce rates, and improved conversions. It can also can improve a small business's reputation and credibility in their local area. By optimising their website and online presence for local search queries, businesses can establish themselves as local experts and industry leaders. This can help to build trust with customers and increase brand recognition and loyalty.

6. Trend number 5: Core Web Vitals

Core web vitals are a set of metrics that Google uses to measure the user experience of a website. These metrics include page speed, interactivity, and visual stability. Google has stated that these metrics will become a ranking factor in May 2021, making core web vitals an important digital marketing trend for small businesses. Since then, more and more businesses have started paying attention to these metrics and 2023 is the year during which they will become even more important.

Improving core web vitals can have a significant impact on a website's visibility, engagement, and conversions. A website that loads quickly and provides a seamless and stable user experience is more likely to rank higher in search engine results pages, attract more traffic, and increase engagement and conversions. Improving core web vitals can also help to reduce bounce rates and improve user satisfaction.

In addition to the potential SEO benefits, improving core web vitals can also have a positive impact on a business's brand reputation. A website that provides a good user experience can establish a business as reliable, trustworthy, and professional. This can help to build trust with customers and increase brand recognition and loyalty.

Conclusion

By following these SEO trends, you'll be well on your way to improving your website's visibility and attracting more qualified traffic in 2023. I’d be more than happy to help you progress your SEO efforts, with all the dedication you deserve as an A+ client.

Happy optimising!

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