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Internal Linking for SEO: A Strategic Internal Links Guide
May 18, 2022
Internal linking is a part of SEO that is often overlooked.However, it's extremely important, and an essential part of every successful SEO campaign.Throughout this guide you will learn strategic best practices for SEO internal linking and how it can improve website performance.
What Is Internal Linking?
Internal linking is the process of linking one page from your website to another page within your website. This is why it's called "internal". A link that is linking to a page on another website would be an external link.Every website should have internal links, as they are essential for various reasons.
Why Are These Links Important?
Below we've covered the top 3 reasons why internal linking is important.
1. Helps Keep Users On Your Site
Keeping users on your website is always good. Internal linking helps you do exactly that. If your pages are not internally linked to other pages, your visitors will leave as there aren't any options to stay on your sites.One metric you could use to monitor this would be your bounce rate.By having these links on your pages, you are giving the user the option to visit another page within your website if they are interested in doing so. From a user experience point of view, this is great because if you are interested in a topic or business, you'll want to learn more.Internal links make it easier and more convenient for the user to learn more.
2. Helps Search Engines Crawl & Understand Your Site
Another reason why internal links are important is because of search engines. They help search engines crawl and understand your site as links are what they follow. To help the crawlers find all of our pages, we need to make it as easy as possible with a good internal links structure.You can also use internal links to signify to Google which pages are important. If one of your pages has lots of internal links going to it, it signifies to Google that you value that particular page as you want your visitors to see it.Additionally, it also helps Google and other search engines understand what your pages are about. For example on our blog, we mainly cover web design and SEO. By internally linking the SEO posts to each other, it shows search engines that those posts are about SEO.This then increases relevance between our blog posts.Related Article: What Is Technical SEO?
3. It Passes Authority Through Your Site
While they aren't quite as powerful as links from other websites, internal links still help pass on the authority from one page to another.This means you can strategically pass the authority from one page on your site to another. For example, if you would have one page that has a lot of external links pointing to it, you could pass a small amount of that authority on to another page through an internal link.This would help the other page that you link to rank higher.
Internal Links FAQs
Lastly, we just wanted to cover some frequently asked questions about internal links.
Should You Internally Link As Much As Possible?
No. If you were to internally link as much as possible, this would waste the authority that it passes on. Instead, we recommend sticking to the links that matter most, and ones that improve the user experience. This could be links that explain a topic or service in more detail, or when you are looking to pass some authority from one page to another.Each page also only has a limited amount of authority that it passes on. If you internally link as much as possible there would be a much smaller amount passed on to each page. Plus, you're less valuable pages would receive the same amount as your more important pages.
What Else Should I Be Aware Of When Using Internal Links?
Your anchor text. Google has said that they aren't too concerned with the anchor text of internal links. However, you still don't want to overdo it. In their guidelines, they recommend using anchor text that describes the page you're linking to.
When Should I Use No-follow Internal Links?
Nofollow internal links can be used if you don't want to pass any authority onto a particular page. For example, if you have a page that is purposely not in Google's index, and you are linking to it, there is no point in passing on authority to that page.In this case, you could use an internal no-follow link to make sure you aren't wasting any authority on it.
Conclusion
As you have seen throughout this article, internal links don't only play an important role in SEO, but also for your user experience. They help users navigate through your site, and will also make them less likely to leave.If you haven't been including internal links on your pages, it's probably best that you start now. You can also get in touch with us if you're interested in custom SEO solutions or just have a question.More related to SEO:43 Australian Guest Blogging Sites You Can Submit ToHow To Get Your Website On The First Page Of Google SearchAffordable SEO Packages For Business Owners
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Post-launch support is crucial for maintaining website performance and security. Clients want to know if the company provides:
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Technical Support: Assisting with any issues that arise, such as bugs or downtime.
Content Updates: Offering services to update or add new content as the business evolves.
Performance Monitoring: We regularly check the site’s speed, uptime, and other critical metrics to ensure optimal performance. This ongoing support provides peace of mind, ensuring that the client’s website remains effective and secure over time.
What is SEO, And Why Is It Important For My Business?
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is a digital marketing approach focused on boosting your website’s presence on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. By refining different elements of your site—such as content, meta descriptions, and backlinks—SEO works to improve your website’s position in search engine results. This increased visibility is vital as it attracts more organic traffic, potentially leading to a rise in leads, sales, and overall business success. Businesses frequently discuss the basics of SEO, its importance in attracting targeted visitors, and how it supports wider business goals.
How Long Does It Take To See Results From SEO?
SEO is a strategy that requires a long-term commitment, and it's essential to have realistic expectations from the outset. Typically, businesses may notice significant improvements within 3 to 6 months. However, this can differ depending on factors such as the level of competition, the industry, and the website's current condition. While addressing technical issues can result in some early successes, meaningful increases in rankings and traffic usually develop over time. Clients often ask for a clear timeline to gauge when they might start seeing a return on their investment (ROI).
What Does Your SEO Process Involve?
Website Audit and Analysis: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the site to pinpoint strengths, weaknesses, and areas that can be enhanced.
Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords that your potential customers actively search.
On-Page Optimisation: Improving various on-page elements such as meta tags, headers, content, and internal linking to increase site effectiveness.
Content Development: Crafting high-quality, engaging content tailored to the needs of your target audience.
Link Building: Securing backlinks from credible websites to enhance the site's domain authority.
Technical SEO:Ensuring the website is technically robust, with fast loading speeds, mobile responsiveness, and secure connections.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment: Regularly track performance and make necessary adjustments based on data and trends. Clients ask about these steps to ensure they are investing in a thorough and effective SEO strategy.
How Do You Measure The Success Of An SEO Campaign?
Success in SEO is measured through a variety of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including:
Organic Traffic: The number of visitors coming to the website from search engines.
Keyword Rankings: The position of targeted keywords in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Conversion Rates: The percentage of visitors who take desired actions (e.g., filling out a form, making a purchase)
.Bounce Rate: The percentage of visitors who leave the site after viewing only one page.
Domain Authority: A score that predicts how well a website will rank in SERPs based on factors like link quality.
ROI (Return on Investment): Evaluating the financial return from SEO activities in comparison to the cost. Clients want to understand these metrics to gauge the effectiveness and profitability of their SEO investments.
How Do You Stay Updated With The Latest SEO Trends And Best Practives?
SEO is an ever-evolving field, with search engines like Google regularly updating their algorithms. We make it a priority to stay ahead of these changes.This might involve:
Continuous Learning: Attending industry conferences, webinars, and training sessions.
Membership in Professional Organisations: Being part of SEO communities or organisations that provide the latest insights.
Regular Testing and Experimentation: Consistently testing new strategies and adapting to changes in algorithms.Industry Research: Staying informed with the latest studies, white papers, and expert opinions in the digital marketing sector.We are confident that our SEO strategies are current and that we are proactive in adopting best practices.
Do You Offer Ongoing Maintenance And Support After The Website Is Launched?
Post-launch support is crucial for maintaining website performance and security. Clients want to know if the company provides:
Regular Updates: Ensuring the website remains up-to-date with the latest software versions and security patches.
Technical Support: Assisting with any issues that arise, such as bugs or downtime.
Content Updates: Offering services to update or add new content as the business evolves.
Performance Monitoring: We regularly check the site’s speed, uptime, and other critical metrics to ensure optimal performance. This ongoing support provides peace of mind, ensuring that the client’s website remains effective and secure over time.
How Do You Ensure That My Website Is User Friendly And Optimised For Conversions?
Yes, we ensure that your website is both user-friendly and optimised for conversions. We understand that clients want a website that attracts visitors and encourages them to take action. To achieve this, we focus on several key areas:
User Experience (UX) Design: We create an intuitive and engaging interface that makes navigation easy and enjoyable for users.Responsive Design: We ensure your website is mobile-friendly and looks great on all devices.
Call to Action (CTA): We strategically place buttons and forms to prompt users to take the desired actions.
Speed Optimisation: We ensure fast load times to reduce bounce rates and keep users engaged.
Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO): We analyse user behaviour and make data-driven adjustments to increase the percentage of visitors who convert.By incorporating these principles, we maximise the chances of turning your website visitors into customers.
