There are several critical SEO decisions you might have to make before you even start designing your website. These decisions could significantly impact your site’s SEO and how well it ranks in search engines. You need to consider each one carefully before any coding begins
Some of these SEO decisions may cost you more upfront, but they’re well worth the consideration before starting your project. By making these decisions ahead of time, you’ll save both time and money in the long run.
Here are some strategic SEO decisions you must consider before you design that website:
-
Buy All the Domains
When it comes to your business website, one of the most integral things to think about is definitely your domain name. That’s because your domain name is what potential customers will use to find your site. So, if you want your site to be easy to find, you’ll need to buy all the relevant domains.
For example, if you’re selling products or services in the United States, you’ll need to buy the .com, .net, and .org versions of your domain name. That way, no matter where people look, they’ll be able to find your site.
-
Consider the CMS and Hosting Provider You Will Use
What CMS (Content Management System) will you use? This will determine how easy it is to manage your website content and make changes as needed. Some popular CMS options include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
Who will host your website? This is important because your hosting provider can affect your website speed, which is a ranking factor for SEO. Make sure to do your research and choose a reliable host.
-
HTTPS vs. HTTP
There are things you need to understand when deciding whether to switch your website to HTTPS:
First of all, HTTPS can improve your site’s SEO. Google has stated that HTTPS is a ranking factor, meaning that sites that use HTTPS may receive a slight boost in search engine rankings. Second, HTTPS can increase your website’s security and privacy. And third, HTTPS can improve your website’s performance. These things should guide you in making your decision.
-
Get Your Backlinks
If you’re serious about ranking in Google search results, you need to be serious about backlinks. If you’re unfamiliar with it, a backlink is a link that takes users from one website to another, and they’re vital for SEO. In fact, backlinks are one of Google’s most important ranking factors.
It’s important to remember that quality always trumps quantity when it comes to backlinks. It’s better to have just a few high-quality backlinks than a ton of low-quality ones.
In addition, the anchor text (the text that’s used to link to your website) is also essential. If the anchor text you use is relevant to your website, that’s a good sign. If it’s not relevant or just a generic phrase like “click here,” then that’s not as good.
-
Make Sure Your Website Is Responsive
There are some key reasons why having a responsive website is so important:
- Google has stated that they prefer responsive websites, which may even boost their search rankings.
- People are increasingly using mobile devices to access the internet, so it’s crucial that your website looks good and is easy to use on these devices.
- Responsive websites are generally faster and easier to maintain than separate mobile versions of websites.
If you’re planning on designing a new website, make sure you take the time to make it responsive. It will be well worth it in the long run in terms of SEO and user experience.
Conclusion
Before starting to design a website, a few critical SEO decisions need to be made to ensure that the website ranks well in search engines. These decisions include buying all the domains, choosing the right CMS and hosting provider, going HTTPS, getting backlinks, and ensuring your website is responsive. Each decision is important for SEO, so take your time and make the best choices for your website.
When you’re ready to start with yours, make sure you are working with one of the best web designers in Kansas City to get the best website possible.
Fox Web Creations offers various services, including web design, in Kansas City. Contact our team to know what we can do for your business!