By now, you should find yourself firmly in the camp of people who know they need a business website. Websites simplify essential processes like pitching or selling products, engaging with customers, or just offering contact information.
Once you build that website, though, you discover that ranking on search engines requires that you delve into the world of search engine optimization. After that, you find out about on page SEO and off page SEO. Not clear on the differences?
Keep reading for our guide to on page vs off page SEO.
On Page SEO
You can think of on page SEO as all the stuff you do on your own website that makes it more search engine-friendly. This covers a surprising amount of ground that ranges from technical issues to content. Some big areas of concern include:
- Creating fresh content
- Updating old content
- Image optimization
- Page load speed
- Keyword selection
- Meta descriptions
Let’s take image optimization as a case in point.
Search engines like content with images, but large image file sizes can work against you. Large image files slow down load times and don’t always display well on mobile devices. All of that degrades the user experience, which search engines prioritize.
Off Page SEO
Off page SEO or off site SEO, not surprisingly refers to anything happening off your actual site that improves your search engine rankings. Most businesses focus on link building to drive off site SEO. Link building typically falls into natural links and manual links.
A natural link happens when someone includes a link to your site or content on their own. For example, a writer might include a link in a blog post to a new word processing program.
Manual links are links that you essentially solicit. For example, let’s say that you do guest blogging. Most guest bloggers trade their content for the right to include a link to their own site in the post or bio.
Other areas of off page SEO include paid advertising, social media marketing, and local SEO efforts.
On Page Vs Off Page SEO
There are stark differences between on site vs off site SEO. On page SEO deals with things that remain completely in your control, such as the type of content, navigation, and title descriptions. Off page SEO deals with things over which you get only limited control, such as backlinks and social engagement.
You Need On Page and Off Page SEO
In the world of on page vs off page SEO, it’s not really an either/or choice. You need both things in order if your site will succeed in generating enough traffic.
On page SEO ensures that the search engines won’t automatically downgrade your search rankings based on controllable factors, such as bad user experience. Off page SEO helps show that your site has relevance for both customers and other sites in your industry.
Buzzhive Marketing specializes in SEO and online marketing for businesses. For more information about our services or marketing packages, contact Buzzhive Marketing today.