91% of web pages get no organic traffic from Google, mainly due to a lack of backlinks.
And custom site SEO could be just what you’re looking for.
As Permission Marketing, we create and optimize websites specifically designed to address your real business issues, needs, and goals.
This can help you rank higher in search results and attract more visitors through organic traffic.
This is how you turn your custom website into a magnet for your target audience.
So, what makes a custom site SEO strategy effective, and what challenges might you face?
What Are the Key Components of a Successful Custom Site SEO Strategy?
A successful SEO strategy for a custom website needs to address the strengths and weaknesses inherent to custom builds.
1. Keyword Research and Optimization
The foundation of any successful SEO strategy is thorough keyword research.
Identify the keywords that your target audience is searching for and integrate them naturally into your content.
Use tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush to find and analyze these keywords.
2. Quality Content Creation
Content is king when it comes to SEO.
Regularly publishing high-quality, informative, and engaging content will attract visitors and keep them on your site longer.
Make sure your content is optimized with relevant keywords and provides real value to your audience.
3. Technical SEO
Technical SEO is essential for making sure search engines can effectively crawl and index your site.
This means making your site load quickly, making it mobile-friendly, using clean HTML, and setting up good URL structures.
4. On-Page SEO
On-page SEO involves optimizing each page of your site to rank higher and attract more relevant traffic.
This includes using the right meta titles and descriptions, header tags, and alt texts for images.
While platforms like Webflow offer convenient ways to update these elements, a custom site provides even more flexibility and control.
This allows for tailored SEO strategies that can better meet your specific needs and goals.
5. User Experience (UX)
A positive user experience is essential for SEO.
Make your site easy to navigate, visually appealing, and full of useful information.
Fast load times and a mobile-responsive design are key components of good UX.
6. Link Building
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your site.
Building backlinks from reputable sites can boost your site’s authority and improve your rankings.
Reach out to industry influencers, write guest posts, and engage in partnerships to create a robust backlink profile.
What Are Common SEO Challenges with Custom Websites?
First, let’s talk about why you’d choose a custom site over using Webflow, for example.
A custom website offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing for unique designs, bespoke features, optimized performance, and full ownership, which better supports specific business needs and growth.
Custom sites allow for more control over branding, security, and compliance without the limitations and ongoing costs associated with platforms like Webflow.
Now, custom sites can also present some SEO challenges.
Here are a few common ones:
1. Complex Site Architecture
Custom sites often have complex architectures that can make them difficult for search engines to crawl.
Confirm your site has a clear, logical structure and use internal linking to help search engines understand the hierarchy of your content.
2. Technical Issues
Custom sites can sometimes face technical SEO issues, such as slow load times, broken links, and improper use of canonical tags.
Regularly audit your site for these issues and fix them promptly.
3. Content Management
Managing and updating content on a custom site can be challenging, especially if the site is large.
Using a user-friendly CMS like Webflow can simplify content management and keep your site updated and optimized.
4. Staying Up-to-Date with SEO Trends
SEO is constantly evolving, and it can be challenging to keep up with the latest trends and best practices.
Stay informed by following reputable SEO blogs and attending industry conferences.
5. Balancing Design and SEO
While a visually appealing site is important, it should not come at the expense of SEO.
Work with designers and developers to ensure that your site is both beautiful and optimized for search engines.
Takeaways
Put more effort on keyword research, quality content, technical optimizations, and user experience, you could set your site up for long-term success.
Don’t just follow the crowd — lead the way with a custom approach to website and SEO.
Building a strong foundation with a good site and SEO strategy is key to long-term success, helping your organic traffic grow as your site steadily climbs the search engine rankings.