As a webmaster, you must know by now that search engine rankings are extremely important to your business. When you are at least within the top ten search results, this could mean more ads, more customers, more brand awareness, and thus, more revenue. But nowadays when everyone has gone social, merely ensuring that your site is well-optimized isn’t enough. You ought to ride the trend and be active in #socialmedia as well.
While the subject is still under debate, more and more studies reveal that the impact of social media on search ranking results can not be undermined. For instance, a recent survey by #moz showed that when websites started using various social media channels, their search engine rankings rose up to 14.63 points, specifically for those with Google+ business pages. Those who merely have Google+ buttons saw an increase of over 9 points.
While the subject is still under debate, more and more studies reveal that the impact of social media on search ranking results can not be undermined. For instance, a recent survey by #moz showed that when websites started using various social media channels, their search engine rankings rose up to 14.63 points, specifically for those with Google+ business pages. Those who merely have Google+ buttons saw an increase of over 9 points.
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How exactly does this influence occur? Well, for one, not only are those who have huge followings on social networking channels sharing information through word-of-mouth, their presence also influences search results based on the information they spread. Also, with recent Google developments, securing top ranking for social media influence is now more significant than being on the top spot for keywords.
Lastly, there’s a direct correlation between the size of your social network and YOUR search results. The bigger your network is and the more social media channels you engage in, the better your ranking will be. See, by regularly sharing information on social networks, you’re enjoying free re-advertising by your peers via organic search. Whenever prospective clients search for related keywords, the information you shared with your followers goes all the way up to your prospects.
As a business, how do you leverage on such reality?
• Create positive connections with your clients and prospective clients
There is no better time than now. Make use of feedback forms on your website, soliciting in the process their Facebook and Twitter IDs.
• Don’t link to or share your rivals
Remember, things have changed now. While it was considered healthy to engage in a friendly will-follow strategy before so you can spy on your rivals, doing so now will allow them to affect your connections and future clients. If you really wish to do so, mention them only on no-follow websites.
• Share your key content on social networking platforms
This holds true especially for those entries that you are aiming to aggressively market to customers. Be sure to link them up on your Twitter and Google pages at the very least.
• Keep content meaningful
Although there’s no hard evidence that a socially shared link containing good content is significant to social ranking, it’s not going to do you any bad either if your provide great content that’s targeted towards content association and follower shares.
