Google’s August 2024 Core Update has sent ripples through the digital world, with many businesses noticing significant shifts in their search rankings. For those affected, this can be a frustrating and potentially costly experience.
However, it’s not the end of the road. Search Engine Optimisation service providers are already finding ways around these issues. For you personally, you can take a look at these key steps to help your website recover and even thrive post-update. From evaluating your current Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) efforts to identifying specific areas of improvement, we’ve got you covered.
1. Assess Your Current SEO Performance
The first step in any recovery process is understanding how your site has been impacted. Before jumping into fixes, take a moment to assess your current SEO performance. Use tools like Google Search Console, SurferSEO, or Ahrefs to identify which pages or keywords have been affected by the core update. Pay close attention to the metrics like organic traffic, click-through rates, and keyword rankings.
If you notice a drop in key pages, don’t panic. This is the time to delve deeper into the data to find patterns. Did you lose visibility for specific search terms? Is there a noticeable decline in local search rankings, which may affect your Local SEO Services? By mapping out these changes, you can start prioritising which areas need attention.
2. Identify Core Areas for Improvement
Once you’ve gathered your data, the next step is to identify the areas of your website that need improvement. Google’s core updates are typically aimed at improving the relevance and quality of search results. This means your content might need to be updated to better align with user intent, or there may be technical issues holding your site back.
Content Relevance and Quality
Start by reviewing your top-performing pages prior to the update. Does the content still meet the needs of users? Is it comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date? One of the reasons sites lose rankings during core updates is because they fail to keep their content relevant. Consider updating your blog posts, service pages, and landing pages to better address user queries. This is especially important if you’re offering a Search Engine Optimisation Service, where demonstrating expertise in your field can help maintain or improve rankings.
Technical SEO Issues
Google also values a website’s technical health. Run a site audit to check for any technical issues like broken links, slow page load times, or improper mobile optimisation. These factors can negatively impact your site’s performance post-update. Search Engine Optimisation Consultants often recommend fixing these issues as soon as possible to avoid further ranking losses.
3. Optimise for User Experience
User experience (UX) is becoming an increasingly important ranking factor, particularly in the wake of Google’s core updates. Pages that offer a poor UX, whether due to slow loading times, intrusive ads, or confusing navigation, are likely to see a drop in rankings. Improving your site’s UX should be a priority in your recovery efforts.
Page Speed
One of the simplest yet most impactful improvements you can make is to optimise your page speed. Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to identify any lagging areas and work on improving them. This could involve compressing images, minimising code, or leveraging browser caching. Fast-loading pages not only improve the user experience but are also favoured by Google’s algorithm.
Mobile-Friendliness
Ensure that your site is fully optimised for mobile users. With mobile searches accounting for more than half of all searches globally, Google prioritises mobile-friendly sites. Your Local SEO Services can be significantly affected if users struggle to navigate your site on their mobile devices.
4. Focus on E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness)
Google’s core updates are often closely tied to the concept of E-A-T: Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. The August 2024 update is no exception. Websites that demonstrate these qualities are more likely to be rewarded with higher rankings.
Expertise
Position yourself as an expert in your industry by producing high-quality, informative content. Whether you’re a Search Engine Optimisation Service provider or a local business owner, your website should clearly convey your expertise. For example, include case studies, customer testimonials, and detailed guides that showcase your knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
Authoritativeness
Build authoritativeness by acquiring backlinks from reputable sources. The more authoritative sites that link to yours, the more Google will view your site as a credible source of information. You can work with Search Engine Optimisation Consultants to develop a strategy for earning quality backlinks from industry leaders, media outlets, and relevant blogs.
Trustworthiness
Trustworthiness is the foundation of any good SEO strategy. Make sure your site has clear contact information, privacy policies, and secure browsing via HTTPS. Users (and Google) need to trust your site before engaging with it.
5. Leverage Local SEO
If your business operates locally, the August 2024 Core Update may have impacted your visibility in local search results. This is where Local SEO Services come into play. Focus on optimising your Google Business Profile and local citations to maintain or improve your local search presence.
Google Business Profile Optimisation
Ensure that your Google Business Profile is fully updated with accurate business hours, contact details, and services. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, as these can significantly impact your local search rankings. For businesses offering Search Engine Optimisation Service to local clients, it’s crucial to have a well-optimised Google Business Profile to capture search traffic from nearby prospects.
Local Content
Create content that speaks directly to your local audience. Blog about local events, partner with local businesses, and optimise your site with locally relevant keywords. This can give your website a boost in local search rankings and increase the chances of attracting potential customers in your area.
6. Monitor Your Recovery and Adjust
The final step in the recovery process is to monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed. SEO recovery isn’t always immediate. It’s important to give Google time to re-crawl your site and evaluate the changes you’ve made. Use tracking tools to measure the impact of your efforts, and if certain strategies aren’t working, don’t hesitate to pivot.
Regular Audits
Regular audits of your site’s content, technical health, and backlink profile will help you stay on top of any issues that arise. Search Engine Optimisation Expert Consultants often recommend quarterly or bi-annual audits to ensure that your site remains in good standing with Google’s ever-evolving algorithm.
Be Patient
Finally, patience is key. Recovering from a core update can take time, but with consistent effort and a clear strategy, it’s entirely possible to regain lost rankings and improve your site’s performance.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the aftermath of Google’s August 2024 Core Update can be a challenging process, but with the right steps, your website can not only recover but thrive in the new landscape. By assessing your current SEO performance, improving content and technical SEO, focusing on user experience, and leveraging local SEO services, you’ll be well on your way to regaining lost ground. Keep monitoring your site’s progress and don’t hesitate to reach out to Search Engine Optimisation Consultants if you need expert guidance along the way.
