Digital Marketing Insider (163): 6-7-24

Howdy Digital Marketing Insiders!

Welcome back to another edition of our Friday newsletter, crafted with expertise and passion by the talented minds here at our marketing agency.

This week, we're shining the spotlight on Tanner Medina, one of our badass team members whose insights are as invaluable as they are insightful (yes, he has been featured before!). Tanner has a knack for uncovering hidden gems within the realm of SEO, and we're happy to share his latest discoveries with you!

Get ready to elevate your SEO game with our newest blog post: "100 SEO Benchmark Audits: The Ultimate Guide." 🚀

We've discussed the importance of SEO in previous newsletters, but now it's time to dive deep into the nuts and bolts of SEO benchmark audits. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of this vital process, offering actionable strategies and expert tips to optimize your website's performance.

From analyzing backlink profiles to fine-tuning on-page elements, Tanner leaves no stone unturned in this comprehensive guide. Whether you're a seasoned SEO pro or just starting out, there's something here for everyone.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to supercharge your SEO efforts and propel your website to new heights. Stay tuned for a treasure trove of insights, tools, and techniques that will revolutionize your approach to SEO auditing.

Get ready to embark on a journey towards SEO success. Let's dive in and discover what's possible together! 🌟

I did 100 SEO benchmark audits in 6 months. Here’s 8 things I learned

When some people talk about SEO audits, they're thinking about an automated report. The way I approach SEO audits is like a deep dive into the intricacies of a site. This comprehensive approach helps me understand each website at a core level, going beyond mere numbers to a detailed analysis of SEO performance.

Look obviously every website is different. But after looking at 100, you start to notice some trends. You can use these insights to optimize your own site, or better understand what your competitors are doing. Let's dive in!

What Is an SEO Audit?

An SEO audit examines how well a website is optimized for search engines. It highlights issues that impede performance and reveals opportunities to improve visibility.

Typically, audits focus on a specific SEO pillar—On-Page, Off-Page, or Technical SEO. These pillars can be broken down into sub-topics such as keyword research, content analysis, and backlinks. I integrate all three, providing a holistic view of a website’s SEO landscape.

How My SEO Audit Methodology Stands Out Using Benchmarks

My approach to SEO audits goes beyond the norm by focusing on industry benchmarks that I've crafted through a meticulous examination of industry standards, competitor spying, and our client portfolio.

I identify businesses in multiple competitive industries that consistently meet or exceed expectations over several quarters and analyze the numerical commonalities among these high performers. These figures then become the benchmarks that guide all subsequent analyses.

Utilizing advanced tools such as Semrush, Google Search Console, and GA4, comprehensive data is gathered for each audit. This method does not merely assess your website in isolation but places it within the broader competitive landscape. Such a thorough analysis helps pinpoint the precise standing of your site and shapes tailored strategies to propel it forward.

I categorize the benchmarks into three critical areas:

• General SEO - This is the foundational check to see if the 'house is on fire.' I start by assessing your site's Domain Authority to understand its standing against the competition.

• SGE (Search Generative Experience) Preparedness - With Google’s SGE updates, it’s crucial to prepare your site for future changes that affect how it appears in search results. I evaluate how well your site is optimized for SERP features like Featured Snippets and 'People Also Ask' boxes.

• Keywords & Growth - This category delves into the more traditional SEO territory but with a strategic twist. It examines the current rankings and the density of those rankings across different pages. This analysis provides deep insights into your existing content strategy, uncovering immediate opportunities and guiding the development of subsequent efforts to maintain and build momentum.

In analyzing the three categories, I've identified eight key benchmarks that exhibit prominent trends across the 100 audits conducted. These benchmarks reveal best practices and common areas requiring attention, which are critical for enhancing your website's SEO strategy. Here’s a closer look at each benchmark:

• Domain Authority

• Branded vs. Non-Branded Traffic Distribution

• Core Web Vitals & Mobile Performance

• SERP Features

• SCHEMA Markup

• Organic Growth

• Non-Brand Ranking Keyword Positions

• Organic Traffic Page Distribution

Now, let’s dive into how these insights can shape a winning SEO strategy for you.

8 Key SEO Trends Identified Through 100 SEO Benchmark Audits 

Through conducting over 100 SEO benchmark audits, I've identified eight key trends that consistently influence website performance. These trends are particularly prevalent among websites that have recently reduced or paused their SEO initiatives.

To read the rest of this article and other great ones like it, go check out our WebMechanix Blog. See you there!

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