If anyone asks us what makes digital marketing so special, our answer, without a doubt, will be the power of monitoring.
Whether it’s SEO, PPC, social media, or any other digital marketing service, the superpower of measurement enables one to refine and elevate their strategy above the millions of others contesting for attention in the digital arena.
In this blog, we’re zeroing in on SEO—Search Engine Optimization. As per many insights, organic searches account for around 53% of all website traffic.
That is why SEO strategy becomes the crucial factor for any business’s organic growth, and for that, understanding where you currently stand will help you do it rightly.
What is SEO Tracking?
SEO tracking is like having a counter for your website. It collects and analyzes data to show you how successful your website performs in search engines, especially for specific keywords people are searching for. This is done through various tools.
Here’s what SEO tracking tools help you understand
- How many people find your website organically (through search engines, not paid ads)?
- Where your website ranks for specific keywords you want to be found for.
- Whether people are actually clicking on your website from the search results page.
- If visitors are staying on your website and engaging with your content.
Think of it this way: Let’s say you have a store in a prime location but no way to track how many people walk by or how many enter your shop. This is similar to having a website without SEO tracking.
4 Key Metrics To Track SEO Performance
You may have questions like What to Monitor in SEO (and How to Do It). Let us simplify it for you.
Maintaining a strong online presence requires continuous monitoring and optimization. In the world of SEO, this means tracking key metrics that reveal your website’s health and performance in search engines. Let’s look at the key metrics:
1. Organic Traffic
Organic traffic refers to the overall count of users landing on your website through search engines (excluding paid ads). It directly reflects your website’s search engine visibility and user acquisition through organic means. Tracking organic traffic helps you gauge:
- Website visibility: A rising trend indicates improving search engine visibility, attracting more organic visitors.
- User acquisition: Analyze how organic traffic translates into conversions (e.g., purchase sign-ups) to understand its overall impact on your business goals.
How to Track Organic Traffic?
Use Google Search Console (GSC). Go to the “Performance” section and check the “Clicks” metric for the desired timeframe.
2. Keyword Ranking
Keyword rankings indicate your website’s position for specific keywords on search engine results pages (SERPs). They are crucial because:
- Higher rankings lead to greater visibility: The higher your position for relevant search terms, the more likely users are to find your website.
- Track trends and identify opportunities: Monitor ranking fluctuations over time to identify potential issues hindering your ranking or opportunities for improvement.
How To Check SEO Keyword Rankings?
There are many SEO ranking tools available online to track keyword rankings; here are some tools and suggestions that will help you out:
- GSC: It is an official Google rank checker tool, “Google Search Console,” where you can add up to 5,000 keywords for tracking.
- Ahrefs Webmaster Tools: Offers unlimited keyword tracking along with additional insights like search volume and keyword difficulty.
- Free alternatives: Consider free tools like Ubersuggest for basic keyword tracking functionality.
3. Backlinks
The inbound links leading to your website from other websites are known as backlinks. They act as votes of confidence for your website in the eyes of search engines and can significantly influence your ranking potential. Different types of backlinks have varying impacts:
- Dofollow backlinks: These pass link juice (SEO value) to your website, directly impacting your ranking potential.
- Nofollow backlinks: While they don’t directly affect rankings, they still signal brand awareness and potential website authority.
Tools to Track Backlinks:
- Ahrefs Webmaster Tools: Provides detailed backlink data, including the source website, link type (dofollow/nofollow), and DR of the linking website.
- Free alternatives: Consider limited-feature free tools like Moz Link Explorer for basic backlink insights.
4. Selected Technical SEO Issues
The technical elements of your website that could influence its search engine visibility are referred to as technical SEO. While numerous technical issues exist, here are some critical ones to monitor:
- Broken links: These can hinder user experience and negatively impact search engine crawl efficiency.
- Slow loading times: Users are more inclined to abandon slow-loading websites, affecting user experience and potentially impacting rankings.
- Mobile-friendliness issues: With the majority of searches now conducted on mobile devices, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is crucial for both user experience and search engine visibility.
Tools To Track Technical SEO Issues:
- Ahrefs Webmaster Tools: Performs an extensive technical audit, identifying critical issues that require attention.
- Google Search Console: Offers basic technical SEO insights, including identifying crawl errors and potential mobile-friendliness issues.
Ready To Take Action?
Although the metrics we mentioned are essential, consider your specific goals and audience when choosing the metrics to monitor.
Analyzing additional data points like engagement metrics (e.g., time on page) can provide supplementary insights alongside core SEO metrics for a holistic understanding of your website’s performance.
Does your website require an SEO audit to identify opportunities for organic growth? Get a comprehensive analysis with actionable steps to skyrocket your online visibility. Contact us today, and don’t miss out on valuable insights.
