Every single day there are over 1 billion Google searches performed worldwide, and everybody looks at the organic side of search. According to a GroupM UK and Nielsen study, 94% of searchers click on the organic search results. Google algorithm updates have changed the way SEO services are sold and delivered, and buying SEO services has never been more confusing.

The Ten Tips for a Successful SEO Strategy are:
1. Understand and agree on the definition of SEO.
2. Ensure the SEO team has the right skill set.
3. Commit to a long-term SEO strategy.
4. Set realistic SEO goals and revisit them monthly.
5. Benchmark your web presence.
6. Use only accurate, timely SEO data for your SEO strategy.
7. Set up Google Analytics Goals and Conversions.
8. Conduct ongoing keyword research.
9. Execute SEO, content marketing and social media in tandem.
10. Use the monthly SEO report as an upsell opportunity.

According to GShift Labs”Ten Steps To A Successful SEO Strategy”

1. Understand and agree on the definition of SEO.

Google algorithm updates over the past three years have not only changed
the way a search engine optimization strategy is executed, they have also
modified the very definition of SEO.

2.Regardless of who is executing your SEO strategy, ensure they offer SEO,
content marketing and social media services.

3. Commit to a long-term SEO strategy.
A successful SEO campaign requires a long-term commitment. The longer
the organization is able to commit, the stronger the results will be. Think of
SEO as a marathon rather than a sprint.
A minimum commitment to SEO should be no less than six months. A longer
term SEO strategy (ideally one that is ongoing) will focus continued resources
and budget on content marketing, which will enhance the digital footprint and widen the
gap between your web presence and your competitors’.

4. Set realistic SEO goals and revisit them monthly.
Once buy-in and commitment are achieved, the next step is for the
buyers and sellers of the SEO strategy to define and agree on two items:
1. The definition of a successful SEO strategy
2. Realistic goals

Examples of Realistic & Reasonable SEO Goals
1.To increase overall visits and conversions from organic search while increasing the number of keywords the web presence is being discovered for in search and social.
2.To continually discover non-branded keywords that visitors have used to reach the web presence and improve or create on-site and off-site content to assist other searchers in their discovery process.
3.To expand the brand’s web presence across search and social by growing the content index and the number of keywords that are discoverable.
4.To enhance the brand’s social presence by growing its authority, influence and relevance to its prospects and customers.

5. Benchmark your web presence.
As you get started with the SEO process, it is important to understand your
digital footprint in order for progress to be accurately measured. How is
your web presence currently performing in organic search? Revisit these
benchmarked metrics in the monthly reporting processes. They will serve
as an accurate reminder of the state the web presence was in and the state
of discoverability prior to the SEO strategy commencing.
Web presence metrics to benchmark include:
Number of pages currently included in Google’s search index
Number of backlinks currently referencing the web presence
Keywords of importance and how they rank in the Google index that your prospects and customers use to discover content (Google.com, Google.co.uk)
Number of non-branded keywords that were discoverable, i.e. ranking in the top 50 search engine results pages (SERPs)
Number of followers in Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Google+
Number of social media conversations produced on a monthly basis
Number of unique website visitors from organic search on a monthly basis
If Conversions in Google Analytics are set up then benchmark the number of successful conversions for non-branded keywords
Quantity of new pieces of content being produced and distributed on a monthly basis

6. Use only accurate, timely SEO data for your SEO strategy.
The role that SEO data plays in the delivery and reporting of SEO
processes is the foundation for decision making and proving
progress throughout the SEO strategy. Interpreting the data is
paramount in making the right decisions about what to do
next to a web presence in order to enhance its discoverability
in search and social.

7. Set up Google Analytics Goals and Conversions.
Many SEO projects focus on improving the organic rank
or search positions of keywords.

Getting Started:
1. Ensure Google Analytics is installed on the web presence in question.
2. Set up at least three Goals and Conversions including:
a. Time on Site
b. Number of Pages Visited
c. Completion of the Contact Us Form
3. Traffic from mobile devices now accounts for approximately 24% of searches. Consider setting up conversions specifically to understand your mobile audience.
4. Add additional Goals and Conversions as the web presence matures, as more content is added and as you get to know the web presence.

8.Build ongoing keyword research into your SEO process and present new non-branded keywords in the monthly report.

9. Execute SEO, content marketing and social media in tandem.
Since Google started making massive algorithm updates to eliminate less than ethical SEO strategies to ensure that relevant content is found in its index, a consistent commitment to content that engages the audience is fundamental to success in organic search.

Social media is also important because organic search discoverability is about relevance. Social media and social networking are about relationships with a brand or a person, and  relationships prove relevance. Distributing content through the social
channels will produce four necessary outcomes:
1. Increase the relevance, authority and influence of the brand.
2. Increase the number of followers in the particular social channel.
3. Increase the exposure of the brand through amplification.
4. Increase the likelihood of the prospect or customer discovering the content when they are ready to buy.

10. Use the monthly SEO report as an upsell opportunity. Often the SEO report is delivered to the client’s or boss’ inbox with no further conversation for upsell or budget.
Think of the monthly SEO reporting process as a chance to discuss wins and losses, opportunities and threats. A time to secure more budget or an additional order form.
Describe the metrics in terms of wins and stepping stones while always restating goals and the original benchmarked data so the stakeholders remember where the starting point was.

Source:gShiftLabs