The WP SEO Show – Demystifying SEO for WordPress Websites

Main talking pointsIn this episode, we chat through structuring SEO retainers and how to sell them effectively. The main talking points include:Importance of having a clear, structured framework for SEO services that outlines what the agency delivers and how they operate, with potential scalability.The risks of not having a structured offer and how clients can influence the services' scope without a clear framework.Broader application of these principles beyond SEO, including web design and other services.Challenges in defining monthly recurring services, especially in SEO, compared to project-based services like website development.How an onboarding or discovery phase helps you properly set up clients, understand their needs, and build an effective strategy.Emphasis on setting clear expectations from the start to prevent misunderstandings about deliverables and to maintain client satisfaction.LinksBook a Strategy Session

In this episode, we explore the various aspects of choosing the right keywords for SEO and the implications they have for a content strategy and, ultimately, the target business.The main talking points include: The importance of keywords in SEOChoosing the Right KeywordsKeyword Research and StrategyUnderstanding Traffic and RelevanceBalancing Keyword Difficulty and Search VolumeExpectations and MisconceptionsShoutoutsMike Michalowicz – https://mikemichalowicz.com/

Main talking points:In this episode, Pete and Jeff discuss Google's March 2024 algorithm update. This update focuses on Google's efforts to combat spam, particularly by addressing low-quality, unoriginal, and AI-generated content.This update isn't just about algorithm changes, however, but also introduces new spam policies, specifically targeting expired domain abuse, scaled content abuse, and site reputation abuse.The update aims to reduce spammy and unoriginal content by about 40%, enhancing the quality of search results.The importance of content authenticity and value to users is underscored, noting that AI-generated content, if used, should not dominate a site's content strategy.Google's update is a move towards cleaning up the internet ecosystem, making it more user-centric and reducing the effectiveness of manipulative SEO tactics.Pete and Jeff also discuss the broader implications for SEOs and website owners, encouraging them to focus on creating valuable, original content rather than relying on AI-generated or manipulative content strategies.Linkshttps://blog.google/products/search/google-search-update-march-2024/https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2024/03/core-update-spam-policieshttps://developers.google.com/search/docs/essentials/spam-policies#site-reputation

Main talking points include:In this episode, Pete and Jeff take a step back and look at how agencies should approach SEO for each client, and demonstrate that there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach – it all needs to be contextual to the competition.The conversation revolves around how SEO is a game of displacement, so as a web professional, it is your job to review the competition and put a suitable plan in place for each client. That will inform your tech stack, your content structure, and maybe even the platform you choose to build the site on – everything.The hosts also touch on surrounding themes of Keyword Research (and understanding a website's current level of operation through their Keyword Baseline), and how important speed and performance issues are in the grand scheme of things.Links: SEOHive Strategy SessionsHow to Understand Our Keyword Research

This show sees our first ever guest to The WP SEO Show - Matt Lasky. Pete and Matt discuss the importance of a well-structured web design brief for both clients and agencies. Matt, drawing from his career experience and his book "How to Take a Web Design Brief," emphasizes how a solid brief underpins successful project outcomes, effective communication, and ultimately, client satisfaction.Main talking points include:The transformative effect of clear communication and understanding client goals.The role of a comprehensive brief in guiding project direction and fostering creative solutions.Strategies for agencies to navigate client feedback and maintain a collaborative relationship.The significance of aligning project objectives with user needs to improve conversion rates and achieve client objectives.This discussion highlights how a detailed, thoughtful brief is not just administrative paperwork but a foundational tool for project success and client-agency collaboration.Links"How to take a Web Design Brief" on AmazonMatt's LinkedIn Profile

Our 5-minute SEO Assessment of any client website! Disclaimer: This isn't a process for running a full SEO Audit on a website. Instead, this is the process I go through when a lead comes in to talk about SEO. Before any project has been confirmed, or any money has exchanged hands, this is the process I go through before the initial call to give me context. Website structureUser experienceCurrent RankingsCompetitor Websites & RankingsWebsite Speed / Core Webs VitalsThis leads to two gated products... SEO Health CheckKeyword Research & Mapping... and from here I can present a retained proposal.Need some help?Wondering how SEOHive can help your business? Book an Intro CallNeed to get under the hood with something? Book a Strategy SessionWant to know the stats behind a website? Buy some Scout Reports

Following on from a comment made by Google's John Mueller on X, formerly known as Twitter, Pete and Jeff have an honest discussion about whether you can ever guarantee SEO Results? Main talking points include:Why you can never guarantee SEO resultsHow to talk to clients about SEO results and how to tie them into commercial metricsThe risks of relying too much on a single platform for businessThe ethical aspects of selling SEO services, focusing on the importance of honesty and value in client interactions 

In this episode, Pete and Jeff explore a real example of a content AI checker, and how a client interpreted the results. Needless to say, the outcome wasn’t exactly “easy” to understand, so they chat through the results, the pitfalls and how these checkers are placed in the market at the moment.

Initiating SEO discussions with clients can be hard – regardless of if this is a new client on a client you've had for years...In this episode we explore strategies for approaching SEO sales conversations, emphasizing the importance of presenting SEO as an opportunity rather than a hard sell. We discuss the importance of understanding a client's current business state, objectives, and expectations for SEO.We also cover themes such as assessing a client's website performance, conducting keyword research, setting realistic targets, the challenges of working with brand new businesses and the importance of not overcommitting to unattainable goals.Main talking points include:Approaching SEO sales conversations: Presenting SEO as an opportunity rather than a hard sell.Understanding the client's business: Assessing the current state, objectives, and expectations for SEO.Assessing website performance: Analyzing client's website for SEO readiness.Conducting keyword research: Importance of selecting appropriate keywords for client's business.Setting realistic SEO targets: Importance of achievable goals, especially for new businesses.Charging for SEO services: The need for agencies to charge fairly.Long-term client relationships: Focusing on sustained growth and consistent results.Download the SEOHive SEO Audit & Sales Presentation Template.

Main talking points include: Our first show of 2024 focuses on three core SEO principles expected to be significant in the year. The first is the enduring importance of content, especially in the context of AI's growing influence and the need for authentic, human-generated material. Secondly, technical SEO – emphasizing the increasing relevance, especially given the rise of AI-generated content and its impact on search rankings. Finally, the growing prominence of local SEO, including the importance of optimizing for local search results and map pack traffic.\In summary:Importance of Content: Emphasizing the need for authentic, human-generated content in the age of AI.Technical SEO: Increasing relevance due to the rise of AI-generated content affecting search rankings.Local SEO: Highlighting the significance of optimizing for local search results and map pack traffic.AI's Impact: Discussing how AI is shaping SEO strategies and content creation. ShoutoutsIsaac's Skiing YouTube ChannelThe Admin BarAlex Curtis / The Lead Engine

Overview of Core Web Vitals:We kick off this episode walking through the six Core Web Vitals – a set of metrics used by Google to evaluate the user experience of a website.These are:First Contentful Paint (FCP)Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)Time to InteractiveSpeed IndexCumulative Layout Shift (CLS)Total Blocking Time (TBT)Each vital is then discussed in detail, explaining what they measure and their importance in website performance.Strategies for Improving Core Web Vitals:Importance of optimizing images and videos, including best practices for media file sizes and formats.Discussion on the use of WordPress and how various tools can impact Core Web Vitals.Techniques for optimizing JavaScript loading, such as deferring or minifying scripts.The significance of setting correct image sizes and the impact of media on layout shifts.Real-World Challenges and SolutionsPete & Jeff share practical experiences and challenges they've faced in optimizing websites, offering insights into real-world application of these strategies.Importance of Testing and Iteration: Emphasis on the necessity of testing optimizations and understanding the impact of changes on overall website performance.SEO and Core Web Vitals as Part of a Larger Strategy: They discuss how Core Web Vitals fit into a broader SEO strategy and the need to balance technical optimization with other SEO elements.

In this episode, Jeff and Pete discuss the concept of "Paid Discovery" in SEO projects. They delve into why it's crucial for agencies to charge for the discovery phase of an SEO project, how it benefits both the agency and the client, and best practices for implementing this approach.Key Points Discussed:What is Paid Discovery?Getting paid to figure out if you'll work with a client and cover the time needed to determine if it's a good fitPuts skin in the game for the client to show they are seriousBenefits of Paid DiscoveryAllows agency to demonstrate expertise without giving away full strategyHelps ensure client is equipped for the SEO work requiredProvides opportunity to align on commercial goals and objectivesScreens out clients not suitable to work withRunning a Paid Discovery SessionBe clear it's not a sales pitch, though the goal is to agree on a proposalFocus on trust building and showing your capabilities as an expertInclude a "low risk offer" like a coupon to incentivize signing on for ongoing workOperational ConsiderationsTake the time upfront to understand infrastructure and capacity limitations clients may haveBe willing to walk away from bad fits even when it's uncomfortableHave your own audit process or leverage tools like Scout Reports to qualify leads

In this episode, Pete and Jeff dive into how you can better utilize some built-in but overlooked WordPress features to improve SEO on your site.Key Takeaways on Post Types, Categories, and Archive Templates:Post Types - The Highest Level of OrganizationPost types are the highest level for categorizing different content across your site, like pages and posts.Avoid going overboard and creating a lot of custom post types. Keep it simple.The Power of Categories and TaxonomiesUse categories (which are a default taxonomy) to group related content within post types. This allows better content targeting.For example, an ecommerce site could have categories for different product types under the default WooCommerce products post type.Take Advantage of Archive TemplatesThe archive template controls the display of taxonomy and date-based archive pages.You can add unique, relevant content to archive templates to make these pages more useful, like FAQs, videos, etc related to the category topic.This helps demonstrate your authority for those category-related keywords.Plan Site Structure and Metadata EarlyIdeally, post types, taxonomies and site structure get planned early on along with actual content and keywords being targeted.Don't let developers make these organizational decisions solo without client input. Logic doesn't always translate for real visitors.Should You Have Author Archives?Author archive pages usually only make sense on content-heavy sites like newspapers where the actual author is important.For small business sites, you likely want to disable these from being indexed to avoiding duplicate content issues.The Goal: Leverage What You HaveThe goal with post types, taxonomies and archive templates is ultimately to better leverage your existing on-site content for improved SEO targeting - not complex tricks.Take what WordPress offers out-of-the-box and customize it to your advantage.

In this episode, Pete and Jeff muse about the trials and tribulations of WordPress Core Updates and how the latest release – WordPress 6.4 – went, as it wasn't as smooth as others have been. They cover: What core updates are and why they're importantBest practices when performing WordPress updatesWhat to do to ensure nothing goes wrong

We come into contact with a LOT of websites – we audit them, we optimise them and we work hard to get them ranking in the SERPs. In this episode, Pete and Jeff take a look through the top 10 most common SEO mistakes they come across in dealing with client websites. ** SPOILER ALERT – here's the list ** Unchecking "Disallow the search engines from indexing this site"Not undertaking keyword researchOverusing target keywords Leaving development URLs in place when a site gets pushed live Not optimising Images properlyIgnoring technical SEO features (particularly in the build) – See Ep 8 - The Importance of Technical SEO Not running your SEO Plugin through it's Optimisation Process Having a flat URL structureNot reviewing performance once built and populated Not building internal links to key target pages

In a change from the usual schedule, now we're 10 shows in we thought it was prudent to introduce us and our company, SEOHive, a little more. In this episode, we chat through exactly how Pete and Jeff met, how SEOHive was started and what it is that we offer today. If you would like to discuss how SEOHive can help you, schedule a 20 minute intro call today! 

AI is the fastest growing phenomenon since the invention of the internet itself, and as with any leap forward in technology there are pro's, con's and unknowns... In this episode, Pete and Jeff chat through the benefits and pitfalls of current SEO AI tools, and how they use them. They also touch on some of the moral dilemmas when it comes to using AI and how far you should reasonably let it go in your processes right now. 

Technical SEO isn't the sexy side of SEO, but it is vital to ensure it's correct as it holds the keys to unlock the power in ALL other SEO practices.In this episode, Pete & Jeff chat through the importance of Technical (on-page) SEO, why it's vital that those building websites understand the basics (with some tips on what you can do), and what your first steps should be on any SEO Program. We also mention Website Ipsum – a really handy tool from Kyle Van Deusen and The Admin Bar. 

In this episode, Pete and Jeff talk through how keywords are used in content. This includes: A basic outline of what a keyword isWhy it important to understand the keywords your customers use to search for your products and servicesA top level SEO strategy that any website can use for freeHow to incorporate keywords into content

In this episode, Pete and Jeff chat around the lifecycle of SEO Algorithm updates and the themes that have come to pass over the last 10 years or so. The pair also consider what to do when algorithm (or "algo") updates happen, so you can ride them out as well as possible.