10 Essential SEO Tasks You Can't Overlook

75% of users never click on results on Google's second page. Furthermore, 80% of users avoid clicking on paid ads. This highlights the crucial role of SEO in ranking websites at the top of search results and attracting organic traffic.

If you don’t optimize now, your competitors will seize the opportunity to dominate the market.

To help you achieve the best results, here are 10 essential but often overlooked SEO tasks—including content writing strategies—that can improve your rankings and drive sustainable growth.

1. Leverage Structured Data

Structured data helps Google understand your website content better and display richer results in SERPs. Google has emphasized that "structured data is a standardized way to classify website content."

Common types of structured data:

✅ Articles

✅ Events

✅ Products

✅ Local Businesses

✅ Recipes

✅ Reviews

How to implement effectively:

• Use Schema.org to mark up relevant data.
• Validate your structured data with Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool.
• Monitor results via Google Search Console.

📌 Benefits: Improves visibility in SERPs, increases click-through rates (CTR), and enhances the mobile search experience.

2. Monitor and Manage Backlinks

High-quality backlinks play a crucial role in SEO, but having more links doesn’t always mean better rankings. Google assesses link quality, and an excessive number of spammy backlinks can negatively impact your site’s ranking.

💡 How to do it:

• Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to check backlinks.
• Identify and disavow toxic backlinks via Google Search Console (GSC).
• Manually track links in GSC:
  • Select your website in Google Search Console.
  • Go to Links under "Legacy Tools and Reports."

📌 Benefits: Maintains a clean backlink profile and avoids Google penalties.

3. Create High-Quality Content with the "Skyscraper" Method

The Skyscraper Technique helps your content stand out by:

1️⃣ Finding popular content in your industry.

2️⃣ Creating even better, more valuable content.

3️⃣ Promoting it to gain backlinks.

💡 How to execute:

• Use SEMrush or BuzzSumo to find top-performing content.
• Write in-depth articles with updated data and insights.
• Promote your content to those who have shared similar articles.

📌 Benefits: Increases traffic and earns natural backlinks.

4. Optimize Landing Pages to Reduce Bounce Rate

A high bounce rate may signal to Google that your page isn’t relevant or engaging. If users leave your website quickly, your rankings could suffer.

💡 Optimization tips:

• Ensure titles and meta descriptions accurately reflect the page content.
• Improve UX/UI and page load speed.
• Add clear calls to action (CTAs) to keep visitors engaged.

📌 Benefits: Retains visitors longer and improves conversion rates.

5. Use Infographics to Increase Engagement

Infographics help present complex information quickly, making it easier to understand and share.

💡 How to implement:

• Use Canva, Photoshop, or hire a professional designer.
• Share on social media, blogs, and Pinterest for maximum reach.
• Request backlinks when others use your infographics.

📌 Benefits: Boosts traffic and earns natural backlinks.

6. Integrate Video Content

Video content increases dwell time (time spent on a page), which is a positive SEO signal.

💡 How to use video effectively:

• Create how-to videos or industry-related tutorials.
• Optimize video descriptions with relevant keywords.
• Embed videos in blog posts to keep users engaged.

📌 Benefits: Improves user interaction and SEO rankings.

7. Build Brand Keywords

Instead of only targeting generic keywords, develop brand-specific keywords to establish a unique presence.

💡 How to do this:

• Incorporate your brand name into keywords (e.g., "Future Star SEO Services").
• Optimize content around these branded keywords.
• Use local language to reach your target audience.

📌 Benefits: Enhances brand recognition and searchability.

8. Leverage High-Performing Content for Internal Linking

Top-ranking content can help boost other pages through strategic internal linking.

💡 How to do it:

• Identify high-performing pages using Google Search Console.
• Link from high-authority pages to lower-ranking ones.
• Update old content to keep it fresh and relevant.

📌 Benefits: Improves indexing and overall SEO performance.

9. Optimize for Entity-Based SEO (Semantic Search)

Google increasingly relies on entities to understand search queries.

💡 How to optimize for semantic search:

• Use Schema Markup to define entities clearly.
• Write detailed, topic-focused content around key entities.
• Use natural language and context to enhance content relevance.

📌 Benefits: Increases visibility in semantic search results.

10. Optimize for Voice Search

With the rise of Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa, voice search is more important than ever.

💡 How to prepare for voice search:

• Create FAQ-style content with direct, concise answers.
• Use long-tail keywords that match natural speech patterns.
• Optimize page speed for fast-loading responses.

📌 Benefits: Improves chances of appearing in voice search results.

Conclusion

SEO is not a one-time task but a continuous process. By implementing these 10 essential strategies, you can build a solid SEO foundation, boost rankings, and attract more customers.

Which strategies have you tried? Share your experience!