Are you aware of the impact that cybersecurity has on SEO performance? If not, you’re certainly not alone: many online business owners are unaware that their site’s security can play a major role in their search engine rankings. Thankfully, strengthening your website’s security is something that any online marketer can do with the right set of tools and understanding.
In this article, we’ll be exploring how security impacts SEO ranking, as well as offering some helpful tips for creating a secure SEO strategy for your website. Get ready to gain the insights and advice you need to ensure your content remains safe and ranks high in search engines!
How Cybersecurity Impacts SEO Ranking
Do you write unique texts with smartly incorporated keywords and rely on an effective backlink strategy? Do you use a strong rank tracker tool for daily SEO rank checking and competitor analysis? Do you do all these and more but are still unsatisfied with how your content is ranked by Google algorithms? If so, the issue might be related to your website’s security.
The point is that Google wants its users to have a safe and secure browsing experience, so any malicious or insecure content will be pushed down in the results pages. It also takes into account things such as weak HTTPS connections and site speed, as they can impact users’ trust in the page’s content. This means that those looking to ensure their website ranks high in Google’s search engine should always check back regularly and keep their content up-to-date and secure.
5 Steps to Building a Strong SEO Strategy with Security In Mind
Creating a strong SEO strategy that prioritizes security is essential for any online business. Here are a few surefire strategies that will help you do just that!
#1 Keep your software up-to-date
Keeping your software up-to-date is an essential step to building and maintaining a successful SEO strategy. With the constantly changing landscape of search engine algorithms, online security can affect how your site performs in the SERPs. Any instrument that your business uses must be updated timely. Not only does it ensure the highest level of security for you and your customers, but it can also help to boost the credibility of your website. And this is not to mention the fact that regular updates are essential for the proper functioning of the software.
#2 Perform regular website audits
Another essential step to building a secure SEO strategy is to regularly perform a website audit. The latter gives you an up close and personal look at how your SEO is performing, while also pointing out potential risks that could hurt your ranking or your site’s security. With the help of strong website audit tools, your business can automate the process and easily identify fixable vulnerabilities, protecting its data and users from malicious hackers. In short, regular website audits are essential for both improving your SEO and keeping your website secure — so make them a priority in all of your SEO plans!
#3 Provide comprehensive in-house training
Another useful strategy to make sure your SEO is optimized while keeping security in check is to provide comprehensive in-house training on the topic. Not only will this boost the understanding of strategy among team members, but it will also ensure that all processes used are up to properly secure standards and meet industry regulations. A successful SEO strategy requires both a creative eye and a focused understanding of rules and guidelines. Offering comprehensive training allows for both these necessary components to merge for ultimate execution success.
#4 Stick to trusted cloud storage providers
One more idea to consider is to only stick with trusted cloud storage providers — doing so can give you an added layer of protection that can save you major headaches down the road. Cloud storage offers several advantages such as allowing you to back up data, access your information from anywhere, and free up space on your computer. All these are only relevant though if the provided services are fully safe. This is why before you partner with a company offering cloud services, it may be wise to perform due diligence on their security protocols and user reviews. Besides, always use a secure username and password for any cloud service you decide to use.
#5 Know the warning signs
Last but not least, knowing the warning signs of potential security risks is an important step to any successful SEO strategy. This can include
- suspicious changes in organic traffic such as fewer clicks or longer than average visitor pages
- your Google map ranking checker shows an unusual change in the geo-specific ranking of your site
- redirects produced by viruses or malware on your website
- blocks and low rankings due to cloaking and hidden content issues.
Being aware of the warning signs could help protect your site from malicious attempts to manipulate search engine rankings and reap the benefits of organic search traffic.
Final Thoughts
Applying just a few of these tips will help you get ahead of the game when it comes to integrating security into your SEO strategy. Keep in mind, as digital threats evolve, so should your cybersecurity efforts — regular check-ins and updates are key to maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture. Don’t let security be an afterthought in your SEO plans — make it a priority from the start for long-term success.