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# Azib Yaqoob
WordPress Specialist
## Posts
### [Blog](https://azibyaqoob.com/blog/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
---
### [How to Configure W3 Total Cache Settings? (Step by Step Tutorial)](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-configure-w3-total-cache-settings-step-by-step-tutorial/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Do you want to properly install and set up W3 Total Cache?
W3 Total Cache is one of the best WordPress caching plugins and can help you easily improve WordPress speed and performance.
In this tutorial, I will show you how to properly set up the W3 Total Cache plugin in WordPress.
#### Why Should You Use W3 Total Cache?
W3 Total Cache improves your WordPress website performance and speeds it up. It reduces page load times by using features like CDN integration, code minification, browser caching, and more.
You can use caching plugins such as [WP Rocket and NitroPack](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which One is the Best for You?") without manually fiddling with the settings. However, a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache requires manual modification in order to enable caching on the website. Here are some of the benefits W3 Total Cache offers:
- Search engines like Google prefer faster websites and rank them higher. Your site will perform better in the search results.
- It reduces page load time which creates a better user experience. This encourages users to spend more time on your website and view more products and pages.
- Using HTML, CSS, and JS file minifications, you can save up bandwidth.
W3 Total Cache is one of the best WordPress caching plugins. It is easy to configure, and with the help of this tutorial, anyone can set up this plugin. Caching helps you [reduce server response time](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-i-fixed-siteground-low-server-response-time-issue/ "How I Fixed SiteGround Slow Server Response Time Issue?") and boost overall site performance.
#### Things To-do Before Configuring W3 Total Cache Settings
1\. Check your existing page load speed using tools like [Pingdom ](https://tools.pingdom.com/ "Pingdom Tools")or WebPageTest. Take a screenshot or [download the results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Google Search Results to Excel CSV?") if possible.
2\. If you use any other caching mechanism, you need to turn it off before installing W3 Total Cache.
3\. [Set up a staging site](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/ "How to Set up and Use SiteGround Staging to Test Your Site?") to test your changes. Please don’t try this tutorial on a live website.
After that, you can follow these steps to properly set up the W3 Total Cache plugin on your WordPress website.
#### Step 1: Download and Install W3 Total Cache Plugin
- Log into your WordPress site. Go to **Plugins** > **Add New**.
- Search for “W3 Total Cache” in the plugin’s directory.
- Click on the “Install Now” button and wait for a moment.
- Click the **Activate** button.
#### Step 2: How to Configure Basic Settings in W3 Total Cache
Go to the “General settings” page to make these changes.
##### Preview Mode
Enabling Preview mode will help you test the changes on the website before making them live.
I would recommend using the preview mode to test the configuration. Once you are confident that your website is working fine, you can deploy those changes.
##### Page Cache
Enabling the page cache will make your site considerably faster. If you don’t have technical skills, then using only “Page Cache” is enough to speed up the website.
Check the box in front of Page Cache to enable this feature. Make sure that under the “Page Cache Method,” the Disk Enhanced method is selected.
##### Minify
**Important:** I would strongly recommend enabling “Preview Mode” before fiddling with Minify if you are testing it on the live website.
Enabling the Minify option will improve your site speed by at least 10%. It will reduce the size of your site’s JavaScript, CSS, and HTML files.
Click on the **Enable** check box to turn on Minify. It might show you a warning; if that’s the case, click on the “I Understand the Risk” button.
Keep other settings to “Auto,” then click on the **Save Settings & Purge Cache**s button. It will enable essential minification.
##### Database Cache
Enabling the database cache will improve the speed of database queries. It will make the site’s backend load much faster. However, If you are using shared hosting, then best keep it disabled.
By keeping the default settings, you can enable this feature. Test it in the preview mode, then Deploy.
##### Object Cache
This feature will further enhance the speed of everyday database operations. However, like the Database cache, enabling it on a shared server might slow down your site. If that’s the case, then keep it disabled.
Enable [Object](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-obj-character-in-wordpress-post-title/ "How to Remove OBJ in a Box in WordPress?") Cache by clicking on the checkbox. Select “object cache method” to Disk. Test in the preview mode, then deploy.
##### Browser Cache
Reduce [server load and response](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/) in a user’s web browser. It will save a copy of a page in the user’s browsers. Next time the user visits a page, this copied version will load on their browser.
Enable by clicking on the checkbox. Click on the “Save Settings and Purge Cache” button.
##### CDN (Content Delivery Network)
If you are using a CDN already, you can enable this feature. However, you must contact your CDN provider or check their knowledge base for instructions to correctly configure this feature.
If you are not using any CDN service at the moment, then you can skip this option for now.
#### Step 3: How to Configure Advanced Settings in W3 Total Cache
By using the above general settings, you can improve your site speed. However, if you want to improve your site’s performance further, you can enable more features in W3 Total Cache.
##### Page Cache
Under the Performance menu in your WordPress sidebar, select Page Cache.
From the General tab, turn on these settings:
- Cache Front Page
- Cache feeds: site, categories, tags, comments
- Cache SSL (HTTPS) requests
- Don’t cache pages for logged-in users
- Don’t cache pages for following user roles (Select All the options)
The rest of the options on the page cache are a bit advanced, and I recommend keeping them as-is for now.
##### Minify
On this page, you will find all the advanced settings to minify JS, CSS, and HTML further.
Since we have selected the “Auto” minification in the general settings, we need to change it to “Manual” first. The author recommends using the auto option, but if you want, you can further minify. Here’s how:
- Under HTML & XML tab, select all the options except “Don’t Minify Feeds”.
- Enable JS Minify settings from the JS tab.
- Enable CSS Minify Settings from the CSS tab.
##### Browser Cache
Now, let’s see how we can enable more options on the browser cache page.
This page comes pre-configured if you enable this feature from the general settings page. Make sure that these settings are selected under all the tabs:
- Set Last-Modified Header
- Gzip Compression
- Prevent caching of objects after settings change
After applying settings in W3 Total Cache, you can use tools like Pingdom and WebPageTest to test your page load time.
Most websites immediately see a performance improvement when they use W3 Total Cache. If you want to try out different caching plugins then check out this comparison of [WP Super Cache vs WP Fastest Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs. Fastest Cache: Which is Better?").
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Lazy Load Images in WordPress (Step-by-Step Guide)](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-lazy-load-images-in-wordpress-step-by-step-guide/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Website speed matters. A slow-loading site can frustrate visitors, hurt your SEO rankings, and lead to lost sales. One of the easiest ways to improve your WordPress site’s performance is by lazy loading images.
Lazy loading is a technique that loads images only when they’re about to enter the user’s view. This means your site loads faster because it doesn’t have to load every image right away.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to lazy load images in WordPress without needing to touch code.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [What Is Lazy Loading?](#What_Is_Lazy_Loading)
- [Why Lazy Loading Matters for WordPress Websites](#Why_Lazy_Loading_Matters_for_WordPress_Websites)
- [How to Lazy Load Images in WordPress (The Easy Way)](#How_to_Lazy_Load_Images_in_WordPress_The_Easy_Way)
- [1. Use Native Lazy Loading in WordPress (Built-In)](#1_Use_Native_Lazy_Loading_in_WordPress_Built-In)
- [2. Use a WordPress Plugin to Lazy Load Images](#2_Use_a_WordPress_Plugin_to_Lazy_Load_Images)
- [3. Optimize Image Sizes Before Lazy Loading](#3_Optimize_Image_Sizes_Before_Lazy_Loading)
- [4. Use Lazy Loading for Background Images and Videos](#4_Use_Lazy_Loading_for_Background_Images_and_Videos)
- [5. Test Your Website After Enabling Lazy Loading](#5_Test_Your_Website_After_Enabling_Lazy_Loading)
- [Final Thoughts](#Final_Thoughts)
## What Is Lazy Loading?
Lazy loading is a performance optimization strategy. Instead of loading all images on a page at once, it loads them only when needed. For example, if you have 20 images on a long blog post, lazy loading ensures only the top few are loaded initially. The rest load as the user scrolls down.
This reduces page size and [server requests](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?"), which helps pages load faster.
## Why Lazy Loading Matters for WordPress Websites
Here’s why you should enable lazy loading on your WordPress site:
- **Improved Page Speed**: Faster websites provide better user experiences.
- **Better SEO**: Page speed is a ranking factor in Google’s algorithm.
- **Lower Bounce Rates**: Users stay longer when pages load quickly.
- **Reduced Bandwidth Usage**: Especially important for mobile users.
- **Improved Core Web Vitals Score**: Key for SEO and user satisfaction.
## How to Lazy Load Images in WordPress (The Easy Way)
### 1. Use Native Lazy Loading in WordPress (Built-In)
Since WordPress 5.5, lazy loading is automatically enabled for all images that use the `` tag. This means most modern WordPress themes already lazy load images out of the box.
However, this native lazy loading relies on browser support. While most modern browsers support it, it may not work in every case. Also, some themes or custom-coded elements might bypass this feature.
To double-check if native lazy loading is working:
- Open your website in Chrome.
- Right-click on any image and inspect the HTML.
- Look for `loading="lazy"` in the `` tag.
If it’s missing, your theme or plugin might be stripping it out.
### 2. Use a WordPress Plugin to Lazy Load Images
If your theme doesn’t support native lazy loading properly—or you want more control—you can use a plugin. Here are some of the best options:
#### a) **WP Rocket**
WP Rocket is a premium [caching plugin ](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Top 5 WordPress Caching Plugins for Lightning-Fast Websites")that includes lazy loading. It’s easy to enable:
- Go to **Settings > WP Rocket > Media**
- Check the box that says **“Enable for images”**
- Optionally enable lazy loading for iframes and videos
[WP Rocket](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which is Faster?") is great because it optimizes everything in one place—caching, minification, and lazy loading.
#### b) **a3 Lazy Load**
This is a free plugin built specifically for lazy loading:
- Install it from Plugins > Add New
- Search “a3 Lazy Load” and activate
- Go to **Settings > a3 Lazy Load**
- Configure what content to lazy load: images, iframes, videos, widgets, etc.
This plugin also [works well with page builders](https://azibyaqoob.com/wordpress-page-builders-that-actually-work-for-service-businesses/) and WooCommerce.
#### c) **Smush by WPMU DEV**
Smush is a popular image optimization plugin that also supports lazy loading:
- Go to **Smush > Lazy Load**
- Enable it and adjust settings based on your theme and layout
It’s a great all-in-one tool if you also want to [compress and resize images](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/) automatically.
### 3. Optimize Image Sizes Before Lazy Loading
Lazy loading improves speed, but it works even better when your [images are optimized](https://azibyaqoob.com/image-seo-guide-how-to-optimize-images-for-search-engines/) beforehand. Here’s what to do:
- Resize images before uploading (use proper dimensions)
- [Compress images](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality?") using tools like **TinyPNG** or **ShortPixel**
- Use modern formats like WebP
Many plugins (like Smush or ShortPixel) also compress and convert images for you automatically.
### 4. Use Lazy Loading for Background Images and Videos
Lazy loading standard images is easy. But what if you have images set as background images in CSS or videos on your page?
Most basic lazy loading plugins won’t handle these. For that, you’ll need:
- WP Rocket (it supports iframe and video lazy loading)
- Lazy Load XT (for more advanced setup, including background images)
Or you can hire a developer to add JavaScript-based lazy loading for background images using Intersection Observer.
### 5. Test Your Website After Enabling Lazy Loading
Always [test your site](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/) after enabling lazy loading. Here’s how:
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights to see if lazy loading is working.
- Open your site in a browser and scroll down slowly. You’ll notice images load right before they enter view.
- Check your console (right-click > Inspect > Console tab) for any JavaScript errors.
If you see broken image previews or blank spaces, adjust your plugin settings or try a different plugin.
## Final Thoughts
Lazy loading is one of the easiest ways to speed up your WordPress site. It helps with user experience, SEO, and even server performance. If your site isn’t using it yet, you’re missing out on a simple fix that can make a big impact.
Whether you use WordPress’s built-in lazy loading, or install a plugin for more control, you’ll see the benefits almost immediately.
Want a faster WordPress site that ranks higher and converts better? Start with lazy loading your images.
**Not sure how to speed up your WordPress site?**
If lazy loading and optimization feel overwhelming, I can help. [Hire me](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact") to make your site faster and more efficient.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Caching, Image compression, Speed optimization, WordPress
---
### [How Long It Takes to Recover from a Google Penalty](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-long-it-takes-to-recover-from-a-google-penalty/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If your website traffic has suddenly dropped and rankings have vanished, you might be dealing with a Google penalty. Whether it’s a manual action or an algorithmic update, recovering from a penalty isn’t instant, and the recovery timeline depends on the type of penalty, how fast you act, and the steps you take to clean up the problem.
In this article, I’ll explain how long it takes to recover from different types of Google penalties, what factors affect recovery time, and what you should do right now to fix it.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [What Is a Google Penalty?](#What_Is_a_Google_Penalty)
- [How Long Does It Take to Recover?](#How_Long_Does_It_Take_to_Recover)
- [Common Reasons for Google Penalties](#Common_Reasons_for_Google_Penalties)
- [How to Recover Step by Step](#How_to_Recover_Step_by_Step)
- [How to Tell If You’ve Recovered](#How_to_Tell_If_Youve_Recovered)
- [Pro Tips for a Faster Recovery](#Pro_Tips_for_a_Faster_Recovery)
### What Is a Google Penalty?
A Google penalty happens when your website violates Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. This can result in sudden ranking losses, traffic drops, or even [being removed from the search index](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-old-or-outdated-pages-from-google-search/ "How to Remove Old or Outdated Pages from Google Search").
There are two types of penalties:
- **Manual penalties:** These are applied by a human reviewer at Google when your site violates specific rules.
- **Algorithmic penalties:** These are automatic and result from changes in Google’s search algorithms, like Panda (content quality) or Penguin (link quality).
### How Long Does It Take to Recover?
There’s no fixed timeline for recovery. It depends on the penalty type and the actions you take.
#### 1. **Manual Penalties**
Recovery Time: **2–4 weeks** (after fixes and reconsideration request)
Once you fix the issue and submit a **Reconsideration Request**, Google reviews your site manually. If everything looks good, the penalty can be lifted within a few weeks.
#### 2. **Algorithmic Penalties**
Recovery Time: **1–3 months or more**
There’s no one to appeal to here. You’ll need to fix the underlying issues and wait until Googlere-crawls and re-indexes your site. In some cases, recovery can be fast if the issue is small. But for larger problems like low-quality content or bad backlinks, it could take months.
### Common Reasons for Google Penalties
- Unnatural backlinks or link schemes
- Duplicate or thin content
- Keyword stuffing
- Cloaking or sneaky redirects
- Spammy structured data
- User-generated spam (e.g. in blog comments)
- Hacked websites
### How to Recover Step by Step
**Step 1: Identify the Penalty Type**
Check Google Search Console for any manual action messages. If there’s nothing, it might be an algorithmic issue.
**Step 2: Fix the Issues**
Depending on the problem:
- [Remove or disavow bad backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/ "How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)")
- Improve thin or duplicate content
- Clean up spammy sections of your website
- [Patch security vulnerabilities](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-a-free-wordpress-security-plugin/ "How to Set Up a Free WordPress Security Plugin") if your site was hacked
**Step 3: Submit a Reconsideration Request (for manual penalties)**
Be transparent and detailed. Explain what went wrong, what you’ve done to fix it, and how you’ll avoid the issue in the future.
**Step 4: Be Patient**
Even after you’ve done everything right, recovery won’t be immediate. You’ll need to wait for Google to reprocess your changes.
### How to Tell If You’ve Recovered
- Your rankings begin to improve
- Traffic returns steadily
- Manual action warning disappears in Google Search Console
- You start seeing your pages indexed again
### Pro Tips for a Faster Recovery
- **Use Google Search Console regularly.** Monitor messages and performance data.
- **Audit your backlinks.** [Tools like Ahrefs or Semrush](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free Link Building Tools to Supercharge Your SEO") can help spot toxic links.
- **Keep content quality high.** [Avoid duplicated or spun content.](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?")
- **Don’t take shortcuts.** Buying links or [using black-hat SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/whats-the-main-difference-between-white-hat-seo-vs-black-hat-seo/ "What’s the Main Difference between White Hat SEO VS Black Hat SEO?") might work temporarily — but penalties will always catch up.
Recovery from a Google penalty can take weeks or months, but it’s possible — especially if you act fast, fix the root issues, and follow best practices. The key is to stay consistent and patient.
**Need help fixing a Google penalty or recovering lost rankings?** Let’s talk — I can help audit your site and guide you step-by-step. **[\[Contact me today.\]](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact")**
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** search results, seo strategy
---
### [Why Your WordPress Contact Form Isn’t Sending Emails](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-your-wordpress-contact-form-isnt-sending-emails/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Your contact form is live. Visitors fill it out. But you never get the email. Sound familiar?
This is one of the most frustrating problems WordPress users face. Luckily, the fix is usually simple once you know where to look.
In this guide, I’ll over the exact reasons why your contact form isn’t sending emails and how to fix it, step by step.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Contact Form Emails Fail to Deliver](#Why_Contact_Form_Emails_Fail_to_Deliver)
- [How to Fix Contact Form Email Issues in WordPress](#How_to_Fix_Contact_Form_Email_Issues_in_WordPress)
- [Step 1: Install an SMTP Plugin](#Step_1_Install_an_SMTP_Plugin)
- [Step 2: Verify Your “From” Email Address](#Step_2_Verify_Your_%E2%80%9CFrom%E2%80%9D_Email_Address)
- [Step 3: Check Contact Form Settings](#Step_3_Check_Contact_Form_Settings)
- [Step 4: Check Spam and Email Logs](#Step_4_Check_Spam_and_Email_Logs)
- [Step 5: Test with a Different SMTP Provider](#Step_5_Test_with_a_Different_SMTP_Provider)
- [Step 6: Use a Custom Domain Email Address](#Step_6_Use_a_Custom_Domain_Email_Address)
- [Step 7: Enable Domain Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)](#Step_7_Enable_Domain_Authentication_SPF_DKIM_DMARC)
- [Bonus Tip: Use Form Confirmation Messages](#Bonus_Tip_Use_Form_Confirmation_Messages)
### Why Contact Form Emails Fail to Deliver
There are a few common reasons this happens:
#### 1. **Your Hosting Server Isn’t Set Up to Send Emails**
Many WordPress hosting providers don’t have mail functions properly configured. Some even block them for [security reasons](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-a-free-wordpress-security-plugin/ "How to Set Up a Free WordPress Security Plugin"). That means even if the form is working, your server might not be able to send the email.
#### 2. **You’re Using the Wrong “From” Email Address**
If your contact form sends emails using an address like `noreply@yourdomain.com`, and that address isn’t verified or doesn’t exist, most mail servers will reject it.
#### 3. **Emails Are Going to Spam**
Sometimes the form is working, but the emails end up in your spam folder. This is common when the domain isn’t authenticated or the message looks suspicious.
#### 4. **Your Contact Form Plugin Isn’t Configured Properly**
Whether you’re using WPForms, [Contact Form 7,](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-contact-form-7s-persistent-ajax-loading-spinner-issue/ "How to Fix Contact Form 7’s Persistent Ajax Loading Spinner Issue") or Fluent Forms, a small misconfiguration, like a missing recipient email, can stop emails from being delivered.
#### 5. **No SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is Set Up**
By default, WordPress uses the `wp_mail()` function, which relies on PHP mail — and that’s unreliable. Using SMTP gives your email authentication and improves deliverability.
### How to Fix Contact Form Email Issues in WordPress
Let’s walk through the proven steps to get your contact form emails working again.
### Step 1: **Install an SMTP Plugin**
The first thing to do is stop relying on the default PHP mail function. Instead, install an SMTP plugin to authenticate your email.
**Recommended SMTP plugins:**
- WP Mail SMTP
- FluentSMTP (free and lightweight)
- Post SMTP
Once installed, choose a mailer like:
- Gmail
- Sendinblue (Brevo)
- Mailgun
- SMTP.com
- Your web host’s SMTP server
These services improve email deliverability by authenticating your messages.
### Step 2: **Verify Your “From” Email Address**
Make sure the “From” email you use is:
- From your own domain (e.g. `hello@yourdomain.com`)
- Verified with your SMTP service or host
- Matches what’s allowed by your SMTP provider
Don’t use free emails like `@gmail.com` for sending, these often get flagged or blocked.
### Step 3: **Check Contact Form Settings**
Go to your form plugin and double-check:
- The **recipient email address** is correct (where the email should be sent)
- The **from name and from email** fields are filled properly
- The **message template** isn’t blank or malformed
Also test with a simple subject and message. Some special characters or code in the message can cause errors.
### Step 4: **Check Spam and Email Logs**
- Check your spam folder to make sure emails aren’t landing there
- If you’re using WP Mail SMTP or FluentSMTP, go to the **email logs** to see if your form is triggering a send attempt
This can help you confirm whether the issue is with the form or the delivery.
### Step 5: **Test with a Different SMTP Provider**
If your current SMTP setup isn’t working, switch to a different provider temporarily and test.
Gmail (via WP Mail SMTP) and Sendinblue (Brevo) are good free options to test.
### Step 6: **Use a Custom Domain Email Address**
Set up a professional email like `you@yourdomain.com` through:
- Your hosting control panel
- Google Workspace
- Zoho Mail (free for one domain)
This looks more professional and helps avoid spam filters.
### Step 7: **Enable Domain Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)**
If you’re using an [external email service](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/ "Best Cheap Email Marketing Services to Grow Your List"), make sure your DNS records are correctly configured:
- **SPF**: Authorizes specific mail servers to send for your domain
- **DKIM**: Adds a digital signature to your email
- **DMARC**: Protects your domain from spoofing
Your SMTP provider will give you the DNS records to add usually in your domain’s control panel.
### Bonus Tip: Use Form Confirmation Messages
Even if the email doesn’t send, show users a clear confirmation message like:
> “Thanks for contacting us. Your message has been received!”
This gives confidence that the form worked and reduces duplicate submissions.
Need help setting this up for your site? I offer WordPress setup and troubleshooting services. [**\[Contact me here\]** ](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact")to get expert help and ensure your contact form never drops a message again.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** contact form, WordPress errors
---
### [How to Fix a Sudden Drop in Google Rankings](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-a-sudden-drop-in-google-rankings/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
A sudden drop in Google rankings can be alarming, especially if you rely on organic traffic for leads and sales. Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or SEO specialist, quick diagnosis and corrective action are crucial. In this guide, we’ll walk through the common causes and proven solutions to help you recover lost rankings.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Step 1: Confirm the Drop is Real](#Step_1_Confirm_the_Drop_is_Real)
- [Step 2: Rule Out Technical Issues](#Step_2_Rule_Out_Technical_Issues)
- [✅ Check for:](#%E2%9C%85_Check_for)
- [Step 3: Investigate Algorithm Updates](#Step_3_Investigate_Algorithm_Updates)
- [✅ What to Do:](#%E2%9C%85_What_to_Do)
- [Step 4: Evaluate Your Content](#Step_4_Evaluate_Your_Content)
- [✅ Audit for:](#%E2%9C%85_Audit_for)
- [Step 5: Analyze Your Backlink Profile](#Step_5_Analyze_Your_Backlink_Profile)
- [✅ Use tools like:](#%E2%9C%85_Use_tools_like)
- [✅ How to Fix:](#%E2%9C%85_How_to_Fix)
- [Step 6: Review Competitor Changes](#Step_6_Review_Competitor_Changes)
- [✅ Check for:](#%E2%9C%85_Check_for-2)
- [Step 7: Optimize for Core Web Vitals](#Step_7_Optimize_for_Core_Web_Vitals)
- [✅ Key Metrics:](#%E2%9C%85_Key_Metrics)
- [Step 8: Reindex Critical Pages](#Step_8_Reindex_Critical_Pages)
- [✅ How to:](#%E2%9C%85_How_to)
## Step 1: Confirm the Drop is Real
Before you panic, verify the ranking drop.
- **Check Google Search Console**: Review the “Performance” report for impressions, clicks, and average position.
- **Compare with Google Analytics**: See if organic traffic has declined or remained stable.
- **Check Ranking Tools**: Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest can help validate changes.
Sometimes ranking shifts are temporary due to algorithm testing or personalized search.
## Step 2: Rule Out Technical Issues
Technical SEO problems can suddenly impact rankings.
### ✅ Check for:
- **[Site Downtime](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-monitor-your-wordpress-website-for-downtime/ "How to Monitor Your WordPress Website for Downtime")**: Use a tool like UptimeRobot to ensure your site hasn’t gone offline.
- **Crawling Issues**: Check Google Search Console’s Coverage and Crawl Stats reports.
- **Accidental Noindex Tags**: Ensure critical pages aren’t blocked from indexing.
- **Broken Redirects**: Ensure proper 301 redirects are in place after changes.
- **HTTPS and Mixed Content Issues**: Ensure your [SSL certificate ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-ssl-unavailable-error-in-shopify/ "How to Fix SSL Unavailable Error on Shopify?")is active and all content is secure.
## Step 3: Investigate Algorithm Updates
Google frequently updates its algorithm.
### ✅ What to Do:
- Visit sites like [Search Engine Roundtable](https://www.seroundtable.com/) or Moz’s Algorithm Update History to see if there was a recent update.
- If your drop coincides with an update, review the nature of the update and adjust accordingly.
For example:
- Content-focused updates may penalize thin or AI-generated content.
- Link-focused updates may devalue spammy backlinks.
## Step 4: Evaluate Your Content
Has your content become outdated or less relevant?
### ✅ Audit for:
- **Outdated Information**: Update statistics, [broken links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?"), or old references.
- **Search Intent Mismatch**: Make sure your content matches what users are searching for.
- **Low Engagement**: [High bounce rate ](https://azibyaqoob.com/here-is-a-quick-cure-to-reduce-bounce-rate-of-any-website/ "How to Reduce Bounce Rate of Your Website")or low time-on-page could signal poor user experience.
Consider rewriting or expanding your most important pages.
## Step 5: Analyze Your Backlink Profile
[Toxic or lost backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/ "How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)") can hurt rankings.
### ✅ Use tools like:
- **Ahrefs or SEMrush**: To monitor lost links and spammy domains.
- **Google Search Console**: Review the “Links” section to see who links to you.
### ✅ How to Fix:
- Disavow bad links using Google’s Disavow Tool.
- Reach out to webmasters to remove low-quality links if possible.
- Focus on building [high-authority, relevant backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/link-building/ "Link Building").
## Step 6: Review Competitor Changes
Sometimes [your competitors](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-seo-competition-research-analysis-tools/ "7 Best SEO Competition Research and Analysis Tools") just improved their game.
### ✅ Check for:
- New pages or content from competitors.
- Better backlinks or [faster loading websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Top 5 WordPress Caching Plugins for Lightning-Fast Websites").
- Rich snippets (FAQs, reviews, etc.) appearing on their results.
Match or exceed their improvements to regain your position.
## Step 7: Optimize for Core Web Vitals
Google uses page experience signals in ranking.
### ✅ Key Metrics:
- **LCP (Largest Contentful Paint)**: Should be under 2.5s
- **FID (First Input Delay)**: Under 100ms
- **CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift)**: Less than 0.1
Use tools like PageSpeed Insights or Web.dev to test and fix issues.
## Step 8: Reindex Critical Pages
If the problem seems page-specific, manually request reindexing.
### ✅ How to:
- Go to Google Search Console > URL Inspection
- Paste the URL
- Click “Request Indexing”
Ranking drops are stressful but often fixable. By systematically checking [technical SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Do a Technical Website Audit for SEO?"), content quality, backlinks, and external changes, you can identify the issue and begin your recovery.
Struggling with rankings and don’t know where to start? Let’s do a full SEO audit and fix what’s broken. [**\[Contact me today\]** ](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact")to get your rankings back on track — fast, ethical, and effective.
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** Google Search Console, search results, seo strategy
---
### [How to Remove Bad Yelp & Google Reviews from Search Results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-bad-yelp-google-reviews-from-search-results/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Negative reviews on platforms like Yelp or Google can show up in search results and damage your business’s online reputation. Even if the review itself is unfair or misleading, the visibility it gets on Google can turn potential customers away before they ever click through to your website.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to deal with negative reviews effectively and what steps you can take to remove, suppress, or push them down in Google search results.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Do Negative Reviews Show Up in Google?](#Why_Do_Negative_Reviews_Show_Up_in_Google)
- [Can You Remove Negative Yelp or Google Reviews?](#Can_You_Remove_Negative_Yelp_or_Google_Reviews)
- [For Google Reviews](#For_Google_Reviews)
- [For Yelp Reviews](#For_Yelp_Reviews)
- [What If You Can’t Get the Review Removed?](#What_If_You_Cant_Get_the_Review_Removed)
- [1. Push Down Negative Results with SEO](#1_Push_Down_Negative_Results_with_SEO)
- [Strategies to Use:](#Strategies_to_Use)
- [2. Respond to the Review Professionally](#2_Respond_to_the_Review_Professionally)
- [Tips for responding:](#Tips_for_responding)
- [3. Collect More Positive Reviews](#3_Collect_More_Positive_Reviews)
- [Ask your happy clients to leave reviews:](#Ask_your_happy_clients_to_leave_reviews)
- [4. Use Legal Options Carefully](#4_Use_Legal_Options_Carefully)
- [5. Hire Online Reputation Management (ORM) Services](#5_Hire_Online_Reputation_Management_ORM_Services)
- [Final Thoughts](#Final_Thoughts)
- [Need Help Managing Bad Reviews?](#Need_Help_Managing_Bad_Reviews)
## Why Do Negative Reviews Show Up in Google?
When someone searches for your business, Google shows what it believes are the most relevant and trusted sources of information. That includes:
- Your [Google Business Profile](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-rank-google-my-business-listing-on-google-maps/ "How to Rank Google My Business Page on Google Maps?")
- Yelp reviews
- Facebook pages
- Third-party review sites like TripAdvisor, Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot
If one of these contains a bad review — especially if it’s recent or highly rated by others — it can rank high in the results.
## Can You Remove Negative Yelp or Google Reviews?
Let’s be clear: **you cannot remove a review just because you don’t like it.** However, you *can* request removal **if the review violates platform guidelines.**
### For Google Reviews
You can flag a Google review if it is:
- Spam or fake content
- Off-topic or irrelevant
- Contains hate speech or offensive language
- Conflicts of interest (e.g., a competitor posing as a customer)
#### How to Report a Google Review:
1. Go to your Google Business Profile
2. Navigate to the “Reviews” tab
3. Find the negative review
4. Click the three dots next to it
5. Select **“Flag as inappropriate”**
6. Fill out the form and explain your reason
If Google finds the review violates its policies, it will remove it. This can take a few days to a few weeks.
### For Yelp Reviews
Yelp has strict content guidelines, and you can flag a review that contains:
- Obvious falsehoods or fake experiences
- Harassment or threats
- Conflict of interest (fake or paid reviews)
- Promotion of another business
#### How to Report a Yelp Review:
1. Log into your Yelp for Business account
2. Go to the review section
3. Click on the “flag” icon next to the review
4. Provide details about why it violates guidelines
Note: Yelp is more selective than Google when it comes to review removal. They often side with reviewers unless the violation is clear.
## What If You Can’t Get the Review Removed?
In many cases, reviews do not violate platform rules — they’re just negative. In that case, your goal should shift to **suppression and reputation management.**
Here’s how to suppress bad reviews from Google search:
## 1. Push Down Negative Results with SEO
You can create and optimize new content that ranks above the negative review. The goal is to *push it down* in search results. Here’s a detailed guide to [suppress or remove negative search results.](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove & Suppress Negative Search Results")
### Strategies to Use:
- **Publish fresh blog posts** targeting branded keywords
- Create SEO-optimized location pages
- Update your Google Business profile regularly
- Get featured on trusted sites or local directories
- Optimize your social media profiles (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram)
The more strong, relevant content you create, the less likely it is that negative reviews will dominate the search page.
## 2. Respond to the Review Professionally
If removal fails, you can at least control how it appears by crafting a calm, helpful reply.
### Tips for responding:
- Thank the reviewer for the feedback
- Acknowledge the issue, even if you disagree
- Offer a solution or a way to continue the conversation offline
- Avoid arguing or blaming — this reflects poorly on your brand
Professional responses show potential customers that you care and that the review may not tell the whole story.
## 3. Collect More Positive Reviews
One of the best ways to drown out a negative review is by **getting more great ones.**
### Ask your happy clients to leave reviews:
- After a successful project
- Through a follow-up email
- With a link directly to your Google or Yelp profile
Tools like **Whitespark**, **Grade.us**, or **GatherUp** can help automate the review collection process.
## 4. Use Legal Options Carefully
If a review is blatantly false and damaging, and all other methods fail, you can consult an attorney about sending a **cease-and-desist letter** or requesting a court order. This is rare, expensive, and only advised if the content is seriously defamatory.
## 5. Hire Online Reputation Management (ORM) Services
If you’re dealing with multiple negative reviews or a reputation crisis, you might consider hiring professionals.
They can help:
- Suppress harmful search results
- [Monitor brand mentions](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-monitor-your-brand-mentions-for-reputation-management/ "How to Monitor Your Brand Mentions for Reputation Management?")
- Strategically improve your online image
Be cautious, though—many ORM providers overpromise. Choose one with a strong track record.
## Final Thoughts
Negative Yelp or Google reviews can hurt your brand, but they don’t have to define it. By knowing your removal options and combining smart SEO with review management, you can regain control over what shows up when people search for you.
## Need Help Managing Bad Reviews?
If you want help cleaning up negative content from Google or suppressing harmful reviews, I offer **personalized SEO and online reputation management services**.
Let’s talk about how we can protect and rebuild your brand online.
**[→ Contact me today for a free consultation.](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact")**
**Categories:** Online Reputation Management
**Tags:** search results
---
### [Track WordPress Contact Form Submissions in Google Analytics 4 (GA4)](https://azibyaqoob.com/track-wordpress-contact-form-submissions-in-google-analytics-4-ga4/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you rely on contact forms to generate leads or inquiries from your WordPress website, it’s essential to know whether people are actually submitting them. With Google Analytics 4 (GA4), tracking form submissions has become easier—thanks to built-in features like **Enhanced Measurement**. But depending on how your forms are built, you might still need a custom setup.
This guide covers both methods—**automatic tracking** using GA4’s built-in events, and **manual setup** for advanced or custom WordPress forms.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [✅ Why Tracking Contact Form Submissions Is Important](#%E2%9C%85_Why_Tracking_Contact_Form_Submissions_Is_Important)
- [🔍 Method 1: Track WordPress Forms Automatically Using GA4](#%F0%9F%94%8D_Method_1_Track_WordPress_Forms_Automatically_Using_GA4)
- [📌 How Automatic Form Tracking Works](#%F0%9F%93%8C_How_Automatic_Form_Tracking_Works)
- [🧩 How to Enable It](#%F0%9F%A7%A9_How_to_Enable_It)
- [⚠️ Important Caveats](#%E2%9A%A0%EF%B8%8F_Important_Caveats)
- [🔧 Method 2: Custom Setup with Google Tag Manager (GTM)](#%F0%9F%94%A7_Method_2_Custom_Setup_with_Google_Tag_Manager_GTM)
- [✅ Step-by-Step Guide (Using GTM):](#%E2%9C%85_Step-by-Step_Guide_Using_GTM)
- [📝 Pro Tip: Label Your Forms](#%F0%9F%93%9D_Pro_Tip_Label_Your_Forms)
- [🧠 Which Method Should You Use?](#%F0%9F%A7%A0_Which_Method_Should_You_Use)
- [🛠 Compatible WordPress Form Plugins (Tested)](#%F0%9F%9B%A0_Compatible_WordPress_Form_Plugins_Tested)
- [📊 How to See Form Submissions in GA4 Reports](#%F0%9F%93%8A_How_to_See_Form_Submissions_in_GA4_Reports)
- [Final Thoughts](#Final_Thoughts)
- [💬 Want Help Setting It Up?](#%F0%9F%92%AC_Want_Help_Setting_It_Up)
### ✅ Why Tracking Contact Form Submissions Is Important
Your contact form is often where a visitor becomes a lead. If you can’t measure form submissions, you’re missing key data—like which pages convert best, what channels drive leads, or how your[ marketing efforts ](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online")are performing.
Knowing exactly **how many people are submitting forms**, and **where they came from**, can help you:
- Improve user experience
- Focus your [SEO and ad budget](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-use-seo-facebook-ads-together-for-local-businesses/ "How to Use SEO + Facebook Ads Together for Local Businesses")
- Boost conversion rates
- Justify your marketing investments
## 🔍 Method 1: Track WordPress Forms Automatically Using GA4
If you’re using standard contact forms (especially from builders like WPForms or Elementor), GA4 might already track them using its **Enhanced Measurement** feature.
### 📌 How Automatic Form Tracking Works
GA4’s Enhanced Measurement can track:
- `form_start`: When someone begins filling out a form
- `form_submit`: When they submit the form
These events are captured automatically—**no coding or setup required**—if your forms are compatible.
### 🧩 How to Enable It
1. Open your **GA4 Admin Panel**
2. Go to **Data Streams** under “Property”
3. Click on your website data stream
4. Make sure **Enhanced Measurement** is turned ON
5. Click the gear icon and confirm that **Form Interactions** is enabled
That’s it—GA4 will begin tracking form submissions automatically.
### ⚠️ Important Caveats
- This works well for **basic HTML forms**, not all WordPress plugins.
- If your form uses AJAX or JavaScript to submit, GA4 may **not** detect it.
- If you have **multiple forms**, GA4 doesn’t label them separately—so you won’t know which form was submitted.
## 🔧 Method 2: Custom Setup with Google Tag Manager (GTM)
If GA4’s automatic tracking doesn’t capture your WordPress forms properly—or you want more detailed tracking—you can use **Google Tag Manager** to manually track form submissions.
### ✅ Step-by-Step Guide (Using GTM):
#### 1. Identify the Form
Inspect your form in the browser and check for:
- A unique **ID** (e.g., `id="contact-form"`)
- A class name (e.g., `class="wpforms-form"`)
#### 2. Create a Trigger in GTM
- Go to **Triggers > New > Form Submission**
- Choose “Some Forms” and define conditions (like Form ID or Page URL)
#### 3. Create a Tag
- Go to **Tags > New > GA4 Event Tag**
- Set it to fire on your Form Submission trigger
- Name your event something like `contact_form_submit`
#### 4. Preview and Test
Use GTM’s **Preview** mode to test and verify your tag is firing correctly. Then, publish the changes.
#### 5. View in GA4
In GA4, go to:
- **Reports > Engagement > Events**
- Look for your custom event (`contact_form_submit` or whatever name you used)
### 📝 Pro Tip: Label Your Forms
Send custom parameters with each event to specify:
- Form name
- Page URL
- Lead type (e.g., “Quote Request”, “Newsletter Signup”)
## 🧠 Which Method Should You Use?
Use CaseRecommended MethodSimple WordPress forms (HTML-based)GA4 Automatic TrackingForms built with WPForms, Elementor, etc.GA4 Automatic (Test first)AJAX or JavaScript-based formsGoogle Tag ManagerNeed to track specific forms/pagesGoogle Tag Manager## 🛠 Compatible WordPress Form Plugins (Tested)
PluginGA4 Auto EventsGTM Recommended?WPForms✅ Likely works✅ Yes (for control)Contact Form 7⚠️ Mixed✅ RecommendedGravity Forms⚠️ Mixed✅ RecommendedElementor Forms✅ Likely works✅ OptionalFluent Forms⚠️ May need GTM✅ YesAlways test to confirm. Even if automatic tracking works, GTM gives you better reporting.
## 📊 How to See Form Submissions in GA4 Reports
Once tracking is working, head to:
- **Reports > Engagement > Events**
- Search for `form_submit`, `form_start`, or your custom event name
For more insights, create **Conversions** and set up **Exploration Reports** to analyze what leads to form submissions.
## Final Thoughts
If you want to know how well your WordPress website is converting visitors into leads, tracking form submissions is not optional—it’s essential.
- Use **GA4’s automatic tracking** if you have basic forms.
- Use **Google Tag Manager** if you need more accuracy, control, or are using complex form plugins.
---
### 💬 Want Help Setting It Up?
Need help integrating GA4 or GTM into your WordPress site? Let’s chat. I help businesses set up smart, clean analytics that actually deliver insight. [Contact me here](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact").
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** google analytics
---
### [How to Use SEO + Facebook Ads Together for Local Businesses](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-use-seo-facebook-ads-together-for-local-businesses/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you want your local business to grow in 2025 and beyond, relying on just one marketing strategy won’t cut it. SEO helps you build long-term organic visibility, while Facebook Ads bring instant traffic and leads. But the real magic happens when you *combine* them strategically. Here’s how you can use SEO and Facebook Ads together to get more customers for your local business.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why SEO and Facebook Ads Work Better Together](#Why_SEO_and_Facebook_Ads_Work_Better_Together)
- [Step 1: Start With Local SEO](#Step_1_Start_With_Local_SEO)
- [Step 2: Set Up Facebook Ads for Local Awareness](#Step_2_Set_Up_Facebook_Ads_for_Local_Awareness)
- [Step 3: Retarget Your Website Visitors with Facebook Ads](#Step_3_Retarget_Your_Website_Visitors_with_Facebook_Ads)
- [Step 4: Sync SEO Content With Facebook Ads Content](#Step_4_Sync_SEO_Content_With_Facebook_Ads_Content)
- [Step 5: Track, Measure, and Optimize](#Step_5_Track_Measure_and_Optimize)
## Why SEO and Facebook Ads Work Better Together
SEO builds trust. Facebook Ads build attention.
When someone sees your Facebook Ad, they might not be ready to buy immediately. But if they later search for your business and find a strong, optimized website ranking on Google, it builds credibility.
On the other hand, when your website ranks for [important local keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?"), Facebook Ads can retarget that audience and bring them back faster.
In short: **SEO = Organic trust**
**Facebook Ads = Immediate attention**
**Together = More leads and faster conversions.**
## Step 1: Start With Local SEO
Before you spend a dime on ads, make sure your[ local SEO is strong.](https://azibyaqoob.com/local-seo-for-lawyers-the-ultimate-guide-to-dominating-local-search/ "Local SEO for Lawyers: The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Local Search")
- **Google My Business Optimization:** Claim and [optimize your Google Business Profile](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-rank-google-my-business-listing-on-google-maps/ "How to Rank Google My Business Page on Google Maps?"). Use accurate business name, address, phone, working hours, and photos.
- **Local Keywords:** [Target keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "7 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools 2022 (Updated)") like “roof repair in Austin” or “best dentist near me” inside your website content.
- **On-Page SEO:** Make sure your [website loads fast](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Top 5 WordPress Caching Plugins for Lightning-Fast Websites"), is mobile-friendly, and has clear service pages.
- **Local Citations:** List your business consistently across online directories (like Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc.).
👉 *Pro Tip:* A strong local SEO foundation improves the performance of your Facebook Ads too.
## Step 2: Set Up Facebook Ads for Local Awareness
Once your local SEO is in place, [use Facebook Ads ](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "How to Set Up Facebook Retargeting Ads Campaign?")to push targeted traffic to your site.
- **Target Locally:** In Facebook Ads Manager, set your targeting radius around your city or service area.
- **Use Clear Offers:** Promote time-sensitive offers like “Free Consultation,” “10% Off First Service,” or “Limited Slots Available.”
- **Create Trust Signals:** Mention awards, years of experience, or local testimonials directly in your ad copy.
- **Run Lead Ads:** Instead of sending users to your website, you can collect leads directly inside Facebook through Lead Forms.
## Step 3: Retarget Your Website Visitors with Facebook Ads
Not everyone converts on the first visit. That’s where retargeting comes in.
- **Install Facebook Pixel:** Add Facebook Pixel to your WordPress site. It tracks who visits and what actions they take.
- **Create Custom Audiences:** Target people who visited specific pages like your “Contact” or “Pricing” page.
- **Show Retargeting Ads:** Create ads that say “Still Need Roofing Help?” or “Still Looking for the Best Local Trainer?” to remind them.
👉 *Pro Tip:* Retargeted visitors are 70% more likely to convert than first-time visitors.
## Step 4: Sync SEO Content With Facebook Ads Content
Consistency is key.
- **Promote Blog Posts:** If you wrote a blog post like “Top 5 Ways to Prepare Your Roof for Winter,” boost that blog post through Facebook Ads to drive more SEO traffic.
- **Boost Testimonials or Case Studies:** If you have powerful client stories, create Facebook Ads around those. It boosts both trust and engagement.
## Step 5: Track, Measure, and Optimize
Don’t just guess if things are working—measure!
- **Use UTM Parameters:** Add UTM tags to your Facebook Ads links to[ track in Google Analytics](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?").
- **Monitor Rankings and Traffic:** Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console to track your local SEO performance.
- **A/B Test Ads:** Regularly test different ad creatives and offers to improve your click-through and conversion rates.
# Final Thoughts
If you want fast local growth, don’t choose between SEO and Facebook Ads—*use them together.*
SEO brings steady, long-term traffic. Facebook Ads bring instant visibility and sales opportunities. When you combine them strategically, you create a marketing machine that brings leads month after month.
Need help setting up a high-converting SEO and Facebook Ads strategy for your local business? [\[**Contact me today**\] ](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact")— let’s create a customized plan that brings real results!
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** facebook ads, seo strategy
---
### [How to Remove Old or Outdated Pages from Google Search](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-old-or-outdated-pages-from-google-search/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
When you update your website or remove outdated content, you might notice that some old pages still appear in [Google search results.](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Export Google Search Results to Excel?") This can confuse visitors and hurt your brand’s credibility. If you’re wondering how to properly remove outdated or old pages from Google, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Let’s dive into the right strategies — from quick removals to permanent fixes — to keep your[ online presence clean](https://azibyaqoob.com/internet-reputation-repair-2017/ "How to Repair Your Online Reputation [DIY Guide]") and professional.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Old Pages Still Appear in Google](#Why_Old_Pages_Still_Appear_in_Google)
- [Quick Fix: Use Google’s Removal Tool](#Quick_Fix_Use_Googles_Removal_Tool)
- [Permanent Removal: The Right Way](#Permanent_Removal_The_Right_Way)
- [1. Delete or Update the Page](#1_Delete_or_Update_the_Page)
- [2. Return a Proper HTTP Status Code](#2_Return_a_Proper_HTTP_Status_Code)
- [3. Remove Internal Links](#3_Remove_Internal_Links)
- [4. Submit for Reindexing](#4_Submit_for_Reindexing)
- [What If You Can’t Delete the Page?](#What_If_You_Cant_Delete_the_Page)
- [How Long Does It Take?](#How_Long_Does_It_Take)
- [Common Questions About Removing Pages](#Common_Questions_About_Removing_Pages)
- [Will removing a page hurt my SEO?](#Will_removing_a_page_hurt_my_SEO)
- [Should I redirect old pages?](#Should_I_redirect_old_pages)
- [Can I remove pages from other people’s websites?](#Can_I_remove_pages_from_other_peoples_websites)
## Why Old Pages Still Appear in Google
Even if you delete a page from your website, Google’s index may still store a copy for weeks or even months. [Google’s crawlers](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?") visit websites on their own schedule, and unless you specifically tell them a page is gone, they assume it might come back.
This is why just deleting a page is not enough — you need to properly inform Google.
## Quick Fix: Use Google’s Removal Tool
If you want to temporarily [hide a page from search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove & Suppress Negative Search Results") while you deal with it:
1. **Go to Google Search Console**
(If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to set it up first.)
2. **Open the ‘Removals’ Section**
3. **Click ‘New Request’ and Enter the URL**
This tells Google to temporarily remove the page from search results (usually for about 6 months).
**Important:**
This does *not* delete the page permanently — it just hides it. You still need to take further action to make it permanent.
## Permanent Removal: The Right Way
If you want the page gone for good, you’ll need to:
### 1. Delete or Update the Page
- **Delete the page** from your server or CMS (like WordPress).
- Or, **update the page** with relevant content if you still [want it indexed](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-slow-indexing-of-new-content-on-wordpress/ "How to Fix Slow Indexing of New Content on WordPress").
### 2. Return a Proper HTTP Status Code
- If deleted, the page should return a **404 (Not Found)** or **410 (Gone)** status.
- 410 tells Google it’s *permanently* removed, and they usually deindex it faster.
In WordPress, you can use plugins like **Redirection** to manage 404/410 responses easily.
### 3. Remove Internal Links
Make sure no other pages on your website link to the deleted page. Otherwise, Google may think it’s still important.
### 4. Submit for Reindexing
- Go to **Google Search Console > URL Inspection**.
- Enter the old page URL and click **Request Removal** after ensuring it shows a 404 or 410.
## What If You Can’t Delete the Page?
Sometimes, you can’t delete the page (for legal reasons or third-party platforms). In that case:
- **Noindex the Page**: Add a meta tag to tell Google not to index it:
``
- **Block It in Robots.txt**: This file tells search engines not to crawl certain pages.
- **Password-Protect the Page**: Secured content won’t appear in search results.
## How Long Does It Take?
After you submit a request, Google usually processes it within a few days to a few weeks.
However, full removal can take longer depending on how often your site is crawled.
Pro Tip: **Keep an eye on Search Console** to track progress.
## Common Questions About Removing Pages
### Will removing a page hurt my SEO?
It depends.
If the old page had [good backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "Dofollow Backlinks: The Key to Top Google Rankings") or traffic, consider updating it instead of deleting. Removing a valuable page without a replacement could slightly impact your SEO.
### Should I redirect old pages?
Yes, if there’s a relevant new page.
Use a **301 redirect** to send users and search engines to a related resource instead of a dead end.
### Can I remove pages from other people’s websites?
No, unless it violates legal policies.
You can, however, report content to Google if it’s a legal issue (like copyright infringement).
# Final Thoughts
Managing your website’s presence in Google is about more than just publishing — it’s about keeping it fresh and up-to-date. If you have old, outdated pages cluttering up your brand image, use the right methods to clean them out properly.
**Need help managing your SEO or website maintenance?**
[Contact me today](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact") and let’s make sure your site is polished, optimized, and client-ready!
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** Google Search Console
---
### [How to Monitor Your WordPress Website for Downtime](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-monitor-your-wordpress-website-for-downtime/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Imagine this: You’ve just published a blog post, shared it on LinkedIn, and scheduled an email campaign to drive traffic. But a few hours later, your website goes down—and you have no idea.
Visitors see a “This site can’t be reached” message. They leave. They don’t come back. Google notices too, and it can [impact your rankings](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?").
This is downtime—and it can quietly kill your business momentum.
Whether you’re a solo coach, run a law firm, or manage an eCommerce brand, monitoring your WordPress website for downtime isn’t optional—it’s part of running a reliable business.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [What Is Website Downtime?](#What_Is_Website_Downtime)
- [Why Monitoring Downtime Matters (Especially for SEO and Trust)](#Why_Monitoring_Downtime_Matters_Especially_for_SEO_and_Trust)
- [How to Monitor Your WordPress Website for Downtime (Step-by-Step)](#How_to_Monitor_Your_WordPress_Website_for_Downtime_Step-by-Step)
- [1. Use Third-Party Uptime Monitoring Tools](#1_Use_Third-Party_Uptime_Monitoring_Tools)
- [2. Enable Server-Level Monitoring](#2_Enable_Server-Level_Monitoring)
- [3. Get SSL & Domain Expiry Alerts](#3_Get_SSL_Domain_Expiry_Alerts)
- [4. Set Up WordPress-Specific Alerts](#4_Set_Up_WordPress-Specific_Alerts)
- [How Often Should You Check for Downtime?](#How_Often_Should_You_Check_for_Downtime)
- [FAQs About WordPress Downtime Monitoring](#FAQs_About_WordPress_Downtime_Monitoring)
- [Final Thoughts: Make Downtime One Less Thing to Worry About](#Final_Thoughts_Make_Downtime_One_Less_Thing_to_Worry_About)
## What Is Website Downtime?
**Website downtime** is any period during which your website is inaccessible to users. This can range from seconds to hours.
Downtime can be caused by:
- Server overload or crashes
- Plugin or theme conflicts
- Expired domains or SSL certificates
- Malware or hacking attempts
- Hosting provider outages
- DDoS attacks
Even a few minutes of downtime can lead to lost traffic, especially if it happens during peak hours or ad campaigns.
## Why Monitoring Downtime Matters (Especially for SEO and Trust)
- **User Trust**: 79% of users won’t return to a site they couldn’t access the first time.
- **SEO Impact**: Googlebot may crawl during an outage. Repeated failures can lead to deindexing or lower rankings.
- **Lead Loss**: If your site is down during a campaign or after a podcast mention, you miss high-intent leads.
- **Client Perception**: You look unreliable. People may think you’ve shut down or gone out of business.
## How to Monitor Your WordPress Website for Downtime (Step-by-Step)
### 1. Use Third-Party Uptime Monitoring Tools
These tools ping your website at regular intervals (every minute, 5 minutes, etc.) and alert you if they don’t get a response.
#### 🔧 Best Uptime Monitoring Tools:
ToolFree PlanCheck IntervalNotification TypesUptimeRobotYes5 mins (1 min paid)Email, SMS, SlackBetter UptimeYes3 minsEmail, SMS, Calls, IntegrationsStatusCakeYes5 minsEmail, WebhookPingdomNo1 minAdvanced reporting✅ **Pro Tip**: Set checks for both your homepage and key landing pages (e.g., /contact or /services) to monitor deep-link availability too.
### 2. Enable Server-Level Monitoring
If you use **managed WordPress hosting**, chances are they already monitor server health. Look for hosts that offer:
- Uptime guarantees
- Auto-restart for crashed services
- Instant alerts via email or dashboard
- Historical uptime reports
**Recommended hosts** with solid uptime monitoring:
Kinsta, Cloudways, WP Engine, Rocket.net
Avoid cheap shared hosting—they often hide outages behind vague explanations.
### 3. Get SSL & Domain Expiry Alerts
Downtime isn’t just about server issues. If your **domain expires** or your **[SSL certificate isn’t renewed](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-ssl-unavailable-error-in-shopify/ "How to Fix SSL Unavailable Error on Shopify?")**, your site will either break or be blocked by browsers.
✅ Use services like:
- **WhoisXML** for domain expiry monitoring
- **SSLMate** or **CertSpotter** for SSL expiry alerts
- **Better Uptime** (includes both in its checks)
### 4. Set Up WordPress-Specific Alerts
Some plugins help you stay informed about:
- Plugin/theme conflicts
- PHP errors
- [High resource usage](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-a-slow-admin-dashboard-in-wordpress/ "How to Fix a Slow Admin Dashboard in WordPress")
- Login attempts or file changes
🔌 **Recommended plugins**:
- WP Health Check
- Query Monitor
- WP Activity Log
- Jetpack Monitor (simple uptime alerts)
Remember: plugins can’t notify you if the whole site is down, so don’t rely on them alone.
## How Often Should You Check for Downtime?
With modern monitoring tools, you can check as often as **every 60 seconds**. That’s 1,440 checks a day.
For most businesses, a **5-minute interval** is enough.
If your site has:
- High daily traffic
- Paid campaigns running
- Clients depending on logins/bookings
…you should aim for 1-minute intervals.
Here’s a quick incident response checklist:
1. **Confirm the Downtime**: Use your uptime dashboard or tools like `downforeveryoneorjustme.com`.
2. **Check Hosting Status**: See if your provider has a reported outage.
3. **Review Logs**: Server logs or plugin logs might give clues (if accessible).
4. **Restore a Backup**: If caused by a plugin update or hack.
5. **Contact Support or Dev**: If you can’t solve it alone.
6. **Notify Visitors**: Use a status page, social media, or email alerts if downtime persists.
✅ **Pro Tip**: Always keep recent **[off-site backups](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-automate-wordpress-backups-with-updraftplus/ "How to Automate WordPress Backups with UpdraftPlus")** (not just the ones stored with your host).
## FAQs About WordPress Downtime Monitoring
**Q: Can I use a free tool to monitor downtime?**
Yes. Tools like UptimeRobot and Better Uptime have great free plans for single-site monitoring.
**Q: Will Google penalize my site for being down?**
Short downtimes usually have no impact. But repeated outages or long periods of downtime *can* hurt your rankings.
**Q: What’s the difference between uptime monitoring and performance monitoring?**
Uptime monitoring checks if your site is online. Performance monitoring checks how fast your site loads and behaves.
**Q: Can I set up SMS alerts for downtime?**
Yes. Most tools offer SMS alerts. Some (like Better Uptime) even offer phone calls if your site goes offline.
## Final Thoughts: Make Downtime One Less Thing to Worry About
Website downtime is easy to ignore—until it costs you. Monitoring it is one of the simplest ways to protect your traffic, leads, and brand.
And if you don’t want to set this all up yourself? I help professionals and small teams build reliable WordPress sites that stay online and secure.
**👉 [Let’s talk about a maintenance plan that gives you peace of mind.](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact")**
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Speed optimization, WordPress, WordPress Backup, WordPress errors
---
### [5 SEO Mistakes Most Coaches and Consultants Make (And How to Fix Them)](https://azibyaqoob.com/5-seo-mistakes-most-coaches-and-consultants-make-and-how-to-fix-them/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you’re a coach or consultant trying to get more clients online, you’ve probably heard that SEO is essential. But here’s the thing—**many coaches invest in SEO without knowing what actually works**, and end up making critical mistakes that hold back their growth.
In this post, we’ll cover **five common SEO mistakes coaches and consultants make**—and more importantly, how to fix them.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Targeting Broad, Competitive Keywords](#1_Targeting_Broad_Competitive_Keywords)
- [❌ The Mistake:](#%E2%9D%8C_The_Mistake)
- [✅ The Fix:](#%E2%9C%85_The_Fix)
- [2. Having a Pretty Website but Poor SEO Structure](#2_Having_a_Pretty_Website_but_Poor_SEO_Structure)
- [❌ The Mistake:](#%E2%9D%8C_The_Mistake-2)
- [✅ The Fix:](#%E2%9C%85_The_Fix-2)
- [3. Ignoring Local SEO Opportunities](#3_Ignoring_Local_SEO_Opportunities)
- [❌ The Mistake:](#%E2%9D%8C_The_Mistake-3)
- [✅ The Fix:](#%E2%9C%85_The_Fix-3)
- [4. Writing Blog Posts No One Searches For](#4_Writing_Blog_Posts_No_One_Searches_For)
- [❌ The Mistake:](#%E2%9D%8C_The_Mistake-4)
- [✅ The Fix:](#%E2%9C%85_The_Fix-4)
- [5. Not Tracking What’s Working (or Failing)](#5_Not_Tracking_Whats_Working_or_Failing)
- [❌ The Mistake:](#%E2%9D%8C_The_Mistake-5)
- [✅ The Fix:](#%E2%9C%85_The_Fix-5)
- [🚀 Ready to Start Ranking?](#%F0%9F%9A%80_Ready_to_Start_Ranking)
## **1. Targeting Broad, Competitive Keywords**
### ❌ The Mistake:
Many coaches go after broad keywords like “life coach” or “business consultant.” These terms are extremely competitive and dominated by big websites or directories.
### ✅ The Fix:
Use **long-tail keywords** instead. These are more specific and often show buyer intent. For example:
- Instead of “business coach,” try “business coach for female entrepreneurs in California.”
- Instead of “career coaching,” try “career coach for tech professionals making a transition.”
Use tools like **Google Autocomplete**, **AnswerThePublic**, or **Ubersuggest** to discover these phrases. You’ll get better rankings, faster.
## **2. Having a Pretty Website but Poor SEO Structure**
### ❌ The Mistake:
Your website looks good but isn’t built to rank. No proper headings, missing metadata, and no keyword targeting. Google can’t understand what your site is about.
### ✅ The Fix:
Structure your site with SEO in mind:
- Use **one H1 tag** per page with a clear keyword.
- Break up content with **H2 and H3 subheadings**.
- Write **unique meta titles and descriptions** for each page.
- Make sure your URLs are clean: `yourwebsite.com/leadership-coaching`, not `yourwebsite.com/page123`.
This helps search engines crawl your site effectively—and helps visitors find what they’re looking for.
## **3. Ignoring Local SEO Opportunities**
### ❌ The Mistake:
Many coaches and consultants assume SEO is only global—but **local traffic converts better**.
### ✅ The Fix:
If you work with clients in your city, optimize for local SEO:
- Create and optimize your **[Google Business Profile](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-rank-google-my-business-listing-on-google-maps/ "How to Rank Google My Business Page on Google Maps?")**.
- Add **location-specific keywords** to your site: “Executive coach in Denver.”
- Include your business address in your footer and contact page.
Local SEO helps you show up in map packs and “near me” searches, which often bring high-converting leads.
## **4. Writing Blog Posts No One Searches For**
### ❌ The Mistake:
You’re creating content regularly, but [not getting any traffic](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?"). That’s because you’re writing what you think is helpful—not what people are actually searching for.
### ✅ The Fix:
Do [keyword research](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the Best Way to Find Out Valuable Keywords for SEO?") **before** writing. Focus on content your audience is actively Googling.
Examples of high-intent blog topics:
- “How to choose the right leadership coach”
- “Pricing for executive coaching in 2025”
- “Career coaching vs mentorship: What’s the difference?”
Make every post solve a specific question or pain point. Add FAQs and clear calls to action at the end.
## **5. Not Tracking What’s Working (or Failing)**
### ❌ The Mistake:
You’re posting content, but have no idea what’s bringing traffic, leads, or conversions.
### ✅ The Fix:
Track everything:
- Use **[Google Analytics](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?")** to monitor traffic and behavior.
- Use **Google Search Console** to track your keyword rankings.
- Set up **goals** like contact form submissions or downloads to measure conversions.
This data helps you focus your efforts where they matter most—and stop wasting time on what doesn’t work.
SEO for coaches and consultants isn’t about tricks or hacks—it’s about understanding your audience, targeting the right keywords, and building a strong content foundation.
If you’re making any of the mistakes above, you’re not alone. But now, you know how to fix them.
## 🚀 Ready to Start Ranking?
I help coaches and consultants create SEO strategies that bring in real, paying clients. If you’re tired of guessing what works, let’s talk.
👉 **[Schedule a free strategy call here](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact")** and start turning Google traffic into coaching clients.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How Long Does SEO Take to Work in 2025?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-long-does-seo-take-to-work-in-2025/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a crucial part of any digital marketing strategy, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood aspects of online marketing. Many businesses expect instant results, but SEO is a long-term investment. So, how long does SEO take to work in 2025? Let’s break it down.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Understanding SEO and Why It Takes Time](#Understanding_SEO_and_Why_It_Takes_Time)
- [Factors That Affect How Long SEO Takes](#Factors_That_Affect_How_Long_SEO_Takes)
- [Typical SEO Timeline in 2025](#Typical_SEO_Timeline_in_2025)
- [SEO in 2025: Patience Is Key](#SEO_in_2025_Patience_Is_Key)
- [Set Realistic Expectations](#Set_Realistic_Expectations)
### **Understanding SEO and Why It Takes Time**
SEO is the process of optimizing your website so that it ranks higher on search engines like Google. The goal is to increase organic traffic to your website by improving your website’s visibility and relevance. SEO includes:
- **On-page SEO**: Optimizing elements on your website such as titles, [meta descriptions](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-aioseo-meta-description-not-updating/ "How to Fix AIOSEO Meta Description Not Updating?"), and content.
- **Off-page SEO**: [Building backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "Dofollow Backlinks: The Key to Top Google Rankings"), social signals, and other external factors.
- **Technical SEO**: Ensuring your site’s technical structure, such as page load speed and mobile responsiveness, is optimized for search engines.
SEO is not a quick fix—it requires patience. Search engines like Google use complex algorithms to determine which websites should rank for specific search terms. These algorithms analyze factors like content quality, backlinks, and user experience. Since search engines update their algorithms regularly, SEO strategies must also evolve, which can affect the time it takes to see results.
### **Factors That Affect How Long SEO Takes**
1. **Competitiveness of Your Industry**
- The more competitive your industry, the longer it will take to see SEO results. For example, ranking for high-competition keywords in industries like finance, health, and[ legal services](https://azibyaqoob.com/local-seo-for-lawyers-the-ultimate-guide-to-dominating-local-search/ "Local SEO for Lawyers: The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Local Search") may take months, or even years, to achieve.
- In contrast, niche businesses or less competitive keywords might see faster results, sometimes within a few months.
2. **Current State of Your Website**
- If your website is new or has a poor SEO history (due to penalties or bad practices), it will take longer to see results.
- Older, established websites with existing traffic and backlinks tend to rank faster when optimized properly.
3. **Quality and Frequency of Content**
- Content is king in SEO. High-quality, informative, and relevant content is essential for ranking. The more content you produce, and the more valuable it is to your target audience, the faster you can expect to see results.
- Regular updates and additions to your website (such as blog posts, case studies, and guides) can accelerate SEO success.
4. **Backlinks and Off-Page SEO**
- Backlinks remain one of the most important ranking factors for Google. Acquiring quality backlinks from reputable websites can boost your rankings.
- However, building backlinks takes time and requires consistent outreach and effort. While some websites may acquire backlinks quickly, others may take longer depending on the industry and relationships.
5. **Technical SEO Optimization**
- If your website is not technically optimized (e.g., slow load times, poor mobile experience, [broken links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?")), it will hinder your SEO efforts and delay results.
- Fixing these issues can result in immediate improvements in rankings, but it may still take time for [search engines to crawl and index](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-slow-indexing-of-new-content-on-wordpress/ "How to Fix Slow Indexing of New Content on WordPress") the changes.
### **Typical SEO Timeline in 2025**
So, how long can you expect SEO to take to show results in 2025? Here’s a rough breakdown:
#### **0 to 3 Months – Initial SEO Setup and Quick Wins**
During the first few months, SEO focuses on getting the basics right. This includes:
- Optimizing on-page SEO (meta tags, headers, content optimization)
- Improving website speed and mobile responsiveness
- Fixing any technical SEO issues like broken links or redirects
- Publishing high-quality content that targets low-competition, long-tail keywords
While results may be slow initially, you might see some early improvements in rankings for less competitive keywords.
#### **3 to 6 Months – Gaining Momentum**
By the 3-6 month mark, your website should start gaining traction. You might notice:
- A gradual increase in organic traffic
- Some of your pages ranking for long-tail and medium-competition keywords
- Initial backlink acquisition, though this process can still be slow
- Improvements in domain authority as search engines start to trust your website more
At this stage, it’s important to keep publishing new content and focus on building a strong backlink profile. Consistency is key.
#### **6 to 12 Months – Noticeable Results**
Between 6 and 12 months, you should start seeing more substantial results, especially if you’ve been consistently creating high-quality content and building backlinks. By this point, you might see:
- Improved rankings for competitive keywords
- Significant growth in organic traffic
- More backlinks and increased domain authority
- Higher visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs)
At this point, your website is likely ranking on the first page for several target keywords, and you’re starting to reap the benefits of your SEO efforts.
#### **12 Months and Beyond – Long-Term SEO Success**
After one year, SEO should be firmly in motion. Your site should have:
- Established authority in your niche
- Rankings for a range of high-traffic and competitive keywords
- A steady stream of organic traffic
- A reliable backlink profile that continues to grow
This is when the real power of SEO kicks in. Your website should see more sustained growth, but keep in mind that SEO is a long-term strategy. Continued optimization and content development are key to maintaining and improving rankings over time.
### **SEO in 2025: Patience Is Key**
While the SEO landscape has changed over the years, the basic principle remains the same: SEO takes time. The timeline for seeing SEO results in 2025 depends on several factors, including competition, website quality, and the effort you put into your SEO strategy. On average, it can take anywhere from **3 to 12 months** to see significant improvements in rankings and traffic.
If you’re looking to see faster results, consider focusing on low-competition keywords, improving your website’s technical aspects, and consistently producing high-quality content. SEO success is a marathon, not a sprint.
### **Set Realistic Expectations**
SEO is an investment in your long-term digital success. It’s important to set realistic expectations and understand that results don’t happen overnight. By following best practices, optimizing your website, and staying consistent, you will start seeing tangible results in 3 to 12 months.
If you need help developing an SEO strategy for your business, [contact me today](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact") to get started on optimizing your website for success.
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** seo strategy
---
### [How WordPress Maintenance Saves Time for Professionals](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-wordpress-maintenance-saves-time-for-professionals/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
As a service-based business, your website is crucial to attracting clients. But just having a website isn’t enough. You need to maintain it regularly to keep it secure, fast, and working smoothly. That’s where **WordPress maintenance** comes in. In this post, I will explain why every service business should have a **WordPress maintenance plan** and what it includes.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Protect Your Website from Security Threats](#1_Protect_Your_Website_from_Security_Threats)
- [2. Improve Website Performance and Load Times](#2_Improve_Website_Performance_and_Load_Times)
- [3. Boost SEO Rankings with Regular Updates](#3_Boost_SEO_Rankings_with_Regular_Updates)
- [4. Prevent Downtime with Backups and Disaster Recovery](#4_Prevent_Downtime_with_Backups_and_Disaster_Recovery)
- [5. Save Time and Focus on What Matters](#5_Save_Time_and_Focus_on_What_Matters)
- [Why Maintenance Plans Are Essential for Service-Based Businesses](#Why_Maintenance_Plans_Are_Essential_for_Service-Based_Businesses)
### 1. **Protect Your Website from Security Threats**
WordPress is one of the most popular website platforms in the world, and because of that, it’s often targeted by hackers. Every day, thousands of WordPress websites are attacked by cybercriminals looking to exploit outdated software, themes, and plugins.
Having a **[maintenance plan](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/ "WordPress Services")** ensures your website is consistently monitored and updated, reducing the risk of a security breach. A well-maintained website will include:
- **Frequent WordPress Core, Theme, and Plugin Updates**: These updates address security vulnerabilities and bugs, [ensuring your website is protected](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-a-free-wordpress-security-plugin/) from the latest threats.
- **Malware Scanning**: Regular checks for malware to ensure your site isn’t compromised and to quickly remove any malicious code.
By staying ahead of these potential threats, you avoid the hassle and cost of recovering from a security incident.
### 2. **Improve Website Performance and Load Times**
Did you know that **page load speed** has a direct impact on your website’s SEO ranking and user experience? If your website is slow to load, you risk losing visitors who are impatient with lengthy wait times. In fact, research shows that 40% of people will abandon a page that takes more than **3 seconds** to load.
A regular **maintenance plan** will optimize your website’s performance by:
- **Speed Optimizations**: Compressing images, minifying CSS and JavaScript, and caching important assets can drastically reduce load times.
- **Database Optimization**: Over time, a WordPress site can accumulate unnecessary data in its database. A good maintenance plan includes cleaning up this clutter, improving site performance.
- **Mobile Optimization**: Ensuring that your website is fully responsive and loads properly on all devices is crucial, especially since mobile users make up a large portion of internet traffic.
By addressing these issues, a maintenance plan ensures your website runs smoothly, and your visitors stay engaged.
### 3. **Boost SEO Rankings with Regular Updates**
If your website isn’t regularly optimized for search engines, your visibility in search results can drop. SEO isn’t something you can do once and forget about — it requires ongoing attention to ensure you stay competitive in [search rankings](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?").
A website maintenance plan helps maintain SEO health by:
- **Fixing Broken Links**: [Broken links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?") can negatively affect your SEO ranking and frustrate visitors. Regular checks will ensure that all [your internal](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-are-internal-links-and-why-you-should-start-adding-them-right-away/ "What are Internal Links and Why You Should Start Adding Them Right Away?") and external links are working properly.
- **SEO Audits**: Regular [SEO audits](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Do a Technical Website Audit for SEO?") can ensure that your content is still relevant, your keyword strategy is updated, and your on-page SEO is optimized for Google’s algorithms.
- **Updating Meta Descriptions and Tags**: Meta data is critical for both SEO and click-through rates. A good maintenance plan will ensure your [meta descriptions](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-aioseo-meta-description-not-updating/ "How to Fix AIOSEO Meta Description Not Updating?"), titles, and image alt texts are optimized for search engines.
Regular SEO maintenance makes sure your website doesn’t fall behind in search rankings, bringing in more organic traffic and potential leads.
### 4. **Prevent Downtime with Backups and Disaster Recovery**
What happens if something goes wrong on your website? Whether it’s a hacker attack, a server issue, or a simple mistake, you’ll want to make sure you have a backup plan in place to restore your site quickly and avoid prolonged downtime.
With a **maintenance plan**, you can expect:
- **Regular Backups**: Backups are essential for safeguarding your content, client data, and designs. Having [up-to-date backups](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-automate-wordpress-backups-with-updraftplus/ "How to Automate WordPress Backups with UpdraftPlus") means you can recover your site with minimal downtime in case of an issue.
- **One-Click Restore**: In the event of a problem, you can quickly restore your site to a working version, saving you from losing valuable content and causing minimal disruption to your business.
Backing up your site and ensuring a quick recovery option is essential for maintaining business continuity.
### 5. **Save Time and Focus on What Matters**
Running a business is time-consuming enough without having to worry about keeping your website in good shape. By outsourcing your **WordPress maintenance**, you free up your time to focus on serving your clients and growing your business.
Here’s how it saves you time:
- **Less Technical Stress**: No need to troubleshoot errors or worry about updates. A professional maintenance plan ensures you can focus on your core business activities.
- **Expert Support**: When something goes wrong, you’ll have a professional team to resolve the issue quickly, without you needing to dive into the technical details.
Outsourcing maintenance allows you to delegate the technical tasks to someone who knows what they’re doing, so you can focus on what really matters — running your business.
### Why Maintenance Plans Are Essential for Service-Based Businesses
A well-maintained website is a crucial element in the success of any service-based business. Regular **WordPress website maintenance** is not just about preventing disasters, it’s about keeping your website fast, secure, and performing at its best. It helps protect your business from security risks, ensures your site is always optimized for search engines, and provides peace of mind knowing that you can recover quickly if something goes wrong.
If you want your website to consistently perform at a high level without the stress of managing updates and security, **setting up a reliable maintenance plan is your next step**.
Don’t let your website fall behind. [Contact me today](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/) to create a custom WordPress maintenance plan that keeps your site secure, fast, and always performing at its best.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Speed optimization, WordPress Backup, WordPress maintenance
---
### [WordPress Page Builders That Actually Work for Service Businesses](https://azibyaqoob.com/wordpress-page-builders-that-actually-work-for-service-businesses/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you run a service-based business, whether you’re a coach, consultant, interior designer, roofer, or real estate agent, your website isn’t just an online brochure. It’s your digital first impression, your sales funnel, and your booking assistant all rolled into one.
And if you’re using WordPress, choosing the right **page builder** can make or break how professional, fast, and conversion-ready your website feels.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the **best WordPress page builders for service businesses** in 2025—based on ease of use, speed, flexibility, and how well they help you convert visitors into paying clients.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Page Builders Matter for Service Providers](#Why_Page_Builders_Matter_for_Service_Providers)
- [Top 5 WordPress Page Builders for Service-Based Businesses](#Top_5_WordPress_Page_Builders_for_Service-Based_Businesses)
- [1. Elementor](#1_Elementor)
- [2. Brizy](#2_Brizy)
- [3. Divi (by Elegant Themes)](#3_Divi_by_Elegant_Themes)
- [4. Beaver Builder](#4_Beaver_Builder)
- [5. SeedProd (for landing pages & offers)](#5_SeedProd_for_landing_pages_offers)
- [How to Choose the Right Page Builder for Your Business](#How_to_Choose_the_Right_Page_Builder_for_Your_Business)
- [👨💻 Need Help Setting It Up?](#%F0%9F%91%A8%E2%80%8D%F0%9F%92%BB_Need_Help_Setting_It_Up)
- [✍️ Final Thoughts](#%E2%9C%8D%EF%B8%8F_Final_Thoughts)
## Why Page Builders Matter for Service Providers
Not all business owners are tech-savvy—and not everyone wants to code a website from scratch. That’s where drag-and-drop **WordPress page builders** come in.
Here’s why they’re essential:
- **Faster design and launch** – No need to wait on developers.
- **Easy updates** – Add new services, testimonials, or promotions in minutes.
- **Beautiful design** – Without hiring a full design agency.
- **More control** – You’re not stuck with one layout or limited theme options.
But not all page builders are created equal. Let’s explore the best ones for your type of business.
## Top 5 WordPress Page Builders for Service-Based Businesses
### 1. **Elementor**
**Best for**: Coaches, consultants, designers, and anyone who wants full control over layout and styling.
- **Drag-and-drop interface**
- **Hundreds of templates and blocks**
- Built-in **form builder, popup builder**, and mobile editing
- Works great with **Astra, Hello Theme**, and other fast themes
- Free version available, Pro starts at $59/year
**Why it’s great for service providers**:
You can quickly create landing pages, service sections, testimonial sliders, and even booking forms—all without touching code.
✅ *Use case*: A consultant who wants a modern, sleek homepage with a lead capture form and dynamic testimonials.
### 2. **Brizy**
**Best for**: Users who want beautiful designs with minimal effort.
- Super clean, intuitive interface
- Global styling for fast brand consistency
- Includes popups, contact forms, and landing pages
- Cloud and self-hosted options
- Free plan available, Pro from $60/year
**Why it works well**:
Brizy is fantastic if you don’t want too many bells and whistles but still need elegant, responsive design that *looks* like you hired a designer.
✅ *Use case*: A personal trainer or makeup artist who wants a bold, stylish site that’s easy to tweak.
### 3. **Divi (by Elegant Themes)**
**Best for**: Agencies and businesses managing multiple service niches.
- Visual builder with inline editing
- Tons of **pre-built service layouts**
- A/B testing for conversions
- Lifetime pricing option ($249 one-time)
**Why service businesses love it**:
Divi comes with tons of niche layouts—plumbers, therapists, lawyers, you name it—so you can launch fast and customize without starting from scratch.
✅ *Use case*: A small agency or freelancer who builds websites for multiple service-based clients.
### 4. **Beaver Builder**
**Best for**: Businesses prioritizing speed, stability, and clean code.
- Clean and stable backend
- Developer-friendly with fewer bloated features
- Works well with almost any WordPress theme
- Starts at $99/year
**Why it’s helpful**:
If your priority is speed and SEO performance, Beaver Builder won’t weigh your site down with unnecessary scripts.
✅ *Use case*: A law firm that needs a reliable, professional website without flashy animations.
### 5. **SeedProd (for landing pages & offers)**
**Best for**: Lead generation, promotions, or temporary service pages.
- Designed for **high-converting landing pages**
- Easy integration with email marketing tools
- Built-in countdown timers, opt-in forms, and call-to-actions
- Great for “coming soon” or “book now” type of pages
- From $39.50/year
**Why it shines**:
If you’re running a campaign—like “Free Consult This Month” or “Book Your Spring Roof Inspection”—SeedProd makes it insanely easy to launch a custom page.
✅ *Use case*: A local business with seasonal promotions or limited-time offers.
## How to Choose the Right Page Builder for *Your* Business
Ask yourself:
- Do I want full control over design, or do I just need something clean and fast?
- Will I be editing the site myself or outsourcing?
- Do I plan to create landing pages or just stick to a traditional homepage?
- What level of performance (speed, SEO-friendliness) do I need?
If you’re not sure, start with **Elementor** (free version) and test it out.
## 👨💻 Need Help Setting It Up?
Even with great page builders, setting up a website that looks great *and* converts visitors takes time, strategy, and a bit of technical know-how.
That’s where I come in.
👉 I help service-based businesses build fast, beautiful, and effective WordPress websites using powerful page builders—no code, no headaches.
Whether you’re launching your first website or giving your current one a facelift, I can help.
[**→ Let’s talk about your website needs**](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
## ✍️ Final Thoughts
A good page builder won’t just make your website look pretty—it will help your business grow.
The best WordPress page builder is the one that helps you **build trust, show your value, and convert visitors into paying clients.**
If you’re not sure which direction to go, feel free to [reach out](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/) for a quick consultation—I’m happy to point you in the right direction.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** WordPress plugins
---
### [How to Remove Your Entire Website from Google Forever?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-your-entire-website-from-google-forever/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you are thinking about removing an entire website from [Google search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?") forever, this is a tutorial for you. I am going to provide you a step by step process on how to remove the website from your hosting server and remove it completely from Google search.
If you are concerned with your brand online brand negative publicity then check out this post on [how to remove negative search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?"). Or You can also try this [online reputation management guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/proven-reputation-management-guide-build-your-business-or-brand-reputation/ "Proven Reputation Management Guide: Build Your Business or Brand Reputation").
Recently, I was looking for a way to remove one of a client’s website. I found tons of information on the topic but it was in bits and pieces. Anyways, I figured out a way to remove it so I thought why not share a complete tutorial to easily remove a website.
**Note:** If you want to remove your owned domain name then read this post on [how to remove a domain name](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-can-i-remove-my-domain-name-completely/ "How Can I Remove My Domain Name Completely?").
By following this tutorial your entire website will be **only** removed from Google search results. There are countless other web crawlers such as Bing, Yahoo, Yandex, and many more. The purpose of these crawlers is to crawl websites and collect important information. Some of these crawlers when finding out a 410 status code will start deindexing your website.
**Caution:** This removal process will remove your entire website from Google search results and Google cache forever. So please make sure that this is really what you want to do.
#### Remove an Entire Website from Google Search
Before starting this process, make sure that you have access to:
- [A Google Search Console account](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/#How-to-Set-up-Google-Search-Console "How to set up Google Search Console account")
- Access to your web hosting server
- A verified property on Google Search Console
Here’s a step by step process to remove your website from Google Search results:
**Step 1:** Remove your website by using any FTP client of your choice. Remove all its remaining content, images, scripts, and directories. If you are not sure how to perform this step then contact your hosting provider.
[](https://www.hostinger.com/tutorials/locate-and-create-htaccess#gref)
**Step 2:** Go to your `.htaccess `file or if you have deleted it then create a new one in the root directory. Add this piece of code in your ` .htaccess ` file:
\[code\]
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
Redirect 410 /
\[/code\]
This code will set a 410 HTTP status code and tell crawlers that this website is ‘Gone’ forever. The webmaster has no plan to continue this website.
**Step 3:** Save this file in the root directory of your website.
**Step 4:** Go to the [Google URL Removal tool](https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/url-removal "Remove URL Google Search Console"). Select the property which you want to be removed from search. Click on **Temporarily hide** button. Enter no URL and click on the ‘Continue’ button.
**Step 5:** Click on the button ‘Submit Request’.
Google will take some time to remove all the pages of your website from its index. In the future, if you want to reinstate this website, you need to remove an HTTP 410 status code from the htaccess file. Also, make sure to check your Google Search Console property and remove the ‘URL removal’ request.
I hope you found this post useful. If you are having trouble following any of the [steps in this tutorial,](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-configure-w3-total-cache-settings-step-by-step-tutorial/) please let me know. Also, if you have a website not getting shown on the search, you can read my post [why your website is not showing up on Google Search](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?").
**Categories:** Online Reputation Management
---
### [7 Best SEO Competition Research and Analysis Tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-seo-competition-research-analysis-tools/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Looking for the best SEO competition research and analysis tools? Knowing your competition and their SEO practices help you find out what you can do to outrank them and get more customers. SEO tools can also help you find the right audience and to create an SEO strategy for your business.
#### Why SEO Competition Research is Important?
Every Small business SEO strategy is incomplete without proper competition research. Mainly because it gives you insights into your competitors and their strategy. Collecting that useful data will help you devise your own strategy.
I have compiled a list of best competition research tools that you can use to find out your competition strength and weakness.
#### 1. SEMrush
[](https://www.semrush.com/)
It is one of my personal favorite competition research tools. Apart from SEO competition research, you can do a lot more using SEMrush. It can be used to [find out great keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?"), top performing keywords of a website, backlinks, internal links, traffic analysis, and more.
SEMrush offers different packages which you can find out on their website. If you are serious about SEO, you should buy this tool right away.
#### 2. SpyFu
[](https://www.spyfu.com/)
It is especially a tool to spy on competitors AdWords strategy. Using this research tool you can find information about your competitors SEO strategy, their top-ranked keywords, organic keywords, PPC keywords, monitor and [download search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Docs?").
You can use this tool to [check out your website ranking on Google](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?") as well as spy on competitor’s keywords and rankings. Free tool only offers limited functionality. If you want comprehensive research to consider buying the tool.
#### 3. KW Finder
[](https://kwfinder.com/)
It is a [keyword research tool](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "5 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools") but you can use KW Finder to find out your competition keywords. KW Finder tells you about [top keywords of a website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-website-top-seo-competitors/) and difficulty to rank on those keywords. It uses data from Google Trends and Google Keyword Planner tool so, the information is quite accurate. However, no SEO tool is perfect so it just gives you an estimate of actual keywords.
The tool is free with limited functionality. You can buy the tool at a reasonable price to conduct great keyword research and find out your competitor’s keywords.
#### 4. Alexa
[](https://www.alexa.com/)
Without Alexa, any SEO competition research looks incomplete. You can perform and collect competitive data, traffic estimates, competition SEO strategies, your industry top trends, and find out top influencers in your industry.
It is a great research tool and Alexa offers a free 7-day trial. The pricing and packages are competitive to the market. Buying this tool will give you more data that you can use to [improve your small business SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking").
#### 5. Google Search
[](https://google.com)
It is a no-brainer that Google search provide most accurate real-time data about your competition than any of these tools combined. Basically, you can manually research your competitors’ keywords, ranking, and backlinks through a quick Google search on their domain name.
You can enter a domain name in Google search to find out how your competition is using Meta tags, What’s their URL structure, indexed pages, and more. It is completely free to use. However, it is a painfully long way to research your competition and will consume a lot of time.
#### 6. Ahrefs
[](https://ahrefs.com/)
Wanna [find out your competitors backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-competitors-backlinks-easily-a-simple-backlinks-analysis-guide/ "How to Find Out Your Competitors Backlinks Easily? ( A Simple Backlinks Analysis Guide)") strategy? Ahrefs is one of the [best link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free White Hat Link Building Tools") to find out competition backlinks, content ideas, rank tracking, competitive analysis of top keywords and much more.
Ahrefs is not a free tool however they offer a 7-day free trial. You should buy this tool if you want to study competitor’s backlinks strategy and to explore new [link building opportunities for your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links").
#### 7. Screaming Frog
[](https://www.screamingfrog.co.uk/)
Using Screaming Frog SEO Spider tool [you can crawl a website](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?") and find out on-page elements. You can use this tool to [audit your own website for SEO ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Manually Perform a Technical Website SEO Audit?")or you can use it as research tool to discover your competition’s on-page SEO strategy.
There is a free version of this tool with limited capability but if you want full features you have to buy the license and product key. You can [find out Broken Links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?"), redirects, analyze meta tags, [discover duplicate content](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?"), [robot.txt](https://azibyaqoob.com/robots-txt-file-do-you-really-need-it-this-will-help-you-decide/ "Robots.txt File: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!") directives, [create and submit XML sitemaps](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?") and much more.
Let me know which SEO competition research tools do you use to find out competitors SEO strategy in the comments below. Also, please feel free to share this article if you find it useful.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Etsy Store SEO: A Simple SEO Guide to Optimize Your Etsy Store](https://azibyaqoob.com/etsy-store-seo-a-simple-seo-guide-to-optimize-your-etsy-store/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
This SEO guide will help you understand basic shop improvement and how to optimize Etsy Store SEO to the Next Level. We will explore from basic SEO concepts to how to implement SEO to each product page individually. SEO is quite an important skill to [promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online"). So, let’s start:
#### What is Search Engine Optimization?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website/webpage in unpaid [search engine’s results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/).
It helps in getting traffic from search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Yandex. There are different search engines on the web but the most important one is Google. So in this tutorial, we will focus mostly on Etsy search optimization and Google search optimization.
#### Free to Use Etsy SEO Tools
I have compiled a list of the best SEO tools to supercharge your Etsy SEO. You can use these tools to research popular trends, keywords, and tags.
1. [Etsy Search](https://web.archive.org/web/20231106144821/https://www.etsy.com/search/shops "Etsy Search"): Use it to find related key search terms which are popular on Etsy.
2. [Google Keyword Planner](https://ads.google.com/intl/en_pk/home/tools/keyword-planner/ "Keyword Research & Strategy with Keyword Planner"): Use this tool to [find highly searched keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?").
3. [Google Search](https://google.com "Google"): Search on your competitors using search egine.
4. [Keyword research tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "7 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools 2019 (Updated)"): If you need more keyword research tools then check out this post.
5. Competition research tools: Gather intelligence on your competitors using these tools.
#### Steps to Boost Your Etsy Store SEO to The Next Level
When you are creating a store on Etsy, these SEO tips will help you boost your traffic and sales.
#### 1. Use High-quality Optimized Product Images
A picture is worth a thousand words. Hence, it is important to have the highest quality images of your products. If photography is not your strong suit then I would highly recommend that you hire a professional photographer.
You should [compress images before uploading](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality – Image Compression Guide 2019") them to your Etsy store. Compressed images will load faster on user’s end. It will improve page load speed and SEO of your store.
#### 2. Have a Unique Product Item
Your product should be something unique, if it is not, it is your job to make it unique to stand out from the rest of the competition.
It is the basic step to attracting customers. If you don’t have an idea how to name and promote your product then you can use Etsy search to find other sellers.
Search your product competition and learn what they are doing, and offer something improved and unique.
#### 3. Selection of Keywords
To improve your Etsy Store SEO, the first step is to locate the most ideal keywords to portray your shop and your product items.
Have a similar understanding as a customer: what words would you search when looking for your items or shop?
You can research keywords using Google Keyword Planner, Etsy search, and Google search for free.
#### 4. What Should be Your Shop Title?
Your shop title is a touch of content that shows up under your shop name on your shop landing page. It can be up to 55 characters.
Your shop title will likewise turn into the “page title” for your shop page.
Describe your shop and the things you offer. A few merchants make a slogan or motto.
Likewise, consider including your full name or your business name in your shop title if potential clients are probably going to scan for you that way.
#### 5. Optimize Your Shop Sections
Shop sections can help boost your shop SEO to next level. Each section on Etsy has a different page, where you can add the page title to the section name.
Quickly depict the sort of things in every particular area. Utilizing “classification style” names for your segments that incorporate your catchphrases not just helps a customer explore inside your shop, additionally can help customers discover you in web indexes.
#### 6. Title of Your Etsy Shop Items
Use keywords in the shop item title; make sure to include your keyword at the very beginning of the title.
It is one of the crucial SEO factors and you should not ignore it.
Make sure to also make it readable to your users so they can understand what exactly your product and how it differs from others.
Also, it to increase Click Through Rate of your listings use power words. They are proven to improve CTR.
#### 7. Description of Shop Items
The Meta description is the text that shows up in search results below the page title when someone found your product item in search engines.
A meta description is a factor that people are ignoring as Google add random text in place of Meta descriptions unless Meta description is written well.
However, it still matters a lot and will help you rank better and also increase CTR.
you should use it to describe your product and its features. Make sure to include interesting and unique selling points of your product in Meta description.
#### 8. Promote Your Etsy Store
Last but not least, to improve your sales you must [promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online"). There are a lot of ways you can promote your Etsy store.
- [Find out your social media competitors](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/ "10 Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools You Should Use") and create a social media strategy.
- Promote your products and store on other relevant blogs, forums, social sites, and Facebook groups
- Set up a sales funnel and create amazing landing pages.
- [Set up Facebook retargeting ads](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "How to Set Up Facebook Retargeting Ads Campaign (Step by Step Guide)") to promote your products
**What are the benefits of promoting your Esty store**
Well, to be honest with you there are countless benefits such as:
1. Improve traffic on your website from referral traffic. When you promote your products or store on other platforms it will bring in extra traffic.
2. Search engines love to see more backlinks of your products and brand. It will help your products rank better in the search.
3. Improve your sales. Getting more traffic on your store from different sources will improve your sales.
I hope you found these SEO tips useful to optimize your Etsy store. Read this [Amazon SEO guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/ultimate-amazon-seo-strategy-a-complete-seo-guide/ "Ultimate Amazon SEO Strategy for 2019 – A Complete SEO Guide") If you have a presence on Amazon.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [10 Best Free Link Building Tools to Supercharge Your SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you looking for the best free link building tools? I know when it comes to link building, everyone struggles to find the right tools. I have compiled a list of the best free link building tools that helped me create backlinks for my clients.
#### Why do you need link building tools?
These tools can help you manage and automate your link building campaigns easily. Here are some benefits:
- Backlinks analysis
- [Competition links analysis](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-competitors-backlinks-easily-a-simple-backlinks-analysis-guide/ "How to Find Out Your Competitors Backlinks Easily? ( A Simple Backlinks Analysis Guide)")
- Organize link building campaigns
- [Finding broken links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?")
- Find influencers in your niche
These tools can improve the quality of link building campaigns.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Google Search Console](#1_Google_Search_Console)
- [2. Check My Links](#2_Check_My_Links)
- [3. Google Analytics](#3_Google_Analytics)
- [4. Semrush](#4_Semrush)
- [5. Majestic SEO](#5_Majestic_SEO)
- [6. BuzzStream](#6_BuzzStream)
- [7. MozBar](#7_MozBar)
- [8. OpenSiteExplorer](#8_OpenSiteExplorer)
- [9. JustReachOut](#9_JustReachOut)
- [10. Ninja Outreach](#10_Ninja_Outreach)
## 1. Google Search Console
[](https://www.google.com/webmasters/)
You lose valuable information if you are not already using the Google search console. GSC helps collect information such as internal link structure, [content duplication issues](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?"), [sitemap index](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?"), and external links to your site.
Search Console will help you understand who is linking and which page is more popular.
I recommend reading this [Google Search Console guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2019 (Updated)"). Any webmaster who wants to [promote his business ](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "Promote Your Business Online: 13 Ways to Boost Your Online Business")online will get valuable data using this fantastic tool. You will also get informative [on-page SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/on-page-seo/ "On-page SEO Services") data that will help you fix many SEO issues.
## 2. Check My Links
[](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/check-my-links/ojkcdipcgfaekbeaelaapakgnjflfglf?hl=en-GB)
It is a free Google Chrome extension that anyone can install free. It will help you find out link-building opportunities. Once you have it installed:
- This extension will mark ‘red’ all broken links.
- All working links will be marked as ‘green.’
- You can use this tool to [find broken links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?") on authority websites.
- With the help of this tool, you can also check your site broken internal links.
The most important part is this tool is entirely free. Anyone who uses the Google Chrome browser can install it right away.
## 3. Google Analytics
[](https://analytics.google.com/)
Although, this is not a link building tool. However, you can use this tool to conduct [keyword research](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/keyword-research/ "Keyword Research Services") that will help you analyze which pages and keywords you can [rank your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?").
After that, you can use those keywords and pages in your link building campaign. Create more high-quality backlinks on those keywords and pages, and you will [rank better quickly](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?").
Google Analytics is a free tool. You can find a lot of other valuable information regarding your site traffic. Your website visitors’ data, such as gender, location, country, OS, browser, etc…
Read this post on how to [set up Google Analytics](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?").
## 4. Semrush
[](https://www.semrush.com/)
Semrush is one of the most widely used link building tools by [SEO experts and marketers](https://azibyaqoob.com/hire-freelance-seo-service-provider/ "How to Hire the Right Freelance SEO Service Provider?"). It is not entirely free, but they offer a free trial period, so you can check out their tool before buying a membership. Other than link building analysis, this tool can do a lot more. You can do the following:
- [Technical SEO audits](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Manually Perform a Technical Website SEO Audit?")
- Keyword group and management
- Competition analysis
- Social media insights
- [Monitor brand mentions](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-monitor-your-brand-mentions-for-reputation-management/ "How to Monitor Your Brand Mentions for Reputation Management?")
## 5. Majestic SEO
[](https://majestic.com/)
It is a comprehensive backlinks analysis tool. There are a lot of details about your website or a competition website that you wouldn’t find elsewhere.
- Using the Majestic tool, you can analyze links throughout your website, both external and internal links.
- URL redirection – Find URLs on the site that are redirecting to different pages
- Referring domain analysis – find out what domain refers to a particular site.
- Anchor text analysis will help you find the anchor text used to link your content.
## 6. BuzzStream
[](http://www.buzzstream.com/)
Using Buzzstream, you can build relationships with other content publishers and conduct an outreach campaign. It is quite an efficient link building tool to create a buzz around a product/service.
- You can research influencers.
- Add team members to communicate and manage the campaign
- Reach out to influencers and keep track of it.
- Build relationships with them for further link building opportunities.
## 7. MozBar
[](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mozbar/eakacpaijcpapndcfffdgphdiccmpknp?hl=en)
MozBar is a free link building Google Chrome extension. This [tool can help you research a competitor](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/)‘s website on the go. It is one of the handy link-building tools you cannot live without once you try it.
[Find and highlight keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?") on a page and differentiate backlinks by type: Followed, followed, External, or Internal.
Also, you can check the famous Moz Domain Authority and Page Authority without using this Google Chrome extension for free.
## 8. OpenSiteExplorer
[](https://moz.com/link-explorer)
Another fantastic tool by MOZ. Discover and analyze link building opportunities with this tool. A few daily searches are free, but if you want to keep using this tool, you must buy a Pro version.
You can check Moz domain authority, page authority, page link metrics, established links, linking root domains, inbound links, external links, anchor text, spam score, and find new link-building opportunities.
OpenSiteExplorer is one of the best SEO tools if you are serious about building high-quality backlinks.
## 9. JustReachOut
[](https://justreachout.io/)
A great link building tool if you want to build relationships with relevant bloggers and journalists in your niche. Any business or startup that wants to build a buzz around its brand/product can use it to spread the word around.
JustReachout can help you find editors and publishers; you can contact them immediately.
This tool can[ get powerful links ](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links")from high-domain authority websites. You must send your desired publishers and editors email pitches to get started.
## 10. Ninja Outreach
[](https://ninjaoutreach.com/)
Ninja Outreach offers a variety of features. Besides link building, somebody can use this tool for influencer outreach. You can use it to:
- Generate leads
- Content Promotion
- Collecting contact info
- Finding Podcast Guests
- Instagram Prospecting
- Content Research
- Blogger Outreach
- Link building
- Cold Emailing
- Twitter Prospecting
- Influencer Marketing
When you need to create powerful backlinks, these tools can help you in the best possible way. Every SEO expert or savvy entrepreneur should at least have some knowledge about these fantastic link-building tools.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Yoast Premium vs Free: Is Yoast Premium Worth It?](https://azibyaqoob.com/yoast-seo-free-vs-yoast-seo-premium-full-review/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you’re planning to upgrade to Yoast SEO Premium from the free version, you’ve come to the right place. As a long-time Yoast SEO user, I’ve used its incredible feature set for more than 10 years. In this post, I will compare Yoast Free with Yoast SEO Premium and help you decide which one is right for you.
When comparing Yoast free version with Yoast SEO Premium, it’s important to know the specific features and functionalities each version offers.
While both versions provide essential tools for optimizing your WordPress website’s SEO, the Premium version unlocks many of advanced features designed to take your site’s optimization to the next level.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Yoast SEO Overview](#Yoast_SEO_Overview)
- [Yoast SEO Premium Features](#Yoast_SEO_Premium_Features)
- [1. Multiple Focus Keywords](#1_Multiple_Focus_Keywords)
- [2. Redirect Manager](#2_Redirect_Manager)
- [3. Internal Link Suggestions](#3_Internal_Link_Suggestions)
- [4. Customer Support for 1 Year](#4_Customer_Support_for_1_Year)
- [5. Yoast Premium is Ad-free](#5_Yoast_Premium_is_Ad-free)
- [6. Yoast Premium Add-ons](#6_Yoast_Premium_Add-ons)
- [Yoast SEO Free Features](#Yoast_SEO_Free_Features)
- [1. Content Analysis](#1_Content_Analysis)
- [2. XML Sitemaps](#2_XML_Sitemaps)
- [3. Key Features](#3_Key_Features)
- [Features Comparison](#Features_Comparison)
- [Yoast SEO Free vs Premium Pros and Cons](#Yoast_SEO_Free_vs_Premium_Pros_and_Cons)
- [Pros of Yoast SEO Free:](#Pros_of_Yoast_SEO_Free)
- [Cons of Yoast SEO Free:](#Cons_of_Yoast_SEO_Free)
- [Pros of Yoast SEO Premium:](#Pros_of_Yoast_SEO_Premium)
- [Cons of Yoast SEO Premium:](#Cons_of_Yoast_SEO_Premium)
- [Is Yoast Premium Worth it?](#Is_Yoast_Premium_Worth_it)
- [What Are Some Good Yoast SEO Alternatives?](#What_Are_Some_Good_Yoast_SEO_Alternatives)
## Yoast SEO Overview
Yoast SEO is a WordPress plugin that helps website owners optimize their content for search engines. It provides a range of features that make creating high-quality content optimized for search engines easier. These features include:
1. **Keyword optimization:** Yoast SEO helps you optimize your content for specific keywords, ensuring that your content is relevant to your target audience.
2. **SEO analysis:** The plugin analyzes your content and provides feedback on improving it for search engines.
3. **Readability analysis:** Yoast SEO checks your content for readability, ensuring it is easy for your audience to understand.
4. **Inclusive Language analysis:** You’ll get feedback, divided into categories such as age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, to help you improve your content and make it appealing to a wider audience.
5. **Title and meta description optimization:** This feature helps you optimize your title and meta description, ensuring they are informative and compelling for search engine users.
6. **XML sitemap creation:** The [plugin generates an XML sitemap ](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-xml-sitemap-plugins-for-wordpress/ "Best XML Sitemap Plugins for WordPress")for your website. An XML sitemap tells search engines how to crawl and index your pages.
7. **Breadcrumbs:** [Yoast SEO creates breadcrumbs](https://azibyaqoob.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-add-breadcrumbs-to-a-wordpress-website/ "The Ultimate Guide to Add Breadcrumbs in a WordPress Website") for your website, making it painless for users to navigate your content.
8. **Social media integration:** The plugin integrates with social media platforms, allowing you to optimize your content for social media users.
Yoast SEO has a lot of features to make any website search-friendly. On top of that, you can also find plenty of tutorials from Yoast Knowledge Base and Yoast Blog.
Also, many SEO experts are more familiar with Yoast than alternatives such as [Rank Math](https://azibyaqoob.com/rank-math-vs-yoast-seo-which-is-better-for-you/ "Rank Math vs Yoast SEO: Which is Better for You?"), and [All in One SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/aioseo-vs-yoast-which-seo-plugin-is-right-for-you/ "AIOSEO vs Yoast: Which SEO Plugin is Right for You?").
## Yoast SEO Premium Features
Yoast SEO Premium is a paid version of Yoast SEO with extra features. Here are some of the features that you will only find in the Yoast premium:
### 1. Multiple Focus Keywords
Yoast SEO premium allows you to add multiple focus keywords. You can add up to 5 keywords on each page. With Yoast free you’re only allowed to add one.
A focus keyword helps you perform an [SEO analysis](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Do a Technical Website Audit for SEO?") on the page. The Google search algorithm does not read the focus keyword itself. Its primary function is to help users optimize SEO on a keyword you enter.
If you use multiple focus keywords on a page, Yoast SEO will suggest where on the page you can use those keywords.
While optimizing your content for multiple focus keywords, you might not be able to get all green bullets for every keyword. Because you have only a single meta description and URL, and you don’t want to stuff these with multiple focus keywords.
### 2. Redirect Manager
You may need to move or delete a post or page from your site at some point, which could be scary. Because when any user visits a dead URL, they will see a **404 not found** error. You can resolve [403 forbidden pages in WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/troubleshooting-wordpress-403-forbidden-errors/ "Troubleshooting WordPress “403 Forbidden” Errors") with this guide.
Therefore, it is essential to redirect dead URLs to the proper ones containing the most relevant information.
You can also inform your visitors that the page they are looking for has been deleted or redirect them to a temporary page.
With the Yoast SEO Premium plugin, it is easier to manage all of this from the WordPress Dashboard of your website.
While using the premium version of Yoast SEO, you don’t need to get help from your developer to redirect old URLs; there’s a redirects manager in the Yoast SEO premium from where you can fix these broken URLs.
This feature allows you to create REGEX (Regular Expression) redirects. These redirects help you to redirect a whole group of URLs that contain a specific word or phrase.
### 3. Internal Link Suggestions
Internal links help your website rank better in search. It also allows Google to get your site pages indexed faster.
In Yoast Premium, you can use the [internal link](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-are-internal-links-and-why-you-should-start-adding-them-right-away/ "What are Internal Links and Why You Should Start Adding Them Right Away?") feature to link all your internal site pages.
Yoast Internal linking will show you suggestions to link to other relevant pages. Internal linking [improves SEO and site](https://azibyaqoob.com/?p=8352) crawling.
This feature could be quite useful for larger websites, such as blogs, eCommerce websites, and directories. When you are writing new content, Yoast will give you internal link suggestions.
### 4. Customer Support for 1 Year
One of the perks of using Yoast SEO premium is 24/7 customer support. You can send the team an email and get quick answers.
One year of customer support will help you improve your SEO knowledge. Also, it will help you learn how to use all the Yoast SEO features correctly.
One year of customer support could be valuable for beginners in learning SEO. You can email them whenever you have a question regarding a Yoast SEO feature. However, this [WordPress customer support](https://azibyaqoob.com/my-experience-working-as-a-wordpress-customer-support-specialist/ "My Experience Working as a WordPress Customer Support Specialist") is good for only one year.
If you are using a free version then you can find plenty of help on the [Yoast WordPress support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wordpress-seo/ "Yoast WordPress support") forum.
### 5. Yoast Premium is Ad-free
Yoast Premium will solve this problem if you don’t like seeing advertisements in your WordPress backend.
When you use Yoast SEO Premium, it will hide all Yoast SEO ads. Such as, if you use Yoast free, you will see ads for buying extensions, courses, and support from the plugin author.
### 6. Yoast Premium Add-ons
While the core plugin offers a robust set of features, Yoast SEO Premium’s add-ons take functionality to the next level.
**1. News SEO Add-on**
Designed specifically for news websites, this add-on helps publishers optimize their content for Google News. Key features include:
- XML News Sitemap generation
- Google News-specific keyword optimization
- Enhanced article structured data
**2. Video SEO Add-on**
This add-on is tailored for websites with video content. It provides:
- Video XML Sitemap generation
- Video-specific keyword optimization
- Enhanced video structured data
**3. Local SEO Add-on**
[Yoast local SEO add-on](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-yoast-seo-for-local-businesses/ "How to Set Up Yoast SEO for Local Businesses") is Ideal for businesses with physical locations, this add-on offers:
- Google My Business integration
- Location-based keyword optimization
- Enhanced local business structured data
**4. WooCommerce SEO Add-on**
Designed for e-commerce websites using WooCommerce, this add-on provides:
- Product-specific keyword optimization
- Enhanced product structured data
- Automatic generation of product XML sitemaps
**5. Yoast SEO for Shopify**
This add-on brings Yoast SEO’s powerful optimization features to Shopify websites, including:
- Automatic keyword optimization
- Enhanced product structured data
- Shopify-specific SEO recommendations
By installing these add-ons, users can unlock advanced features tailored to their specific needs, further enhancing their website’s search engine optimization and online visibility.
## Yoast SEO Free Features
Now, let’s look at the key features of the Yoast SEO-free version.
### 1. Content Analysis
Yoast SEO is one of the best WordPress SEO plugins when it comes to SEO and readability analysis.
Once you enter your keyword in the focus keyword area, the plugin will analyze your content against best SEO practices. These practices include readability, keyword density, and outbound links.
However, unlike the premium version, you can input only one keyword in the free Yoast SEO. The signal lights scoring system lets you identify your content areas where you can quickly improve.
### 2. XML Sitemaps
XML sitemaps help Google to discover your site pages. You will not get organic traffic if Google does not index your pages.
Google can still crawl and index pages without submitting a sitemap through the Search Console. However, it is recommended to always submit a sitemap
With the Yoast SEO plugin, you can easily generate XML sitemaps for all your pages. It is one of the [best sitemap plugins for WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-xml-sitemap-plugins-for-wordpress/ "Best XML Sitemap Plugins for WordPress")
You can use the XML Sitemap feature on Yoast Premium and free.
Publishing a new page or post will automatically include it in the XML sitemap. You can easily enable this feature by going to SEO and checking the option of “XML Sitemap.”
Once you have enabled this feature, the plugin will notify the [search engines](https://azibyaqoob.com/?p=5911) whenever a new post or page is published.
After you generate a sitemap, you need to submit it to [Google, Bing, and Yahoo](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?").
### 3. Key Features
You can use many [features of the plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/which-yoast-seo-plugin-features-you-should-not-use/) for free except a few, which we have mentioned above in the premium features section. Here’s a list of features that you can use in the free version:
- Meta title
- Meta description
- Snippet Preview
- 1 Focus Keyword
- Limited Readability analysis
- Meta robots tags
- Robots.txt management
- Canonical URL (Read this post on [what is a canonical URL](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/ "What is Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?"))
- Social tab without preview
## Features Comparison
The following table compares Yoast SEO free with Yoast SEO premium.
FeaturesYoast SEO FreeYoast SEO PremiumMultiple focus keywords❌✅Social snippet previews❌✅Readability check✅✅Breadcrumbs✅✅Canonical URLs✅✅Robots.txt✅✅Htaccess files✅✅Sitemaps✅✅Plugin updates✅✅Internal link suggestions❌✅Content analysis❌✅Redirect manager❌✅Export focus keywords❌✅1-year support❌✅Ad-free❌✅## Yoast SEO Free vs Premium Pros and Cons
While both versions of Yoast SEO are powerful tools for optimizing your website for search engines, there are pros and cons to consider for each.
### Pros of Yoast SEO Free:
- It’s free to use and provides a range of essential SEO features.
- Beginners find the free version easy to use.
- It can help you improve content readability and optimization.
### Cons of Yoast SEO Free:
- Yoast SEO free allows you to only optimize for one focus keyword.
- You will not get advanced features like the redirect manager and internal linking suggestions.
- It doesn’t offer social previews, which can be useful for optimizing your content for social media.
### Pros of Yoast SEO Premium:
- Yoast SEO Premium offers keyword optimization features, including multiple focus keywords and synonyms.
- You will get advanced content insights and analysis, helping you improve your content’s quality and readability.
- It offers a robust redirect manager to manage and create redirects.
- Powerful internal linking suggestions help you optimize your website’s structure and hierarchy.
- It offers social previews, allowing you to optimize your content for social media platforms.
### Cons of Yoast SEO Premium:
- Yoast SEO premium costs $99/year. It comes at a cost, which may be a barrier to entry for some website owners.
- It may have a steeper learning curve than the free version, as it offers more advanced features and settings.
## Is Yoast Premium Worth it?
****While the free version of Yoast can effectively rank almost any website, Yoast Premium goes beyond by providing additional features. Notably, its unique Internal Link suggestion and advanced content analysis algorithm. If these specific features matter to you, upgrading to Yoast Premium is worth considering.****
I find Yoast’s page analysis, readability analysis, and link suggestions helpful. However, if you’re primarily focused on search performance control, Yoast free is a recommended choice.
## What Are Some Good Yoast SEO Alternatives?
I personally use [All in One SEO for WordPress](https://aioseo.com "All in One SEO for WordPress") and have found it to be a much better Yoast SEO alternative for WordPress SEO.
**Why I recommend using All in One SEO?**
- Offers a modern and much easy to use interface that takes the complexity out of the daily SEO tasks.
- It stays up to date with the latest Google search guidelines.
- It includes a more comprehensive support for Schema markup, XML sitemaps, Social media integration, etc.
- I helps me keep track of internal linking, Search Rankings, and overall SEO auditing tasks.
**Bonus Offer:** Want to move your WordPress website from Yoast SEO to All in One SEO? I can help you make the move without losing your search rankings. [Contact me](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact me") directly, or take a look at my All in One SEO installation and setup gig on Fiverr.
If you can’t afford to buy the premium version, then you can get the same premium functionality of Yoast SEO using these [WordPress SEO plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "20+ Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2018 (Updated)").
For an in-depth comparison between [Rank Math and Yoast SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/rank-math-vs-yoast-seo-which-is-better-for-you/ "Rank Math vs Yoast SEO: Which is Better for You?"), please check out this article. You might find it helpful.
**Categories:** WordPress
---
### [How to Replace MariaDB with MySQL in XAMPP?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-change-mariadb-to-mysql-in-xampp/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** You can easily replace MariaDB with MySQL in XAMPP with the help of this tutorial.
**Content:**
New XAMPP comes with MariaDB in place of MySQL. However, if you prefer MySQL over MariaDB, I will show you how to replace MariaDB with MySQL in XAMPP.
Please follow these instructions to change MariaDB to MySQL in [XAMPP](https://www.apachefriends.org/):
**Note:** This method has been tested for Windows 10 and 11.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Backup SQL & Stop MariaDB](#Backup_SQL_Stop_MariaDB)
- [Download & Install MySQL](#Download_Install_MySQL)
- [Initialize MySQL](#Initialize_MySQL)
- [Find Root Password](#Find_Root_Password)
- [Start & Connect the Server](#Start_Connect_the_Server)
### Backup SQL & Stop MariaDB
- Backup your old database into an [SQL dump](https://mariadb.com/kb/en/making-backups-with-mariadb-dump/) file.
```
mariadb-dump -u admin_backup -p -x -A > /data/backup/dbs.sql
```
- Stop the MariaDB service.
### Download & Install MySQL
- Rename the folder **c:\\xampp\\mysql** to **c:\\xampp\\mariadb**.
- [Download MySQL](https://downloads.mysql.com/archives/community/) Community Server.
- Create a new and empty folder: **c:\\xampp\\mysql**.
- Extract the downloaded ZIP file into **c:\\xampp\\mysql**.
- Create a new and empty folder: **c:\\xampp\\mysql\\data**.
- Create a new file: **c:\\xampp\\mysql\\bin\\my.ini** and add the following content:
```
[mysqld]
# set basedir to your installation path
basedir=c:/xampp/mysql
# set datadir to the location of your data directory
datadir=c:/xampp/mysql/data
```
### Initialize MySQL
- Initialize a MySQL installation and enter the following code:
```
cd c:\xampp\mysql\bin
mysqld --initialize
mysqld --initialize-insecure
```
### Find Root Password
MySQL server creates a **‘root’@localhost’** and a random password.
First, you need to check that the **c:\\xampp\\mysql\\data** directory was created.
Suppose you find a **\[computer name\].err** file in the data folder with the temporary one-time use [password](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-can-i-remove-my-domain-name-completely/ "How to Safely Remove Your Domain Name Permanently?") for you to log in as root.
open the **c:\\xampp\\data\[computer name\].err** file with any text editor. Copy the password.
### Start & Connect the Server
Use the XAMPP Control Panel to start the MySQL service.
- Open a new CMD Console and change the directory to **‘c:\\xampp\\mysql\\bin’**.
- Connect to MySQL and enter the password you found in the ‘.err’ file:
```
cd c:\xampp\mysql\bin
mysql -u root -p
```
- Reset the root password to an empty string:
```
mysql> ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY '';
```
- Exit the MySQL command prompt:
```
mysql> exit
```
In this tutorial, we’ve covered the essential steps to replace MariaDB with MySQL in XAMPP.
By following these steps, you’ve ensured a smooth transition while keeping your data and configurations.
Remember to create backups at crucial stages and exercise caution throughout the process. Enjoy working with your new MySQL-powered [local development](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/ "How to Set up and Use SiteGround Staging to Test Your Site?") environment!
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** MariaDB, MySQL, Xampp
---
### [How to Fix Slow Indexing of New Content on WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-slow-indexing-of-new-content-on-wordpress/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
When you publish new content on your WordPress site, getting it indexed by search engines quickly is essential for attracting traffic and staying ahead in the competitive online space. However, slow indexing of your content can be frustrating, damaging your site’s growth and visibility.
In this article, I will explore why slow indexing happens and how you can optimize your WordPress site to speed up the indexing process. By following these steps, your new content gets noticed by search engines like Google as quickly as possible.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Why Is Fast Indexing Important?](#1_Why_Is_Fast_Indexing_Important)
- [2. Common Causes of Slow Indexing on WordPress](#2_Common_Causes_of_Slow_Indexing_on_WordPress)
- [Poor Crawlability](#Poor_Crawlability)
- [Lack of XML Sitemaps](#Lack_of_XML_Sitemaps)
- [Thin or Duplicate Content](#Thin_or_Duplicate_Content)
- [Low Domain Authority](#Low_Domain_Authority)
- [Website Speed Issues](#Website_Speed_Issues)
- [3. Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Slow Indexing](#3_Step-by-Step_Guide_to_Fix_Slow_Indexing)
- [Step 1: Improve Website Crawlability](#Step_1_Improve_Website_Crawlability)
- [Step 2: Optimize Content for Search Engines](#Step_2_Optimize_Content_for_Search_Engines)
- [Step 3: Use XML Sitemaps Effectively](#Step_3_Use_XML_Sitemaps_Effectively)
- [Step 4: Leverage Internal Linking](#Step_4_Leverage_Internal_Linking)
- [Step 5: Submit URLs Directly to Search Engines](#Step_5_Submit_URLs_Directly_to_Search_Engines)
- [Step 6: Monitor and Improve Website Speed](#Step_6_Monitor_and_Improve_Website_Speed)
- [Step 7: Use Social Media and Backlinks](#Step_7_Use_Social_Media_and_Backlinks)
- [4. Tools to Monitor Indexing Performance](#4_Tools_to_Monitor_Indexing_Performance)
- [5. Preventing Indexing Issues in the Future](#5_Preventing_Indexing_Issues_in_the_Future)
- [6. Conclusion: Accelerate Indexing with Proactive Optimization](#6_Conclusion_Accelerate_Indexing_with_Proactive_Optimization)
## 1. Why Is Fast Indexing Important?
Fast indexing ensures that your new content is quickly recognized and included in search engine results pages (SERPs). This brings several benefits:
- **Increased Traffic:** Timely indexing ensures your [content appears in search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Export Google Search Results to Excel?") when it’s most relevant.
- **SEO Advantage:** Fresh content often receives a short-term ranking boost, especially for trending topics.
- **Competitive Edge:** Quickly indexed content allows you to stay ahead of [competitors targeting the same keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-website-top-seo-competitors/ "How to Find Out Your Website Top SEO Competitors?").
If your content isn’t indexed promptly, you miss out on these opportunities, and your content could become irrelevant by the time it’s discoverable.
## 2. Common Causes of Slow Indexing on WordPress
Understanding why your WordPress site faces slow indexing issues is crucial for implementing the right fixes. Some common causes include:
### Poor Crawlability
If search engine bots can’t easily access your website, they may take longer to discover and index new pages. This is often caused by:
- [Poor site architecture](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/ "How to Create an SEO-Friendly Website Structure?").
- [Broken links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?") or errors in the [robots.txt file](https://azibyaqoob.com/robots-txt-file-do-you-really-need-it-this-will-help-you-decide/ "Robots.txt File: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!").
- [No-follow tags ](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "The Ultimate Guide To Add A Nofollow Link To Any Platform")or meta directives blocking crawlers.
### Lack of XML Sitemaps
Search engines [rely on sitemaps](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-xml-sitemap-plugins-for-wordpress/ "Best XML Sitemap Plugins for WordPress") to discover new and updated content. Without a [properly configured sitemap](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?"), bots may miss your pages.
### Thin or Duplicate Content
Search engines prioritize valuable, original content. Thin or [duplicated pages](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/ "What is a Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?") may delay indexing as they offer little to no value.
### Low Domain Authority
New or low-authority websites may experience slower indexing due to limited trust and fewer backlinks.
### Website Speed Issues
Slow-loading sites deter crawlers, leading to fewer pages being indexed within a specific crawl budget.
## 3. Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Slow Indexing
Here’s how you can fix slow indexing and ensure your new content is discovered quickly by search engines.
### Step 1: Improve Website Crawlability
Crawlability refers to how easily search engine bots can navigate your website to discover content.
- **Check Your Robots.txt File:**
Ensure your [`robots.txt` file doesn’t block ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-the-indexed-but-blocked-by-robots-txt-error-in-wordpress/ "How to Fix the “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” Error in WordPress")essential pages. Add this line to allow all bots:
`User-agent: * `
`Disallow:`
- **Fix Broken Links:**
Use tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog to identify and repair broken links that may confuse search engines.
- **Use Canonical Tags Correctly:**
Implement canonical tags to [prevent duplicate content issues](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?") and direct bots to the preferred version of a page.
- **Simplify Site Architecture:**
Ensure every page is accessible within three clicks from the homepage. A logical, flat structure helps bots crawl your site efficiently.
### Step 2: Optimize Content for Search Engines
Well-optimized content is easier for search engines to understand and index.
- **Use Strategic Keywords:**
[Identify relevant keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the Best Way to Find Out Valuable Keywords for SEO?") for your target audience and naturally incorporate them into your titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text.
- **Write High-Quality Content:**
Focus on creating comprehensive, engaging, and original content that satisfies user intent.
- **Add Rich Media Tags:**
Use Schema markup to provide search engines with additional context about your content. For example, add FAQ or Article schema to highlight important details.
### Step 3: Use XML Sitemaps Effectively
XML sitemaps are crucial for guiding search engines to your most important pages.
- **Generate a Sitemap:**
Use an SEO plugin like [Yoast SEO or Rank Math](https://azibyaqoob.com/rank-math-vs-yoast-seo-which-is-better-for-you/ "Rank Math vs Yoast SEO: Which is Better for You?") to create an XML sitemap for your site.
- **Submit to Search Engines:**
Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools to notify them of your site structure and updates.
- **Keep Your Sitemap Clean:**
Ensure the sitemap only includes indexable pages and excludes URLs with no-index tags.
### Step 4: Leverage Internal Linking
[Internal links help](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-are-internal-links-and-why-you-should-start-adding-them-right-away/ "What are Internal Links and Why You Should Start Adding Them Right Away?") bots discover new pages faster by guiding them through your site.
- **Link to New Posts:**
Add links to newly published posts from existing high-traffic pages. This signals search engines that your new content is important.
- **Use Descriptive Anchor Text:**
Optimize your anchor text with relevant keywords to provide context about the linked page.
- **Create Content Clusters:**
Organize related posts into content clusters to establish topical relevance and improve crawlability.
### Step 5: Submit URLs Directly to Search Engines
Take control of the indexing process by manually notifying search engines of new content.
- **Google Search Console:**
Use the **URL Inspection Tool** to submit individual URLs for indexing.
- **Bing Webmaster Tools:**
Similar to Google, Bing also allows you to submit URLs for faster indexing.
Submitting URLs directly ensures bots are aware of new content without waiting for the next crawl.
### Step 6: Monitor and Improve Website Speed
A slow-loading website not only frustrates users but also limits how effectively search engines crawl your site.
- **Optimize Images:**
[Compress images](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality?") using tools like TinyPNG or ShortPixel and use next-gen formats like WebP.
- **Enable Caching:**
Use caching plugins like [WP Rocket](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which is Faster?") or [LiteSpeed Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-litespeed-cache-which-is-better-for-you/ "NitroPack vs. LiteSpeed Cache: Which is Better For You?") to store static versions of your site and reduce load times.
- **Upgrade Hosting:**
If you’re on shared hosting, consider upgrading to managed WordPress hosting for better [server performance.](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?")
- **Minimize Code:**
Reduce the size of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files using plugins like Autoptimize.
### Step 7: Use Social Media and Backlinks
Search engines use social signals and backlinks to discover new content faster.
- **Promote on Social Media:**
Share your new content across social media platforms to drive traffic and encourage search engines to prioritize indexing.
- **Build Backlinks:**
Earn high-quality backlinks from reputable sites to boost your domain authority and make it easier for search engines to trust and index your content.
- **Leverage RSS Feeds:**
Share your RSS feed with aggregator services to broaden content discovery.
## 4. Tools to Monitor Indexing Performance
Use the following tools to track and troubleshoot indexing issues:
- **Google Search Console:**
Monitor indexing status, fix errors, and submit sitemaps or URLs for indexing.
- **Bing Webmaster Tools:**
Identify crawling issues and submit sitemaps to Bing for faster indexing.
- **Screaming Frog SEO Spider:**
Crawl your site as search engines would to identify any technical issues.
- **Ahrefs or SEMrush:**
Analyze your site’s crawlability, backlinks, and overall SEO performance.
## 5. Preventing Indexing Issues in the Future
Maintaining a proactive approach ensures faster indexing over time:
- **Regularly Update Content:**
Refresh old posts with new information to signal search engines to re-index them.
- **Audit Your Site:**
Perform [regular technical audits](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Do a Technical Website Audit for SEO?") to address errors or inefficiencies.
- **Use a CDN:**
A content delivery network like Cloudflare speeds up load times for global visitors, improving crawl efficiency.
- **Stay Updated on SEO Trends:**
Monitor algorithm updates and implement best practices to keep your site aligned with search engine guidelines.
## 6. Conclusion: Accelerate Indexing with Proactive Optimization
Slow indexing of new content can damage your WordPress site’s growth, but it’s an issue that can be fixed with the right strategies. By improving crawlability, optimizing content, leveraging internal links, and using tools like XML sitemaps and Google Search Console, you can significantly reduce the time it takes for your content to [appear in search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove & Suppress Negative Search Results").
If indexing issues persist or you want to ensure your site is fully optimized, consider seeking professional [SEO and WordPress optimization services](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/ "WordPress Services"). With expert support, you can focus on creating great content while leaving the technical details to the pros.
**Ready to boost your site’s performance and visibility? [Contact me](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact me") today for tailored WordPress SEO services!**
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** Google Search Console, seo strategy, WordPress
---
### [How to Fix the “Backup Failed” Error in UpdraftPlus](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-the-backup-failed-error-in-updraftplus/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular WordPress backup plugins, trusted for its reliability and flexibility. However, like any plugin, it can occasionally run into issues. One of the most common problems users encounter is the “**Backup Failed**” error. This error can leave you feeling uncertain about the safety of your website data, but fortunately, it is often easily resolved with a few troubleshooting steps.
In this blog post, I will explore the causes of backup failures in UpdraftPlus and provide actionable steps to fix the issue and ensure successful backups in the future.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Common Causes of the “Backup Failed” Error](#Common_Causes_of_the_%E2%80%9CBackup_Failed%E2%80%9D_Error)
- [How to Fix the “Backup Failed” Error in UpdraftPlus](#How_to_Fix_the_%E2%80%9CBackup_Failed%E2%80%9D_Error_in_UpdraftPlus)
- [Step 1: Check Server Resources](#Step_1_Check_Server_Resources)
- [Step 2: Adjust UpdraftPlus Backup Settings](#Step_2_Adjust_UpdraftPlus_Backup_Settings)
- [Step 3: Verify Remote Storage Settings](#Step_3_Verify_Remote_Storage_Settings)
- [Step 4: Resolve Timeout Errors](#Step_4_Resolve_Timeout_Errors)
- [Step 5: Exclude Large Files](#Step_5_Exclude_Large_Files)
- [Step 6: Update Plugins, Themes, and WordPress](#Step_6_Update_Plugins_Themes_and_WordPress)
- [Step 7: Repair Corrupt Database Tables](#Step_7_Repair_Corrupt_Database_Tables)
- [Step 8: Enable Debugging Mode](#Step_8_Enable_Debugging_Mode)
- [Step 9: Reinstall UpdraftPlus](#Step_9_Reinstall_UpdraftPlus)
- [Preventing Future Backup Failures](#Preventing_Future_Backup_Failures)
- [Professional Backup and Maintenance Services](#Professional_Backup_and_Maintenance_Services)
## Common Causes of the “Backup Failed” Error
Several factors can cause UpdraftPlus to fail during a backup process. Understanding these potential triggers is the first step toward resolving the issue.
1. **Insufficient Server Resources:**
Limited server memory, disk space, or CPU resources can disrupt the backup process, especially for large websites.
2. **Timeout Errors:**
Backup processes can time out on shared hosting environments with low execution time limits.
3. **Misconfigured Remote Storage Settings:**
If your chosen remote storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3) isn’t properly configured, UpdraftPlus may fail to upload the backup files.
4. **File Size or Quantity:**
Large files, such as high-resolution images or extensive logs, can overwhelm the backup process.
5. **Plugin or Theme Conflicts:**
Conflicts with other plugins or themes may interfere with UpdraftPlus operations.
6. **Corrupt Files or Database Tables:**
Damaged or improperly formatted files can prevent backups from completing successfully.
## How to Fix the “Backup Failed” Error in UpdraftPlus
Let’s dive into practical steps to resolve the “Backup Failed” error and get your site’s backups running smoothly again.
### Step 1: Check Server Resources
Start by ensuring that your [server has enough resources](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?") to handle the backup process.
- **Increase Memory Limit:**
Edit your `wp-config.php` file to raise the memory limit:
`define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');`
- **Check Disk Space:**
Log in to your hosting control panel or use an FTP client to verify that your [server has adequate free storage space](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-unable-to-write-to-disk-error-in-wordpress/ "How to Fix “Unable to Write to Disk” Error in WordPress"). If space is limited, delete unused files, logs, or backups stored locally.
- **Upgrade Hosting Plan:**
If you’re on a shared hosting plan with limited resources, consider upgrading to a higher-tier or managed WordPress hosting for better performance.
### Step 2: Adjust UpdraftPlus Backup Settings
Modify UpdraftPlus settings to reduce the strain on your server.
- **Split Large Archives:**
Navigate to **Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups**, and in the “Files backup options” section, set smaller archive sizes (e.g., 100 MB per file). This reduces the risk of server timeouts.
- **Limit Backup Components:**
If you’re not using certain backup components (e.g., themes or plugins), exclude them from backups.
- **Increase Resumption Time:**
In the **Advanced Tools** section, increase the resumption interval to allow more time for each backup stage to complete.
### Step 3: Verify Remote Storage Settings
If you’re using a remote storage solution, confirm that it’s correctly configured:
- **Reauthorize Remote Storage:**
Go to **Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups > Settings**, select your remote storage, and reauthorize access. Ensure the app or token permissions are valid.
- **Check Storage Space:**
Verify that your remote storage (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive) has enough available space for your backups.
- **Test Connectivity:**
Use the **Test Connection** button in UpdraftPlus to confirm that your website can communicate with the remote storage platform.
### Step 4: Resolve Timeout Errors
Timeout errors are common on shared hosting plans where the server has low execution time limits.
- **Increase Execution Time:**
Edit your `php.ini` file (or use your hosting control panel) to raise the `max_execution_time` value: `max_execution_time = 300 `
If you can’t access `php.ini`, add this line to `.htaccess`: `php_value max_execution_time 300`
- **Optimize Backup Schedules:**
Schedule backups during low-traffic periods to minimize [competition for server resources](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-a-slow-admin-dashboard-in-wordpress/#Improve_Server_Resources "competition for server resources").
### Step 5: Exclude Large Files
Large files can overwhelm the backup process. To exclude them:
1. Navigate to **Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups > Settings**.
2. In the “Include in Files Backup” section, uncheck unnecessary components such as:
- Large media files
- Cache folders
- Log files
You can manually back up excluded files separately if needed.
### Step 6: Update Plugins, Themes, and WordPress
Outdated or poorly coded plugins and themes can conflict with UpdraftPlus, causing errors.
- Update all plugins, themes, and the WordPress core to their latest versions.
- If issues persist, temporarily deactivate other plugins to identify potential conflicts.
### Step 7: Repair Corrupt Database Tables
Corrupted database tables can prevent backups from completing.
1. Install and activate the **WP-DBManager** plugin or use phpMyAdmin to repair your database.
2. Run a repair operation to fix any corrupted tables.
3. Retry the backup process in UpdraftPlus.
### Step 8: Enable Debugging Mode
Debugging mode provides more detailed error logs that can help identify specific issues.
1. Go to **Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups > Settings**.
2. Scroll to the “Debug Mode” section and enable it.
3. Attempt another backup, then review the logs to pinpoint the cause of failure.
### Step 9: Reinstall UpdraftPlus
If all else fails, reinstalling UpdraftPlus may resolve any residual issues.
1. Deactivate and delete the plugin from **Plugins > Installed Plugins**.
2. Reinstall the latest version from the WordPress Plugin Repository.
3. Reconfigure your backup settings and attempt a new backup.
## Preventing Future Backup Failures
Regular maintenance and proactive measures can help ensure reliable backups:
- **Test Backups Regularly:** Schedule periodic test backups to verify the process works as expected. You can also make [automated backups with UpdraftPlus](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-automate-wordpress-backups-with-updraftplus/ "How to Automate WordPress Backups with UpdraftPlus").
- **Monitor Server Performance:** Keep an eye on your hosting metrics and upgrade as necessary.
- **Keep Software Updated:** Regularly update WordPress, plugins, and themes to avoid compatibility issues.
- **Automate Cleanup:** Use tools like [WP-Optimize](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-optimize-vs-litespeed-cache-which-is-the-best/ "WP-Optimize vs LiteSpeed Cache: Which is the Best?") to periodically clean up database clutter and unnecessary files.
## Professional Backup and Maintenance Services
Struggling with UpdraftPlus errors or other WordPress issues? I’m here to help!
- **Comprehensive Backup Solutions:** I ensure your site is backed up safely and reliably, using best-in-class tools.
- **Expert Troubleshooting:** From plugin conflicts to server optimization, I diagnose and resolve all issues.
- **Ongoing Maintenance:** Keep your [WordPress site secure](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-a-free-wordpress-security-plugin/ "How to Set Up a Free WordPress Security Plugin"), updated, and optimized for peak performance.
Contact me today for a free consultation and let me manage your WordPress backups so you can focus on growing your website.
[**Get Reliable WordPress Backup Services Now!**](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/)
By following these steps and leveraging professional support when needed, you can resolve the “Backup Failed” error in UpdraftPlus and ensure your site’s data remains secure. Don’t let backup failures jeopardize your website—take action today!
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** WordPress Backup
---
### [How to Fix a Slow Admin Dashboard in WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-a-slow-admin-dashboard-in-wordpress/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
A slow WordPress admin dashboard is more than an inconvenience; it can hinder your ability to manage your website effectively. Admin delays not only affect productivity but could also indicate underlying performance issues across your website.
This guide explores why your WordPress admin panel might be slow and provides step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot and optimize its performance. By the end, you’ll have a well-functioning admin dashboard and insight into maintaining it long-term.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Is Your WordPress Admin Dashboard Slow?](#Why_Is_Your_WordPress_Admin_Dashboard_Slow)
- [How to Fix a Slow WordPress Admin Dashboard](#How_to_Fix_a_Slow_WordPress_Admin_Dashboard)
- [Audit Plugins and Themes](#Audit_Plugins_and_Themes)
- [Improve Server Resources](#Improve_Server_Resources)
- [Optimize the Database](#Optimize_the_Database)
- [Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)](#Use_a_Content_Delivery_Network_CDN)
- [Leverage Caching](#Leverage_Caching)
- [Streamline Admin Scripts](#Streamline_Admin_Scripts)
- [Update PHP Version](#Update_PHP_Version)
- [Monitor Hosting and Network Performance](#Monitor_Hosting_and_Network_Performance)
- [Preventing Future Admin Slowdowns](#Preventing_Future_Admin_Slowdowns)
- [Why Choose Me?](#Why_Choose_Me)
## Why Is Your WordPress Admin Dashboard Slow?
A sluggish admin dashboard usually stems from issues like outdated software, inefficient server configurations, or overloaded databases. Below are some common culprits:
- **Plugins and themes:** Resource-intensive or outdated plugins can cause admin delays. Poorly coded themes also add unnecessary overhead.
- **Server limitations:** Shared hosting environments may lack the resources to efficiently handle administrative tasks.
- **Database inefficiencies:** Overloaded or unoptimized databases can delay admin queries.
- **Scripts and assets:** Extra scripts and styles loaded into the admin area slow down page loads.
- **Lack of caching:** Without [proper caching](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Top 5 WordPress Caching Plugins for Lightning-Fast Websites"), every request to the dashboard is treated as new, [increasing load times](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?").
Once you identify what’s causing the delay, you can focus on implementing targeted solutions.
## How to Fix a Slow WordPress Admin Dashboard
Let’s walk through actionable steps to diagnose and resolve issues affecting your WordPress admin performance.
### Audit Plugins and Themes
Start by reviewing your installed plugins and themes. Too many plugins—or even a single poorly coded one—can slow down the admin area. Temporarily deactivate all plugins and test the dashboard’s performance. If it speeds up, re-enable plugins one by one to identify the problem.
Ensure all plugins and themes are updated to their latest versions. Lightweight alternatives may work better than bloated plugins. For example, switching from a multi-purpose theme to a [performance-optimized](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/ "WordPress Services") one can make a noticeable difference.
### Improve Server Resources
If you’re on shared hosting, server limitations may be a key factor. Upgrading to managed WordPress hosting, such as Kinsta or [SiteGround](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/ "How to Set up and Use SiteGround Staging to Test Your Site?"), can resolve resource bottlenecks. Also, consider enabling server features like [HTTP/2](https://azibyaqoob.com/http-vs-https-which-one-is-the-right-choice-for-seo/ "HTTP VS HTTPS – Which One is the Right Choice for SEO?"), which improves the efficiency of loading multiple resources.
To further optimize server-side performance, adjust your PHP settings. Increasing the `memory_limit` to at least 256M and extending the `max_execution_time` can handle more resource-intensive tasks without timing out.
### Optimize the Database
Your WordPress database stores essential site data, but it can become bloated with unnecessary information, such as spam comments, post revisions, and expired transients. Tools like **[WP-Optimize](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-optimize-vs-litespeed-cache-which-is-the-best/ "WP-Optimize vs LiteSpeed Cache: Which is the Best?")** or **Advanced Database Cleaner** can remove this clutter.
Additionally, optimizing database tables regularly can improve query performance. Access your database via phpMyAdmin and run the `OPTIMIZE TABLE` command on selected tables to [reclaim storage space ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-unable-to-write-to-disk-error-in-wordpress/ "How to Fix “Unable to Write to Disk” Error in WordPress")and boost efficiency.
If plugins like WooCommerce are involved, splitting large tables or archiving old data can prevent admin delays caused by heavy database queries.
### Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
CDNs help offload server strain by delivering static assets—like CSS and JavaScript files—from servers closer to the user. While CDNs primarily boost front-end performance, reducing server load indirectly speeds up admin processes. Popular options include Cloudflare, BunnyCDN, and KeyCDN.
### Leverage Caching
Object caching is a powerful way to improve backend performance by storing database query results for reuse. Consider enabling persistent object caching through plugins like **Redis Object Cache** or **[W3 Total Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-configure-w3-total-cache-settings-step-by-step-tutorial/ "How to Configure W3 Total Cache Settings? (Step by Step Tutorial)")**.
Server-side caching, often provided by managed WordPress hosts, can also reduce load times for admin functions. Check with your hosting provider to activate built-in caching systems.
### Streamline Admin Scripts
Plugins and themes often load unnecessary scripts in the admin area, contributing to delays. Use the **Query Monitor** plugin to identify resource-heavy scripts, then disable them using a plugin like **Asset CleanUp**.
Additionally, reducing custom code or optimizing existing functions in your `functions.php` file ensures that the admin area runs as efficiently as possible.
On the browser side, clear your cache regularly and disable extensions that may interfere with WordPress.
### Update PHP Version
Running your site on an outdated PHP version can severely limit performance. WordPress recommends using PHP 8.0 or higher, which is significantly faster than older versions.
Check your current PHP version in the **Site Health** tool within WordPress. To upgrade, access your hosting control panel, select the latest PHP version, and test your site for compatibility.
### Monitor Hosting and Network Performance
Sometimes, the problem isn’t with WordPress but with your hosting environment or local network. Hosting providers may experience intermittent downtimes or throttling during high traffic periods. Use tools like Pingdom or UptimeRobot to monitor server performance.
If your local network is contributing to admin slowness, switch to a faster internet connection or use a virtual private network (VPN) to bypass regional latency.
## Preventing Future Admin Slowdowns
Maintaining a fast admin dashboard requires consistent effort and proactive measures:
- **Schedule maintenance tasks:** Regularly clean up your database and review plugins and themes for updates.
- **Keep WordPress updated:** Ensure the core, plugins, and themes are always running on their latest versions.
- **Limit dashboard customizations:** Minimize widgets and features on the admin interface to reduce resource usage.
- **Monitor site health:** Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix can help you identify performance bottlenecks before they become major issues.
By prioritizing these practices, you’ll minimize the risk of recurring slowdowns in the admin dashboard.
Still struggling with a slow WordPress admin dashboard or overall site performance? Let me take care of it for you!
### Why Choose Me?
- **Comprehensive diagnostics:** I identify and resolve the exact causes of admin slowness.
- **Performance-focused solutions:** From server optimization to database tuning, I ensure your site runs smoothly.
- **Ongoing maintenance:** Regular updates and proactive monitoring keep your WordPress site in peak condition.
- **Tailored strategies:** Custom plans designed to meet your unique needs.
Ready to supercharge your WordPress site? Contact us today for a free consultation.
[**Optimize My WordPress Site Now!**](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Speed optimization, WordPress errors
---
### [How to Add Online Booking Features to Your WordPress Website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-add-online-booking-features-to-your-wordpress-website/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Online booking is an essential feature for many small businesses, including restaurants, salons, repair services, and more. With WordPress, integrating online booking functionality is straightforward, thanks to a wide range of plugins designed for this purpose. This tutorial will walk you through the step-by-step process of adding online booking features to your WordPress website.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Step 1: Understand Your Booking Needs](#Step_1_Understand_Your_Booking_Needs)
- [Step 2: Choose the Right Plugin](#Step_2_Choose_the_Right_Plugin)
- [Step 3: Install and Activate the Plugin](#Step_3_Install_and_Activate_the_Plugin)
- [Step 4: Configure the Plugin](#Step_4_Configure_the_Plugin)
- [Step 5: Integrate Booking Forms on Your Website](#Step_5_Integrate_Booking_Forms_on_Your_Website)
- [Step 6: Customize the Booking Form Appearance](#Step_6_Customize_the_Booking_Form_Appearance)
- [Step 7: Test the Booking System](#Step_7_Test_the_Booking_System)
- [Step 8: Promote Your Booking Feature](#Step_8_Promote_Your_Booking_Feature)
- [Step 9: Monitor and Maintain Your Booking System](#Step_9_Monitor_and_Maintain_Your_Booking_System)
- [Additional Tips for Success](#Additional_Tips_for_Success)
- [Wrapping Up](#Wrapping_Up)
### **Step 1: Understand Your Booking Needs**
Before diving into the technical setup, consider what your business requires:
1. **Type of Appointments**: Will you allow bookings for specific time slots or full-day services?
2. **User Features**: Should users be able to cancel or reschedule appointments?
3. **Payment Integration**: Will you collect payments during the booking process?
4. **Calendar Syncing**: Should the bookings sync with external calendars like Google Calendar?
Popular WordPress [plugins offer diverse features,](https://azibyaqoob.com/which-yoast-seo-plugin-features-you-should-not-use/) so having a clear idea of your needs will help you pick the right one.
Need help setting up online booking for your WordPress site? [**Contact me today**](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact") for a free consultation!
### **Step 2: Choose the Right Plugin**
There are many WordPress booking plugins available, each catering to different requirements. Here are some popular options:
- **Amelia**: A premium plugin suitable for businesses requiring robust features like payment integration and employee management.
- **Bookly**: Another powerful option, perfect for businesses wanting automated notifications and payment processing.
- **WP Simple Booking Calendar**: Ideal for simpler scheduling needs, like room or equipment rentals.
- **WooCommerce Bookings**: Great for e-commerce businesses already using WooCommerce.
- **Appointment Booking by MotoPress**: A flexible, beginner-friendly option.
For this tutorial, we’ll use the **Bookly plugin**, as it balances advanced features with ease of use.
### **Step 3: Install and Activate the Plugin**
1. **Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.**
2. Navigate to **Plugins > Add New** in the left-hand menu.
3. Search for “Bookly” in the plugin search bar.
4. Click **Install Now** next to the plugin and wait for the process to complete.
5. After installation, click **Activate** to enable the plugin on your site.
### **Step 4: Configure the Plugin**
Once activated, you’ll find the Bookly plugin settings in your WordPress dashboard.
#### 1. **Set Up Your Services**
- Go to **Bookly > Services.**
- Click **Add Service** and enter details such as the name of the service, duration, and price.
- Assign services to specific staff members if needed.
#### 2. **Add Staff Members**
- Navigate to **Bookly > Staff Members.**
- Add individual staff profiles, which users can choose from during the booking process.
#### 3. **Customize Time Slots**
- Under **Bookly > Schedule**, define your availability, such as workdays, time slots, and break periods.
#### 4. **Payment Settings**
- Go to **Bookly > Settings > Payments.**
- Enable payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe to allow users to pay during the booking process.
### **Step 5: Integrate Booking Forms on Your Website**
Now that the plugin is configured, it’s time to add the booking form to your website.
#### 1. **Create a New Page for Bookings**
- Navigate to **Pages > Add New** in your WordPress dashboard.
- Title the page something like “Book an Appointment” or “Schedule a Service.”
#### 2. **Insert the Booking Form**
- Use the **Bookly Shortcode** available in the plugin settings:
`[bookly-form]`
- Paste this shortcode into the page content editor.
#### 3. **Publish the Page**
- Click **Publish** to make the page live.
### **Step 6: Customize the Booking Form Appearance**
Bookly allows you to adjust the design of your booking forms to match your website’s branding.
1. **Go to Bookly > Appearance.**
2. Choose form colors, fonts, and layouts.
3. Preview the changes to ensure they fit seamlessly into your website’s theme.
### **Step 7: Test the Booking System**
Before launching, thoroughly test the booking process to ensure it’s functioning correctly.
#### Steps to Test:
1. Navigate to your booking page.
2. Select a service, staff member (if applicable), and date.
3. Proceed through the booking steps, including payment if enabled.
4. Verify email or SMS notifications for bookings (if configured).
### **Step 8: Promote Your Booking Feature**
Once your booking system is live, let your audience know!
1. **Homepage Announcement**: Add a prominent call-to-action (CTA) on your homepage, such as “Book Now.”
2. **Social Media**: Share the new feature with your followers on platforms like Facebook or [Instagram](https://azibyaqoob.com/instagram-promotion-strategy-to-boost-followers-of-your-business-account/ "How to Increase Your Instagram Business Account Followers?").
3. **Email Marketing**: Send a newsletter announcing the booking feature to [your mailing list](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/ "Best Cheap Email Marketing Services to Grow Your List").
4. **Google Business Profile**: Include a link to your booking page in your Google profile.
### **Step 9: Monitor and Maintain Your Booking System**
1. **Check Regularly**: Ensure that the plugin and WordPress are updated to their latest versions to avoid security vulnerabilities.
2. **Backup Data**: [Regularly back up your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-automate-wordpress-backups-with-updraftplus/ "How to Automate WordPress Backups with UpdraftPlus"), including booking information.
3. **Review Analytics**: Monitor booking data to understand customer behavior and adjust services accordingly.
### **Additional Tips for Success**
- **Mobile Responsiveness**: Ensure your booking form works smoothly on mobile devices.
- **SEO Optimization**: Use SEO best practices on your booking page to make it easier for users to find your services. For example, include relevant keywords like *“online booking WordPress plugin tutorial”* in your page title and meta description.
- **Customer Support**: Include a [contact form](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-contact-form-7s-persistent-ajax-loading-spinner-issue/ "How to Fix Contact Form 7’s Persistent Ajax Loading Spinner Issue") or chatbot to assist users who encounter issues while booking.
### Wrapping Up
Need help setting up online booking for your WordPress site? [**Contact me today**](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact") for a free consultation!
Adding online booking features to your WordPress website is a powerful way to streamline your business and provide a convenient experience for your customers. With the Bookly plugin (or another plugin of your choice), you can easily create a system that aligns with your business needs.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** booking forms
---
### [Robots.txt File: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!](https://azibyaqoob.com/robots-txt-file-do-you-really-need-it-this-will-help-you-decide/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you are new to SEO then you must have at least heard about robots.txt yet. I am going to tell you exactly what’s the purpose of robots.txt and how you can use it to [improve your SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/ "How to Improve Wix SEO in 2018 (Step by Step Guide)").
Robots.txt is a simple text file that you create and place on your website to instruct web crawlers (or the search engine bots) to access different web pages on your site.
Robot.txt file is an important part of REP (Robot Exclusion Protocol). This protocol is a group of web standards that regulate the procedure of robots crawling the web, access the content, index it, and [serve it to the users](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-serve-cache-for-logged-in-users-in-wordpress/).
#### Importance of Robots.txt
Although it is a simple small text file, it could cause disaster to your online presence. If somehow, you get the wrong file up, a red signal will go for the search engine robots that they are not allowed to crawl on your site.
It means that your [web pages will not appear on SERPs](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?"). Therefore, it is not only important for you to understand the purpose of a robots.txt file with SEO perspective, but you also need to learn how you can check whether you are using this robots.txt file correctly or not.
If you don’t want the search engine bots to crawl “certain” pages of your site, your robots.txt file will be responsible to give out this instruction to them.
Let’s say, you don’t want any of your images to be listed on the search engine, you can block search bots by simply using a disallow directive in your robots.txt file.
#### How does Robots.txt Work?
When search engine bots try to index your site, they first look for a robots.txt file in the root directory. This file contains the instructions on which pages they can crawl and index them on SERPs, and which they can’t index. If you face [indexed, though blocked by robots.txt](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-the-indexed-but-blocked-by-robots-txt-error-in-wordpress/ "How to Fix the “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” Error in WordPress") error then read this guide.
You can use robots.txt file to:
- Let the search bots ignore any duplicate web pages on your site
- NoIndex internal search result pages of your website
- Limit the bots to index certain parts of your site or the whole website
- Disallow search bots to index certain files present on your site, e.g., images and PDFs
#### Examples of a Basic Robots.txt
See some examples of basic robots.txt files in the image below:
#### Check the Priorities of your Website:
When it comes to robots.txt files, you have three options. These options are:
- Check if your site has a robots.txt file
- If you already have one, ensure that it is not harmful to your site, or blocking your content that you don’t want to be blocked
- Determine whether your website need a robots.txt file
#### How to Check if Your Site is Using a Robots.txt File?
You can use any browser to check if your website has a robots.txt file or not. You just need to add `/robots.txt` at the end of your domain name. Just as it is shown in the image below:
#### Is your Robots.txt File Blocking Important pages?
With the help of Google Search Console, you can check if your robots.txt file has blocked certain page resource files which are required by Google to fully understand your web pages.
#### Does your Website Need a Robots.txt File?
It is not necessary that your website has a robots.txt file, and it is totally fine as well. In many cases, you don’t need a robots.txt file.
##### Reasons you may Need a Robots.txt File:
Following are some reasons because of which your website may need a robots.txt file:
- Your website has some content that you don’t want to be indexed by search engines
- Your website contains certain paid links or ads that have special instructions for robots
- Robots.txt files may help you follow some guidelines from Google in certain situations
##### Reasons you may not Need a Robots.txt File:
Some reasons because of which you may not need a robots.txt file are:
- You have a simple [website structure](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/ "How to Create a Most Logical Website Structure to Boost SEO?")
- You don’t have sufficient content on your site that you want to block from search engines
If your website doesn’t have a robots.txt file, search engine robots will have an easy and full access to your website. This practice is very common.
#### How to Create a Robots.txt File?
If you want to create a robot.txt file, you can create one easily. [This article from Google](https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/6062596?hl=en "Create a robots.txt file - Search Console Help") helps you in understanding the whole process.
Usually, people want every part of their website to be indexed by search engines. To make it possible, you have three options:
##### Don’t create a Robots.txt File:
When a search engine robot visits a website, and it doesn’t find any robots.txt file there, it feels free to visit all pages of the website.
##### Create an Empty File named as Robots.txt:
When your website has a file named robots.txt but it doesn’t contain any content, the robots crawl each web page.
##### Save a Robots.txt File with only Two Lines:
If you want the search engine robots to crawl every page of your website, you can simply save a robots.txt file with the two lines shown in the following image:
After reading these two lines, the robot will automatically read all your web pages.
#### What if you Don’t Want Any of your Content to be Crawled?
This is a risky thing to do, as it means that none of your web pages will be indexed by any search engine. If still, you want to do this, you can use the following instructions:
Robots.txt could be playing an important role in determining the [position of your website on SERP](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?"). This is the reason, you need to handle this simple but important file carefully.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
I think it is quite an important topic yet quite misunderstood. Most people think of Google Indexing and crawling as the same thing. They are not. In this post, I will explain the difference between Google indexing and Google crawling and why you should even care.
#### What is Google Crawling?
Crawling is a process used by Google Search to find new pages on the Worldwide web and store them on its servers. It is a computer program run 24/7 on competent hardware.
This program finds new pages through two different methods.
- When you upload a sitemap.xml file through[ Google Search Console](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2019 (Updated)"), Google crawls all those pages.
- When Google crawler finds new links on any webpage, it visits them and sends them to Google’s servers.
#### What is Google Indexing?
When Google crawler finds new webpages through the process of crawling, it sends them back to Google’s servers. Google-specific servers then store those new web pages. The process of saving those pages is known as Google’s Index.
If that sounds confusing, consider the Google index as storage where Google saves web pages. Google displays indexed pages in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?") when people type specific queries.
#### What is a Googlebot?
It is a common name for Google’s crawlers which visit webpages, find new links and store them in its index. There are two different types of Googlebot:
-Googlebot Mobile – This Googlebot crawls pages in mobile format.
-Googlebot Desktop – Crawling desktop version of a web page.
Recent Mobile-first indexing has changed this process a little bit. Before Google introduced mobile first-indexing, Googlebot first crawled the desktop version of the website and then indexed pages and ranked them in its index. Now, it works a little differently. It first crawls the mobile version of a website and then stores it in its index.
#### What is a Google Data Center, and Where is it Located?
These are specific data storage centers that store data for Google’s many platforms and services. These servers save data on hundreds of solid-state drives without any data loss.
It is where Google index all the webpages data. There are no official numbers on how many such data centers exist, but Gartner’s 2016 report shows that around 2.5 million data centers exist worldwide in various countries.
#### What’s the difference between Google Indexing and Google Crawling?
The difference is quite huge. Google crawler is a program that visits thousands of web pages daily or even more. On the other hand, the index is where it stores those web pages so then they can be displayed in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/).
Google named its crawler ‘Googlebot.’ The purpose of this crawler is to visit new pages, find links on those pages, and see them. If it finds new pages, it sends them to its server, known as “Google Index.” This process is fully automated. However, you can improve your chances of indexing your website’s web pages.
#### How Can You Help Google Crawl and Index Your Pages Faster?
Here are a few tips to make your pages get regularly crawled and indexed by Googlebot:
- Verify your website property on Google Search Console and [submit a sitemap](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?").
- Specify your XML sitemap URL in the [robots.txt file](https://azibyaqoob.com/robots-txt-file-do-you-really-need-it-this-will-help-you-decide/ "Robots.txt File: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!").
- You can submit new individual pages to the Google index through the Google Search Console URL inspection tool.
- Send a Ping request to Googlebot through your browser by typing a command like this:`https://www.google.com/ping?sitemap=https://www.example.com/sitemap.xml`
I hope you found this post helpful. If you are facing this error [indexed, though blocked by robots.txt](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-the-indexed-but-blocked-by-robots-txt-error-in-wordpress/ "How to Fix the “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” Error in WordPress") then read this guide. Let me know in the comments if you have questions about the difference between Google indexing and the crawling process.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Delete a Domain Name? A Step-by-Step Guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-can-i-remove-my-domain-name-completely/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** Deleting a domain name is quite a simple process. However, most domain registrars have a different method for deleting a domain name.
**Content:**
If you’re thinking about deleting your domain, it’s good to know that each company you bought it from might have its own way to do this. In this guide, I’ll explain how you can delete a domain no matter which company you used to register it.
**Caution**: Permanently deleting a domain name involves a multi-step process and should be approached cautiously because it can have significant implications for your online presence.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Preparation Before Deleting a Domain Name](#Preparation_Before_Deleting_a_Domain_Name)
- [How to Delete a Domain Name?](#How_to_Delete_a_Domain_Name)
- [Godaddy Domains](#Godaddy_Domains)
- [Bluehost Domains](#Bluehost_Domains)
- [Google Domains](#Google_Domains)
- [HostGator Domains](#HostGator_Domains)
- [Namecheap Domains](#Namecheap_Domains)
- [Dreamhost Domains](#Dreamhost_Domains)
- [Shopify Domains](#Shopify_Domains)
- [Frequently Asked Questions:](#Frequently_Asked_Questions)
## Preparation Before Deleting a Domain Name
Before you delete a domain name, it’s important to prepare properly to avoid any issues. Here’s what you need to do:
- **Check Domain Expiration and Renewal**: Make sure your domain isn’t expiring soon or set for renewal. Check your domain registrar account for these details.
- **Backup Your Website and Emails:** Save copies of your website files, databases, and email accounts linked to the domain. Use backup tools provided by your hosting service and store backups in safe places.
- **Let People Know:** Tell anyone who might be affected by the domain deletion, like your team, clients, or customers. Give them a heads up about when it’s happening and what they need to do.
- **Check Other Services:** See if there are any other services connected to your domain, like email accounts or subdomains. Make sure you won’t lose anything important when you delete the domain.
- **Review Legal Stuff:** Check any contracts or laws related to your domain, especially if it’s linked to trademarks or laws about data protection. Make sure you’re following the rules.
By doing these things, you’ll be all set to delete your domain without any surprises. It’s all about being prepared and making sure everything goes smoothly.
## How to Delete a Domain Name?
Make sure you have a backup of your website important data. Once you delete a domain name, there’s no turning back.
Without further ado, let me show you the domain deletion process for each registrar.
### Godaddy Domains
- Sign in to your GoDaddy **Domain Control Center**.
- Check the box next to the domain you want to delete.
- Select **More**, then click on ‘Delete.’
- Confirm by clicking **Yes; I consent to delete the selected domains**.
- Select **Continue**.
### Bluehost Domains
- Sign in to your Bluehost account.
- From the top menu bar, select **Domains**.
- ‘Select’ the domain that you want to delete.
- Click on the **Un-assign** option.
- It will ask for confirmation; click on the **Unassign** button.
### Google Domains
- Sign in to Google Domains and **Select** your domain name.
- Open the menu, and click on **Registration** settings.
- Scroll down to Delete domain.
- To the right of the “Delete domain,” click **Delete**.
- Sign in again to confirm your identity.
- Review the restrictions, click **Yes, I’m sure, and delete the domain**.
### HostGator Domains
- Login to your HostGator Control Panel. Click on the **Domains**.
- Select a domain that you wish to delete.
- Click **Order Details**.
- Click the **Delete Order** link.
- Confirm the deletion by clicking the **Delete Order** button.
### Namecheap Domains
- Sign in to your Namecheap account.
- Select **Domain List** from the left sidebar.
- Click the **Manage** button.
- Select the **Cancel** option.
- Enter your Namecheap account password and click **Confirm**.
### Dreamhost Domains
- Login to your Dreamhost Dashboard.
- Navigate to the ‘Websites” page.
- Click the **Manage** button for the domain you want to delete.
- Select the **Hosting** tab.
- Select **Permanently Delete Domain**.
- Click the **Proceed with Deletion** button.
### Shopify Domains
**Note:** You must contact Shopify support to remove a [Shopify-managed domain](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-ssl-unavailable-error-in-shopify/ "Secure Your Shopify Store: Fix SSL Unavailable Error Now!") name. For a third-party domain deletion, follow the following process:
- Sign in to your Shopify account.
- Go to ‘Online Store,’ then select **Domains**.
- Select the domain you want to remove from the ‘Third-party domains’ section.
- Click **Remove** to confirm the deletion.
## Frequently Asked Questions:
**Q: Can I Undo the Deletion of a Domain Name?**
Unfortunately, once a domain name is deleted, it’s usually not reversible. It’s essential to double-check and ensure that you’re certain about deleting the domain before proceeding.
**Q: What Happens to My Website and Email Accounts After Deleting the Domain**?
Deleting a domain name typically results in the removal of associated website files, databases, and email accounts. It’s crucial to back up this data beforehand and make alternative arrangements for hosting and communication services.
**Q: Will Deleting the Domain Name Impact Search Engine Rankings?**
Yes, deleting a domain name can have implications for search engine rankings, as it may result in the [loss of indexed pages ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-the-indexed-but-blocked-by-robots-txt-error-in-wordpress/ "How to Fix the “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” Error in WordPress")and inbound links. To mitigate this impact, consider implementing proper redirects and notifying search engines of the domain change.
**Q: How Long Does It Take to Delete a Domain Name?**
The timeframe for deleting a domain name varies depending on the domain registrar and the specific deletion process. Generally, domain deletion may take anywhere from a few hours to several days to complete.
**Q: Do I Need to Notify Anyone After Deleting the Domain Name?**
It’s advisable to inform relevant stakeholders, such as team members, clients, and customers, about the domain deletion. Provide clear communication regarding the reasons for the deletion and any necessary actions they may need to take.
**Q: Can I Transfer the Domain Name Instead of Deleting It?**
Yes, transferring a domain name to another registrar or owner is an alternative option to deletion. However, ensure that you comply with the transfer requirements and follow the necessary procedures outlined by your domain registrar.
**Q: What Should I Do If I Encounter Problems During the Domain Deletion Process?**
If you encounter any difficulties or unexpected issues while deleting the domain name, reach out to your domain registrar’s customer support for assistance. They can provide guidance and help resolve any technical or administrative challenges you may face.
**Q: Are There Any Fees Associated with Deleting a Domain Name?**
Some domain registrars may charge a fee for deleting a domain name, particularly if it’s done outside the standard renewal or expiration process. Review your registrar’s terms of service or contact their support team to inquire about any applicable fees.
Read my post on [removing negative Google search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?") if you want to stop a page from appearing on Google. I hope you find this post helpful and it helped you delete your domain name. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [The Best WordPress SEO Plugins for 2024: A Comprehensive Guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you looking for the best WordPress SEO plugins?
In this post, I have selected most useful and free SEO plugins for WordPress. By using these SEO plugins, your site traffic will significantly boost.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why SEO is Important for Your WordPress website?](#Why_SEO_is_Important_for_Your_WordPress_website)
- [The Role of SEO Plugins in WordPress](#The_Role_of_SEO_Plugins_in_WordPress)
- [Best Free SEO Plugins for WordPress](#Best_Free_SEO_Plugins_for_WordPress)
- [1. The SEO Framework](#1_The_SEO_Framework)
- [2. Yoast SEO](#2_Yoast_SEO)
- [3. All in one SEO Pack](#3_All_in_one_SEO_Pack)
- [1. All in One Schema Rich Snippets](#1_All_in_One_Schema_Rich_Snippets)
- [2. Schema](#2_Schema)
- [3. WP SEO Structured Data Schema](#3_WP_SEO_Structured_Data_Schema)
- [1. SEO Post Content Links](#1_SEO_Post_Content_Links)
- [2. Title and Nofollow For Links](#2_Title_and_Nofollow_For_Links)
- [3. Table of Content Plus](#3_Table_of_Content_Plus)
- [1. Redirection](#1_Redirection)
- [2. Simple 301 Redirects](#2_Simple_301_Redirects)
- [1. WP Fastest Cache](#1_WP_Fastest_Cache)
- [2. WP Super Cache](#2_WP_Super_Cache)
- [3. W3 Total Cache](#3_W3_Total_Cache)
- [1. Smush Image Compression and Optimization](#1_Smush_Image_Compression_and_Optimization)
- [2. EWWW Image Optimizer](#2_EWWW_Image_Optimizer)
- [3. Compress JPEG and PNG images](#3_Compress_JPEG_and_PNG_images)
- [1. NavXT Breadcrumbs](#1_NavXT_Breadcrumbs)
- [2. Broken Link Checker](#2_Broken_Link_Checker)
- [3. Google Analytics Dashboard for WP (GADWP)](#3_Google_Analytics_Dashboard_for_WP_GADWP)
- [Tools to Improve Your WordPress Website’s SEO:](#Tools_to_Improve_Your_WordPress_Websites_SEO)
## Why SEO is Important for Your WordPress website?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a crucial aspect of managing a WordPress website. It plays a significant role in how your site appears in search results, which directly affects your online visibility and traffic. Here are some reasons why SEO is important for your WordPress website:
1. **Increased Visibility and Traffic:** SEO helps improve your website’s rankings in search engine results. The higher your site ranks, the more visible it is to potential visitors. This increased visibility can lead to more clicks and, consequently, more traffic to your site.
2. **Better User Experience:** SEO isn’t just about pleasing search engines, it’s also about providing a great user experience. A well-optimized site is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and provides valuable content, all of which contribute to a positive user experience.
3. **Increased Credibility and Trust:** Websites that appear on the first page of search engine results are often perceived as more trustworthy. By optimizing your site for SEO, you can increase your credibility in the eyes of your visitors.
4. **Cost-Effective Marketing Strategy:** Compared to paid advertising, SEO is a cost-effective marketing strategy. It targets users who are actively looking for your products or services online, resulting in more qualified traffic to your site.
5. **Competitive Advantage:** With millions of websites on the internet, competition is fierce. SEO gives you a competitive edge by helping your website stand out and rank higher than your competitors’ sites.
6. **Long-Term Success:** While SEO requires ongoing effort, it’s a long-term investment. The work you put into SEO now will continue to benefit your website for years to come.
SEO is a critical component of any successful WordPress website. It helps increase your online visibility, provides a better user experience, builds credibility, and gives you a competitive advantage. By investing in SEO, you’re setting your WordPress website up for long-term success.
## The Role of SEO Plugins in WordPress
SEO plugins play a vital role in optimizing your WordPress website for search engines. They provide a suite of tools designed to improve your site’s visibility and ranking. Here’s how they contribute:
SEO plugins make it easy to optimize individual pages on your website. They provide fields for meta titles and descriptions, and often include real-time content analysis to guide your optimization efforts.
An XML sitemap is a roadmap of your website that helps search engines navigate your site. Most SEO plugins can automatically generate and update this sitemap for you.
When your content is shared on social media platforms, SEO plugins ensure that the title, description, and image are displayed correctly.
Many SEO plugins offer content analysis tools. These tools assess your content’s readability and keyword usage, providing suggestions for improvement.
When you delete a page or change the URL, SEO plugins can automatically create a redirect, ensuring that visitors and search engines find the new page instead of a 404 error. if you encounter [403 forbidden error](https://azibyaqoob.com/troubleshooting-wordpress-403-forbidden-errors/ "Troubleshooting WordPress “403 Forbidden” Errors") on your site then read this guide.
Schema markup is a form of microdata that helps search engines understand your content. Some SEO plugins support schema markup, improving your site’s chances of getting rich snippets in search results.
SEO plugins are a powerful tool in your WordPress toolkit. They simplify many complex SEO tasks, helping you to create a website that’s easily discoverable by search engines and users alike.
## Best Free SEO Plugins for WordPress
Using these WordPress plugins will help you [optimize your overall site’s SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-optimize-a-website-in-2019-for-google-search-whats-different-about-google-search/ "How to Optimize a Website in 2020 for Google Search").
You can try out any of these plugins and pick the ones which are more suitable to your [website structure](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/ "How to Create a Most Logical Website Structure to Boost SEO?"), needs and SEO.
I have personally used all of these SEO plugins on my clients’ WordPress websites and their traffic has increased by 75% in 3 months only.
These plugins are packed with almost all the features that you need to optimize your [small business website’s SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking").
These WordPress plugins can provide you interface to add meta tags, generate sitemaps, improve internal links, and improve other aspects of your website.
### [1. The SEO Framework](https://wordpress.org/plugins/autodescription/ "Download The SEO Framework plugin from WordPress directory")
If you are looking for a reliable and easier SEO plugin, this one is for you. It is a feature-rich WordPress SEO plugin.
you can install various extension plugins to enhance SEO Framework functionality to a new extent.
The one downside that I found, this plugin lacks a feature of import/export SEO data from other SEO plugins. However, I am sure that if you install it on a new website you can easily adjust meta tags and settings of this plugin.
### [2. Yoast SEO](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/ "Download Yoast SEO WordPress plugin")
Yoast SEO is one of the most popular WordPress SEO plugins. It comes with a variety of features and you can also download other extensions to enhance its functionality. You can also buy a [Yoast SEO premium](https://azibyaqoob.com/yoast-seo-free-vs-yoast-seo-premium-full-review/ "Yoast SEO Free vs Yoast SEO Premium (Full Review)") version to get the complete functionality.
Since it is the most widely used SEO plugin on WordPress, there are a lot of tutorials on how to properly set up this plugin. You can also find comprehensive documentation and tutorials on Yoast SEO website.
I personally use and recommend Yoast SEO to all my clients. However, all the SEO plugins mentioned in this post are equally good and get the job done.
### [3. All in one SEO Pack](https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-seo-pack/ "Download All in One SEO Pack")
That’s probably the second most installed SEO plugin on the WordPress plugins directory. You can find similar features as Yoast SEO and The SEO framework plugin. The interface is clean and the documentation the plugin author provides is great.
You can import and export your settings from this plugin to another plugin or vice versa. Any of the above 3 plugins would do the job for you.
**Schema Rich Snippets WordPress Plugins**
Since last few [Google search](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?") algorithm updates, using structured data markups becomes a necessity. Using it properly on a website can produce [rich snippets in SERPs](https://azibyaqoob.com/rich-result-featured-snippet-and-knowledge-graph-explained/ "Rich Result, Featured Snippet, and Knowledge Graph Explained").
It is a great way to improve your click-through rate and stand out from the competition. You can use the plugins mentioned below or you can manually set up structured data.
### [1. All in One Schema Rich Snippets](https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-schemaorg-rich-snippets/ "Download All in One Schema Rich Snippets from WordPress Plugins directory")
It is a WordPress plugin to add Schema markups of different content types. Using Schema markups with your content will show rich snippets in [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?").
After you install & activate this plugin, simply go to any page/post where you want to add schema markup. You will find a content area where you can select the content type and fill out the details.
All in One Schema Rich Snippets is easy to implement multiple schema types like Review, Events, Recipes, Article, Products, Services, etc…
### [2. Schema](https://wordpress.org/plugins/schema/ "Download Schema from WordPress plugins directory")
Super fast and light-weight plugin for adding schema.org structured data markup in recommended JSON-LD format automatically to WordPress sites.
Anyone can use its basic features by following provided instructions to set up this plugin. Other than that you can use it to manually enter schema markups according to your page/post content.
It uses JSON-LD format which is recommended by Google to markup data. Some features of this plugin are only available in a premium version.
### 3. [WP SEO Structured Data Schema](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-seo-structured-data-schema/ "Download WP SEO Structured Data Schema from WordPress plugins directory")
It is another great structured data plugin which will enhance your search snippets on Google. The plugin author claims this plugin to be quite user-friendly and easier to use for small business owners to markup basic content.
It is also used JSON-LD format to structure data, this format is new compared to old ones and also recommended to use by Google.
**Internal Link Plugins on WordPress**
Internal links are quite important to improve your website indexing in the search engines as well as it has an impact on your overall website’s ranking. So, using internal links can improve your overall website’ SEO.
### [1. SEO Post Content Links](https://wordpress.org/plugins/content-links/ "Download Post Content Links from WordPress plugins directory")
Although, I didn’t find it accurate enough to use on my websites. However, it can be used to create internal links on your WordPress website automatically. Maybe I didn’t give it enough time but you can use it to improve your internal links efficiently without going to each post/page to add them.
You can add a few keywords which will be used as anchor text to link posts between different categories. It is a good option to automate the internal linking of your website.
### [2. Title and Nofollow For Links](https://wordpress.org/plugins/title-and-nofollow-for-links/ "Download Title and Nofollow For Links from WordPress plugins directory")
One of the best WordPress SEO plugins that can help you [add a nofollow link to your WordPress website](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide").
Using this plugin will help you keep your website link juice internally. You can also use this plugin to add link title attribute.
### [3. Table of Content Plus](https://wordpress.org/plugins/table-of-contents-plus/ "Download Table of Content Plus plugin")
If you want to add page jumps into your post/page on WordPress, then ‘Table of Content Plus’ will make things much easier. It comes with tons of options to customize the table of the content box. You can use this plugin in many different ways to add a table of contents to your posts.
Using this plugin can also improve CTR as Google sometimes pick up page jumps and show them in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/).
**WordPress URL redirection Plugins**
URL redirection on WordPress is simple, you can also manually redirect your posts/pages by editing the .htaccess file. However, if you are not comfortable with that, you can also use these plugins to simply redirect old pages to the new ones without losing ranking.
### [1. Redirection](https://wordpress.org/plugins/redirection/ "Download Redirection plugin from WordPress plugins directory")
I use this plugin because I found it easier to use. You can just give a source and a destination URL and click on the redirect button. It will automatically redirect your page whenever someone visits the old URL. This plugin is packed with great features which you can use to customize redirection as per your requirements.
### [2. Simple 301 Redirects](https://wordpress.org/plugins/simple-301-redirects/ "Download Simple 301 Redirects")
This plugin has not been updated for more than a year. However, Simple 301 redirects are especially good when you are moving your website from other CMS to WordPress or moving website from one directory to another. You can also use it to manually add redirects from source URL to destination URL.
You can also [use canonical URL](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/ "What is Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?") if you are having duplicate content issues.
**WordPress Caching Plugins**
Using any WordPress cache plugin can make your website load faster. It is one of the important ranking factors which most people ignore because they think if they optimize for the speed they have to compromise for the website’s functionality and vice versa. It is somewhat true, you can’t have them both but keeping the balance will result in solid overall user experience.
Note: WordPress Cache plugins sometimes cause website loading issues, so if you are not a developer hire someone to configure those plugins for you.
### [1. WP Fastest Cache](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-fastest-cache/ "Download WP Fastest Cache plugin")
I love this plugin because it is the easiest to use and make any WordPress website load faster. WP Fastest Cache can help you optimize the speed of your website by just pressing a few buttons.
This plugin comes with the easiest interface. you just need to check a few boxes and you are done. You can also check out my [comparison between WP Fastest Cache and WP Super Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs WP Fastest Cache – Which One is Better? (Case Study)").
### [2. WP Super Cache](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-super-cache/ "Download WP Super Cache")
It is a feature-packed caching plugin. The interface is quite good and using this plugin is easier. The documentation provided is great and you won’t have trouble [fixing errors](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-ssl-unavailable-error-in-shopify/). You can find a lot of tutorials to use this plugin on a quick Google search.
If you are not a developer and you want to utilize this plugin for the best results, hire a web developer to properly set up this plugin.
### [3. W3 Total Cache](https://wordpress.org/plugins/w3-total-cache/ "Download W3 Total Cache")
It is a little complex plugin to use for an average user. So, if you are new to WordPress you might want to try some other cache plugin.
If you are not comfortable with adjusting code here and there, I wouldn’t recommend this plugin. However, with the help of this tutorial, you can easily configure basic W3 Total Cache settings.
**Image Optimization WordPress Plugins**
I would advise you to always first compress images before uploading them to your website. I have written a tutorial here on [how to compress images without losing quality](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Image Quality?"). Using this tutorial you can optimize images before uploading them to your website. This is a better way to optimize images. However, if you couldn’t optimize your images, you can still use these plugins to compress images in size.
### [1. Smush Image Compression and Optimization](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-smushit/ "Download Smush Image Compression and Optimization")
It is a plugin by WPMU DEV, which is a well-known company in the WordPress community. You can install this plugin and with a click of a few buttons, your images will get compressed.
You can customize this plugin functionality by buying a pro version. However, the free version is still a great plugin to compress images.
### [2. EWWW Image Optimizer](https://wordpress.org/plugins/ewww-image-optimizer/ "Download EWWW Image Optimizer")
Another great image compression plugin with a lot of customization options. After installing this plugin, your new image uploads will be automatically optimized. If you want to optimize the previously uploaded images you can use the feature Bulk Optimize.
EWWW Image Optimizer plugin is easier to configure, however, you may have to read the documentation by plugin author to understand some of the features.
### [3. Compress JPEG and PNG images](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tiny-compress-images/ "Download Compress JPEG and PNG images plugin")
It is a plugin by a famous online compression tool TinyPNG. It works almost the same other plugins, it will be using its servers to optimize and compress newly uploaded images on your website.
You have to create an account on the TinyPNG website in order to use this plugin.
**Other Useful SEO Plugins for WordPress**
Some other plugins on WordPress, which can help you optimize different aspects of your website.
### [1. NavXT Breadcrumbs](https://wordpress.org/plugins/breadcrumb-navxt/ "Download NavXT Breadcrumbs plugin")
If you are looking to integrate breadcrumbs functionality on your WordPress website, then NavXT plugin is a great option. You can customize the outlook of the breadcrumbs and customize them according to your [website structure](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/ "How to Create a Most Logical Website Structure to Boost SEO?").
### [2. Broken Link Checker](https://wordpress.org/plugins/broken-link-checker/ "Download Broken Link Checker")
If you have an old website and you constant update themes, posts and pages, then you should install this plugin.
Broken Link Checker will [look for broken internal links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?") on your website and notify you as soon as it finds a broken link.
### [3. Google Analytics Dashboard for WP (GADWP)](https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-analytics-dashboard-for-wp/ "Download Google Analytics Dashboard for WP (GADWP) plugin")
Looking for a way to [integrate Google Analytics into your WordPress website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?")? This plugin is great to easily configure Google analytics and get updates on your site traffic in real-time on your WordPress backend dashboard.
It is hands down the best plugin to check your website stats without leaving it. I would highly recommend you to give this plugin a try to stay updated with your website stats.
### Tools to Improve Your WordPress Website’s SEO:
- [Best free keyword research tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "5 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools")
- [Best free link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free Link Building Tools")
- Competition Analysis Tools
- Best SEO Tools in 2020
I hope you found these SEO plugins useful. Let me know which tools and WordPress plugins do you use and want to see added to this list.
**Categories:** WordPress
---
### [How to Do a Technical Website Audit for SEO?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you want to improve your SEO, there’s no better way than to execute a technical SEO audit. A technical website audit will help you understand your website’s SEO problems and how to fix them. In this post, I will share many tools you can use to audit existing website structure, SEO, content, speed, and other important SEO ranking factors.
#### Is an SEO Audit Worth it?
I think every website can benefit from an SEO audit. You must perform an SEO audit when:
- Your website is not updated for some time.
- A sudden decrease in website visits
- Your website performance and ranking drop in the search
- Reviving an old website
A website audit can help you solve issues such as slow page loads, [broken links,](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/) and 404 errors. It will help determine issues stopping your site from ranking better than competitors.
A technical website SEO audit will give you an overall picture of how Google visits your website, find out SEO issues, and fix them.
If you want more organic traffic, you should consider doing a technical SEO audit, no matter the size of your website.
### Best Tools to Perform a Technical SEO Audit
Using SEO tools, You can perform an SEO audit more efficiently. Sometimes it is impossible to check every page for errors, especially on larger websites.
#### Google Search Console
Using Google Search Console, you can find crawl errors, mobile usability errors, structured data flaws, and similar issues that [impact SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/negative-seo-impact/ "Negative SEO Impact in 2018 (Case Study)").
I use this tool because it provides the exact data I need to [improve SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/ "How to Improve Wix SEO in 2018 (Step by Step Guide)").
Google Search Console is essential to track any website’s SEO performance. You can find out about [crawling and indexing](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/) issues, fix sitemap issues, and find new keyword opportunities.
##### **1. Page Indexing Report**
You will find this report under the Index menu in your Search Console property. When you scroll down this page, you will see a section called ‘Why pages are not indexed?’. Here, you will find information about pages that Google does not index.
You must carefully investigate if there are essential pages that you want Google to index. If you have unnecessary pages, you can similarly remove them.
##### **2. Security & Manual Actions**
Most sites don’t have security or manual warnings from Google, but it is always a good practice to confirm. If you see a manual action or a security issue here, Search Console also provides detailed instructions to resolve them.
##### **3. Inspect URL**
You can inspect any URL if Google has indexed it by using this tool. In the previous version of Search Console, we had a separate section for Inspect URL tool. However, in the recent Search Console, the search bar you see above in the Search Console works as Inspect URL too.
##### **4. Mobile Usability Issues**
If Googlebot encounters errors while crawling the mobile version of your website, it will display those issues in the mobile usability issues report in Search Console.
These two errors most often pop up in the mobile usability issues report:
- Content wider than screen
- Clickable elements too close together
**Content wider than screen**
Horizontal scrolling is essential to see words and images on the page correctly. This issue happens when a website uses absolute values in CSS declarations or uses images designed to look best at a specific browser width.
**Clickable elements too close together**
Touch elements, such as buttons and navigational links, are so close to each other that a mobile user cannot easily tap a desired element without tapping a neighboring element.
**How to fix these issues?**
Suppose a URL is affected by these mobile usability issues. You can troubleshoot by pasting the affected URL in the Google [Mobile-friendly Test](https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly "Mobile-friendly Test - Google Search Console") tool. If it shows this page as mobile-friendly, click the **validate fix** button in the Search Console. It should fix the issue. However, if the Mobile friendliness tool reports problems with the page, you should report to your web developer to fix them.
#### Google Analytics
Although [Google Analytics](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?") is a tool to measure website traffic, it sometimes indirectly helps us determine how users browse the website.
This tool doesn’t deliver exact SEO errors. Using this data, you can find valuable information that will give a broader perspective.
For example, suppose website users are not converting into sales. In that case, you can analyze the time a user spent on the page, the pages they visited in a session, top-performing and least-performing pages, etc.
#### Google Search
Knowing how your website [appears on Google](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?") is a great way to see if it performs to its full potential. Doing searches like `site:www.example.com` and `link:www.example.com` will provide you with information about how many pages of a website are already indexed and how many backlinks a website is getting.
You can see how Google displays your meta tags in real-time. If you see any issues, you can quickly optimize your meta tags.
#### Screaming Frog
It is a powerful tool that will crawl your website pages and collect important SEO data such as meta tags, [broken links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?"), alt texts, duplicate content, and more.
You can crawl up to 500 pages in a free version of Screaming Frog. If you have a big website, then consider buying this tool.
These are great tools for any website audit. However, the most important thing is which data you need to collect to understand the errors and how to fix them exactly.
### How to Perform a Technical Website SEO Audit?
Here are some SEO issues you analyze when performing a technical audit.
#### Website Structure
[Googlebot crawls](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?") websites more often, which have an excellent [website structure](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/ "How to Create a Most Logical Website Structure to Boost SEO?"). It will also help your new content get indexed faster in search engines.
Besides helping crawlers, an excellent website structure will aid users in locating more relevant content on your website. They will most likely read more of your content if your website structure is user-friendly.
Make sure that your website structure is using best SEO practices. If not, you can redesign your site structure with the help of your web development team, or if you have skills, you can do it yourself.
I find [mind-mapping software](https://opensource.com/article/21/12/open-source-mind-mapping-drawio "Draw.io - Opensource mind mapping software") valuable in improving folder structure and visualizing how users will likely browse through different website sections.
#### Fix 404 errors
You can find out 404 errors in Google Analytics and Google Search Console. If you face [403 forbidden errors](https://azibyaqoob.com/troubleshooting-wordpress-403-forbidden-errors/ "Troubleshooting WordPress “403 Forbidden” Errors") then read this guide.
You don’t need to address all 404 errors, as some websites delete outdated posts/pages. When they do that Google Search console starts showing 404 errors.
However, some pages might not load correctly on the user’s end. Sometimes [poor server response time](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-i-fixed-siteground-low-server-response-time-issue/ "How I Fixed SiteGround Slow Server Response Time Issue?") and specific server errors could cause this issue.
#### Fix Structured data errors
If you have implemented structured data, ensure it performs to its full potential.
If you encounter errors on Google Search Console structured data page, you need to address them. Some technical structured data errors can drop website ranking.
Check out this article on [WordPress SEO Structured data plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2018 (Updated)").
#### Fix Duplicate or Missing Meta tags
There was a feature in the old Google Search Console which notified webmasters about duplicate or missing meta tags. Unfortunately, Google has removed this feature.
However, you can still find meta tag issues using a tool such as Screaming Frog. It will report all meta tag issues when crawling your website, such as duplicate titles, longer descriptions, missing tags, etc.
One of the features I love most in the Screaming Frog tool is that you can easily download any report and use that data later. So, you can download missing meta tags reports, duplicate meta tags reports, and include them in your SEO audit.
#### Look for Duplicate Content
Content is the king of any SEO campaign. There are two kinds of duplicate content:
1- Internal duplicate content
2- External duplicate content
You can quickly[ fix duplicate content issues](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?") by reading this article.
#### Check your Robots.txt
Often, I find weird directives in the robots.txt file of my clients’ sites. These directives might sometimes signal web crawlers not to index a particular website section. Once, I noticed a robots.txt of a client was stopping crawlers from indexing any website page.
Hence, I always inspect the robots.txt file, look for weird directives, and remove them.
Here’s an example of a default robots.txt file
```
User-Agent: *
Allow: /wp-content/uploads/
Disallow: /wp-content/plugins/
Disallow: /wp-admin/
Sitemap: https://example.com/sitemap_index.xml
```
#### Pagespeed Analysis
It is an essential factor to consider for better performance of your website. Faster websites have a higher chance of ranking on Google Search.
Google first indexes the mobile version of your website, so make sure your website is completely optimized to load faster on mobile.
You can use Pagespeed Insights by Google and Pingdom Tool to check page load speed. Find out factors affecting speed, Reduce server requests, reduce external resources, [image compression,](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/) and cache your website.
You can use this [image compression guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "Compress Images without Losing Quality? Image Compression Guide 2018") to optimize your website’s images.
Also, you can use Caching plugins if you are running a WordPress website. I have also compared the top caching plugins, [WP Fastest cache, and WP Super Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs WP Fastest Cache – Which One is Better? (Case Study)"). I think you will find this review helpful.
#### Backlinks Audit
You can use several tools, such as Ahrefs, Semrush, Google Search Console, and Google Search.
A backlink audit will help you identify toxic backlinks. Removing such links can benefit your website’s search performance.
Most backlink audit tools these days have mechanisms to detect toxic backlinks. Hence, finding links from that particular report should give you links to disavow.
**Note:** I rarely use disavow option when it comes to backlink audits. Unless Google Search Console flags a manual action on your website, I don’t think you should disavow links.
Look for backlinks that are coming from low-quality or irrelevant websites. When you find those links, you can easily [remove harmful backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/ "How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)").
Also, you can [find out competitors’ backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-competitors-backlinks-easily-a-simple-backlinks-analysis-guide/ "How to Find Out Your Competitors Backlinks Easily? ( A Simple Backlinks Analysis Guide)") through a similar process to improve your link building strategy.
#### Internal links Audit
If you are using WordPress, you can use a broken link checker plugin from the WordPress directory. It will help you [find out broken internal links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?") on your website. Fixing those links will give a boost to your organic ranking.
Other than that, you can [link other relevant blog posts together to build](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/) up a context. Make sure that all your internal links’ anchor text is descriptive.
I hope you find this post helpful.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Rank Math vs Yoast SEO: Which is Better for You?](https://azibyaqoob.com/rank-math-vs-yoast-seo-which-is-better-for-you/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Struggling to choose between Rank Math vs Yoast SEO for optimizing your WordPress site’s search engine performance?
To enhance your WordPress site’s SEO performance, utilizing an SEO plugin is essential. While Yoast SEO stands as a widely recommended choice by experts, it’s worth noting that Rank Math offers comparable features and functionality.
[Rank Math](https://wordpress.org/plugins/seo-by-rank-math/) is relatively new when compared to [Yoast SEO](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/). However, Rank Math has grown significantly in the past few years. Rank Math and Yoast SEO are now both well-respected names in the SEO and WordPress industry.
When you come across two SEO plugins recommended by experts, it can be confusing. My clients frequently inquire about Rank Math and Yoast SEO, seeking advice on which one to install on their website.
In this post, I will attempt to answer this question so that you all can have a better overview of each plugin. I will compare the features of both Rank Math vs Yoast SEO plugins side by side.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Introductions](#Introductions)
- [Features](#Features)
- [User Interface](#User_Interface)
- [Setup Process](#Setup_Process)
- [AI Features](#AI_Features)
- [Pricing and Plans](#Pricing_and_Plans)
## Introductions
Before we start, I think we should briefly introduce Rank Math and Yoast SEO.
### Rank Math
Rank Math is comparatively new to Yoast. It was publicly released in the late 2018. Rank Math comes from an established WordPress development team who are in the industry from 2012.
Since it first came out, Rank Math has become super popular among WordPress users, making it the third most-loved SEO plugin. The second best plugin is All in One SEO (if you’re curious).
In less than two years, it’s gone from hardly being used to being installed on over 500,000 websites. That’s pretty impressive for any [SEO plugin on WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "20+ Best Free SEO Plugins for WordPress")!
One big reason for its popularity is that it offers a bunch of cool features for free. These features have helped draw in lots of Yoast users.
### Yoast SEO
Yoast SEO has a long history that goes back to 2005 when Joost de Valk created a website called “joostdevalk.nl.”
After some other projects, like owning and selling the domain “css3.info,” de Valk started the Yoast platform in 2009.
The first version of WordPress SEO came out in 2010, and that’s when Yoast BV was founded.
Since then, Yoast SEO has been helping WordPress users improve their website’s visibility on search engines.
Think of Yoast SEO as the default option for SEO on WordPress. If you’re reading an SEO tutorial, chances are it assumes you’re using Yoast SEO.
But it’s not just about SEO. Yoast SEO is one of the most popular plugins ever made for WordPress. It’s been downloaded over 288 million times, showing just how many people trust and rely on it.
## Features
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the features provided by both Rank Math and Yoast SEO. We’ll compare them thoroughly to give you a clear understanding of how these plugins differ and where they overlap.
### Rank Math free
When we talk about Rank Math features, I think it is important to note that Rank Math use a Module based feature approach.
The benefit of modules is that you can customize your Rank Math SEO experience by only enabling modules that you want from Rank Math’s Dashboard.
- **404 Monitor:** Here you can monitor 404 or [403 forbidden](https://azibyaqoob.com/troubleshooting-wordpress-403-forbidden-errors/ "Troubleshooting WordPress “403 Forbidden” Errors") pages. Also, you can customize it according to your site structure and needs.
- **Advanced custom Fields (ACF) Support:** If you are using custom fields on your site, you can enable this module.
- **Works with AMP:** By enabling AMP module, Rank Math will auto generate meta tags for AMP pages.
- **Connect with Google Search Console:** You need to enable this module then connect your Google Search Console account. It will retrieve some data to show in your WordPress Dashboard.
- **bbPress & BuddyPress Support:** You can also use these modules to set global meta tags on your forum.
- **Image SEO:** Enable this module to get access to Advanced [image SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/image-seo-guide-how-to-optimize-images-for-search-engines/ "The Ultimate Image SEO Guide: How to Optimize Images for Search Engines") features. It can auto generate Alt text, and image titles for your images.
- **IndexNow:** You can notify Bing & Yandex using the IndexNow API when pages are added, updated and removed, or submit URLs manually.
- **Link Counter:** This will enable internal and external link counter.
- **Local SEO:** You can add one location with Rank Math free. However, it has all the features that a business needs to add location schema to their sites.
- **Redirections:** Enable this feature to place different types of redirects.
- **Schema (structured Data):** You can configure default schema type for post and pages.
- **Role Manager:** If your site has multiple users, you can use this feature to control their access to Rank Math features.
- **SEO Analyzer:** Allows you to analyze your SEO using 28+ different tests.
- **Google Web Stories Support:** If you use GWS on your website then you can use this module to automatically configure Schema and Meta tags.
Now, let’s take a look at the Rank Math PRO features that you can utilize if you purchase one of their premium plans.
### Rank Math Premium:
- **Advanced Google Analytics 4 Integration:** You can gather all your Google Analytics data right inside your WordPress Dashboard along with advanced filters.
- **Keyword Rank Tracker:** You can track 100s of keywords and monitor their performance for the last 12 months.
- **Free Content AI Trial Credits:** With Rank Math premium, you get free credits to use Content AI trial.
- **Google Index Status:** You can directly check any of your site URL index status.
- **Advanced Schema Generator:** You can use this feature to choose from a list of pre-included Schema types or use custom Schema.
- **White Labelled Email Reports:** Add your own branding to your reports and send them to your clients.
- **Schema Import:** Enter any 3rd party URL and Rank Math will automatically import Schema from that URL.
- **Speakable Schema:** Speakable schema markup can be used to identify content that is best suited for audio playback.
- **Integrate Google Trends:** Get Google Trends data from a selection of your focus keywords right inside your WordPress Dashboard.
- **Google News Sitemap:** With premium, you get the news sitemap feature.
- **Video Sitemap:** Create a Video Sitemap for your video content automatically.
- **Automate Image SEO:** Use advanced image SEO module to help you customize your image alt and other tags with a few clicks.
- **Local SEO (Multiple Locations):** Support for multiple-locations for your [local SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-local-restaurants-seo-guide-to-acquire-new-customers/ "Step by Step Local Restaurants SEO Guide to Acquire New Customers") requirements.
- **EDD SEO:** With premium, you get support for the Easy Digital Downloads SEO.
- **Podcast Module:** With Podcast RSS feed, and schema markup generated with this module, you can make your podcast discoverable on platforms like Google Podcasts, Apple Podcast, etc.
- **Watermarked Social Media images:** Add a watermark to all images shared on social media from your website.
### Yoast SEO Free
- **SEO Analysis:** It will give you suggestions to improve SEO of your page.
- **Readability Analysis:** Likewise, this will give you suggestions to improve your text readability.
- **Inclusive Language analysis:** You’ll get feedback, divided into categories such as age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, to help you improve your content and make it appealing to a wider audience.
- **Cornerstone Content:** It helps you filter and mark your cornerstone content, and to ensure most important pages get the attention they deserve.
- **Text Link Counter:** It will display a link counter next to your posts in WordPress. It will display [internal links](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-are-internal-links-and-why-you-should-start-adding-them-right-away/ "What are Internal Links and Why You Should Start Adding Them Right Away?") from and to your posts.
- **Open Graph Data:** Allows for social media sites to display a preview with images. This feature will help you optimize your site for social media.
- **Twitter Card:** Allows for Twitter to display a preview with images and a text excerpt when a link to your site is shared.
- **Slack Sharing:** This adds an author byline and reading time estimate to the article’s snippet when shared on Slack.
- **Rest API endpoint:** This Yoast SEO REST API endpoint gives you all the metadata you need for a specific URL. This will make it very easy for headless WordPress sites to use Yoast SEO for all their SEO meta output.
- **XML Sitemaps:** Enable the Yoast SEO [XML sitemaps](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?"). A sitemap is a file that lists a website’s essential pages to make sure search engines can find and crawl them.
- **Google’s Knowledge Graph Schema:** The free version only offers minimal support of google’s Knowledge Graph.
- **Crawl Optimization:** You can prevent search engines from [crawling things](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?") they don’t need to, and by removing unused WordPress features.
- **Breadcrumbs:** With Yoast SEO, it is possible to [add breadcrumbs](https://azibyaqoob.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-add-breadcrumbs-to-a-wordpress-website/ "The Ultimate Guide to Add Breadcrumbs in a WordPress Website") to single posts and pages. You can do that with the breadcrumbs block.
- **Integrations and Support:** Yoast free can integrate with Yoast SEO’s Schema API to get rich snippets for your podcasts, events, digital products, recipes, WooCommerce.
- **Robots.txt:** You can [create or manage Robots.txt](https://azibyaqoob.com/robots-txt-file-do-you-really-need-it-this-will-help-you-decide/ "Robots.txt File: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!") file which can help you give specific directives to different crawlers.
### Yoast SEO Premium
We have a[ Yoast SEO free vs Premium comparison](https://azibyaqoob.com/yoast-seo-free-vs-yoast-seo-premium-full-review/ "Yoast SEO Free vs Premium: Which One Is Right For You?") article, which you might also find helpful.
- **Redirect Manager:** You can add a redirect to a 404 error page. It is worth mentioning that Rank Math offers this feature for free.
- **Internal linking Suggestions:** You will get relevant content suggested for you while you’re writing your new content. Rank Math also offers this feature but I have to admit Yoast is a better option here.
- **More Focus keyphrases:** Analyze your content for multiple focus keywords.
- **Zapier integration:** It helps you to automate the publishing of your posts to your social media of choice!
- **SEO Workouts:** It helps you identify internal linking opportunities.
- **AI Title & meta description:** Every Premium customer can use the AI generator feature at no additional cost — there are no credits to buy!
- **IndexNow:** Automatically ping search engines like Bing and Yandex whenever you publish, update or delete a post.
### Yoast SEO Premium vs Rank Math Pro
Both are great options for optimizing search performance of your website. If you want basic SEO functionality like adding meta tags, control sitemap, and robots.txt Yoast is a great option.
I personally find Rank Math PRO features better especially when my clients ask me to optimize their website’s for local searches in their area.
For local SEO purposes, I think Rank Math Pro would be much better option considering the fact that it let’s you apply multiple locations schema. In Yoast SEO, you have to separately purchase one of [Yoast Local SEO addons](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-yoast-seo-for-local-businesses/ "How to Set Up Yoast SEO for Local Businesses") to add multi-locations Schema markup to your website.
It would be fair to say, Rank Math Pro provides better value for money especially in terms of features.
## User Interface
User interface is an important aspect in the adoption of [WordPress SEO plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "20+ Best Free SEO Plugins for WordPress"). In this section, I will compare both plugins interface and usability.
### Rank Math
Rank Math uses modules based approach. When you first land on the Rank Math’s Dashboard, you will see all the features that you can either enable or disable according to your SEO goals.
All the other features and settings are rightly placed and you don’t have to guess a lot when looking for a feature.
You can always use their Dashboard to get to the feature that you want to use. In my opinion, Rank Math’s interface is quite beginner-friendly. If you’re someone who is new to SEO, you will find Rank Math’s interface simple.
### Yoast SEO
Similarly, Yoast SEO offers a well-structured interface. The layout and interface is slightly different than Rank Math. However, it is simple to use for beginners just as well.
Yoast recently adopted this modular approach which Rank Math first introduced in their interface design.
Now you can enable or disable each feature from Yoast SEO Settings > Site Features.
Yoast SEO’s UI is known for its simplicity and clarity, guiding users through the optimization process with ease.
**Comparison:** Both plugins offers intuitive interfaces, with minor differences in layout and design. Whether you prefer Rank Math’s modular dashboard or Yoast SEO’s straightforward approach, both options offer user-friendly interfaces for optimizing your website’s SEO.
## Setup Process
Both plugins offer a setup wizard which will let you configure basic SEO settings of your website. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the setup and configuration process.
### Rank Math
The Rank Math’s setup wizard can let you configure the most important SEO features. The wizard simplifies the setup process, ensuring that users can optimize their websites for search engines quickly.
When you install Rank Math, you will be redirected to the Rank Math setup wizard. First, they will ask you to connect your free Rank Math account.
By connecting Rank Math’s free account you can enable features like Google keyword suggestions, free Content AI credits, SEO Analyzer test, and[ install Analytics code](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?").
If you’re already using an SEO plugin, it will give you an option to import your SEO settings from previously installed plugin.
you can add information about the site, such as your website’s name, logo, default social share image and organization name. This data is often used by Google’s Knowledge Panel.
In the next step, it may ask you to connect your Analytics account.
you can configure your sitemap in this step, select pages, and post types you want to include in the sitemap.
SEO tweaks section gives you options like Noindex empty category, tag archives, [add nofollow to external links](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "The Ultimate Guide To Add A Nofollow Link To Any Platform"), and open external links in new window.
### Yoast SEO
If you’ve just installed Yoast SEO, you’ll see a welcome screen with a link to the first-time configuration. Click on it to start the setup process.
SEO data optimization allows Yoast SEO to view your site as Google does. Yoast optimizes your site’s indexable objects during this step, which may take some time if you have a large amount of content.
In the next step, you’ll be asked to provide information about the type of site you have, which helps Yoast SEO output the correct structured data markup and improve your site’s chances of being featured in Google’s Knowledge Panel.
Adding your social media profiles allows search engines to gain more context about your site, potentially including them in the Knowledge Panel.
By completing the first-time configuration, you’re laying a solid foundation for Yoast SEO to optimize your site’s SEO performance, and increase its visibility in search results.
**Comparison**: Both plugins offers similar setup processes. However, Rank Math has some additional configuration steps such as including post types in the sitemap, make all external links nofollow, etc.
These additional configuration steps might be confusing for someone who has never used an SEO plugin or lacks prior SEO knowledge.
In my opinion, Yoast’s setup process was much simpler and anyone without any SEO knowledge will go through it easily.
## AI Features
Since last year, we are seeing integration of generative AI features in many web applications. Yoast and Rank Math didn’t let us down. They have introduced their new AI features and some are still in the beta phase.
Let’s see in detail which AI features each plugin offers.
Yoast SEO’s premium version has a tool that uses AI to help make catchy meta titles and descriptions for your content, and it doesn’t cost extra.
Rank Math SEO has the Content AI module. It’s packed with over 40 AI tools and lots of prompt suggestions to improve your content for search engines. But you have to pay extra for it, starting at $60 per year, even if you’re using the free version of Rank Math.
There’s simply no comparison here. Rank Math is a clear winner here in terms of AI features that you get when you subscribe to their Content AI module.
Yoast is only offering AI generated meta tags but the good thing is, they are not charging anything extra from their premium users.
If you are someone who relies on AI a lot while producing content, you will find many helpful features to assist your content creation in Rank Math’s Content AI. However, if you only want AI assistance for meta tags, Yoast has you covered.
## Pricing and Plans
Yoast and Rank Math, both offers free SEO plugins which you can install from the WordPress.org plugins directory.
Both companies also offer premium plans with additional SEO features when you upgrade to Premium from free versions.
**Yoast SEO Premium:**
Number of SitesDiscount2+Save 5%5+Save 10%10+Save 15%20+Save 20%30+Save 25%40+Save 30%50+Save 35%75+Save 40%100+Save 45%150+Save 50%Yoast SEO Premium is a comprehensive solution priced at $89 for a single site license.
What’s great is that it offers discounts for multi-site licenses, starting at 5% per additional site. This means the more sites you have, the more you save.
Yoast provides various add-ons tailored to specific SEO needs such as Video SEO, Local SEO, WooCommerce SEO, and News SEO, each priced at $69 for a single site plugin purchase.
**Rank Math Premium:**
Rank Math, on the other hand, offers two premium versions:
1. **Pro Version** – Priced attractively at $59, the Pro version allows unlimited use on personal websites and lets you track up to 1,000 keywords.
2. **Business Version** – For those with more extensive needs, the Business version is priced at $199. It offers unlimited use on personal and client websites, along with support for tracking up to 20,000 keywords.
**Note:** Both Rank Math versions are currently available at special launch prices. The Pro version, which typically costs $129, is now offered at $59, while the Business version, usually priced at $429, is available for $199.
**Comparison:**
Here’s a quick comparison between the premium offerings of Yoast SEO and Rank Math:
FeatureYoast SEO PremiumRank Math ProRank Math BusinessPrice$89 (single site)$59$199Multi-site DiscountYes (starting at 5%)N/AN/AAdd-Ons$69 each (single site)N/AN/AKeyword TrackingN/AUp to 1,000 keywordsUp to 20,000 keywordsSpecial Launch OfferNoYes ($59 instead of $129)Yes ($199 instead of $429)Yoast vs Rank Math SEO Pricing###
Yoast vs. Rank Math: Which should you use?
When it comes to choosing between Yoast SEO and Rank Math for your WordPress website, the decision ultimately boils down to which plugin offers the best value for your needs. While both plugins excel in providing essential SEO functionalities, there’s a clear winner in terms of features and affordability.
**Rank Math emerges as the clear winner in this comparison.** Not only does it offer a powerful set of features comparable to Yoast SEO, but it also provides additional functionalities at a slightly lower cost. With Rank Math, you get access to advanced SEO tools, intuitive user interface, and comprehensive support.
While Yoast SEO has long been a popular choice among WordPress users, Rank Math’s emergence has disrupted the SEO plugin landscape.
Its feature-rich offering, combined with competitive pricing, makes it an attractive option for WordPress users looking to maximize their SEO efforts.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a powerful SEO plugin that offers more features at a slightly lower cost, **Rank Math** is the clear choice.
Its comprehensive set of tools, user-friendly interface, and affordability make it an invaluable asset for optimizing your website’s search engine visibility and driving organic traffic.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Rank Math, yoast
---
### [Troubleshooting WordPress “403 Forbidden” Errors](https://azibyaqoob.com/troubleshooting-wordpress-403-forbidden-errors/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
The “403 Forbidden” error is one of the most frustrating issues WordPress users can encounter. It can disrupt your website’s functionality and accessibility, leaving visitors unable to view your content. However, this error is typically resolvable with a systematic approach.
In this article, I will explore what causes the 403 Forbidden error in WordPress, the various types it manifests, and a step-by-step troubleshooting process to resolve it.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. What is a 403 Forbidden Error?](#1_What_is_a_403_Forbidden_Error)
- [2. Common Causes of the 403 Error in WordPress](#2_Common_Causes_of_the_403_Error_in_WordPress)
- [1. Incorrect File Permissions](#1_Incorrect_File_Permissions)
- [2. Corrupt .htaccess File](#2_Corrupt_htaccess_File)
- [3. Faulty Plugins](#3_Faulty_Plugins)
- [4. Hotlink Protection Misconfigurations](#4_Hotlink_Protection_Misconfigurations)
- [5. Content Delivery Network (CDN) Conflicts](#5_Content_Delivery_Network_CDN_Conflicts)
- [6. IP Denials](#6_IP_Denials)
- [7. Server-Level Firewalls](#7_Server-Level_Firewalls)
- [3. Types of 403 Errors](#3_Types_of_403_Errors)
- [1. 403 Forbidden on Specific Pages](#1_403_Forbidden_on_Specific_Pages)
- [2. 403 Forbidden on the Entire Site](#2_403_Forbidden_on_the_Entire_Site)
- [3. 403 Forbidden in the WordPress Admin Panel](#3_403_Forbidden_in_the_WordPress_Admin_Panel)
- [4. How to Troubleshoot a 403 Error](#4_How_to_Troubleshoot_a_403_Error)
- [Step 1: Check File and Directory Permissions](#Step_1_Check_File_and_Directory_Permissions)
- [Step 2: Disable Plugins Temporarily](#Step_2_Disable_Plugins_Temporarily)
- [Step 3: Fix the .htaccess File](#Step_3_Fix_the_htaccess_File)
- [Step 4: Check Hotlink Protection Settings](#Step_4_Check_Hotlink_Protection_Settings)
- [Step 5: Resolve CDN Issues](#Step_5_Resolve_CDN_Issues)
- [Step 6: Update Security Plugins and Firewalls](#Step_6_Update_Security_Plugins_and_Firewalls)
- [5. Preventing Future 403 Errors](#5_Preventing_Future_403_Errors)
- [1. Regular Backups](#1_Regular_Backups)
- [2. Keep WordPress Updated](#2_Keep_WordPress_Updated)
- [3. Use Trusted Plugins and Themes](#3_Use_Trusted_Plugins_and_Themes)
- [4. Monitor File Permissions](#4_Monitor_File_Permissions)
- [5. Configure Security Plugins Properly](#5_Configure_Security_Plugins_Properly)
- [6. Work with Reliable Hosting Providers](#6_Work_with_Reliable_Hosting_Providers)
- [Conclusion](#Conclusion)
## 1. What is a 403 Forbidden Error?
A 403 Forbidden error occurs when your server denies access to a requested resource. Essentially, the server understands your request but refuses to authorize it. Visitors may see a message such as:
- “403 Forbidden – Access Denied”
- “You don’t have permission to access this resource.”
- “403 – Forbidden: You don’t have permission to view this directory or page.”
This error can occur on specific pages, [entire websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-your-entire-website-from-google-forever/ "How to Remove Your Entire Website from Google Forever?"), or even for WordPress administrators attempting to access the dashboard.
## 2. Common Causes of the 403 Error in WordPress
Several issues can trigger a 403 error. Here are the most common culprits:
### 1. **Incorrect File Permissions**
File and folder permissions control who can read, write, or execute files on your server. If these permissions are improperly configured, your server may deny access.
### 2. **Corrupt .htaccess File**
The `.htaccess` file is a critical configuration file in WordPress that governs site access, permalinks, and redirects. A corrupted or misconfigured `.htaccess` file can result in a 403 error.
### 3. **Faulty Plugins**
Security or [caching plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Top 5 WordPress Caching Plugins for Lightning-Fast Websites") can sometimes interfere with access permissions or cause conflicts, leading to forbidden errors.
### 4. **Hotlink Protection Misconfigurations**
Hotlink protection prevents unauthorized sites from linking to your media files. Misconfigurations can unintentionally block access to legitimate resources.
### 5. **Content Delivery Network (CDN) Conflicts**
CDNs like Cloudflare may block access to your site if their settings or firewalls detect suspicious activity.
### 6. **IP Denials**
Manually blocking certain IPs or geographic locations via your hosting settings can inadvertently cause access issues.
### 7. **Server-Level Firewalls**
Hosting providers often implement security measures, such as ModSecurity, which might block legitimate requests by mistake.
## 3. Types of 403 Errors
### 1. **403 Forbidden on Specific Pages**
This error occurs when certain pages or posts are inaccessible. For instance, a user might be able to access the homepage but not individual blog posts.
### 2. **403 Forbidden on the Entire Site**
This error prevents access to your entire website, making it inaccessible to both visitors and administrators.
### 3. **403 Forbidden in the WordPress Admin Panel**
Administrators may encounter this error when trying to log in or perform specific tasks like updating plugins.
## 4. How to Troubleshoot a 403 Error
Resolving the 403 error requires a methodical approach to identify and fix the root cause. Below are steps you can follow.
### Step 1: **Check File and Directory Permissions**
Improper file and folder permissions are a common cause of 403 errors. Permissions dictate who can read, write, and execute files.
#### How to Check Permissions
1. Access your site via FTP using a client like FileZilla or through your hosting provider’s file manager.
2. Navigate to the WordPress root directory (`public_html` or `www`).
3. Right-click a file or folder and select **File Permissions**.
4. Ensure the following:
- Folders: Permissions should be set to **755**.
- Files: Permissions should be set to **644**.
#### Fixing Permissions
- Update the permissions to the correct settings using the file manager or FTP client.
- If unsure, consult your hosting provider to confirm the correct configuration.
### Step 2: **Disable Plugins Temporarily**
Plugins can sometimes interfere with access settings, particularly security and caching plugins.
#### How to Disable Plugins
1. Log in to your website via FTP or file manager.
2. Navigate to the `wp-content` directory.
3. Rename the `plugins` folder to `plugins_backup`.
4. Check if the 403 error is resolved. If it is, one of your plugins is causing the issue.
#### Identifying the Problem Plugin
- Rename the folder back to `plugins`.
- Reactivate plugins one by one via the WordPress dashboard to identify the culprit.
### Step 3: **Fix the .htaccess File**
The `.htaccess` file controls many aspects of how your site behaves. Corrupt entries can block access.
#### How to Fix the .htaccess File
1. Access your website’s root directory via FTP or file manager.
2. Locate the `.htaccess` file. If you can’t see it, enable the option to view hidden files in your FTP client.
3. Rename the file to `.htaccess_backup`.
4. Try accessing your site. If the error is resolved, the `.htaccess` file was the problem.
#### Regenerate the .htaccess File
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to **Settings > Permalinks**.
3. Click **Save Changes** to regenerate a new `.htaccess` file.
### Step 4: **Check Hotlink Protection Settings**
Hotlink protection can sometimes block legitimate access to your site’s media files.
#### How to Adjust Hotlink Settings
1. Log in to your hosting control panel.
2. Locate the **Hotlink Protection** feature.
3. Ensure your domain and subdomains are included in the list of allowed domains.
4. Save changes and [test your site](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/ "How to Set up and Use SiteGround Staging to Test Your Site?").
### Step 5: **Resolve CDN Issues**
If you’re using a CDN, conflicts with its firewall or settings may cause 403 errors.
#### Steps to Resolve CDN Issues
1. Log in to your CDN provider’s dashboard (e.g., Cloudflare).
2. Temporarily disable the CDN and check if the issue persists.
3. If the error is resolved, review the following:
- Security rules and IP bans.
- Firewall or bot protection settings.
4. Re-enable the CDN after resolving the issue.
### Step 6: **Update Security Plugins and Firewalls**
Security plugins or server-level firewalls may mistakenly block access.
#### Adjust Security Plugin Settings
1. Temporarily disable any security plugins via the WordPress dashboard or FTP.
2. Check if the error is resolved.
3. If the plugin is causing the issue, update its settings to allow access to the affected resources.
#### Modify Server Firewalls
- Contact your hosting provider to ensure server-level firewalls aren’t blocking access to legitimate visitors.
## 5. Preventing Future 403 Errors
To avoid encountering 403 errors in the future, consider implementing the following best practices:
### 1. **Regular Backups**
- Use tools like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to [regularly back up your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-automate-wordpress-backups-with-updraftplus/ "How to Automate WordPress Backups with UpdraftPlus").
- Ensure backups include both files and the database.
### 2. **Keep WordPress Updated**
- Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to their latest versions.
### 3. **Use Trusted Plugins and Themes**
- Download plugins and themes only from reputable sources.
- Avoid installing nulled or pirated software.
### 4. **Monitor File Permissions**
- Regularly review and [correct file and folder permissions](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-unable-to-write-to-disk-error-in-wordpress/ "How to Fix “Unable to Write to Disk” Error in WordPress").
- Use [security plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-a-free-wordpress-security-plugin/ "How to Set Up a Free WordPress Security Plugin") that notify you of unauthorized changes.
### 5. **Configure Security Plugins Properly**
- Use reliable plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri Security.
- Review plugin logs periodically to identify potential access issues.
### 6. **Work with Reliable Hosting Providers**
- Choose a hosting provider with robust security protocols and responsive support.
- Consider managed WordPress hosting for [automated maintenance](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/ "WordPress Services").
## Conclusion
The WordPress 403 Forbidden error can be daunting, but it’s often caused by misconfigured permissions, plugins, or server settings. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can methodically identify and resolve the issue. Additionally, implementing preventive measures will help safeguard your site from recurring errors.
Maintaining a secure and functional WordPress site requires diligence, but with the right practices, you can minimize disruptions and ensure a seamless experience for your visitors.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** WordPress errors
---
### [How to Fix the "Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt" Error in WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-the-indexed-but-blocked-by-robots-txt-error-in-wordpress/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
The “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” error in Google Search Console occurs when a URL on your website has been added to Google’s index, but access to it is restricted by the robots.txt file. This situation can confuse search engines and negatively impact your SEO performance, as it sends mixed signals about your site’s content.
In this comprehensive guide, I will explore the causes of the error, provide step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot and fix it, and share best practices for optimizing your **robots.txt** file.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [What Does “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” Mean?](#What_Does_%E2%80%9CIndexed_but_Blocked_by_Robotstxt%E2%80%9D_Mean)
- [Common Causes](#Common_Causes)
- [Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Error](#Step-by-Step_Guide_to_Fix_the_Error)
- [Step 1: Verify the Error in Google Search Console](#Step_1_Verify_the_Error_in_Google_Search_Console)
- [Step 2: Locate and Access Your Robots.txt File](#Step_2_Locate_and_Access_Your_Robotstxt_File)
- [Step 3: Analyze the Robots.txt Rules](#Step_3_Analyze_the_Robotstxt_Rules)
- [Step 4: Test and Debug the Robots.txt File](#Step_4_Test_and_Debug_the_Robotstxt_File)
- [Step 5: Modify the Robots.txt File](#Step_5_Modify_the_Robotstxt_File)
- [Step 6: Clear Caches and Resubmit Robots.txt](#Step_6_Clear_Caches_and_Resubmit_Robotstxt)
- [Step 7: Use Noindex Tags for Specific URLs](#Step_7_Use_Noindex_Tags_for_Specific_URLs)
- [Step 8: Monitor the Changes](#Step_8_Monitor_the_Changes)
- [Best Practices for Managing Robots.txt in WordPress](#Best_Practices_for_Managing_Robotstxt_in_WordPress)
- [Conclusion](#Conclusion)
## What Does “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” Mean?
When you see this error in Google Search Console, it means:
- Googlebot found the URL and decided to index it.
- The **robots.txt** file explicitly disallows crawling of that URL.
- The conflicting instructions create ambiguity about the page’s content, potentially affecting [your site’s ranking](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?").
### Common Causes
1. **Misconfigured Robots.txt File**: Specific rules in the [**robots.txt** ](https://azibyaqoob.com/robots-txt-file-do-you-really-need-it-this-will-help-you-decide/ "Robots.txt File: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!")file prevent search engines from crawling parts of your site.
2. **Intentional Blocking**: Pages or resources intentionally restricted (e.g., admin pages) may have been indexed accidentally.
3. **Dynamic URL Indexing**: Search engines sometimes index URLs linked to restricted pages (e.g., parameters or [duplicates](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?")).
4. **Legacy Rules**: Outdated rules from older site setups might still be blocking valid URLs.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Error
### Step 1: Verify the Error in Google Search Console
1. Log in to Google Search Console.
2. Navigate to **Coverage > Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt**.
3. Review the list of affected URLs:
- Identify which URLs are incorrectly blocked.
- Note any patterns (e.g., blocked sections or file types).
### Step 2: Locate and Access Your Robots.txt File
The **robots.txt** file is typically located at the root of your website. For example:
```
https://yourwebsite.com/robots.txt
```
#### How to Access the File
- **WordPress Plugin**:
- If you use SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, you can edit the file directly from your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to **SEO Plugin > Tools > File Editor**.
- **FTP or File Manager**:
- Log in to your server using FTP or a hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel).
- Navigate to the root directory (usually `public_html`) to locate the **robots.txt** file.
### Step 3: Analyze the Robots.txt Rules
Examine the rules in the file to identify which lines might be causing the issue.
#### Example of a Misconfigured Robots.txt File:
```
User-agent: *Disallow: /wp-admin/Disallow: /wp-includes/Disallow: /category/
```
Here’s what each rule does:
- `User-agent: *`: Applies rules to all bots.
- `Disallow: /wp-admin/`: Blocks crawling of the admin area (this is normal).
- `Disallow: /wp-includes/`: Prevents crawling of WordPress core files (also normal).
- `Disallow: /category/`: Blocks all category archive pages, which might unintentionally block valuable content.
### Step 4: Test and Debug the Robots.txt File
Use Google’s **Robots Testing Tool** to debug your **robots.txt** file:
1. Go to Google’s Robots Testing Tool.
2. Enter the URL of the affected page and test whether it’s blocked.
3. If the tool indicates a block, locate the corresponding rule in your **robots.txt** file.
### Step 5: Modify the Robots.txt File
To fix the error, remove or update the problematic rules. Below are common adjustments:
#### 1. Allow Access to Blocked Sections
If legitimate content is blocked:
- Replace `Disallow` with `Allow` for the specific path:
`User-agent: * `
`Allow: /category/`
#### 2. Use Wildcards and Specific Rules
To unblock specific pages but keep others restricted, refine your rules:
```
User-agent: *Disallow: /category/*Allow: /category/specific-page/
```
#### 3. Remove Overly Restrictive Rules
If the entire directory doesn’t need blocking:
```
# Remove this:Disallow: /blog/# Replace with specific exclusions:Disallow: /blog/private/
```
### Step 6: Clear Caches and Resubmit Robots.txt
After updating your **robots.txt** file:
1. Clear your website and [server caches](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Top 5 WordPress Caching Plugins for Lightning-Fast Websites") to ensure the new file is live.
2. Verify the updated file by visiting `https://yourwebsite.com/robots.txt`.
3. Resubmit the updated file in Google Search Console:
- Go to **Settings > Robots.txt Tester**.
- Submit the file and request a re-crawl.
### Step 7: Use Noindex Tags for Specific URLs
If you want a page indexed but not crawled, use a `noindex` meta tag instead of blocking it in **robots.txt**:
1. Edit the page in WordPress.
2. Add the following meta tag to the page header:
``
3. Save changes and ensure no conflicting **robots.txt** rules exist.
### Step 8: Monitor the Changes
After implementing fixes:
1. Return to Google Search Console.
2. Validate the fix for affected URLs under **Coverage > Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt**.
3. Monitor the URLs for updated status reports.
## Best Practices for Managing Robots.txt in WordPress
1. **Keep it Simple**: Avoid overly complex rules that may unintentionally block valuable content.
2. **Block Irrelevant Sections**:
- Common exclusions:
`Disallow: /wp-admin/ `
`Disallow: /wp-includes/`
3. **Enable Sitemap Access**:
- Always allow search engines to access your sitemap:
`Allow: /sitemap.xml`
4. **Test Regularly**: Use the Robots Testing Tool periodically to ensure rules are correctly applied.
5. **Combine Robots.txt with Noindex**: Use **noindex** tags for finer control over indexed content.
## Conclusion
The “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” error can hinder your SEO efforts, but it’s manageable with proper troubleshooting. By carefully analyzing and updating your **robots.txt** file, testing your changes, and monitoring Google Search Console, you can resolve the error and ensure your site performs optimally in [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove & Suppress Negative Search Results").
Regular maintenance and adherence to best practices will prevent similar issues from recurring, keeping your WordPress site in good health and search-friendly.
Let me know in the comments if you face any issues.
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** Google Search Console
---
### [How to Fix "Unable to Write to Disk" Error in WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-unable-to-write-to-disk-error-in-wordpress/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
The “Unable to Write to Disk” error is a common issue in WordPress that prevents users from uploading files, images, or updates. This error typically occurs due to file permission problems or server misconfigurations, and it can be frustrating, especially if it disrupts the functionality of your site.
In this guide, I will walk you through the possible causes of the error and provide step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting and fixing it.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [What Causes the “Unable to Write to Disk” Error?](#What_Causes_the_%E2%80%9CUnable_to_Write_to_Disk%E2%80%9D_Error)
- [How to Fix “Unable to Write to Disk” Error in WordPress](#How_to_Fix_%E2%80%9CUnable_to_Write_to_Disk%E2%80%9D_Error_in_WordPress)
- [Step 1: Check Server Disk Space](#Step_1_Check_Server_Disk_Space)
- [Step 2: Verify Upload Folder Path](#Step_2_Verify_Upload_Folder_Path)
- [Step 3: Update File Permissions](#Step_3_Update_File_Permissions)
- [Step 4: Check Folder Ownership](#Step_4_Check_Folder_Ownership)
- [Step 5: Update PHP Settings](#Step_5_Update_PHP_Settings)
- [Step 6: Review .htaccess File](#Step_6_Review_htaccess_File)
- [Step 7: Disable Plugins and Themes](#Step_7_Disable_Plugins_and_Themes)
- [Step 8: Contact Your Hosting Provider](#Step_8_Contact_Your_Hosting_Provider)
- [Preventing Future Permission Errors](#Preventing_Future_Permission_Errors)
- [Conclusion](#Conclusion)
## What Causes the “Unable to Write to Disk” Error?
The “Unable to Write to Disk” error usually arises due to one or more of the following reasons:
1. **Incorrect File Permissions**: WordPress needs proper permissions to write files to your server. If permissions are incorrectly configured, the error may appear.
2. **Full Disk Space**: If your hosting account runs out of disk space, uploads will fail.
3. **Misconfigured `wp-config.php` File**: Incorrect settings in the `wp-config.php` file can cause this issue.
4. **Server Configuration Issues**: The server’s PHP or web server settings may be blocking uploads.
5. **Folder Ownership Problems**: If the server cannot identify the correct owner for the WordPress directories, it might prevent uploads.
## How to Fix “Unable to Write to Disk” Error in WordPress
### Step 1: Check Server Disk Space
Before diving into permissions, ensure your server has sufficient disk space.
1. Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel or Plesk).
2. Navigate to **Disk Usage** or a similar section.
3. Check if your hosting account is nearing its storage limit.
4. If space is full:
- Delete unnecessary files, backups, or old emails.
- Upgrade your hosting plan if required.
If disk space is sufficient, proceed to the next steps.
### Step 2: Verify Upload Folder Path
WordPress stores uploaded files in the `wp-content/uploads` directory. A misconfigured folder path can cause upload errors.
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to **Settings > Media**.
3. Check the **Upload Folder Path**. It should read:
`wp-content/uploads`
4. If it’s incorrect, update it and save the changes.
### Step 3: Update File Permissions
Improper file permissions are the most common cause of the “Unable to Write to Disk” error. Permissions determine who can read, write, or execute files on your server.
#### Understanding Permissions
- **Read (4)**: Allows viewing the file contents.
- **Write (2)**: Allows modifying or adding new content.
- **Execute (1)**: Allows running the file as a script.
The permissions are represented in three groups:
1. **Owner**
2. **Group**
3. **Others**
For WordPress, the standard permissions are:
- Files: **644**
- Directories: **755**
#### How to Update Permissions
1. **Access Your Site via FTP**:
- Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your hosting file manager.
- Log in with your FTP credentials.
2. **Locate the Uploads Folder**:
- Navigate to `wp-content/uploads`.
3. **Check Current Permissions**:
- Right-click the folder and select **File Permissions** (or equivalent).
- Ensure the permissions are set to **755** for directories and **644** for files.
4. **Apply Changes**:
- Update permissions if needed.
- Apply changes recursively to include all subdirectories and files.
#### Command Line Option
If you have SSH access, use the following commands:
```
chmod -R 755 wp-content/uploads
chmod -R 644 wp-content/uploads/*
```
### Step 4: Check Folder Ownership
Folder ownership determines which user or process has control over the directory. Incorrect ownership can lead to permission issues.
**Access the Server**:
- Log in via SSH or use your hosting control panel’s terminal.
**Check Current Ownership**:
- Navigate to your WordPress directory:
`cd /path/to/wordpress`
- Use the following command:
`ls -l`
- The owner should match the user running your web server (e.g., `www-data` for Apache or NGINX).
**Update Ownership**:
- If ownership is incorrect, change it using:
`chown -R www-data:www-data wp-content/uploads`
### Step 5: Update PHP Settings
Sometimes, server-side PHP limitations may prevent uploads.
1. **Check PHP Upload Limit**:
- Go to your hosting control panel and find the **PHP Settings** or **PHP Info** section.
- Ensure the following settings are sufficient:
- `upload_max_filesize`: Set to at least 10MB (or higher if needed).
- `post_max_size`: Should be larger than `upload_max_filesize`.
- `max_execution_time`: Set to at least 300.
2. **Update Settings**:
- Edit your `php.ini` file:
`upload_max_filesize = 20M `
`post_max_size = 25M `
`max_execution_time = 300`
- Restart the web server after making changes.
### Step 6: Review `.htaccess` File
Corrupted `.htaccess` rules can block uploads.
1. **Backup the File**:
- Download a copy of `.htaccess` from your WordPress root directory.
2. **Reset to Default**:
- Replace the content with the default WordPress rules:
```
# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress
```
### Step 7: Disable Plugins and Themes
Sometimes, conflicting plugins or themes can cause permission errors.
1. **Disable Plugins**:
- Temporarily disable all plugins:
- Rename the `wp-content/plugins` folder to `plugins-old`.
- Test uploads.
2. **Switch Themes**:
- Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Three).
- Test uploads again.
3. **Re-enable Plugins and Themes**:
- Rename the folder back to `plugins` and activate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.
### Step 8: Contact Your Hosting Provider
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can check server configurations, permissions, and ownership settings for you.
## Preventing Future Permission Errors
1. **Regular Backups**:
- Use tools like [UpdraftPlus to back up your site](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-automate-wordpress-backups-with-updraftplus/ "How to Automate WordPress Backups with UpdraftPlus") before making changes.
2. **Monitor Disk Space**:
- Regularly review your hosting account’s storage usage.
3. **Update Plugins and Themes**:
- Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins up to date to avoid compatibility issues.
4. **Secure Server Access**:
- Restrict FTP and SSH access to authorized users only.
## Conclusion
The “Unable to Write to Disk” error in WordPress can be frustrating, but it’s typically easy to resolve with the right steps. By understanding and troubleshooting file permissions, folder ownership, server settings, and other potential issues, you can quickly restore your site’s functionality.
Regular maintenance, including backups and monitoring, will help prevent similar issues in the future. With these steps, your WordPress site will remain stable, functional, and ready to grow.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** WordPress errors, WordPress Troubleshooting
---
### [WP Rocket Coupon Codes: Maximize Your Savings!](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-rocket-coupon-boost-your-website-speed-and-save-money/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Users demands faster loading websites on the web. As a site owner, you should make your website loads faster for a good user experience and better search engine rankings. WP Rocket is a popular WordPress plugin which can help you achieve this goal. In this article, I will review it and share WP Rocket coupon code that will help you save more money.
**Note:** Exclusively for my blog users, I’m offering a **single-site license for only $30**. It’s completely genuine, and you’ll receive my 24/7 customer support.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Importance of Website Speed Optimization](#Importance_of_Website_Speed_Optimization)
- [What is WP Rocket?](#What_is_WP_Rocket)
- [How to Use WP Rocket](#How_to_Use_WP_Rocket)
- [Benefits of Using WP Rocket](#Benefits_of_Using_WP_Rocket)
- [WP Rocket Pricing Plans](#WP_Rocket_Pricing_Plans)
- [Is There a WP Rocket Coupon Available?](#Is_There_a_WP_Rocket_Coupon_Available)
- [Tips for Maximizing WP Rocket Discounts](#Tips_for_Maximizing_WP_Rocket_Discounts)
- [WP Rocket vs. Other Speed Optimization Plugins](#WP_Rocket_vs_Other_Speed_Optimization_Plugins)
- [WP Rocket Reviews and User Feedback](#WP_Rocket_Reviews_and_User_Feedback)
## Importance of Website Speed Optimization
Before we discuss WP Rocket, let’s quickly talk about why website speed matters.
We know, people’s attention spans are short, and there’s a lot of competition.
If your website loads slowly, it can really turn visitors off. Research shows that even just one extra second of waiting can make people less likely to stick around or buy anything.
Plus, search engines like Google pay attention to how fast your site loads. If it’s faster, they’ll rank it higher in search results.
## What is WP Rocket?
WP Rocket is a premium [WordPress caching plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Best WordPress Caching Plugins to Improve Your Site Speed") designed to optimize website performance and improve loading times. It works by generating static HTML files of your website’s dynamic content and serving them to visitors, [reducing the server’s workload](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?") and speeding up page rendering. Unlike some other caching plugins, WP Rocket is incredibly easy to use, requiring minimal configuration to achieve significant performance improvements.
**WP Rocket Features:**
Some key features of WP Rocket includes:
- Page Caching
- Cache Preloading
- GZIP Compression
- Browser Caching
- Lazy Loading of Images
- Database Optimization
- Minification and Concatenation of CSS and JavaScript Files
- CDN Integration
- Mobile Detection and Caching
#### Get WP Rocket 1 Year License for $30
Still struggling with slow loading times? Try WP Rocket now at half the price!
[Get WP Rocket](https://www.fiverr.com/s/N9po0N)
## How to Use WP Rocket
Using WP Rocket to optimize your website’s speed is simple and straightforward. After purchasing a license, follow these steps:
#### **Installation and Activation**
1. Download the WP Rocket plugin from the official website.
2. Upload and activate the plugin in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Enter your license key to enable automatic updates.
#### **Configuration Settings**
1. Navigate to the WP Rocket settings page in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Review and adjust the default settings according to your preferences.
3. Enable caching options and other performance optimizations.
4. Save your changes and test your website’s speed.
## Benefits of Using WP Rocket
WP Rocket offers numerous benefits for website owners, including:
- Improved Page Loading Times
- Enhanced User Experience
- Higher Search Engine Rankings
- Reduced Server Load and Bandwidth Usage
- Compatibility with Most Hosting Environments
## WP Rocket Pricing Plans
WP Rocket offers three pricing plans to suit different website needs and budgets: Single, Plus, and Infinite. Each plan includes a one-year license for updates and support, as well as a 14-day money-back guarantee.
## Is There a WP Rocket Coupon Available?
Many website owners wonder if there are any WP Rocket coupons available to help them save on their purchase. While WP Rocket occasionally offers promotional discounts and coupon codes, they are not always readily available. However, there are still ways to save money on WP Rocket.
#### **Where to Find WP Rocket Coupons**
To find WP Rocket coupons and discounts, consider the following options:
- Visit the WP Rocket website and subscribe to their newsletter for exclusive offers.
- Follow WP Rocket on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook for updates on promotions and deals.
- Check coupon websites and forums regularly for any available WP Rocket coupon codes.
- Keep an eye out for special sales events, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when WP Rocket may offer discounted pricing.
## Tips for Maximizing WP Rocket Discounts
If you’re looking to maximize your savings on WP Rocket, consider the following tips:
- Purchase a longer-term license, such as a three-year subscription, to enjoy greater discounts.
- Take advantage of bundle deals and special offers that include additional WordPress plugins or services.
- Refer friends and colleagues to WP Rocket using their referral program to earn credits towards future purchases.
- Consider purchasing WP Rocket during promotional periods when discounts are more likely to be available.
## WP Rocket vs. Other Speed Optimization Plugins
While WP Rocket has garnered significant praise, it’s essential to compare it with other leading speed optimization plugins to make an informed decision.
**Comparison with Competitors**
- **W3 Total Cache:** [W3 Total Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-configure-w3-total-cache-settings-step-by-step-tutorial/ "How to Configure W3 Total Cache Settings? (Step by Step Tutorial)") is a popular free caching plugin with a wide range of features. However, it can be complex to configure, making it less user-friendly for beginners compared to WP Rocket.
- **WP Super Cache:** [WP Super Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs. Fastest Cache: Which is Better?") is another free caching plugin developed by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. While it’s easy to set up and use, it may not offer the same level of performance optimization as WP Rocket.
- **LiteSpeed Cache:** [LiteSpeed Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-litespeed-cache-which-is-better-for-you/ "NitroPack vs. LiteSpeed Cache: Which is Better For You?") is a caching plugin designed specifically for websites hosted on LiteSpeed servers. While it offers excellent performance and compatibility, it may not be suitable for websites hosted on other server environments.
- NitroPack Cache: I have compared both of them in a previous blog. You can read here the [NitroPack and WP Rocket comparison](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which is Faster?").
Overall, while each plugin has its merits, WP Rocket’s combination of simplicity, effectiveness, and user-friendly interface makes it a top choice for many website owners.
## WP Rocket Reviews and User Feedback
Reading reviews and feedback from other users is crucial when evaluating any WordPress plugin, including WP Rocket.
#### **Positive Feedback**
- Many users praise WP Rocket for its ease of use, stating that even those with limited technical knowledge can achieve significant performance improvements with minimal effort.
- Users also appreciate WP Rocket’s comprehensive documentation and excellent customer support, which are crucial for troubleshooting and resolving any issues that may arise.
#### **Negative Feedback**
- Some users have reported compatibility issues with certain themes or plugins, although these instances appear to be relatively rare.
- A few users have mentioned that the price of WP Rocket may be higher than some competing plugins, but they emphasize that the benefits outweigh the cost.
Overall, the overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests that WP Rocket is a reliable and effective caching plugin that delivers on its promises.
WP Rocket is a valuable tool for website owners looking to improve their site’s speed and performance. With its user-friendly interface, powerful features, and positive user feedback, WP Rocket stands out as a top choice among caching plugins for WordPress. While WP Rocket coupons may not always be readily available, the potential benefits of using WP Rocket far outweigh the cost.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Caching, Speed optimization, WordPress, WP Rocket
---
### [Unable to Connect Facebook Pixel with Shopify Store? Try This](https://azibyaqoob.com/unable-to-connect-facebook-pixel-with-shopify-store-try-this/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you are facing issues when installing Pixel on Shopify, such as ‘No activity yet’ or ‘We haven’t received any activity from your Pixel in this time frame.’ Here are a few things you can do to fix them.
#### How does Facebook Pixel work?
Facebook Pixel divides data into events, and each event fires (starts) when a user acts on the site.
You can use this data for retargeting specific users in your Facebook ads. It helps [improve your site](https://azibyaqoob.com/?p=8352)‘s conversion rate.
If you haven’t set up Facebook Pixel yet, check out my post on[ how to set up Facebook Pixel ](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "How to Set Up Facebook Retargeting Ads Campaign (Step by Step Guide)")on Shopify.
Let’s quickly check out some solutions to connect Facebook Pixel with your Shopify store.
#### 1- Stop the Ad Block program
If you’re using an ad block software or browser extension, then make sure to turn it off. Sometimes ad blockers stop advertising programs from working correctly.
It is worth a shot. When I use a browser extension such as Adblocker or Ghostery, it stopped Google Ads and Facebook Ads from working correctly.
#### 2- Double-Check Your Installation
If you still don’t see any activity on your Pixel then check out the Facebook help page to add Pixel to your store. Sometimes we miss steps that are necessary to make things work properly.
Don’t worry if your issue still not resolved. Check out this other solution.
#### 3- Did you add the base code correctly?
If you installed the Pixel using a code on your website, ensure everything between the
```
```
tags matches your pixel base code. If it is different than your base code, then quickly make changes to the base code.
#### 4- Use the Facebook Pixel Helper
If your issue is still not fixed, try this method.
You should check if the correct events are firing throughout your Shopify store.
Download the [Facebook Pixel Helper](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/facebook-pixel-helper/fdgfkebogiimcoedlicjlajpkdmockpc?hl=en&gl=US&authuser=1 "Facebook Pixel Helper Chrome Extension download") extension for the Chrome browser. Now, log into your Shopify store and browse your store. After each page visit, you should click on the ‘Facebook Pixel Helper’ extension icon.
**Note:** When a website has a Facebook Pixel installed, the ‘< / >’ icon in your browser turns blue, and a small badge will appear indicating the number of pixels found on the page.
It will tell you exactly what problems your installation has and how to fix them.
If you are having trouble with SSL on your Shopify website, read this article on how to [fix the SSL unavailable error in Shopify](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-ssl-unavailable-error-in-shopify/ "fix the SSL unavailable error in Shopify").
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [Best Marketing Strategies for Interior Design Business](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-interior-design-marketing-strategies-to-get-clients/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
You need creative ways to market your business as an interior design business. Deploying the best marketing strategies helps grow your interior design business to the next level.
Today I will share the best marketing strategies for interior design businesses to generate more leads.
[Marketing your online business](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online") seems like a difficult job to do when you are clueless about your marketing objectives and audience. So, having a solid marketing plan and audience persona is crucial.
Not everyone in your city is your target client. It shouldn’t be because most people don’t buy interior design services. Nonetheless, there might be certain groups within your city that could be your target audience. Such as hair saloon owners, property owners in specific neighborhoods, etc… It depends totally on your experience and the kind of work you’re best at.
After finding your target audience, developing a marketing strategy for your interior design business would be much easier. I will share some of the best marketing strategies you can add to your marketing plan.
### Online Marketing Strategies for Interior Design Business
In this section, I am going to share “online” or “digital” marketing strategies which could be beneficial for your interior design business to reach more clients. These include both paid and free marketing channels.
#### 1. Create a Website
The first step to establishing your business online is making a website. Smart business owners shouldn’t rely entirely on third-party platforms to acquire their business.
It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it must provide information that your clients need to decide to hire your company. Here are a few things that your clients need:
- Add contact information on every page of your website.
- Add a portfolio section and share your best work
- Use client testimonials and reviews to establish trust
- A blog/news section to share success stories, new projects, interior design news, etc…
#### 2. Create Social Profiles
Which of your target audience mainly uses social media platforms? Find that out by using these [social media competitor analysis tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/ "10 Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools You Should Use").
Once you are sure of your competitor’s social strategy, it will help you create your own. Develop a plan and start building your social media profiles. Fill out all the essential details such as contact information, business hours, and your best work photos.
If you are not sure which platforms you should use, then here are some top popular social networking sites:
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Instagram
- Reddit
#### 3. Social Media Advertising
Social media advertising is a powerful way for interior designers to reach prospects and customers. You can advertise your business in multiple ways, such as by [using Pixel](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "How to Set Up Facebook Retargeting Ads Campaign (Step by Step Guide)") to track your audience’s actions and then show them specific ads related to the content they engaged with on your site.
Also, you can use direct advertising to promote your services or set promotional offers. It depends on your business goals and how you want to spend your advertising budget. Here are some good practices which might help you set up effective campaigns:
- On most social platforms, photo and Video ads are more engaging than text-based ads.
- Target a particular audience (your ideal customers) instead of everyone.
- Before spending your entire ad budget, test different ad copies. Only use the more engaging ones
#### 4. Search Engine Optimization
It is one of the most cost-effective ways to get more clients for your interior design business.
Search Engine Optimization or SEO is a process of [optimizing a website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-optimize-a-website-in-2019-for-google-search-whats-different-about-google-search/ "How to Optimize a Website in 2020 for Google Search") to get more traffic from the organic search. What I meant by the organic [search is the typical search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/) that you see that are not Google Ads.
It might take some time to get the traffic you need to get clients, but if you are tight on the budget, this is the best way to move forward.
So how do you optimize your interior design website for search engines?
Since most interior design companies work within a specific region, city, town, or neighborhood, it is easier to optimize a website when you target specific cities.
Make sure that your site loads faster for both mobile and desktop users. Here are some tutorials to improve your website speed:
1\. [Compress images for the web](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality – Image Compression Guide 2019")
2\. Use WordPress cache plugins
Now that you have a faster website, you should optimize it to be more search engine friendly. You can read my SEO guides to get you started:
1\. WordPress SEO guide
2\. [Set up Google Analytics](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?")
3\. [Set up Google Search Console](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "New Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2019")
4\. [Submit sitemaps to Google, Bing, and Yahoo](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?")
5\. [Wix SEO tips](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/ "How to Improve Wix SEO in 2019 (Step by Step Guide)")
6\. Mobile SEO
7\. Local SEO
8\. Link-building techniques
I have shared a lot of helpful SEO tutorials on my blog. So, you can read them to understand the search engine optimization concepts better.
#### 5. Local Business Directories
Submit your business to local business directories, especially [Google my Business](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-rank-google-my-business-listing-on-google-maps/ "How to Rank Google My Business Listing on Google Maps?"). Make sure you fill out all the imporessentialds and include a complete description to define your business.
Google My Business is the most important one as it is prominent when people search for your interior design business. Having an optimized Google My Business page will help you generate more leads.
Here are some other top business directories where you can submit your site:
1\. [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/ "Yelp")
2\. [Thumbtack](https://www.thumbtack.com/ "Thumbtack")
3\. [Yellow Pages](https://www.yellowpages.com/ "Yellow Pages")
4\. Better Business Bureau
#### 6. Content Marketing
It is again one of the cost-effective ways to attract clients to your interior design business.
Write educational content to reach a specific audience. Your goal with content marketing should be educating your prospects because they are difficult to convert on the 1st contact.
In any good content marketing strategy, you must develop a process to guide your audience. Once you bring them to your website, get their email by placing lead magnets and send them more helpful content. Once they trust you as a subject authority, you can offer them your services. You can try many ways to get them on call or set up a meeting.
Content marketing is one of the best digital marketing methods and will remain for quite some time.
#### 7. Email Marketing
You need to collect [emails before you can try email marketing](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/). Content marketing or advertising can bring people to your landing page. On this page, you can offer a discount, a checklist on your relevant topic, or perhaps a free e-book. There are many ways to generate leads.
This is called a lead magnet. It helps you collect emails from your audience. Here are some [affordable email marketing services](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/ "Best Affordable Email Marketing Services in 2019 to Grow Your List") from which you can select.
When you have those emails, hard-sell them on the first email is not a good practice. You must build a reputation by offering them more valuable free content. Position yourself as a subject authority.
After that, you can try to sell them your services, offer them discounts, etc…
I hope you found this helpful post. These powerful marketing strategies can be used to promote your interior design business.
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [10 Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools You Should Use](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you are not using social media channels to attract website traffic, you might lose a lot of business. I will share the best social media competitor Analysis tools in this post. These social media tools will help you create a better strategy and get social traffic.
Competitors’ research can make your social media marketing strategy 10x stronger. It also helps to make many other business decisions because if things work for other brands, they might also work for you.
You can collect important information by using social media competitor analysis tools. And if you play your cards right, it could help bring more customers.
According to Pew Research Center, “Around 69% of U.S. adults use Facebook. 74% of those users visit at least once a day”.
So, having a solid social media strategy improves your brand’s reach to the new audience. Let’s check out some of the best social media competitor analysis tools.
#### 1. Social Blade
It is a complete social media analysis tool that covers all the major social networking platforms.
Social Blade can track user statistics for YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and Twitter.
You enter the username of your competitor, and it will provide you with all their following, engagement rate, estimated earnings, and a lot more helpful information.
#### 2. Fanpage Karma
[](https://www.fanpagekarma.com/)
Keep track of your social media channels daily and measure your success.
Analyze engagement, best times for posting, best topics, types of posts, and way more. Not just for your page but all competitors’ pages.
You can analyze your social competitors’ Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook pages.
You can cross-compare multiple competitors’ posts, publishing times, and engagement rates.
#### 3. Sprout Social
[](https://sproutsocial.com/)
Sprout Social is an excellent social competitor research tool.
You can find data from Twitter Trends, Facebook pages, Facebook competitors, Twitter competitors, Instagram competitors, and LinkedIn pages.
It is a feature-rich social media tool for various social media purposes. Such as automating and scheduling posts and building multiple reports.
#### 4. LikeAlyzer
[](https://likealyzer.com/)
It is a Facebook-specific social media competitor analysis tool. So, you won’t be able to research other competitors’ social media channels.
Enter any of your competitor’s Facebook page URL or username, and it will generate a report.
It is a free social media competitor analysis tool, so you can quickly try it. It provides data on how frequently a page is publishing content, engagement rate, response rate, publishing activity levels, and more. This data might also help you [set up Facebook retargeting ads](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "How to Set Up Facebook Retargeting Ads Campaign (Step by Step Guide)").
#### 5. Klear
[](https://klear.com/)
It is a social media influencer research tool. However, you can use it to find top influencers in your niche and identify which brands they are promoting.
You can use this data in your social media competitor research report. In the future, you could use those influencers to [promote your business](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online").
Use Klear’s influencer marketing software to quickly find influencers in any category and location across Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and blogs.
#### 6. Semrush
[](https://www.semrush.com/competitive-research/)
Semrush is one of the best SEO tools. Also, you can use it to research your social media competitor’s strategy.
Semrush is a multiple-purpose tool. It can help you find [SEO competitor’s backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-competitors-backlinks-easily-a-simple-backlinks-analysis-guide/ "How to Find Out Your Competitors Backlinks Easily? ( A Simple Backlinks Analysis Guide)"), research PPC keywords, social media analytics, and competitor research.
You can track competitors across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
You can keep an eye out for what content competitors are posting, publishing frequency, schedule weekly reports, and their top-performing posts.
#### 7. Twitonomy
[](https://www.twitonomy.com/)
It is a Twitter-specific competitor research tool. So, you won’t be able to track other social platforms of your competitors.
Twitonomy can provide detailed analytics on anyone’s tweets, retweets, replies, mentions, and hashtags.
You can use it to find valuable data related to any of your competitor’s Twitter accounts.
Some of the features are available only for premium users.
#### 8. Quintly
[](https://www.quintly.com/)
With Quintly, you can research your social media competitors and gather analytics.
This tool can provide competitors’ data from Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
There is a dedicated analytics tool that you can use to compare your overall social media strategy.
Add all your social media competitor pages or profiles, and they will import all the available data to your dashboard.
Then you can use this data to compare your performance with your social media competitors.
#### 9. Brandwatch
[](https://www.brandwatch.com/)
Perform a competitor analysis against all of your social media competitors. With Brandwatch Analytics, you can analyze your competitors extensively.
You’ll be able to track reach, sentiment, conversations, and topics over time, getting data from various social sites.
Brandwatch makes it simple to find groups of people based on what matters to you. It is a helpful tool for researching competitors and finding social media influencers.
#### 10. Rival IQ
[](https://www.rivaliq.com/)
Rival IQ is another great social media analytics tool. Using Rival IQ, you can quickly check competitors’ followers, publishing times, engagement rate, and top social posts.
Also, you can research their paid social strategy for their content to attract leads, signups, and customers.
Rival IQ can track competitors’ data from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
These social media competitor analysis tools will help you reach your audience. This data is valid only when you know what to do with that data. These tools have good documentation with a few tests; you could easily find the important KPIs you need to track against your competitors.
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [7 Super Effective SEO Tips to Improve Wix SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you eager to enhance the SEO of your Wix website? Despite the platform’s unique challenges, improving SEO on Wix is achievable. In this comprehensive guide, discover actionable tips to boost your website’s search ranking and optimize SEO on Wix effectively.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Is Wix Good for SEO?](#Is_Wix_Good_for_SEO)
- [Tips to Improve Wix SEO \[Updated\]](#Tips_to_Improve_Wix_SEO_Updated)
- [1. Wix SEO Setup Checklist](#1_Wix_SEO_Setup_Checklist)
- [2. How to Add Keywords to a Wix Website?](#2_How_to_Add_Keywords_to_a_Wix_Website)
- [3. Improve Wix SEO by Optimizing Images for Search](#3_Improve_Wix_SEO_by_Optimizing_Images_for_Search)
- [4. Using Keywords in Your Content](#4_Using_Keywords_in_Your_Content)
- [5. Create a blog on Wix for SEO](#5_Create_a_blog_on_Wix_for_SEO)
- [6. Add Internal links](#6_Add_Internal_links)
- [7. Link building](#7_Link_building)
- [Bonus Tips to Boost Search Performance](#Bonus_Tips_to_Boost_Search_Performance)
## Is Wix Good for SEO?
While Wix claims to be an SEO-friendly platform, the perspective of SEO professionals and web developers paints a different picture.
People believe Wix is not an SEO-friendly because it’s a closed-source platform that doesn’t provide access to change backend code, limiting its functionality as a content management system.
In my opinion, if you aim to rank your website higher in a competitive niche, Wix is not a popular choice. I recommend [migrating your Wix website to WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-move-a-website-from-wix-to-wordpress/ "How to Migrate a Website from Wix to WordPress?") only if your website falls within a competitive niche.
Just because your niche is competitive doesn’t mean you can’t attract traffic. There are many ways to [promote your business](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online") beside SEO. If your Wix site is in a less crowded niche, you have a good shot at ranking it. Here’s what you can do to improve your Wix website’s SEO without switching builders.
## Tips to Improve Wix SEO \[Updated\]
Before optimizing your Wix website, the most important part of an SEO strategy is to go through detailed keyword research.
Find keywords that you think your potential customers would use in the search to find your business. See my detailed guide on [how to find the best keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?").
## 1. Wix SEO Setup Checklist
To craft your SEO Checklist, follow these steps:
- Access your SEO Dashboard.
- Scroll to the **Tools** and **Settings** section.
- Click “Get Started” within the SEO Setup Checklist.
- Enter your site’s name in the “What’s Your Business or Site Name?” field. (Tip: Ensure it matches your site’s name.)
- Click “Next.”
- Indicate whether you serve customers from a physical location or online.
- Click Next.
- Include a maximum of three keyword phrases that describe your business and its offerings.
- Click Next. Your personalized SEO Checklist will be ready in seconds.
If you decide you want to try different keywords, you can edit them in your SEO checklist in your site’s dashboard.
Connect your website to Google Search Console and submit a sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo. You should also [set up Google Analytics in Wix](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?").
Google Analytics & Search Console are helpful for tracking and measuring your SEO success.
## 2. How to Add Keywords to a Wix Website?
First, you must add meta title tags to individual pages on your Wix site.
Meta titles & descriptions help potential site visitors decide whether or not to visit your site. These are sometimes referred to as meta tags.
Here’s how to add keywords in your Wix website’s meta title and description:
Go to your Wix account and click the ‘Edit Site’ button. Go to the page you want to add a meta title tag.
Click on the Settings gear icon, then click on the ‘page SEO’ link.
Here you will find options to add meta title, meta description, and meta keywords.
**Meta title:** You will add a page title here, but you must include important keywords here. The meta title is the most important tag for your Wix SEO. It will tell Google and users about the page content. You must add a meta title on all the pages.
**Meta description:** Give a brief description of the page content. A meta description will tell users what content they will find if they click on this page. You can also add important and relevant keywords here.
**Meta Keywords:** Add keywords that users will use to search for this page. You can add keywords here that you used in the meta title and description.
**Update**: Wix has removed the meta keywords field. Please follow these instructions:
Visit your page’s SEO Settings.
Navigate to the Advanced SEO tab.
Select Additional Tags.
Click on ‘+ Add New Tag’.
Insert your keywords as meta tag code within the HTML Code field, following this format:
Confirm your changes by clicking ‘Apply’.
## 3. Improve Wix SEO by Optimizing Images for Search
When you upload new images to your Wix website, always optimize them and reduce their image size. The easiest way to manage that is by [compressing images](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality?"), and you should do that before uploading them.
Google and other search engines can understand what an image contains using their algorithms. However, they face problems understanding the context of pictures from one another and the accompanying text. That’s why we use an HTML image attribute called alt text (alternative text) to give search engines critical information about the image.
**Adding Alt Tags to images in Wix**
After [compressing images, you would upload those images](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/) directly to the Wix post editor.
Next, click on the image within your post editor; it will open a box to add an Alt text.
Add a few words about the image. Write a descriptive alt text that will explain your image content.
## 4. Using Keywords in Your Content
When writing content for a new blog post or a page, always use keywords properly throughout the page.
Don’t include keywords repetitively which doesn’t make sense to your reader. Instead, use keywords in context and restructure your sentences and paragraphs so that you can use keywords in a meaningful way.
Try to add a few subheadings, such as H2, H3, up to h6, and use your most important keywords in those headings.
Write for human readers, not for search engines to find your content. Make your content easy to read and use lots of paragraphs. Smaller paragraphs make reading easier.
## 5. Create a blog on Wix for SEO
On a small business website, you likely have pages about services, contact forms, appointments, etc. Most likely, you won’t be updating this site frequently.
A great way to boost your Wix SEO is by adding a blog to your Wix website. Blogs are a great way to [promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online Effectively") to potential customers. You can start a blog on Wix and begin writing content right away.
Like all businesses, your competitors are delivering the same services/products as you. It isn’t easy to rank your [website higher if your competitors](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-website-top-seo-competitors/) also optimize their SEO. However, having a blog can increase your chance of showing up on other similar keywords and bring customers to your site.
My clients often ask me, “What do I write about?”
A blog gives you the freedom to break free from corporate or sales language to dive into a frank and friendly tone.
You can write about industry news, and new things happening at your business, share your personal stories, and more.
In short, you should write content that will bring your “target audience” to your website. Think about the problems they are facing, which are also relevant to your business.
With the help of your blog, you can tell them how to solve those specific problems. It is one of the most effective ways to generate traffic. You can bring thousands of visitors to your website with content marketing/blogging.
Just use a helpful and friendly tone to educate them. Don’t forget to use your keywords throughout your articles. You can use these [free keyword research tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "5 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools") to find good-quality keywords.
Write great content on your blog to help your potential customers decide about buying your service or product. People are likelier to give their money to a helpful and honest company. Content [marketing for your small business](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-interior-design-marketing-strategies-to-get-clients/) is an effective way to generate more leads.
## 6. Add Internal links
Adding internal links to your Wix website will help your SEO and reduce the bounce rate. Give people a chance to read and explore your website as much as possible. Create internal links to every page and post using keyword-rich anchor text.
Also, when adding external links (outbound links), it is a good SEO practice to add a [nofollow attribute to external links in Wix](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide").
When creating internal links on your Wix website, remember these key points:
- Add a nofollow tag to external links.
- Link over-optimization: Don’t use a single keyword to link all the pages. Target multiple keywords.
- Use descriptive anchor text with your links to help people understand the link.
## 7. Link building
After creating helpful content, it is time to get backlinks to your website. But first, let me give you a little introduction to [link building](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/).
Link building or backlinks, in simple words, are HTML links that connect multiple websites. Google and other search engines visit these links to index (register) new pages in their database. They count each link as a vote in favor of the linked website. As many links a site gets, it should rank higher in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/).
There are two ways link-building works these days:
1- The old-fashioned way is by creating links yourself or hiring someone to make backlinks for you.
2- The second approach is [white hat link building](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/ "White hat link building services"), which is about creating great content and promoting it to influential people to get backlinks.
Both of those methods work in some way. However, the first old-fashioned way of creating backlinks by yourself might [penalize your website on Google](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-if-your-website-is-penalized-by-google-and-how-to-fix-it/ "How to Check if Your Website is Penalized by Google and How to Fix it?"). Google Index will [remove your website entirely](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-your-entire-website-from-google-forever/ "How to Remove Your Entire Website from Google Forever?").
Your site ranking will significantly improve after getting new backlinks.
## Bonus Tips to Boost Search Performance
**Always add relevant content to your website**
Make sure that any page you add to your website is beneficial and relevant to the user.
If you have already created thousands of low-quality pages, either improve their quality or remove them.
Some websites dramatically change their [search ranking after removing](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/) low-quality pages.
**Add People Also Ask Keywords to Improve Context.**
In simple terms, these are keywords that are related to your primary keyword.
For example, if you target “lose weight,” you should also cover most important aspects of what people search for when they search this keyword.
So, how do you find keywords like that?
You don’t need any expensive premium tool to find those keywords. You can use Google’s auto-suggest feature. It is free.
**Method 1:** Enter your primary keyword in the Google search. Adding a space before or after your keyword will show you more related queries.
**Method 2:** Another way of finding related keywords is to search your keyword on Google. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, and you will find “related searches” to your keyword.
You can use these related keywords within your page to boost its relevance by 50%.
**Google Search Console is Your Best Friend**
I’m always surprised when I come across websites that haven’t set up a Google Search Console property.
Having a Google Search Console is extremely important if you’re serious about SEO performance.
There are a lot of cool things you can do to improve your Wix SEO using Search Console.
You can [submit a sitemap](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/) to Google. It will make the Googlebot job much easier to crawl and index pages of your Wix site.
Track your keywords through a keyword performance report. You can find new keywords that might not exist before.
Similarly, you can easily see who’s linking to your website. I recommend [Google Search Console to beginners](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "New Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2019") who want to improve Wix SEO.
I hope you find this post helpful. If you need help with Wix “Search Engine Optimization,” please check out my [services](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/).
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** Wix
---
### [The Ultimate Image SEO Guide: How to Optimize Images for Search Engines](https://azibyaqoob.com/image-seo-guide-how-to-optimize-images-for-search-engines/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
A website looks incomplete without relevant images. Also, they are quite important for user experience and SEO. Optimized images can bring tons of extra traffic to your site. In this image SEO guide, I will tell you how to optimize images for search engines as well as user experience.
If you are looking for high-quality images to include in your blog posts then check out these [best free stock photo websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/the-ultimate-list-of-the-best-free-stock-photo-and-video-websites/ "Best Free Stock Photo and Video Websites 2019").
**Note:** This image SEO guide is written for mainly self-hosted WordPress websites which have little to no text. However, some of these practices can be used in any content management system.
Recently, a friend had trouble optimizing his photography portfolio website. He was making every effort to get any traffic to his website. [Optimizing a website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-optimize-a-website-in-2019-for-google-search-whats-different-about-google-search/ "How to Optimize a Website in 2019 for Google Search") is important for him to attract new leads.
He asked me to [perform an SEO audit](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Manually Perform a Technical Website SEO Audit?") and suggest changes. So, when I perform the audit, I found that his images were too large in size. Due to which, his website was loading extremely slow even on a reasonable Internet connection. I suggested a few changes and helped him boost the traffic.
So here are those simple SEO practices which helped my friend. I am hopeful that you guys will find them useful too.
#### The context of images
Images should help tell a story or simplify an idea or thing. Compelling images have a unique ability to inspire and engage your audience.
So, it is important that images are relevant to the website text and other content. Using relevant high-quality images is a proven way to improve readability and user engagement.
– Add images when they provide value to the user.
– The image must be properly aligned with the page content.
– Use original high-quality images
#### Compress images for better speed
It is quite standard practice these days to compress images before uploading them to a website. A compressed image will load faster on the user’s end. Why is that important?
Because not everyone is using a fast Wi-Fi connection to browse the Internet. So, these users will suffer a slow website experience. And you know that slow loading website can harm your [ranking in search](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?").
You don’t want to lose a potential customer. Hence, you should always compress images. I have written a step by step tutorial on [how to compress images without losing quality](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality – Image Compression Guide 2018").
#### Which Image File Type You Should Use?
**JPEG file type** mostly used for still images, photographs with many colors, and images where mix light and dark shades have been used.
on the other hand, **GIF images** are best to use for animated imagery. You have seen these images by now. If not, here is an example:
**PNG file type** is a new format compared to the others. It is used to display brand logos which have transparency or fading in the background.
Knowing these image file types will help you create better images without compromising quality.
#### Add Image Captions
Image captions can be used to provide extra information to help a user understand the image. This text will be displayed right below the image. For example, if you have an image of written text which is not quite understandable, you might want to add a caption so people can understand the image.
It is not advisable to use captions on every image but you can use it to best define the image content.
#### Informative Image File Names
Image file names should also be relevant to the image. Most images captured from a phone/digital camera give random numerical file names. So, make sure that you change the image name before uploading them to a website.
Keep your image file names simple. Don’t include unnecessary information within the file name. Try to keep it as short as possible.
Also, never use characters such as hyphens, underscores, at signs, etc…
To give space within the file name, you can use a dash sign (-) instead of a normal space.
#### Use Descriptive Alt Text
Using alt text has been recommended to use by Google webmaster guidelines. The purpose of alt text is to aid people with vision problems to understand the context of the images. This alt text usually displays when an image is failed to load on the website due to Internet connection issues or server side problems.
Here are some good practices to make your alt text stand out:
– Use a descriptive sentence to explain the image.
– Never use unnecessary keywords.
– Keep the relevancy between image and alt text.
– Don’t include more than 10 words.
#### Image Title Text
Image title is another attribute that can be added to the image tag in HTML. It is used to provide a title for your image.
If you want to display information on the image when a user hovers his mouse over the image, you can use image title text and add your text.
#### Image Sitemap
To make sure all the images on your website get found in image search, you should consider using image sitemap. Here is an example of XML image sitemap:
Also, check the source code of the above XML Image Sitemap:
You can see that it is a simple process to create an XML sitemap. However, if you are using a content management system then you can use [Udinra All Image Sitemap plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/udinra-all-image-sitemap/ "Udinra All Image Sitemap | WordPress"). You can also try these [WordPress sitemap plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-xml-sitemap-plugins-for-wordpress/ "Best XML Sitemap Plugins for WordPress").
#### Using Text with Images
It is an important practice to use only relevant images surround with the relevant text. It will help both users and search engines get the context of the image. Most blogs these days don’t use alt text or image captions. So, if that’s the case, then make sure all the images are next to the text that is relevant to the image.
#### Categorize your images using WordPress Categories
This option is for WordPress photography/image gallery websites. These sites usually don’t have much text so they rely solely on images.
It is difficult to get meaningful traffic that way. However, using categories properly can give your users and search engines a chance to explore your site further. You can display multiple images of the same nature in a category archive. Users would easily browse your website and find images they were looking for.
If you are looking for new useful SEO tools then check out this list of best free SEO tools.
Please feel free to suggest other image SEO tips in the comments so other people can benefit from them. I hope you find this image SEO guide useful. If you use Amazon to sell your products then also check out this [Amazon SEO guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/ultimate-amazon-seo-strategy-a-complete-seo-guide/ "Ultimate Amazon SEO Strategy for 2019 – A Complete SEO Guide").
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [The Ultimate Guide To Add A Nofollow Link To Any Platform](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** Wondering how to add nofollow external links to your website? This guide will help you add a nofollow attribute to any external link on any platform. Please select your CMS below to get started.
**Content:**
Wondering how to add a nofollow link to your website? This guide will help you add a nofollow attribute to any external link on any platform. Please select your CMS below to get started.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Add a Nofollow Link in WordPress](#1_Add_a_Nofollow_Link_in_WordPress)
- [2. Add a Nofollow Link in Shopify](#2_Add_a_Nofollow_Link_in_Shopify)
- [3. Add a Nofollow Link in Joomla](#3_Add_a_Nofollow_Link_in_Joomla)
- [4. Add a Nofollow Link in Drupal](#4_Add_a_Nofollow_Link_in_Drupal)
- [5. Add a Nofollow Link in Weebly](#5_Add_a_Nofollow_Link_in_Weebly)
- [6. Add a Nofollow Link in Wix](#6_Add_a_Nofollow_Link_in_Wix)
## 1. Add a Nofollow Link in WordPress
By default, all links added to a WordPress site are [dofollow links](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links"). However, you can add a `rel=nofollow` attribute to any link on your WordPress site. There are two different methods to do this:
1. Add a nofollow attribute manually in WordPress
2. Use a plugin to add nofollow links in WordPress
**How to add nofollow links manually in WordPress**
To manually add a nofollow link, go to your WordPress editor.
Switch to the HTML post editor by clicking “Text” at the top right corner of the WordPress post editor.
Find text or an already anchored link in the HTML post editor.
Add a `rel="nofollow"` attribute after the ending URL. See the HTML example below:
`External Link`
That’s it! Replace as many external links into nofollow links using the above method.
If you want to create backlinks for your website, check out these best [free link-building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free Link Building Tools to Supercharge Your SEO").
**Use a plugin to add a nofollow tag in WordPress**
I recommend using this method because it is much easier than manually adding links.
- Install [Title and NoFollow for Links](https://wordpress.org/plugins/title-and-nofollow-for-links/ "Title and NoFollow for Links") plugin on your WordPress site.
- Now, add a link to your post/page as usual.
- Click on the little gear icon in the insert link area. It will open an advanced insert link popup.
- Mark the checkbox that says add a rel=’nofollow” tag. See the image for an example:
## 2. Add a Nofollow Link in Shopify
All external links you add to a Shopify website or a blog page are dofollow links by default. So, for better SEO, you can add a nofollow attribute to any external link on your Shopify website using the given method:
- Add a `rel="nofollow"` attribute in your HTML anchor link.
- Go to your Shopify page/post editor.
- Click on this `` icon at the top right corner of your text editor.
- Find the external link that you want to make a nofollow link.
- Add `rel="nofollow"` after the end of the URL. Please check this image as an example of how to add the nofollow attribute to your link in HTML:
When you add an external link to your Shopify site, add a nofollow attribute for good SEO. Google and other search engines will not follow this external link.
To [increase sales on your Shopify website](https://azibyaqoob.com/increase-sales-shopify/ "How to Increase Sales on Your Shopify Website by 60% Right Now"), interlink all your pages and add a nofollow attribute to external links.
## 3. Add a Nofollow Link in Joomla
Joomla is quite an SEO-friendly platform. There are a lot of extensions to help you do things that are difficult for an average user. You can manually add a nofollow attribute to links or use an extension to simplify that task.
- Install this [Marco’s Nofollow](https://extensions.joomla.org/extension/marco-s-nofollow/ "Marco's Nofollow Extension") extension on your Joomla website.
- This extension will automatically add an `rel="nofollow"` attribute to all external links.
- You don’t have to add anything else.
- All of your external links will be nofollow after installing this extension.
## 4. Add a Nofollow Link in Drupal
Drupal, by default, sets all the external links to dofollow. If you want to add a rel=”nofollow” attribute to particular external links, you can add a rel=”nofollow attribute in your HTML.
However, this could be time-consuming, especially if you want to add a nofollow attribute to all the outgoing links. You can do it simply with the help of the Noindex External Links Drupal Module.
This module will add a `rel="nofollow"` tag to all external links on your website. You can try that or use an old-school method by adding an` rel="nofollow"` attribute to the links you want to set to nofollow.
## 5. Add a Nofollow Link in Weebly
This is the only method I could find for adding nofollow links to the Weebly blog. You must ditch the standard Weebly post editor to try this method. Instead, use the Embed Code option to write a post in HTML.
Here’s how to add a nofollow attribute to your Weebly blog.
- Go to the post editor in Weebly.
- Click on the Embed Code option.
- Now, start writing your post as you usually do.
- To create a link in HTML, here is how you do it:
`Text that your user will see`
To add a nofollow attribute in your link, you can add this code `rel="nofollow`. Here is an example:
`Example of a nofollow link`
Your post external links will have a nofollow attribute, which you can check using the inspect element tool.
## 6. Add a Nofollow Link in Wix
Wix doesn’t provide built-in support for nofollow links at the moment. However, they may [add this feature](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-add-or-remove-googles-featured-snippet/) later. It is an important feature to [improve your Wix website SEO.](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/ "How to Improve Wix SEO in 2018 (Step by Step Guide)")
Don’t worry; you can still add a nofollow attribute to your Wix blog post. You can add nofollow links at the end of your blog post using the “HTML editor” box, which Wix provides in their post editor. You can add all external links at the end of a blog post. That way, at least, they look somewhat user-friendly. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to your blog post editor in Wix.
- Start writing whatever you want.
- To add a nofollow external link to your post, switch to the HTML code editor box by clicking on ` HTML`.
- Now, add your links manually by using HTML `` tag.
- Please see the example below: 
Adding this code will make those links nofollow. You can check that by using the inspect element tool in your browser.
You can also consider using WordPress, which is more SEO-friendly. Here is a step-by-step tutorial to [move Wix to WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-move-a-website-from-wix-to-wordpress/ "How to Move a Website from Wix to WordPress?").
By reading this post, I hope you have a general idea of adding a nofollow attribute to an external link. If the platform allows you to change the HTML code, you can add a rel=”nofollow” attribute to an external link.
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** Drupal, Joomla, nofollow, WordPress
---
### [Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Promoting a small business website is challenging at times when you don’t have much content on the website. By using SEO, many small businesses have increased their leads and customers. In this Small business SEO guide, I will share techniques that also worked for many of my clients.
#### How SEO Helps Small Businesses?
New small businesses have limited marketing budgets.
I know there are countless other ways to promote a small business online. Yet, almost all of them are pretty expensive. So, in my opinion, investing your time in learning basic SEO concepts can help you a great deal to boost your site traffic for free. Using other expensive marketing strategies will make more sense when you have many customers.
When my clients hire me to optimize their SEO, they are clueless about SEO. That’s the only reason I am writing this guide to help business owners grow their sales.
Most online businesses fail because of poor marketing strategies. SEO is quite an effective way to [promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "How to Promote Your Business Online Fast"). It should be a crucial part of your online marketing strategy.
## Here’s how to Boost Your Small Business SEO
Using these techniques, you can increase any small business site’s rankings and traffic. I apply this same strategy to help my clients rank better in the search.
#### Develop an SEO Strategy
A focused SEO strategy will help you get traffic on the site quickly. It is quite essential always first develop an SEO strategy. Here are some best practices to create a small business SEO strategy.
- Find out keywords to add to your site copy. Keywords are queries that your potential customers search on Google to find help/product.
- Find out your top business competitors. You can find them by searching them on Google by entering business-focused keywords.
- Define how you would use keywords throughout your website.
- Create a link-building strategy to earn more backlinks.
#### Perform a Competitors Analysis
Please find out your competitors’ SEO strategy; it will help you understand how they promote their business online. It will give you many new ideas to grow your small business too. Any small business must invest in gathering competitors’ data.
**How exactly should you perform an SEO competitor analysis?**
- Find top websites on the keywords that you want to rank your website.
- For example, if you target a coffee shop in NYC, you should check which websites appear in the top search results.
- You should find how often they use a particular keyword on the page, their content strategy, and their SEO techniques. You can then apply those to outrank them.
- You can also use SEO competitors’ research tools to gather competitor’s data more efficiently and quickly.
#### Keyword Research
Keyword research should be an important part of any small business SEO. It is challenging to attract organic traffic without proper keywords inside your copy.
Make sure that you are using correctly researched keywords. Always use keywords that have low competition. I have compiled a list of the [best free keyword research tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "5 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools") that you can use to find good keywords.
I use Semrush, Google Search Console, Google auto-suggest, and Keyword planner to find keywords. Semrush is quite expensive for a small business, but I can assure you, you can also find great keywords using your Google Search Console “Search Performance” report.
Similarly, you can use Keyword Planner. It is a free tool and can give you a lot of valuable keywords. I have written a detailed tutorial on finding[ keywords using a keyword planner](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the Best Way to Find Out Valuable Keywords for SEO?"); make sure to check that out.
#### SEO Audit
Every small business should perform a site-wide audit. It will help you find out errors that are holding your website back.
Find new opportunities to optimize your site further. There’s always room for improvement.
You can use some of these tools to perform a site-wide SEO audit.
- Woorank
- SEOsitecheckup
- SEOPTIMER
If you want a thorough SEO audit and you have prior experience with SEO, then check out this tutorial on [how to perform a manual SEO audit](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Manually Perform a Technical Website SEO Audit?").
#### On page SEO
You can do many things to optimize your small business on-page SEO. Following these on-page SEO tips, you can rank any low-competitive page quite easily.
1. Use a primary keyword in the HTML **H1 tag**.
2. Use **SEO-friendly** URLs throughout the website.
3. Link internal pages and posts together so that Google can easily crawl and index all pages.
4. Use **keywords** in the first few paragraphs of a web page.
5. Create bullet points whenever possible.
6. Optimize website speed to load faster on every device.
#### Speed Optimization
Google prefers fast websites to appear on the first page of Google. If your website is too slow, it will not perform to its full potential in search results. I recently compared[ WP Super Cache and WP Fastest Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs WP Fastest Cache – Which One is Better? (Case Study)"); make sure to read, mainly if you use WordPress.
Speed optimization is essential if your potential customers use your keywords to search your business on mobile. Using unoptimized images can slow down websites. You can easily [compress images without losing quality](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "Compress Images without Losing Quality? Image Compression Guide 2018"), even after uploading them to your site.
You can use these tools to check out your current page load speed:
1. Google PageSpeed Insights
2. Pingdom Speed Test
#### Schema Markup
Schema markup is perfect for local website SEO. Using schema markup on your website will help Google show users better and more informative search results. It will also improve your website ranking and CTR.
Using WordPress, you can check out these [schema-rich snippets of WordPress plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2018 (Updated)").
#### Internal Links
Internal links are HTML links created on the same website to connect to different pages. It enhances the navigation of your website and allows visitors to navigate through your website easily.
You must provide full navigation to your service page, product, about, contact, and homepage.
Always [nofollow all external links on your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide") and when creating links to your website’s internal pages, ensure they are always [dofollow backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links").
#### Google Search Console
When you have completed your website, you might need to check if there’s any major site structure issue that can break your website functionality or [stop it appear in search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?").
The Google search console helps webmasters find sitemap errors, 404 errors, 301 redirection errors, duplicate Meta tags, and crawl errors. You can use the Google search console to check how Google bots see your website. By [accessing the Google Search Console account](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-give-google-search-console-access-to-your-seo-manager/ "How to Give Google Search Console Access to Your SEO Manager?"), you can fix errors reported by GSC. Doing so will boost your website’s ranking in search.
#### Sitemap
**What is a sitemap?**
> In simple words, a sitemap in modern terms is an XML file that defines a website structure and URL structure to search bots. Search bots then crawl these URLs and index them to their database.
You can create a [sitemap on WordPress using different plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-xml-sitemap-plugins-for-wordpress/ "Best XML Sitemap Plugins for WordPress"). After that, you can [submit a sitemap to Google and Bing](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?").
**How to [submit a sitemap](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/) to Bing Webmaster Tools?**
- Create an account on Bing
- First, you must register your website property in Bing Webmaster Tools.
- After that, you can copy your XML sitemap URL and submit it to Bing.
**How to submit a sitemap to Google Search Console?**
- Create an account on Google Search Console.
- Verify your website property in Google Search Console.
- You can easily submit your XML sitemap by copying the URL and pasting it to GSC.
#### Google Analytics
Google Analytics allows you to measure your website traffic. It has different uses and can be very beneficial to track your small business’s SEO efforts. It will help you learn:
- About your website visitors
- The activity of visitors to your website
- identify good and poorly performing pages
#### Create Web 2.0 Blogs
Many platforms provide free blogging and website setup. Like WordPress.com, Tumblr, medium, and so on. Use these platforms to write blog posts on topics relevant to your small business.
Make sure that it is helpful to your readers and that you are offering some value to the reader. Don’t forget to leave a backlink to your website in the post.
Web 2.0 blogs are an incredibly reliable way to improve your website ranking. Here are some of the web 2.0 blogs on which you can create a blog and start writing:
1. Medium
2. WordPress.com
3. Tumblr
4. Weebly
5. Blogger
#### Create Social Profiles
There are two benefits of creating social profiles:
1. It will improve your business’s online reputation.
2. Improvement in ranking and website authority.
Create social profiles for your business so users can easily find you. If there is an option to share your website on your profile, you must use that option. Add your website to your social profile.
#### Write Guest Posts
Writing a guest blog post on the authority website in your niche has many benefits.
- It will bring direct traffic from that blog to your business website.
- A backlink from a high domain authority website will boost your website’s ranking.
Find out top bloggers who cover topics relevant to your business. For example, if you sell shoes online, then approach fashion blogs to write a post about fashion. You can pitch them your blog idea and get it published.
#### Create and Verify Google My Business Listing
Google My Business listing is a must-have if you are a local business. It will help people find your [business location through Google maps](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-rank-google-my-business-listing-on-google-maps/) and search results.
Google Business listing will attract new customers. Your potential customers will search your business location if you prefer on-site visits. I recommend you to use Google My business.
#### Submit Your Small Business to Local Directories
You should submit your website to local business directories if your online business targets a local audience. It will improve your website ranking, and you will also get some leads from these directories.
If you want to submit your website, these are some of the widely known local business directories:
1. [Yellow pages](https://www.yellowpages.com/ "Yellow pages directory")
2. [Yelp](https://biz.yelp.com/ "Yelp directory")
3. Local.com
#### Manage Your Small Business Online Reputation
Online reputation management is managing search results and reviews of a business that shows up in search results. To get leads, you should improve your online business reputation.
Here is a step-by-step guide to [improving your online reputation](https://azibyaqoob.com/internet-reputation-repair-2017/ "Internet reputation repair").
I hope you find this post helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Remove & Suppress Negative Search Results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Your online reputation is crucial in shaping how people perceive you or your business. However, negative search results—be it a poor review, outdated information, or misleading posts—can quickly tarnish that image, especially when they appear on the first page of Google. Knowing how to *remove or suppress negative search results*, is essential for maintaining a positive digital footprint.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most effective strategies to *remove negative results on Google* and boost favorable content, providing you with actionable steps to improve your online presence. From proven suppression tactics to expert advice on ORM (online reputation management), this article covers everything you need to take control of your search results and build a lasting, positive reputation.
Want an affordable way to remove negative search results and restore your brand’s integrity? I can help. **[Contact me now](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact")** to grow your business with confidence.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Online Reputation Matters](#Why_Online_Reputation_Matters)
- [Understanding Negative Search Results](#Understanding_Negative_Search_Results)
- [How to Remove Negative Search Results](#How_to_Remove_Negative_Search_Results)
- [How to Suppress Negative Search Results](#How_to_Suppress_Negative_Search_Results)
- [Case Study: Successful Suppression of Negative Search Results](#Case_Study_Successful_Suppression_of_Negative_Search_Results)
- [Long-Term Monitoring & Proactive Reputation Management](#Long-Term_Monitoring_Proactive_Reputation_Management)
- [Conclusion: Achieving a Positive Digital Footprint](#Conclusion_Achieving_a_Positive_Digital_Footprint)
- [Get Expert Assistance with Negative Search Result Suppression](#Get_Expert_Assistance_with_Negative_Search_Result_Suppression)
## Why Online Reputation Matters
1. **Trust & Credibility**: Studies show that most people trust [Google search results ](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Export Google Search Results to Excel?")as much as personal recommendations. This trust extends to online reviews, articles, and forum posts. A single negative result can lead others to question your credibility, even if the information is misleading or outdated.
2. **Financial Impact**: A business’s online reputation directly affects revenue. According to research, 86% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase, and even one negative review can deter 22% of potential customers.
3. **Long-Term Visibility of Negative Content**: Negative search results can stay online for years, becoming a persistent reminder of unfavorable opinions or events. Over time, these results may accumulate, overshadowing positive content and making it challenging to maintain a balanced digital footprint.
4. **Career and Personal Impact**: Negative content affects job applicants, professionals, and executives alike. Prospective employers and connections often search your name online, meaning that negative information—whether relevant or not—can influence their decisions.
## Understanding Negative Search Results
A thorough understanding of the types of negative search results and why they rank prominently is essential for effective online reputation management. Google’s search algorithm is designed to prioritize information based on relevance, authority, and popularity. Unfortunately, this doesn’t account for the accuracy or positive sentiment of the content.
#### Common Types of Negative Search Results
1. **Customer Reviews on Review Platforms**
- Platforms like [Google My Business](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-rank-google-my-business-listing-on-google-maps/ "How to Rank Google My Business Page on Google Maps?"), Yelp, and Trustpilot allow users to post reviews and feedback on businesses. These sites are highly authoritative and tend to rank prominently in search results, making even a handful of negative reviews highly visible. When potential customers search for your business, negative reviews are often the first impression.
2. **Negative News Articles or Blog Posts**
- News outlets and blogs with high domain authority frequently rank well on Google. If there’s a [negative news article or blog post about your brand](https://azibyaqoob.com/proven-reputation-management-guide-build-your-business-or-brand-reputation/ "Proven Reputation Management Guide: Build Your Business or Brand Reputation"), it will likely appear on the first page of results, especially if it has garnered attention or been shared widely. Even an outdated article can still negatively impact your reputation, as Google’s algorithm considers historical relevance and authority.
3. **Social Media Mentions and Comments**
- Comments, posts, and shares on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn often appear in search results. If a post or tweet about your business goes viral, it can quickly become a top search result, even if the original post was inaccurate or misleading. Social media activity is a powerful driver of search rankings, especially for trending topics.
4. **Forum Threads and Community Boards**
- Forums like Reddit and Quora allow users to post questions, comments, and opinions on a range of topics. Negative threads or discussions about your brand or personal reputation can become prominent search results if they attract significant engagement.
5. **Old, Outdated, or Irrelevant Content**
- Often, outdated content no longer reflects the current state of your business or personal brand, yet it remains accessible and[ indexed in search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?"). For example, if your business received complaints in the past but has since resolved the issues, those old complaints might still appear, overshadowing recent improvements.
6. **Malicious or Defamatory Content**
- Unfortunately, some negative search results are created maliciously, either by [competitors ](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/ "10 Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools You Should Use")or disgruntled individuals looking to harm your reputation. This content might include fake reviews, defamatory blog posts, or intentionally misleading information.
#### Why Negative Results Rank So Highly
Understanding why negative results appear in prominent search positions is essential for implementing effective suppression strategies. Google’s search algorithm is designed to rank content based on three main factors: **relevance**, **authority**, and **engagement**. Here’s how each factor contributes to the visibility of negative content:
1. **High Engagement**: Content that receives a lot of clicks, shares, comments, or likes is perceived by Google as relevant and engaging. Negative articles or controversial posts often attract more interaction than positive ones, making them more likely to rank high.
2. **Domain Authority**: Websites with high authority—such as reputable news sites or major review platforms—are more likely to rank well on Google. For instance, if a negative review is published on a high-authority website, it’s likely to remain near the top of search results unless actively managed.
3. **Keyword Matching and Search Intent**: If people frequently search for specific terms related to negative content (like “\[Your Business\] complaints” or “\[Your Name\] controversy”), Google will prioritize content that aligns with these keywords. When attempting to suppress negative content, it’s helpful to create positive, relevant content optimized for the same keywords to capture some of that search traffic.
4. **Freshness and Recency**: Newer content often ranks higher in search results, which can be a disadvantage if a recent negative article or review has gained traction. Google frequently updates search rankings based on the “freshness” of content, meaning new negative results can often appear higher than older, positive content.
#### The Challenges of Managing Negative Search Results
Effectively managing negative content is a complex process because search engines aim to provide a “balanced” view, showing both positive and negative information based on relevancy rather than sentiment. Furthermore, Google and other search engines typically respect the public’s right to information, which means that legitimate complaints, reviews, and news stories cannot be removed solely based on negativity. Addressing these challenges requires a dual approach of **removal (when possible)** and **suppression through positive content creation**.
Now that we’ve covered the types of negative results and why they appear prominently, let’s dive into actionable steps to either remove or suppress negative content, enabling you to reclaim control of your online reputation.
## How to Remove Negative Search Results
When you encounter negative search results, direct removal is often the most effective first approach. Although it’s not always possible to remove all negative content, certain types of content can be removed or edited, particularly if they’re outdated, defamatory, or privacy-invasive.
#### Step 1: Assess Negative Content
Begin by evaluating the negative content in question to understand the scope of the issue and prioritize your efforts:
- **Evaluate Severity**: Determine if the content is defamatory, false, outdated, or privacy-invasive. Rank the content by how prominently it appears in search results and its potential impact on your reputation.
- **Identify the Source**: Review where the negative content is hosted—whether it’s on a review platform, news outlet, social media, or personal blog. The source will help guide your removal strategy, as different websites have different policies.
#### Step 2: Remove Content at the Source
In many cases, reaching out to the website owner or content creator directly is the most straightforward approach to content removal.
- **Contact the Website Owner**: When reaching out to website administrators, explain why the content is damaging, inaccurate, or outdated. Keep communication polite and professional, as many smaller websites may be open to removal requests if approached respectfully.
- **Example Template**:
```
Subject: Request for Content Removal
Dear [Website Owner/Administrator’s Name],
I’m reaching out to request the removal of a post on your website, titled “[Title of the Article/Post]” from [Publication Date]. The content is outdated and may cause misunderstandings for those looking for accurate information about [Your Name/Company Name].
I would appreciate it if you could remove this content or update it to reflect current information. Thank you for your understanding and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
```
#### Step 3: Utilize Google’s Content Removal Tools
If you are unsuccessful in contacting the website owner or if the content meets specific criteria, Google provides several tools for content removal:
- **Outdated Content Removal Tool**: Google offers an [Outdated Content Removal Tool](https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/7041154?hl=en "Google outdated Content Removal Tool") that allows users to request the removal of outdated pages. This tool works best for content that no longer exists on a website but remains indexed in Google’s search results.
- **Privacy and Sensitive Content Removal**: Google also accepts removal requests for sensitive information such as social security numbers, bank account details, or explicit content. If the content qualifies as sensitive or harmful to privacy, it’s possible to request removal by providing sufficient evidence.
- **Right to Be Forgotten (EU)**: In the EU, the Right to Be Forgotten allows individuals to request removal of content that is irrelevant or damaging to their reputation. This is particularly effective for personal information that may no longer be relevant, such as old arrest records or outdated articles. The process involves filling out Google’s form, listing URLs for content you want removed, and explaining why it no longer reflects your current situation.
#### Step 4: Consider Legal Routes
If direct requests and Google’s tools don’t achieve the desired outcome, legal action may be an option, especially if the content is false or defamatory.
- **Defamation Claims**: If content qualifies as defamatory (i.e., false and damaging to your reputation), you may have grounds for a defamation claim. Consulting with a legal professional can help you determine the strength of your case. Successful cases may result in court orders for removal.
- **Cease and Desist Letters**: A cease and desist letter is a formal request asking an individual or entity to stop publishing damaging content. Often, the threat of legal action is sufficient to prompt removal.
- **Privacy and Copyright Violations**: Content that contains private or copyrighted information, such as unauthorized photos, may be eligible for removal through legal claims based on privacy or copyright infringement.
By pursuing these avenues, you have a higher chance of removing or reducing the visibility of harmful content. If these strategies don’t fully address your concerns, suppression tactics can offer a valuable alternative.
## How to Suppress Negative Search Results
When direct removal isn’t an option, the next best approach is to suppress negative content by pushing it down in search rankings. Suppression strategies work by creating and optimizing positive or neutral content that outranks harmful search results, gradually building a more favorable online presence. The following steps outline effective tactics to bury negative results and ensure that when someone searches for your name or brand, they find positive, relevant information instead.
#### Step 1: Research Keywords and Sentiment
To effectively suppress search results, it’s essential to understand which keywords are associated with the negative content and how these keywords impact search rankings.
1. **Identify Keywords Triggering Negative Results**
Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google’s Keyword Planner to identify the keywords associated with negative content. For example, if your business has negative reviews, keywords like “\[Your Business\] reviews” or “\[Your Business\] complaints” may trigger those results to appear prominently.
2. **Analyze Search Intent and Sentiment**
Research the sentiment of keywords related to your brand. Keywords like “complaints,” “scam,” or “reviews” tend to have a negative or critical association, so targeting alternative terms such as “testimonials,” “success stories,” or “\[Your Brand\] case studies” can shift the sentiment. Using positive sentiment keywords can help you create content that ranks competitively and replaces negative results.
3. **Use Long-Tail Keywords to Capture Niche Traffic**
Long-tail keywords are highly specific phrases that often capture more targeted search traffic. For example, instead of targeting general terms like “\[Your Brand\] reviews,” create content around long-tail keywords like “positive \[Your Brand\] reviews” or “\[Your Brand\] customer success stories.” These keywords are less competitive but highly effective in pushing down negative results.
#### Step 2: Optimize Owned Positive and Neutral Content
If you have control over existing content, optimizing it to rank higher in search results can help push down negative content. Here are ways to enhance your website and other owned platforms.
1. **Optimize Your Website’s SEO**
Improve the SEO of your main website by following best practices, such as:
- **On-Page Optimization**: Ensure each page has targeted keywords, optimized meta descriptions, alt tags, internal links, and header tags. Regularly update your website with fresh, relevant content related to your business.
- **Page Load Speed and Mobile Optimization**: Google rewards sites that load quickly and work well on mobile devices, so make sure your site performs well technically.
2. **Create a Blog**
A blog is a powerful tool for maintaining a steady flow of positive content. Blog posts allow you to target specific [keywords and provide valuable](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/) information that enhances your brand’s image. For example, you can write posts about recent successes, case studies, industry insights, and testimonials, all optimized for relevant keywords.
3. **Publish Regularly**
Google’s algorithm favors sites that publish fresh content. By consistently adding new pages or posts to your website, you increase the chance of ranking highly for targeted keywords, which helps suppress negative results. Aim to publish at least two to four blog posts per month for steady engagement.
4. **Create Positive Press Releases**
Press releases are an excellent way to share newsworthy information and generate links back to your site. Distribute press releases about significant milestones, awards, partnerships, or events related to your business. Positive news content can rank well and push down negative results.
#### Step 3: Leverage Social Profiles
Social media profiles are highly authoritative and rank well in search engines. Optimizing and actively managing these profiles can significantly boost their visibility, which helps suppress negative results.
1. **Create and Optimize Social Media Profiles**
Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube rank well in search engines. Ensure each profile includes relevant keywords in the bio or description and links back to your website. Fill out each profile completely, using consistent branding and messaging across platforms to reinforce your positive online presence.
2. **Post Regularly on Social Platforms**
Frequent posting on social media helps boost engagement and indicates to search engines that your profile is active and relevant. Aim to post engaging, positive content, such as updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and customer success stories, at least a few times per week.
3. **Engage with Followers**
Engage with comments, messages, and mentions from your audience. The more active your profile, the more likely it is to appear prominently in search results. Interaction also creates a positive impression for visitors who come across your social media accounts.
4. **Create Video Content for YouTube**
YouTube videos often rank high on Google. Create video content related to your industry, such as tutorials, success stories, or Q&A sessions. Optimize your videos with relevant keywords in the title, description, and tags to ensure they appear in search results.
#### Step 4: Build Additional Websites
Creating new, branded websites and microsites can help you dominate search results with positive content, pushing down any negative links associated with your brand.
1. **Create Branded Microsites**
Develop microsites focused on specific aspects of your brand, such as \[Your Brand\] Success Stories, \[Your Brand\] Partnerships, or \[Your Brand\] Events. Each microsite should be optimized for specific keywords and offer quality content that reinforces a positive brand image.
2. **Use Blogging Platforms Like Medium or WordPress**
High-authority blogging platforms like Medium, Blogger, and WordPress rank well on Google. Write articles about your brand’s values, customer experiences, and achievements on these sites. Each article should link back to your main website or other positive assets.
3. **Focus on Niche Websites**
Consider building websites or pages that target specific audiences. For example, if you have a technology company, you might create a “Tech Tips by \[Your Company\]” website to publish tech guides, tips, and insights, all optimized for your brand name and keywords.
#### Step 5: Contribute to High-Authority Websites
Creating [content on high-authority websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/) is an effective way to establish credibility and push down negative results. These external contributions can generate powerful backlinks that improve your brand’s visibility.
1. **Guest Blogging**
Submit guest posts to reputable websites related to your industry. Sites like Forbes, Entrepreneur, and industry-specific blogs often accept guest contributions from experts. Contributing to these platforms allows you to promote your brand and generate links back to your positive assets.
2. **Publish on Medium and LinkedIn Articles**
Medium and LinkedIn are great platforms for publishing industry insights, articles, and thought leadership pieces. These platforms have high domain authority, and articles posted there often rank well on Google.
3. **Utilize Q&A Platforms like Quora and Reddit**
Answer questions related to your expertise on Quora, Reddit, and similar platforms. Provide thoughtful, valuable responses while subtly linking to your website or other positive content. This builds authority and can help you rank well for niche search terms.
#### Step 6: Generate Backlinks from Owned and External Sites
Backlinks are a crucial factor in search engine ranking, so generating quality backlinks to your positive content can help suppress negative results.
1. **Interlinking Between Owned Sites**
If you have multiple websites, interlink them to improve the authority of each. For example, link your blog posts to your main website, microsites, and social profiles. These internal links strengthen your network and make it easier for search engines to identify relevant content.
2. **Outreach to Bloggers and Industry Influencers**
Partner with bloggers, journalists, and influencers to create content that links back to your positive assets. Reach out to industry sites, news outlets, and influencers who might share your content or feature a link to your website. Guest posts, interviews, and reviews on external sites can generate high-quality backlinks to your primary site.
3. **Leverage Press Release Distribution Services**
Use PR distribution services like PRWeb or Business Wire to disseminate positive news about your business. Press releases can create backlinks to your website from high-authority news sites and increase the visibility of positive content.
#### Step 7: Optimize for Featured Snippets and Keyword Variations
Featured snippets and other “position zero” content on Google often dominate the top of search results, providing an opportunity to outrank negative content.
1. **Use Structured Data for Featured Snippets**
Structured data, also known as schema markup, helps Google understand your content better, increasing your chances of appearing in featured snippets. Use schema markup for common questions related to your business, such as “What does \[Your Business\] offer?” or “Is \[Your Business\] reliable?”
2. **Optimize for Voice Search Keywords**
Voice search is increasingly popular, and voice queries often trigger featured snippets. Focus on question-based, conversational keywords like “Who is \[Your Name\]?” or “What services does \[Your Business\] provide?” Voice-optimized content can appear in snippets, improving visibility for positive results.
3. **Target Different Keyword Variations**
Experiment with keyword variations and long-tail phrases to capture diverse search traffic. For example, if “\[Your Business\] complaints” ranks poorly, create content targeting “\[Your Business\] customer testimonials” or “\[Your Business\] case studies.”
## Case Study: Successful Suppression of Negative Search Results
To illustrate how these strategies work in practice, let’s examine a case study of a small business client we successfully helped suppress search results and restore its online reputation.
#### Background
A small financial consulting firm, “FinanceExperts LLC,” experienced negative press due to a single unsatisfied client who left a series of poor reviews and comments across review platforms, social media, and industry forums. These negative results ranked prominently on Google and significantly impacted the company’s ability to attract new clients.
#### Step-by-Step Suppression Strategy
1. **Keyword Research and Sentiment Analysis**
FinanceExperts LLC first conducted keyword research to identify search terms associated with negative results. Terms like “FinanceExperts LLC reviews” and “FinanceExperts LLC complaints” consistently triggered the negative content. This initial research helped them identify priority keywords and develop a content strategy around positive alternatives, such as “FinanceExperts LLC success stories” and “FinanceExperts LLC customer testimonials.”
2. **Optimizing Owned Content**
The company revamped its website to improve on-page SEO and added a dedicated “Customer Success Stories” page. This page featured positive testimonials and case studies from satisfied clients. Additionally, FinanceExperts LLC launched a blog where they regularly published articles on financial planning tips, investment strategies, and tax advice. These articles targeted specific keywords that directly competed with negative search terms.
3. **Building Authority with Social Media and Content Sharing**
FinanceExperts LLC created and optimized profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. The firm shared blog articles, customer testimonials, and industry news across these platforms. They also created a YouTube channel for video testimonials and financial advice segments, which quickly gained traction and began ranking in Google results.
4. **Publishing Guest Posts and Backlink Building**
FinanceExperts LLC’s team reached out to industry publications and finance blogs to publish guest articles under the company’s name. Each guest post linked back to the “Customer Success Stories” page, generating authoritative backlinks and reinforcing positive content in search results. They also partnered with local news outlets and industry blogs to publish press releases about awards, new hires, and community involvement.
5. **Targeting Featured Snippets and Voice Search**
They implemented structured data on their website for FAQs like “Why choose FinanceExperts LLC?” and “What do clients say about FinanceExperts LLC?” Targeting these question-based queries helped them secure featured snippets for relevant terms, further pushing down negative results.
6. **Monitoring and Adjusting Content Strategy**
FinanceExperts LLC set up Google Alerts and SEMrush tracking to monitor new mentions. The company continued to adjust its content strategy based on search trends, publishing new content as needed to maintain control over its online reputation.
#### Results
Within six months, FinanceExperts LLC achieved significant improvements in its online reputation:
- Negative reviews and complaints were pushed to the second and third pages of Google, where they were far less visible to potential clients.
- Positive search results—including their website, blog articles, social media profiles, and guest posts—dominated the first page.
- The company saw a 40% increase in client inquiries after their reputation was restored, validating the effectiveness of their suppression strategy.
This case study shows how consistent, targeted efforts can help [businesses regain control of their online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/) image and maintain a positive digital footprint.
## Long-Term Monitoring & Proactive Reputation Management
Suppressing negative search results is not a one-time effort. Once a positive online presence has been established, it’s essential to continue monitoring and managing it. Proactive reputation management helps prevent new negative content from gaining visibility and ensures that positive results continue to dominate.
#### Monitoring Tools and Alerts
1. **Google Alerts for Regular Monitoring**
Set up Google Alerts for your name, business name, or specific keywords related to your brand. Google will notify you whenever new content with these terms is published, allowing you to respond quickly to any negative mentions.
2. **Brand Mention Tools**
Use brand monitoring tools like Mention, Brand24, or Social Mention to track references to your name or brand across the web and social media. These tools provide insights into the sentiment and context of mentions, making it easier to address concerns as they arise.
3. **SEO and Reputation Management Software**
Tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz allow you to monitor keyword rankings, track backlinks, and analyze your search visibility. By keeping track of where your brand ranks for specific terms, you can assess the effectiveness of your suppression efforts and make adjustments as needed.
#### Ongoing Content Creation and Engagement
1. **Maintain a Content Calendar**
Develop a content calendar to consistently publish fresh, relevant content on your website and blog. Focus on topics that resonate with your audience and align with positive keywords. Regularly updating your website signals to Google that your content is current and valuable, helping maintain its high rank.
2. **Continue Building Backlinks**
Regular backlink-building helps sustain the authority of your website and keeps positive content ranking well. Reach out to industry publications, collaborate on content with partners, and share new blog posts or press releases with high-authority sites.
3. **Engage with Reviews and Feedback**
Stay active on review platforms by responding to both positive and negative feedback. A professional, respectful response to negative reviews shows that you are responsive to concerns, which can help mitigate the impact of negative comments. For positive reviews, express gratitude and encourage satisfied clients to leave testimonials.
4. **Expand Content Channels**
To further bolster your online presence, consider diversifying the content you create. This could include:
- **Video Content**: Continue posting videos on YouTube or Vimeo and embed them on your website.
- **Podcasts**: Hosting a podcast on industry topics allows you to reach new audiences and improve your authority.
- **Infographics and Visual Content**: Visual content shared on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook can rank highly in image search results, increasing your positive reach.
#### Periodic Reputation Audits
1. **Quarterly or Annual Reputation Audits**
Conduct regular audits of your online presence to evaluate your search results. Review the first few pages of Google for your name or business to assess any changes in rankings. Identify any new negative results and act swiftly to address them.
2. **Adjust SEO Strategy as Needed**
Trends in search engine algorithms and keyword popularity change over time. Revisit your keyword strategy periodically to ensure your positive content remains optimized for relevant terms.
3. **Partner with a Reputation Management Professional**
For ongoing support or complex reputation challenges, consider partnering with a reputation management professional or agency. These experts specialize in suppressing negative content, building a positive digital footprint, and providing customized strategies to maintain your brand’s image.
By following these long-term reputation management practices, you can maintain control over your online presence and prevent potential issues from arising. Proactive engagement, regular monitoring, and a strategic content plan are the keys to sustaining a positive online reputation.
## Conclusion: Achieving a Positive Digital Footprint
A well-maintained online reputation is a powerful asset that can drive personal and professional success. Suppressing or removing negative search results requires a blend of strategic SEO, consistent content creation, and proactive monitoring. By following the comprehensive steps in this guide, you can take control of your online narrative, promote positive content, and ensure that your digital footprint reflects the best of your brand.
Achieving a positive digital footprint is an ongoing process. It requires diligence, adaptability, and a commitment to consistently publishing valuable content. Whether you’re an individual looking to improve your personal brand or a business seeking to attract customers, taking control of your search results will strengthen trust and enhance your credibility.
## Get Expert Assistance with Negative Search Result Suppression
For complex cases, working with an online reputation management (ORM) expert or agency can help you efficiently manage negative search results.
By partnering with an ORM expert like me, you’ll gain the benefit of a customized approach that is specifically tailored to your reputation needs. Here’s what I offer to ensure your digital footprint is as strong and positive as possible:
- **Tailored Suppression Strategy**: I develop a personalized suppression strategy that aligns with your goals, whether it’s pushing down negative results, building positive visibility, or both.
- **Continuous Monitoring and Alerts**: I provide round-the-clock monitoring and alerts, so you’re always aware of new content about your name or brand. This proactive approach allows us to act swiftly to manage any emerging issues.
- **High-Quality Content Creation and Distribution**: From blogs and social media to press releases and guest articles, I create and distribute strategic, high-ranking content across multiple platforms to fill search results with positive, relevant information.
- **Legal and Technical Expertise**: I assist with complex removals, including those that may require legal expertise for defamation or privacy issues.
If you’re ready to remove negative search results and achieve lasting, positive results, [reach out today](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact"). With my support, you can leave the stress of online reputation management behind and focus on what matters most: growing and strengthening your brand. Let’s work together to build a digital presence that truly reflects your value.
**Categories:** Online Reputation Management
---
### [How to Automate WordPress Backups with UpdraftPlus](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-automate-wordpress-backups-with-updraftplus/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Backing up your WordPress website is crucial for protecting your content, data, and design from unexpected issues like hacks, server crashes, or accidental deletions. UpdraftPlus, one of the most popular WordPress backup plugins, allows you to automate backups easily and ensure your site stays secure.
In this guide, I will cover everything you need to know about setting up automated WordPress backups using UpdraftPlus, from installation to configuration and restoration.
**Unlock Your WordPress Site’s Full Potential!**
Struggling with maintenance & performance issues? Let me help.
[Reach out today!](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact me")
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Choose UpdraftPlus?](#Why_Choose_UpdraftPlus)
- [Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Configuring Automated Backups with UpdraftPlus](#Step-by-Step_Walkthrough_Configuring_Automated_Backups_with_UpdraftPlus)
- [1. Installing UpdraftPlus](#1_Installing_UpdraftPlus)
- [2. Setting Up Automated Backups](#2_Setting_Up_Automated_Backups)
- [3. Choosing a Remote Storage Location](#3_Choosing_a_Remote_Storage_Location)
- [4. Manual Backup for Testing](#4_Manual_Backup_for_Testing)
- [5. Enabling Notifications](#5_Enabling_Notifications)
- [6. Restoring a Backup](#6_Restoring_a_Backup)
- [Advanced Tips for Using UpdraftPlus](#Advanced_Tips_for_Using_UpdraftPlus)
- [1. Use Incremental Backups (Premium Feature)](#1_Use_Incremental_Backups_Premium_Feature)
- [2. Optimize Your Backup Strategy](#2_Optimize_Your_Backup_Strategy)
- [3. Monitor Backup Logs](#3_Monitor_Backup_Logs)
- [4. Exclude Large Files](#4_Exclude_Large_Files)
- [Troubleshooting Common Backup Issues](#Troubleshooting_Common_Backup_Issues)
- [1. Backup Fails Midway](#1_Backup_Fails_Midway)
- [2. Remote Storage Errors](#2_Remote_Storage_Errors)
- [3. File Permissions Issues](#3_File_Permissions_Issues)
## Why Choose UpdraftPlus?
UpdraftPlus stands out due to its reliability, flexibility, and ease of use. Here’s why it’s a great choice:
1. **Ease of Use**: The plugin offers a simple interface for beginners and advanced users alike.
2. **Automation**: Schedule automatic backups with custom frequency options.
3. **Cloud Storage Integration**: Supports services like Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more.
4. **One-Click Restore**: Easily restore your site from saved backups.
5. **Free and Premium Options**: The free version is powerful, while the premium version adds features like incremental backups and multisite support.
## Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Configuring Automated Backups with UpdraftPlus
### 1. **Installing UpdraftPlus**
1. **Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard**:
- Navigate to **Plugins > Add New**.
2. **Search for UpdraftPlus**:
- In the search bar, type *UpdraftPlus* and click **Install Now** next to the plugin.
3. **Activate the Plugin**:
- Once installed, click **Activate** to enable it.
### 2. **Setting Up Automated Backups**
Once the plugin is activated, it’s time to configure your backup settings.
#### Access the UpdraftPlus Settings
1. Go to **Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups**.
2. You’ll see the main control panel for UpdraftPlus.
#### Configure Backup Schedule
1. **Set the Backup Frequency**:
- Under the **Settings** tab, choose how often you want to back up your files and database:
- **Files Backup Schedule**: Options include daily, weekly, fortnightly, etc.
- **Database Backup Schedule**: Typically, the database is backed up more frequently (e.g., daily or hourly).
**Tip**: If you update your site regularly, choose a daily backup schedule. For static sites, a weekly schedule might suffice.
2. **Retain Backups**:
- Decide how many backups you want to keep. For example, retain the last three to five backups to save storage space.
### 3. **Choosing a Remote Storage Location**
Storing backups offsite ensures they remain safe even if your server encounters issues.
1. In the **Settings** tab, scroll to the **Remote Storage** section.
2. Select your preferred storage option:
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Amazon S3
- FTP/SFTP
- OneDrive
- Email (for smaller backups)
3. **Authenticate with the Service**:
- Click the storage option to configure it. For example:
- For **Google Drive**, click the link to authenticate UpdraftPlus with your Google account.
- Follow the instructions to give access and save the settings.
4. **Test the Connection**:
- After setup, click **Save Changes** and test the connection to ensure backups will be sent to your remote storage.
### 4. **Manual Backup for Testing**
Before relying on automation, create a manual backup to confirm everything works.
1. Go to the **Backup/Restore** tab.
2. Click **Backup Now**.
3. Choose whether to include:
- Files
- Database
4. Click **Backup Now** to initiate the process.
5. Once completed, verify the backup is saved in your remote storage location.
### 5. **Enabling Notifications**
Get email notifications for successful or failed backups.
1. Go to **Settings > Advanced Tools**.
2. Enable email reporting to monitor backup statuses.
### 6. **Restoring a Backup**
If something goes wrong with your website, restoring from a backup is easy:
1. Go to the **Backup/Restore** tab in UpdraftPlus.
2. Locate the backup you want to restore (date and content are listed).
3. Click **Restore** and select the components to restore:
- Database
- Plugins
- Themes
- Uploads
- Others
4. Confirm the restoration process.
## Advanced Tips for Using UpdraftPlus
### 1. **Use Incremental Backups (Premium Feature)**
For large sites, UpdraftPlus Premium offers incremental backups. Instead of saving the entire site, it backs up only the changes since the last backup, saving time and storage.
### 2. **Optimize Your Backup Strategy**
- Back up files and databases separately for better flexibility.
- Use multiple storage locations for added security (e.g., Google Drive + Dropbox).
### 3. **Monitor Backup Logs**
Check logs after each backup to ensure the process completed successfully. You can find logs in the **Existing Backups** section.
### 4. **Exclude Large Files**
If your media library is huge, exclude non-essential files from backups. This can save storage and speed up the process.
## Troubleshooting Common Backup Issues
### 1. **Backup Fails Midway**
- Check if your server has sufficient resources (memory or disk space).
- Break large backups into smaller chunks using the advanced settings.
### 2. **Remote Storage Errors**
- Ensure correct authentication.
- Check storage limits on your chosen cloud service.
### 3. **File Permissions Issues**
- Verify correct permissions (usually 755 for directories and 644 for files).
UpdraftPlus makes WordPress backups simple, efficient, and secure. By following this step-by-step guide, you can automate your backups and focus on growing your website without worrying about data loss.
If you’re ready to [safeguard your WordPress site](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-a-free-wordpress-security-plugin/ "How to Set Up a Free WordPress Security Plugin"), install UpdraftPlus today and configure your automated backups in just a few clicks. A secure site is just a backup away!
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** WordPress Backup
---
### [Local SEO for Lawyers: The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Local Search](https://azibyaqoob.com/local-seo-for-lawyers-the-ultimate-guide-to-dominating-local-search/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Local SEO for lawyers is the key to attracting clients right in your area. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or part of a large law firm, optimizing your online presence for local searches ensures potential clients can find you when they need legal services. In this guide, we’ll cover proven strategies to help your law firm dominate the local pack and stand out in your community.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Local SEO Matters for Lawyers](#Why_Local_SEO_Matters_for_Lawyers)
- [The Difference Between Local SEO and Organic SEO](#The_Difference_Between_Local_SEO_and_Organic_SEO)
- [How to Rank Your Law Firm in Local Search](#How_to_Rank_Your_Law_Firm_in_Local_Search)
- [Action Plan for Lawyer Local SEO Success](#Action_Plan_for_Lawyer_Local_SEO_Success)
### Why Local SEO Matters for Lawyers
For law firms, winning local clients isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. If you’re a lawyer serving a specific area, it’s vital to ensure your firm shows up in local [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Export Google Search Results to Excel?"). Local SEO is the game-changer that puts your firm in front of potential clients searching for legal services near them.
Did you know?
- **44% of clicks go to local pack results.**
- **93% of local searches display a map pack first.**
- Businesses in the local pack see up to a **400% increase in views.**
If you’re not leveraging local SEO, you’re leaving potential clients—and revenue—on the table.
If you want an expert to help you get the results faster, check out my [affordable seo services for law firms.](https://azibyaqoob.com/law-firms/ "Affordable Law Firm SEO Services")
### The Difference Between Local SEO and Organic SEO
**Organic SEO** focuses on ranking your website for broader, keyword-based searches. Think “family lawyer” or “divorce attorney.”
**Local SEO**, on the other hand, zeroes in on location-based searches like “personal injury lawyer near me” or “Dallas criminal defense attorney.” Local SEO is your golden ticket to [dominating searches](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove & Suppress Negative Search Results") where location matters most.
### How to Rank Your Law Firm in Local Search
#### 1. Optimize Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile
Your GMB profile is the foundation of your [local SEO strategy](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-yoast-seo-for-local-businesses/ "How to Set Up Yoast SEO for Local Businesses"). Here’s how to make it shine:
- **Verify your GMB account.**
- **Complete every section:** Add your business name, address, phone number (NAP), website link, hours, and holiday hours.
- **Use all 750 characters in the “From the Business” section.** Sprinkle in your keywords like “lawyer local SEO” naturally.
- **Select accurate categories:** Include specific services like “personal injury lawyer” or “criminal defense attorney.”
- **Upload high-quality images regularly:** Showcase your office, team, or community events.
- **Encourage and respond to reviews:** Positive reviews boost your prominence in local rankings.
#### 2. Dominate the Local Pack with Relevance, Distance, and Prominence
Google uses three criteria to rank businesses in local search:
- **Relevance:** Make sure your website and GMB profile match the intent of the search query.
- **Distance:** Include location-specific keywords to match searchers near you.
- **Prominence:** Build a [strong online presence](https://azibyaqoob.com/proven-reputation-management-guide-build-your-business-or-brand-reputation/ "Proven Reputation Management Guide: Build Your Business or Brand Reputation") through reviews, local backlinks, and consistent NAP citations.
#### 3. Create Locally Optimized Content
Craft content that speaks directly to your target audience. For example:
- Blog posts like “What to Do After a Car Accident in \[Your City\].”
- Service pages targeting specific locations, e.g., “Family Lawyer in Miami.”
- FAQs that address common legal questions for your region.
Use location [keywords ](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the Best Way to Find Out Valuable Keywords for SEO?")naturally in headers, subheaders, and throughout your content.
#### 4. Get Local Backlinks
Links from local organizations, directories, and news outlets can dramatically boost your rankings. Strategies include:
- Sponsoring local events or charities.
- Joining local chambers of commerce.
- Guest blogging on local websites.
#### 5. Leverage Community Engagement
Show Google you’re an active participant in your community. Highlight your involvement on a dedicated page showcasing:
- Pro bono work.
- Sponsorships.
- Volunteer activities.
Not only does this help with SEO, but it also builds trust with potential clients.
#### 6. Optimize for Mobile and Local Search
The majority of local searches happen on mobile devices. Ensure your site:
- Loads quickly (under 3 seconds).
- Is mobile-friendly with responsive design.
- Includes click-to-call buttons for easy contact.
#### 7. Use Schema Markup
Local business schema helps Google understand your site better. Include:
- Your NAP data.
- Hours of operation.
- Reviews and ratings.
### Action Plan for Lawyer Local SEO Success
1. Set up and optimize your GMB profile.
2. Focus on creating localized, client-focused content.
3. Build local backlinks and citations.
4. Highlight community involvement on your site.
5. Continuously gather and respond to reviews.
By implementing these strategies, your law firm can dominate local search results and connect with clients who are ready to hire you.
Ready to take your law firm’s online presence to the next level? [**Contact me**](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact") for a free consultation and see how local SEO can bring clients to your door.
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** local seo
---
### [NitroPack vs. LiteSpeed Cache: Which is Better For You?](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-litespeed-cache-which-is-better-for-you/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Nitropack and Litespeed both aim to speed up websites, but they take different routes. Nitropack focuses on tweaking things on the client side, while Litespeed works on improving the performance of the server side.
In this post, I will compare NitroPack vs. LiteSpeed performance, usability, features, and pricing. After reading this post, you will be able to make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Performance](#Performance)
- [Usability](#Usability)
- [Features](#Features)
- [Compatibility](#Compatibility)
- [Cost](#Cost)
- [Customer Support](#Customer_Support)
- [Pros and Cons of NitroPack](#Pros_and_Cons_of_NitroPack)
- [Pros and Cons of LiteSpeed](#Pros_and_Cons_of_LiteSpeed)
## Performance
NitroPack uses various techniques such as [image optimization](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality?"), code minification, and lazy loading to boost website speed. Recently, NitroPack has introduced new widgets, more statistics, and in-depth information on its dashboard.
LiteSpeed, on the other hand, utilizes server-level caching and optimization to deliver lightning-fast performance. LiteSpeed Web Server has added chunked encoding support for proxying request body to backend, cache vary on request header value.
We recently compared [Litespeed with WP Optimize](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-optimize-vs-litespeed-cache-which-is-the-best/ "WP-Optimize vs LiteSpeed Cache: Which is the Best?"), and the results may surprise you.
### Cache Management
NitroPack offers comprehensive cache management tools, allowing users to fine-tune caching settings for optimal performance. NitroPack ensures a high cache hit ratio with advanced features like smart cache invalidation, automatic cache warmup, device and cookie-aware caching, and browser and session-aware caching.
LiteSpeed’s caching mechanism operates at the server level, ensuring efficient utilization of resources and [minimal latency](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?"). However, they have a WordPress caching plugin which you can use to enable many caching features similar to what you get if you purchase NitroPack.
## Usability
NitroPack boasts a user-friendly installation process, with simple setup instructions and intuitive configuration options. NitroPack provides a sleek and user-friendly interface, enabling users to monitor performance metrics and tweak settings effortlessly.
LiteSpeed’s installation may require more technical know-how, but its extensive documentation helps streamline the process. LiteSpeed offers a feature-rich interface with advanced customization options, catering to the needs of experienced users.
## Features
Here are some key features each caching plugin has to offer:
FeaturesNitroPackLiteSpeedServer-side cachingYesYesObject cachingNoYesPrivate [cache for logged-in users](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-serve-cache-for-logged-in-users-in-wordpress/ "How to Serve Cache for Logged-In Users in WordPress?")NoYesCaching of WordPress REST API callsNoYesSeparate caching of desktop and mobile viewsNoYesAbility to schedule purge for specified URLsNoYesWooCommerce and bbPress supportNoYesSmart cache invalidationYesNoAutomatic cache warmupYesNoDevice and cookie-aware cachingYesNoBrowser and session-aware cachingYesNoImage optimizationYesYesCDN compatibilityYesYesDatabase optimizationsNoYesQUIC.cloud CDN Auto IntegrationNoYesHTTP/2 Push for CSS/JSNoYesDNS PrefetchNoYesCloudflare APINoYesSingle Site and Multisite (Network) supportNoYesImport/Export settingsNoYesAttractive, easy-to-understand interfaceNoYesWebP image format supportNoYesHeartbeat controlNoYes**Key Features of NitroPack**
- Automatic optimization of images, CSS, and JavaScript
- Support for Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
- Advanced cache invalidation mechanisms
- New widgets, more statistics, and in-depth information on its dashboard
**Key features of LiteSpeed**
- Server-level caching for maximum efficiency
- Built-in image optimization and compression
- Support for HTTP/2 and QUIC protocols
- Chunked encoding support for proxying request body to backend
- Cache vary on request header value
## Compatibility
NitroPack is compatible with various Content Management Systems (CMS) including WordPress, Magento, and Shopify. NitroPack offers integration with a wide range of third-party plugins and extensions, allowing users to enhance functionality without compromising performance.
LiteSpeed integrates seamlessly with popular web servers like Apache and Nginx, ensuring compatibility across different environments. LiteSpeed’s ecosystem includes plugins for popular CMS platforms, enabling seamless integration with existing workflows.
## Cost
### NitroPack
NitroPack offers flexible pricing plans tailored to the needs of different users, with options for both individuals and businesses. Plans range from basic packages suitable for small websites to enterprise-grade solutions with advanced features. They offer free NitroPack WordPress plugin.
### LiteSpeed
LiteSpeed offers tiered pricing plans based on server specifications and usage requirements. While initial costs may be higher, LiteSpeed’s efficient caching mechanisms can lead to significant long-term savings by reducing server load and bandwidth usage. Litespeed also offers a free LiteSpeed [WordPress caching plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Best WordPress Caching Plugins to Improve Your Site Speed").
## Customer Support
### Support Channels Available
NitroPack provides comprehensive customer support via email, live chat, and a knowledge base, ensuring prompt assistance for any issues or queries. LiteSpeed offers similar support channels, with dedicated forums and community-driven resources for additional assistance.
### Response Time
Both NitroPack and LiteSpeed boast quick response times, with dedicated support teams available to address any technical issues or concerns promptly.
## Pros and Cons of NitroPack
**Pros:**
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive optimization features
- Wide compatibility with popular CMS platforms
**Cons:**
- Limited customization options for advanced users
- Pricing may be expensive for smaller websites
## Pros and Cons of LiteSpeed
**Pros:**
- Server-level caching for maximum efficiency
- Seamless integration with existing infrastructure
- Extensive documentation and support resources
**Cons:**
- Steeper learning curve for installation and configuration
- Initial costs may be higher compared to other solutions
In conclusion, both NitroPack and LiteSpeed offer irresistible solutions for optimizing website performance. NitroPack shine in simplicity and ease of use, making it an ideal choice for beginners and small businesses.
On the other hand, LiteSpeed’s server-level caching and advanced optimization features help the needs of larger enterprises and experienced users. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your specific requirements and technical expertise.
**FAQs**
**What is NitroPack?** [NitroPack](https://wordpress.org/plugins/nitropack/) is a performance optimization tool designed to enhance website speed and performance through various techniques such as image optimization and code minification.
**What is LiteSpeed?**[ LiteSpeed](https://wordpress.org/plugins/litespeed-cache/) is a high-performance web server software known for its efficient caching mechanisms and server-level optimization capabilities.
**Which is better for improving website speed, NitroPack or LiteSpeed?** Both NitroPack and LiteSpeed offer effective solutions for improving website speed, but the choice depends on factors such as technical expertise and specific requirements.
**Can I use NitroPack and LiteSpeed together?** While NitroPack and LiteSpeed serve similar purposes, using them together may result in conflicts or redundant optimizations. It’s advisable to choose one based on your needs and preferences.
**Are there any alternatives to NitroPack and LiteSpeed?** Yes, there are several alternatives to NitroPack and LiteSpeed, including other caching plugins, CDN services, and server-level optimization tools. One such alternative is [WP Rocket](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which is Faster?"), which we have previously compared with NitroPack in detail. If you’re considering other caching plugins for your website, you may find our comparison of [WP Super Cache vs. WP Fastest Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs. Fastest Cache: Which is Better?") insightful.
1.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Caching, Image compression, Speed optimization, WordPress
---
### [Dofollow Backlinks: The Key to Top Google Rankings](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Backlinks are the lifeline of SEO. Among them, *dofollow backlinks* stand out as a crucial factor in determining a website’s ranking potential. But what exactly is a dofollow backlink? How do they differ from nofollow links, and most importantly, how can you leverage them to improve your website’s visibility?
This comprehensive guide is here to demystify dofollow backlinks, explain their impact on SEO, and walk you through actionable strategies to build high-quality links that drive results. Whether you’re an SEO beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find value in these tried-and-true methods.
#### What is a dofollow backlink?
A dofollow backlink is a hyperlink that passes SEO value, often referred to as “link juice,” from one webpage to another. It signals to search engines that the linked content is trustworthy and relevant, boosting the target page’s authority and ranking.
##### **Dofollow Backlink Example:**
```
Example Keyword
```
##### **Nofollow Backlink Example:**
```
Example Keyword
```
The difference lies in the `rel="nofollow"` attribute. Without it, search engines “follow” the link, passing authority. With it, they don’t.
Now that we have covered our basic concept of dofollow and [nofollow links](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide"). Let’s see how do they influence search rankings.
#### **Why Are Dofollow Backlinks Important?**
1. **Boost Search Rankings:**
Dofollow links improve your website’s ranking potential by showing search engines that other sites vouch for your content.
2. **Transfer Domain Authority (DA):**
Links from high-DA sites pass a portion of their authority to your site, improving your trustworthiness.
3. **Increase Organic Traffic:**
Ranking higher in [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove & Suppress Negative Search Results") due to dofollow links brings in more organic visitors.
4. **Improves Indexing:**
Search engines use these links to [discover and index new pages](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?") on your site faster.
#### **How to Identify Dofollow Links**
[](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/check-my-links/ojkcdipcgfaekbeaelaapakgnjflfglf?hl=en-GB)
To confirm whether a link is dofollow:
1. **Inspect the HTML Code:** Right-click on the link, choose *Inspect Element*, and look for the absence of the `rel="nofollow"` attribute.
2. **Use SEO Tools:** Extensions like **Check My Links** or tools like **Ahrefs** quickly identify link types on any webpage.
#### **How to Build High-Quality Dofollow Backlinks**
1. **Guest Blogging**
- Reach out to industry blogs offering valuable, high-quality guest posts.
- Include contextual dofollow links to your site.
2. **Broken Link Building**
- Use tools like Ahrefs to [find broken links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?") on high-authority sites.
- Offer your content as a replacement.
3. **Link Reclamation**
- Use tools like Google Alerts or Mention to track unlinked brand mentions.
- Reach out to site owners and request a proper dofollow backlink.
4. **Content Marketing**
- Create linkable assets such as infographics, detailed guides, or case studies.
- [Promote them](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online") to attract natural backlinks.
5. **Directory Submissions**
- Submit your website to high-quality niche directories.
- Avoid spammy or irrelevant directories.
6. **Competitor Backlink Analysis**
- Use SEMrush or Ahrefs to analyze competitors’ backlinks.
- Reach out to the same sources to build your links.
7. **HARO (Help a Reporter Out)**
- Respond to journalist queries with expert insights.
- Gain backlinks from reputable sites.
#### **Dofollow vs. Nofollow: What’s the Difference?**
Feature**Dofollow Links****Nofollow Links****SEO Impact**Passes link equity to target pagesDoes not pass link equity**Crawling**Search engines follow these linksSearch engines ignore these links**Primary Use**Building authority and rankingsDiversifying link profiles, preventing spamBoth link types play an essential role in maintaining a natural backlink profile.
#### **The Role of Anchor Text**
Anchor text is the clickable part of a hyperlink, and its optimization is critical. Ensure your anchor text:
- Is relevant to the linked content.
- Avoids over-optimization (e.g., repetitive exact-match keywords).
- Mixes branded, generic, and long-tail anchors for a natural profile.
#### **Common Link-Building Mistakes to Avoid**
1. **Using Link Farms:**
Never buy links from spammy websites or link farms. Google penalizes such practices.
2. **Over-Optimizing Anchor Text:**
Repeated exact-match anchors may trigger a Google penalty.
3. **Ignoring Nofollow Links:**
While they don’t pass link equity, nofollow links can drive referral traffic and diversify your backlink profile.
4. **Prioritizing Quantity Over Quality:**
Focus on fewer, high-quality backlinks from authoritative sites rather than mass-producing low-quality links.
#### **Advanced Tools for Link Building**
- **Ahrefs:** Track backlinks, analyze competitors, and find opportunities.
- **SEMrush:** Perform deep competitor research to uncover their link sources.
- **BuzzSumo:** Identify popular content in your niche and outreach for links.
- **Moz Link Explorer:** Analyze your backlink profile and find opportunities.
#### **Conclusion**
Dofollow backlinks are the cornerstone of a strong SEO strategy. They enhance your website’s authority, rankings, and visibility when built effectively. By following the strategies outlined here, you can create a sustainable link-building approach that delivers results.
Remember, the key is quality over quantity. Focus on relevant, authoritative backlinks that genuinely add value to your site and audience.
If you’re ready to take your SEO to the next level, **[get in touch today](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact")** and start building powerful backlinks!
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Set Up a Free WordPress Security Plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-a-free-wordpress-security-plugin/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of websites. However, its popularity makes it a prime target for hackers. To keep your site safe, setting up a free WordPress security plugin is one of the best steps you can take. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about choosing, installing, and configuring a free WordPress security plugin to protect your site effectively.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Your WordPress Site Needs a Security Plugin](#Why_Your_WordPress_Site_Needs_a_Security_Plugin)
- [Best Free WordPress Security Plugins](#Best_Free_WordPress_Security_Plugins)
- [Step 1: Install the Wordfence Security Plugin](#Step_1_Install_the_Wordfence_Security_Plugin)
- [1. Access the WordPress Dashboard](#1_Access_the_WordPress_Dashboard)
- [2. Search for Wordfence](#2_Search_for_Wordfence)
- [3. Install and Activate](#3_Install_and_Activate)
- [Step 2: Initial Configuration](#Step_2_Initial_Configuration)
- [1. Set Up Wordfence](#1_Set_Up_Wordfence)
- [2. Dashboard Overview](#2_Dashboard_Overview)
- [Step 3: Configure the Firewall](#Step_3_Configure_the_Firewall)
- [1. Enable the Firewall](#1_Enable_the_Firewall)
- [2. Block Malicious IPs](#2_Block_Malicious_IPs)
- [Step 4: Perform a Malware Scan](#Step_4_Perform_a_Malware_Scan)
- [1. Run a Manual Scan](#1_Run_a_Manual_Scan)
- [2. Review Scan Results](#2_Review_Scan_Results)
- [Step 5: Harden Your WordPress Site](#Step_5_Harden_Your_WordPress_Site)
- [1. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)](#1_Two-Factor_Authentication_2FA)
- [2. Disable XML-RPC](#2_Disable_XML-RPC)
- [3. Limit Login Attempts](#3_Limit_Login_Attempts)
- [Step 6: Set Up Email Alerts](#Step_6_Set_Up_Email_Alerts)
- [1. Configure Email Alerts](#1_Configure_Email_Alerts)
- [Step 7: Test Your Security Setup](#Step_7_Test_Your_Security_Setup)
- [1. Check Firewall Functionality](#1_Check_Firewall_Functionality)
- [2. Test Login Security](#2_Test_Login_Security)
- [Step 8: Maintain Your Security](#Step_8_Maintain_Your_Security)
- [1. Update Plugins and Themes](#1_Update_Plugins_and_Themes)
- [2. Schedule Regular Scans](#2_Schedule_Regular_Scans)
- [3. Backup Your Site](#3_Backup_Your_Site)
- [Common Mistakes to Avoid](#Common_Mistakes_to_Avoid)
## **Why Your WordPress Site Needs a Security Plugin**
WordPress sites face threats like brute force attacks, malware infections, and spam. While WordPress itself offers a secure foundation, it’s essential to bolster your defenses with a dedicated security plugin. Here’s why:
- **Prevent Unauthorized Access**: Security plugins can block malicious login attempts.
- **Detect Malware**: Regular scans ensure your site stays free from harmful files.
- **Stop Spam Attacks**: They protect [contact forms](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-contact-form-7s-persistent-ajax-loading-spinner-issue/ "How to Fix Contact Form 7’s Persistent Ajax Loading Spinner Issue") and comments from bots.
- **Harden Core Features**: Security plugins improve default WordPress security settings.
## **Best Free WordPress Security Plugins**
Before diving into the setup, let’s explore some popular free WordPress security plugins. These plugins provide excellent protection at no cost:
1. **Wordfence Security**: Offers a firewall, malware scanner, and real-time threat monitoring.
2. **Sucuri Security**: Features a site firewall, malware scanner, and post-hack recovery tools.
3. **iThemes Security**: Focuses on brute force protection, two-factor authentication, and database backups.
4. **All In One WP Security & Firewall**: A beginner-friendly plugin with features for login security, file monitoring, and firewall rules.
For this guide, we’ll use **Wordfence Security** as it’s one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly plugins.
## **Step 1: Install the Wordfence Security Plugin**
### **1. Access the WordPress Dashboard**
Log in to your WordPress admin panel. From the dashboard, go to **Plugins > Add New**.
### **2. Search for Wordfence**
Type “Wordfence” in the search bar and hit Enter. Locate the **Wordfence Security – Firewall & Malware Scan** plugin in the results.
### **3. Install and Activate**
Click **Install Now** and wait for the installation to complete. Once done, click **Activate** to enable the plugin.
## **Step 2: Initial Configuration**
### **1. Set Up Wordfence**
Once activated, Wordfence will guide you through a setup wizard. Follow these steps:
- **Email Address**: Enter your email to receive security alerts.
- **License Agreement**: Agree to the terms and choose the free plan.
### **2. Dashboard Overview**
After setup, navigate to **Wordfence > Dashboard**. You’ll see a summary of your site’s security status, including threats detected, recent login attempts, and scan results.
## **Step 3: Configure the Firewall**
Wordfence’s firewall protects your site from common threats by filtering malicious traffic.
### **1. Enable the Firewall**
- Go to **Wordfence > Firewall**.
- Click **Optimize Firewall** to configure it for your hosting environment.
- Follow the prompts to download a backup of your `.htaccess` file. Wordfence will automatically optimize the firewall for your server.
### **2. Block Malicious IPs**
- In the firewall settings, enable automatic IP blocking for repeated failed login attempts or known malicious activity.
## **Step 4: Perform a Malware Scan**
Scanning your site regularly helps identify vulnerabilities and malware.
### **1. Run a Manual Scan**
- Navigate to **Wordfence > Scan**.
- Click **Start New Scan** to initiate a full scan.
- The plugin will check core files, themes, plugins, and your [database](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-change-mariadb-to-mysql-in-xampp/ "How to Replace MariaDB with MySQL in XAMPP?") for suspicious changes or malware.
### **2. Review Scan Results**
After the scan, review the results. Wordfence categorizes issues by severity. For any critical issues, click **View Details** to understand the problem and follow the plugin’s recommendations.
## **Step 5: Harden Your WordPress Site**
Wordfence provides several hardening options to improve your site’s security.
### **1. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)**
- Go to **Wordfence > Login Security**.
- Enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of login protection.
### **2. Disable XML-RPC**
This feature is often exploited by hackers for brute force attacks. Disable it under the **Login Security** settings.
### **3. Limit Login Attempts**
Restrict the number of failed login attempts to prevent brute force attacks. Adjust these settings in the **Login Security** tab.
## **Step 6: Set Up Email Alerts**
Stay informed about potential threats with real-time alerts.
### **1. Configure Email Alerts**
- Go to **Wordfence > All Options > Email Alert Preferences**.
- Enable notifications for high-severity issues like failed logins, malware detection, and firewall block events.
## **Step 7: Test Your Security Setup**
Before finalizing, it’s essential to test your security setup.
### **1. Check Firewall Functionality**
Use Wordfence’s **Live Traffic** feature to monitor blocked attempts. This confirms the firewall is working effectively.
### **2. Test Login Security**
Try logging in with incorrect credentials to ensure brute force protection is active.
## **Step 8: Maintain Your Security**
Security isn’t a one-time effort; regular maintenance is crucial.
### **1. Update Plugins and Themes**
Keep your WordPress installation, plugins, and themes up to date to avoid vulnerabilities.
### **2. Schedule Regular Scans**
Configure Wordfence to run automatic scans weekly and review the reports.
### **3. Backup Your Site**
Install a backup plugin to regularly save your site’s data. Wordfence integrates well with backup tools like UpdraftPlus.
## **Common Mistakes to Avoid**
- **Skipping Plugin Updates**: Outdated plugins are a significant security risk.
- **Ignoring Alerts**: Pay attention to email alerts for real-time threats.
- **Overlooking Backups**: Always have a backup plan in case of a cyberattack.
Adding a free WordPress security plugin like Wordfence is one of the best ways to protect your site from cyber threats. By following this guide, you’ve secured your site with a powerful firewall, malware scanner, and additional hardening measures. While free plugins offer robust protection, consider upgrading to premium plans for advanced features as your website grows.
Need expert help with securing your WordPress site? [**Contact me today**](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact") for a consultation!
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** WordPress security
---
### [How to Fix AIOSEO Meta Description Not Updating?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-aioseo-meta-description-not-updating/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Facing issues with your meta descriptions not updating despite using the AIOSEO plugin on your WordPress site? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. In this post, I’ll explore effective solutions to ensure your meta descriptions accurately reflect your content.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Why Aren’t My Meta Descriptions Showing?](#1_Why_Arent_My_Meta_Descriptions_Showing)
- [2. Check Plugin Settings](#2_Check_Plugin_Settings)
- [3. Clear Cache](#3_Clear_Cache)
- [4. Check for Plugin or Theme Conflict](#4_Check_for_Plugin_or_Theme_Conflict)
## 1. Why Aren’t My Meta Descriptions Showing?
This is the most common reason, why you don’t see your entered meta descriptions in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Export Google Search Results to Excel?").
It’s important to understand that search engines, like [Google](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?"), have the final say in what appears in search results.
Despite your efforts, Google may choose to use its own description based on the [search query’s](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?") relevance and your site’s content. Their description may sometimes be more relevant to the searcher than a manually written meta description.
If that’s the case, there’s nothing more you can do. You should optimize and rewrite the meta description that fulfills user’s search intent.
## 2. Check Plugin Settings
When you are new to AIOSEO, you forget that you have given permission to AIOSEO to rewrite every meta description according to your criteria. This could be why your entered meta description is not getting displayed by Google.
You should review the plugin settings thoroughly. Make sure the option to automatically generate descriptions is disabled if you prefer to manually enter descriptions. Verify that your desired meta description is correctly entered for each post or page.
## 3. Clear Cache
Cached content helps websites load faster but can cause issues by not showing the latest updates. Clearing the cache regularly ensures visitors see the last updated version of your site. You can use caching plugins like [NitroPack or WP Rocket](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which is Faster?") to improve your site speed.
Use the plugin’s cache clearing feature in the WordPress dashboard to remove cached data.
Also, if you have server-level caching mechanisms in place, such as [caching plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Best WordPress Caching Plugins to Improve Your Site Speed") or server-side caching services, ensure to clear their caches as well.
By clearing the cache, you’re essentially refreshing your website’s content, ensuring that search engines fetch the latest updates. This helps maintain the accuracy and relevance of your content in [search results,](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/) ultimately improving the user experience for your visitors.
## 4. Check for Plugin or Theme Conflict
When you’re trying to fix problems with the AIOSEO plugin, you should also look for an AIOSEO conflicting plugin or theme. Here’s how you can do it:
1. **Deactivate Other Plugins:** Disable all plugins except ‘All in One SEO’ to see if the issue persists. Reactivate them one by one to identify the conflicting plugin.
2. **Switch to Default Theme:** Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme to rule out theme-related conflicts. If the issue resolves, there may be a compatibility issue with your previous theme.
3. **Identify and Address Conflicts:** Once you’ve identified conflicting plugins or themes, update them to the latest versions. If the problem persists, reach out to their developers for assistance or consider alternative options.
If the issue persists after exhausting troubleshooting steps, seek support. Utilize the plugin’s support forums or documentation. Provide detailed information about your setup to expedite resolution.
By following these comprehensive steps, you can troubleshoot and resolve the ‘All in One SEO’ plugin meta description not updating issue effectively. Remember, systematic troubleshooting and patience are key to achieving desired results.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** AIOSEO, Caching, seo strategy, WordPress
---
### [WP-Optimize vs LiteSpeed Cache: Which is the Best?](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-optimize-vs-litespeed-cache-which-is-the-best/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
When it comes to WordPress optimization, **WP-Optimize** and **LiteSpeed Cache** are two popular plugins used to improve site performance and manage resources. Each offers unique features and optimizations, so choosing between them can feel daunting, especially as both have garnered significant popularity among WordPress site owners and developers alike.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll dive deep into a comparison of WP-Optimize and LiteSpeed Cache. We’ll examine their features, performance impacts, ease of use, compatibility, and pricing to help you decide which is the best choice for your site’s specific needs.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Introduction to WordPress Optimization](#1_Introduction_to_WordPress_Optimization)
- [2. Overview of WP-Optimize](#2_Overview_of_WP-Optimize)
- [3. Overview of LiteSpeed Cache](#3_Overview_of_LiteSpeed_Cache)
- [4. WP-Optimize vs LiteSpeed Cache: Feature Comparison](#4_WP-Optimize_vs_LiteSpeed_Cache_Feature_Comparison)
- [5. Performance Testing: WP-Optimize vs LiteSpeed Cache](#5_Performance_Testing_WP-Optimize_vs_LiteSpeed_Cache)
- [6. Ease of Use](#6_Ease_of_Use)
- [7. Compatibility with Hosting and Themes](#7_Compatibility_with_Hosting_and_Themes)
- [8. Pricing](#8_Pricing)
- [9. Which Should You Choose?](#9_Which_Should_You_Choose)
- [10. Conclusion](#10_Conclusion)
### 1. Introduction to WordPress Optimization
In the competitive landscape of digital content, **website speed** and **performance optimization** are essential for a successful WordPress site. A fast, well-optimized site can improve user experience, SEO ranking, and conversion rates. Without proper optimization, slow page load times can lead to high [bounce rates and reduced](https://azibyaqoob.com/here-is-a-quick-cure-to-reduce-bounce-rate-of-any-website/) search engine rankings.
Both WP-Optimize and LiteSpeed Cache have been designed to address common performance issues on WordPress sites. They help reduce server load, optimize databases, compress images, and[ implement caching](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Top 5 WordPress Caching Plugins for Lightning-Fast Websites"), which together lead to better load times and enhanced performance.
### 2. Overview of WP-Optimize
**WP-Optimize** is a well-established WordPress plugin focusing primarily on database optimization, image compression, and page caching. Known for its user-friendly interface, WP-Optimize enables site owners to clean up unnecessary data and [compress images](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/) efficiently.
#### Key Features of WP-Optimize
1. **Database Optimization**: Cleans up post revisions, spam comments, trash, and other unnecessary data to improve database efficiency.
2. **Image Compression**: Reduces the file size of images without losing quality.
3. **Page Caching**: Stores a static version of pages to reduce server load and improve load times.
4. **Minification and Compression**: Allows HTML, CSS, and JavaScript minification to reduce file sizes.
5. **Lazy Loading**: Improves load times by loading images only when they appear on the screen.
#### Pros and Cons of WP-Optimize
**Pros****Cons**Simple, user-friendly interfaceLimited caching optionsGreat for database optimizationFewer advanced features compared to LiteSpeed CacheEffective image compressionLacks CDN integrationWorks with most hosting environmentsFree version lacks some featuresWP-Optimize is known for its **ease of use** and a well-rounded feature set that doesn’t overwhelm the user. Its primary focus is on database and [image optimization,](https://azibyaqoob.com/image-seo-guide-how-to-optimize-images-for-search-engines/) making it an ideal choice for users who need straightforward performance improvements.
### 3. Overview of LiteSpeed Cache
**LiteSpeed Cache** is a more advanced, comprehensive caching and optimization plugin. Originally designed to work with LiteSpeed Web Server (although compatible with Apache and Nginx), LiteSpeed Cache offers a range of powerful features, including **full-page caching, browser caching,** and **database optimization**.
You may also find this comparison helpful, We have compared [LiteSpeed cache with Nitropack.](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-litespeed-cache-which-is-better-for-you/ "NitroPack vs. LiteSpeed Cache: Which is Better For You?")
#### Key Features of LiteSpeed Cache
1. **Full-Page Caching**: Provides server-level caching for fast page loads.
2. **Edge-Side Includes (ESI)**: Allows for caching specific parts of a page for a more dynamic experience.
3. **Image Optimization**: Includes image compression and WebP support.
4. **Database Optimization**: Removes unnecessary data from the database to improve efficiency.
5. **CSS/JavaScript Minification and Combination**: Reduces file sizes by minifying and combining CSS and JavaScript files.
6. **CDN Support**: Integrates with LiteSpeed’s QUIC.cloud CDN for global content delivery.
7. **Advanced Caching**: Provides caching for WordPress multisite, WooCommerce, and other complex setups.
#### Pros and Cons of LiteSpeed Cache
**Pros****Cons**Extremely powerful caching capabilitiesBest optimized for LiteSpeed Web ServerSupports advanced caching for dynamic contentInterface may be complex for beginnersIntegrated CDN optionsLiteSpeed Web Server license required for some featuresIncludes ESI for flexible cachingSome features may not work on all serversLiteSpeed Cache is ideal for users seeking **high-performance caching** with advanced features. While it works best with LiteSpeed Web Server, it also functions on Apache and Nginx servers, though some features may be limited. If you’re planning to try other caching plugins, we have written a review of: [NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which is Faster?](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which is Faster?")
### 4. WP-Optimize vs LiteSpeed Cache: Feature Comparison
FeatureWP-OptimizeLiteSpeed Cache**Database Optimization**YesYes**Page Caching**BasicAdvanced (with ESI and more)**Image Optimization**YesYes (WebP support)**Minification**YesYes**Lazy Loading**YesYes**CDN Support**NoYes (QUIC.cloud)**Multisite Support**LimitedYes**WooCommerce Optimization**LimitedYesLiteSpeed Cache offers a more **comprehensive range of features** than WP-Optimize, particularly for caching and CDN support. However, WP-Optimize provides enough essential features for general optimization needs.
### 5. Performance Testing: WP-Optimize vs LiteSpeed Cache
To evaluate the effectiveness of WP-Optimize and LiteSpeed Cache, several performance metrics are generally considered, such as **page load time, [server response time](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?"), and overall reduction in page size**. Here’s a general outline of how both plugins perform in these areas:
- **WP-Optimize**: Offers consistent speed improvements by reducing database clutter, [compressing images](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality?"), and enabling page caching. On average, WP-Optimize can reduce load times significantly for sites with heavy databases.
- **LiteSpeed Cache**: When used on a LiteSpeed server, this plugin can dramatically improve performance, offering near-instant load times thanks to server-level caching. With QUIC.cloud integration, LiteSpeed Cache can reduce load times by a significant margin, even for global traffic.
In general, **LiteSpeed Cache outperforms WP-Optimize** on LiteSpeed servers due to its robust caching capabilities and CDN integration. However, WP-Optimize holds its own for non-LiteSpeed server setups, especially on smaller, less complex sites.
### 6. Ease of Use
- **WP-Optimize**: Known for a clean, straightforward interface, WP-Optimize is user-friendly and requires minimal configuration. It’s ideal for beginners or those who prefer a simpler setup process.
- **LiteSpeed Cache**: Has a more complex interface that may overwhelm beginners but offers in-depth control for advanced users. LiteSpeed Cache’s setup can take more time, especially if configuring QUIC.cloud or advanced caching.
**Winner**: For simplicity, WP-Optimize is preferable, while LiteSpeed Cache is better for those who are comfortable with a more involved setup.
### 7. Compatibility with Hosting and Themes
- **WP-Optimize**: Works with most shared hosting environments and is generally compatible with various themes and plugins, making it a more versatile choice in terms of compatibility.
- **LiteSpeed Cache**: Works best on LiteSpeed Web Server but is also compatible with Apache and Nginx. Some features, however, are only available on LiteSpeed Web Server, so those on other servers may not be able to use the plugin to its full potential.
For sites on **LiteSpeed hosting**, LiteSpeed Cache is a clear winner, while WP-Optimize is more flexible across different server environments.
Please also read: [WP Super Cache vs. Fastest Cache: Which is Better?](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs. Fastest Cache: Which is Better?")
### 8. Pricing
Both plugins offer free versions with optional premium plans:
- **WP-Optimize**: Has a free version with most essential features and a **premium version** starting at $39/year, which includes more advanced database cleaning and image optimization.
- **LiteSpeed Cache**: The plugin itself is free, but certain features require a **LiteSpeed Web Server license** or paid QUIC.cloud services for CDN.
**Winner**: WP-Optimize offers affordable pricing and a wider range of functionality in its free version for general users. LiteSpeed Cache is a better investment for those already using LiteSpeed Web Server, as many of its powerful features are free for LiteSpeed users.
### 9. Which Should You Choose?
**Choose WP-Optimize if**:
- You are on shared hosting or a non-LiteSpeed server.
- You prefer a simple, easy-to-configure plugin focused on database and image optimization.
- Your website needs basic optimization without extensive caching or CDN support.
**Choose LiteSpeed Cache if**:
- Your site is hosted on a LiteSpeed Web Server, allowing access to its full caching capabilities.
- You have a larger or more complex site with high traffic.
- You want comprehensive caching, CDN integration, and image optimization, especially if you’re comfortable with a more technical setup.
### 10. Conclusion
Both WP-Optimize and LiteSpeed Cache are powerful tools for WordPress optimization, each with unique strengths. WP-Optimize is an excellent choice for simple, easy-to-use performance improvements and works well on any hosting environment. LiteSpeed Cache, however, offers advanced caching and is best for high-performance sites hosted on LiteSpeed Web Servers.
Ultimately, the choice between **WP-Optimize and LiteSpeed Cache** depends on your server environment, optimization needs, and technical comfort level. For most general users, WP-Optimize provides a solid foundation for WordPress optimization. For those on LiteSpeed Web Server, LiteSpeed Cache is likely the best option to maximize performance.
Also, you may find this article helpful: [How to Serve Cache for Logged-In Users in WordPress?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-serve-cache-for-logged-in-users-in-wordpress/ "How to Serve Cache for Logged-In Users in WordPress?")
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Caching, Speed optimization
---
### [How to Set Up Yoast SEO for Local Businesses](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-yoast-seo-for-local-businesses/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
In today’s competitive digital landscape, local businesses must optimize their online presence to attract and retain customers. Yoast SEO, a popular WordPress plugin, provides robust tools to enhance website visibility. When paired with proper local SEO strategies, it becomes a powerful asset for businesses targeting customers in specific geographic areas.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through setting up Yoast SEO for local businesses step by step, ensuring you get the most out of this tool to enhance your local search visibility.
If you need help with improving your site traffic, please feel free to **[contact me](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)** for an affordable solution.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Why Yoast SEO for Local Businesses?](#1_Why_Yoast_SEO_for_Local_Businesses)
- [2. Prerequisites for Yoast SEO Setup](#2_Prerequisites_for_Yoast_SEO_Setup)
- [3. Installing and Configuring Yoast SEO](#3_Installing_and_Configuring_Yoast_SEO)
- [Step 1: Install Yoast SEO](#Step_1_Install_Yoast_SEO)
- [Step 2: Initial Configuration](#Step_2_Initial_Configuration)
- [4. Setting Up Yoast Local SEO Add-on](#4_Setting_Up_Yoast_Local_SEO_Add-on)
- [Installation Steps](#Installation_Steps)
- [5. Optimizing Local Business Details](#5_Optimizing_Local_Business_Details)
- [Step 1: Business Info](#Step_1_Business_Info)
- [Step 2: Map Settings](#Step_2_Map_Settings)
- [Step 3: Opening Hours](#Step_3_Opening_Hours)
- [6. Configuring Key SEO Settings for Local Search](#6_Configuring_Key_SEO_Settings_for_Local_Search)
- [Meta Titles and Descriptions](#Meta_Titles_and_Descriptions)
- [Schema Markup](#Schema_Markup)
- [Breadcrumbs](#Breadcrumbs)
- [7. Creating and Optimizing Local Content](#7_Creating_and_Optimizing_Local_Content)
- [Step 1: Location Pages](#Step_1_Location_Pages)
- [Step 2: Blog Posts](#Step_2_Blog_Posts)
- [Step 3: FAQ Pages](#Step_3_FAQ_Pages)
- [Step 4: User Reviews](#Step_4_User_Reviews)
- [8. Monitoring and Adjusting Local SEO Strategies](#8_Monitoring_and_Adjusting_Local_SEO_Strategies)
- [Performance Metrics](#Performance_Metrics)
- [Local Keyword Ranking](#Local_Keyword_Ranking)
- [Adjustments](#Adjustments)
- [9. Tips for Maximizing Local Search Performance](#9_Tips_for_Maximizing_Local_Search_Performance)
- [Conclusion](#Conclusion)
## **1. Why Yoast SEO for Local Businesses?**
Yoast SEO is widely regarded as one of the most user-friendly and effective SEO plugins for WordPress. For local businesses, its functionality extends beyond general optimization to include features tailored for local search, such as:
- **Local business schema markup:** Improves how search engines understand your business information.
- **Niche-focused optimizations:** Enhances your chances of appearing in “near me” searches.
- **Location-specific features:** Helps you optimize for maps and local search intent.
The **Yoast Local SEO add-on** further boosts your efforts by allowing you to manage maps, contact details, and opening hours in one place, making your [website more appealing to search](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/) engines and customers.
## **2. Prerequisites for Yoast SEO Setup**
Before you begin setting up Yoast SEO, ensure you have the following:
- **WordPress Installed:** Yoast SEO works exclusively with WordPress.
- **Basic Website Structure:** Set up essential pages like Home, About Us, Services, and Contact.
- **Google My Business Account:** A verified listing ensures consistency between Google’s search engine and your website.
- **Target Keywords:** [Identify keywords ](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the Best Way to Find Out Valuable Keywords for SEO?")relevant to your business, including location-based ones (e.g., “plumber in Chicago”).
- **Business Details:** Have accurate business information such as address, phone number, and operating hours.
## **3. Installing and Configuring Yoast SEO**
### **Step 1: Install Yoast SEO**
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to **Plugins > Add New**.
3. Search for “Yoast SEO” in the search bar.
4. Click **Install Now** and then **Activate** once the installation is complete.
### **Step 2: Initial Configuration**
After activation:
1. Navigate to **SEO > General** in the WordPress dashboard.
2. Run the **Configuration Wizard**:
- **Site Type:** Select the business category that aligns with your service (e.g., local business).
- **Organization or Person:** Choose **Organization** and input your business name.
- **Social Profiles:** Add links to your business’s social media pages.
3. Review technical settings like enabling advanced meta box control and selecting indexing preferences.
## **4. Setting Up Yoast Local SEO Add-on**
To unlock features specific to local businesses, you have to purchase and install the **Yoast Local SEO add-on**. You may find this comparison of [Yoast free vs. Yoast Premium](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/yoast-seo-free-vs-yoast-seo-premium.png "Yoast SEO Free VS Yoast SEO Premium") helpful.
### **Installation Steps**
1. Go to the Yoast website.
2. Purchase the Local SEO add-on.
3. Download the plugin file.
4. In WordPress, navigate to **Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin**.
5. Upload the downloaded file, then install and activate it.
Once installed, the Local SEO add-on integrates seamlessly into the main Yoast plugin.
## **5. Optimizing Local Business Details**
With the Local SEO add-on, you can input and optimize essential business details:
### **Step 1: Business Info**
1. Go to **SEO > Local SEO > Business Info**.
2. Fill in the following:
- **Business Name:** Ensure it matches your Google My Business profile.
- **Address:** Use a consistent format for NAP (Name, Address, Phone) data.
- **Phone Number:** Include a local area code to reinforce your location.
- **Email Address:** Provide a contact email visible to users and crawlers.
### **Step 2: Map Settings**
- Enable the **Google Maps API key**:
1. Obtain your API key from the [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/).
2. Add the API key in the Maps settings to integrate map functionality.
### **Step 3: Opening Hours**
Input your business’s operating hours to ensure consistency across platforms.
## **6. Configuring Key SEO Settings for Local Search**
### **Meta Titles and Descriptions**
- Create titles and meta descriptions that include your location and target keywords.
- Example for a bakery in Boston:
- **Title:** “Best Bakery in Boston | Fresh Baked Goods Daily”
- **Description:** “Visit our Boston bakery for artisan bread, pastries, and more. Open 7 days a week!”
### **Schema Markup**
Yoast automatically generates schema markup for local businesses. Check your structured data using Google’s [Rich Results Test](https://search.google.com/test/rich-results).
### **Breadcrumbs**
Enable breadcrumbs to improve navigation and local search relevance:
1. Navigate to **SEO > Search Appearance > Breadcrumbs**.
2. Enable the feature and configure display options.
## **7. Creating and Optimizing Local Content**
Content is critical for local SEO. Here’s how to craft pages that resonate with your local audience:
### **Step 1: Location Pages**
If your business operates in multiple areas, create dedicated location pages:
- Include details specific to each area, such as services and contact info.
- Optimize the URL (e.g., `yourwebsite.com/locations/chicago/`).
### **Step 2: Blog Posts**
Publish blog posts targeting local events or topics:
- Example: “5 Must-Attend Festivals in San Diego This Fall.”
### **Step 3: FAQ Pages**
Address common [customer questions with localized](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-local-restaurants-seo-guide-to-acquire-new-customers/) answers, boosting relevance for voice search.
### **Step 4: User Reviews**
Integrate testimonials and Google reviews into your website, emphasizing local experiences.
## **8. Monitoring and Adjusting Local SEO Strategies**
### **Performance Metrics**
1. Use the **Insights** feature in Yoast to track keywords and content performance.
2. Regularly check your Google Analytics and Search Console for organic search trends.
### **Local Keyword Ranking**
Monitor how well your site [ranks for location-specific keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/) using tools like:
- **SEMrush**
- **Ahrefs**
- **BrightLocal**
### **Adjustments**
- Update opening hours or contact information as needed.
- Regularly add new content to keep your website fresh.
## **9. Tips for Maximizing Local Search Performance**
- **Optimize for Voice Search:** Ensure your content answers local, conversational queries like “Where’s the nearest florist?”
- **Focus on Mobile Optimization:** Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites, especially for local searches.
- **Leverage Local Links:** Partner with nearby businesses for backlinks that enhance your authority.
- **Maintain Consistency:** Keep NAP details consistent across all platforms, including social media and directory listings.
## **Conclusion**
If you need help with improving your site traffic, please feel free to **[contact me](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)** for an affordable solution.
Setting up Yoast SEO for local businesses is essential for driving traffic, boosting visibility, and attracting nearby customers. By carefully implementing the steps outlined above, you can optimize your WordPress site to perform well in local [search results,](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/) ensuring that your business stands out in a crowded digital marketplace.
With continuous monitoring, content updates, and strategic adjustments, Yoast SEO becomes a vital tool for local businesses looking to grow. Take the time to follow this tutorial, and watch your local search performance soar!
You can also try AIOSEO (All in One SEO) plugin if you have a small budget. I have compared [AIOSEO with Yoast ](https://azibyaqoob.com/aioseo-vs-yoast-which-seo-plugin-is-right-for-you/ "AIOSEO vs Yoast: Which SEO Plugin is Right for You?")already, this may help you decide.
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** yoast
---
### [AIOSEO vs Yoast: Which SEO Plugin is Right for You?](https://azibyaqoob.com/aioseo-vs-yoast-which-seo-plugin-is-right-for-you/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
When it comes to optimizing your WordPress website for search engines, choosing the right SEO plugin is crucial. **All in One SEO (AIOSEO)** and **Yoast SEO** are two of the most popular options, each boasting a robust set of features designed to boost your website’s visibility. In this comprehensive guide, I will perform a detailed comparison of AIOSEO and Yoast SEO, helping you make an informed decision based on your unique needs.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Overview of AIOSEO and Yoast SEO](#Overview_of_AIOSEO_and_Yoast_SEO)
- [AIOSEO: A Comprehensive SEO Solution](#AIOSEO_A_Comprehensive_SEO_Solution)
- [Yoast SEO: The Industry Standard](#Yoast_SEO_The_Industry_Standard)
- [A Detailed Comparison of AIOSEO and Yoast SEO](#A_Detailed_Comparison_of_AIOSEO_and_Yoast_SEO)
- [1. User Interface](#1_User_Interface)
- [2. Features and Functionality](#2_Features_and_Functionality)
- [3. Performance](#3_Performance)
- [4. Pricing](#4_Pricing)
- [5. Support and Documentation](#5_Support_and_Documentation)
- [When to Choose AIOSEO or Yoast SEO](#When_to_Choose_AIOSEO_or_Yoast_SEO)
- [Choose AIOSEO If:](#Choose_AIOSEO_If)
- [Choose Yoast SEO If:](#Choose_Yoast_SEO_If)
- [Real-World Use Cases](#Real-World_Use_Cases)
- [AIOSEO in Action](#AIOSEO_in_Action)
- [Yoast SEO Success Story](#Yoast_SEO_Success_Story)
- [Key Challenges](#Key_Challenges)
- [Utilizing Yoast SEO](#Utilizing_Yoast_SEO)
- [Results](#Results)
- [Conclusion](#Conclusion)
- [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs)
## Overview of AIOSEO and Yoast SEO
### AIOSEO: A Comprehensive SEO Solution
**All in One SEO (AIOSEO)** is designed for users who want a straightforward yet effective tool for optimizing their websites. With over 3 million active installations, AIOSEO emphasizes ease of use and essential features that cater to beginners and seasoned webmasters alike.
#### Key Features of AIOSEO:
- **Easy Setup Wizard**: Guides users through initial configuration to get started quickly.
- **Smart Meta Tag Generation**: Automatically creates title and description tags tailored to each page.
- **XML Sitemap Support**: Generates sitemaps automatically to help search engines index your site effectively.
- **Schema Markup**: Built-in support for schema markup, enhancing your chances of appearing in rich snippets.
- **Redirection Manager**: Manage 301 redirects easily, preventing broken links and enhancing user experience.
### Yoast SEO: The Industry Standard
**Yoast SEO**, established in 2010, has garnered over 5 million active installations and is widely regarded as the industry standard. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed for both beginners and advanced users, providing powerful features to optimize your content effectively.
#### Key Features of Yoast SEO:
- **Content Analysis**: Provides real-time feedback on keyword usage, readability, and overall content quality.
- **Snippet Preview**: Visualizes how your post will appear in search results, allowing for easy adjustments.
- **Readability Analysis**: Analyzes your text for readability, offering suggestions to improve clarity and engagement.
- **Internal Linking Suggestions**: Recommends relevant internal links to improve navigation and SEO.
- **Redirect Manager**: A premium feature that simplifies the management of redirects.
## A Detailed Comparison of AIOSEO and Yoast SEO
### 1. User Interface
**AIOSEO**: Offers a clean, intuitive interface that is particularly friendly for beginners. Its dashboard is straightforward, allowing users to adjust settings quickly and efficiently.
**Yoast SEO**: While user-friendly, Yoast’s interface can be somewhat overwhelming for newcomers due to its extensive options. However, the guided setup helps users navigate through essential settings.
### 2. Features and Functionality
- **AIOSEO**:
- **Focus on Simplicity**: Ideal for those who prefer a more streamlined approach to SEO.
- **Advanced Features in Premium Version**: The premium version offers additional features like local SEO and social media integration for more advanced users.
- **Yoast SEO**:
- **In-Depth Analysis**: The standout feature is Yoast’s real-time content analysis, which provides detailed suggestions for optimization.
- **Comprehensive Tools**: Covers nearly every aspect of SEO, including breadcrumbs, social media settings, and content optimization.
### 3. Performance
**AIOSEO**: Known for being lightweight and optimized for speed, AIOSEO is designed not to hinder your website’s performance.
**Yoast SEO**: Generally performs well, but some users have reported slower loading times when using extensive features like readability and keyword analysis.
### 4. Pricing
- **AIOSEO**:
- **Free and Premium Versions**: The free version offers essential features, while the premium version starts at **$49 per year**, unlocking advanced functionalities.
- **Yoast SEO**:
- **Free and Premium Versions**: Similar to AIOSEO, Yoast offers a free version with basic features. The premium version starts at **$99 per year**, providing additional tools for content optimization and analysis.
### 5. Support and Documentation
- **AIOSEO**:
- AIOSEO provides extensive support options, including comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive support for premium users.
- **Yoast SEO**:
- Yoast offers a wealth of documentation, a community forum for discussions, and email support for premium users, making troubleshooting accessible.
## When to Choose AIOSEO or Yoast SEO
### Choose AIOSEO If:
- You are a beginner looking for an easy-to-navigate SEO plugin with essential features.
- You prefer a streamlined setup process without overwhelming options.
- You want a straightforward approach to basic SEO practices.
### Choose Yoast SEO If:
- You are an advanced user seeking in-depth content analysis and optimization tools.
- You value real-time feedback on keyword usage and readability.
- You want a comprehensive suite of features to cover all aspects of SEO.
## Real-World Use Cases
### AIOSEO in Action
**Objective:**
Market Brew aimed to enhance the visibility and ranking of its website by improving its SEO strategies, focusing on increasing organic traffic.
**Background:**
Market Brew is a provider of SEO software designed to simulate search engine algorithms. Despite offering a robust product, their website lacked optimization, leading to lower organic search visibility.
**Challenges:**
- Low organic search traffic
- Ineffective keyword targeting
- Poor on-page SEO practices
**Strategy:**
1. **Keyword Research:** Conducted thorough research to identify high-value keywords relevant to their services.
2. **On-Page Optimization:** Improved meta tags, headers, and content structure to better align with targeted keywords.
3. **Content Creation:** Developed engaging and informative content that addressed user queries and incorporated target keywords.
4. **Technical SEO:** Enhanced site speed, mobile responsiveness, and overall user experience.
**Results:**
Enhanced overall website usability, leading to a lower bounce rate.
Increased organic traffic by **200%** within six months.
Improved keyword rankings, with numerous target keywords reaching the first page of Google search results.
### Yoast SEO Success Story
**Small Business Trends**, publishing daily since 2003, has faced challenges in managing extensive content and maintaining SEO effectiveness. With many articles on similar topics, they prioritize keeping content fresh and relevant.
### Key Challenges
- **Content Management:** The site had accumulated multiple articles on core topics, leading to potential content cannibalization. The team dedicates time daily to update and improve existing content.
### Utilizing Yoast SEO
- **Redirects Module:** A major time-saver, the redirects feature allows the team to quickly redirect outdated content to newer articles. The plugin automates many redirects, simplifying the process.
- **Standard Operating Procedures:** Yoast SEO is integrated into their publishing workflow, with team members using its features regularly. This enhances both content preparation and SEO management.
- **Optimizing Content:** Upgrading to Yoast Premium enabled the team to optimize for multiple keywords and receive internal linking suggestions, improving content relevancy and SEO strength.
### Results
- **Streamlined Publishing:** The integration of Yoast SEO has significantly sped up their publishing cycle, improving overall content quality and positively impacting the bottom line.
- **Enhanced Training:** By utilizing Yoast, non-SEO experts on the team can easily understand and apply SEO best practices, making the entire process more efficient.
Small Business Trends demonstrates how effective use of Yoast SEO can enhance content management and improve SEO performance in a high-volume publishing environment.
## Conclusion
Both **AIOSEO** and **Yoast SEO** are powerful tools for optimizing your WordPress website. Your choice should be guided by your specific needs, technical expertise, and the features that matter most to you. AIOSEO shines with its simplicity and ease of use, while Yoast excels with its in-depth analysis and comprehensive tools.
### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. **Is AIOSEO better than Yoast?**
- It depends on your needs. AIOSEO is simpler for beginners, while Yoast offers more advanced features for content optimization.
2. **Can I use both AIOSEO and Yoast SEO?**
- It’s not recommended to use both plugins simultaneously, as they may conflict and lead to SEO issues.
3. **Which plugin is more affordable?**
- Both plugins have free and premium versions, but AIOSEO starts at a lower price point for its premium features.
4. **Do both plugins support XML sitemaps?**
- Yes, both AIOSEO and Yoast SEO automatically generate XML sitemaps.
5. **Can I switch from Yoast to AIOSEO?**
- Yes, switching is possible, but ensure to properly configure settings and import SEO data to maintain your rankings.
By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of both AIOSEO and Yoast SEO, you can choose the best plugin to enhance your website’s search engine visibility and achieve your online goals.
**Categories:** SEO, WordPress
**Tags:** AIOSEO, seo strategy, WordPress, yoast
---
### [How to Fix Contact Form 7's Persistent Ajax Loading Spinner Issue](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-contact-form-7s-persistent-ajax-loading-spinner-issue/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
**Contact Form 7** is a widely-used WordPress plugin, but some users experience an issue where the Ajax loading spinner doesn’t disappear after form submission. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve this issue.
#### **Step 1: Update Contact Form 7 and WordPress**
Start by updating both WordPress and the Contact Form 7 to their latest versions. Outdated versions can cause compatibility issues.
1. **Update WordPress:**
- Go to **Dashboard > Updates**.
- Click **Update Now** if an update is available.
2. **Update Contact Form 7:**
- Go to **Plugins > Installed Plugins**.
- Click **Update Now** next to Contact Form 7 if an update is available.
#### **Step 2: Check for JavaScript Conflicts**
The Ajax loading spinner relies on JavaScript to function correctly. Conflicts with other plugins or your theme can prevent the spinner from disappearing.
1. **Inspect Console Errors:**
- Right-click on the form page, select **Inspect** (or press `Ctrl+Shift+I`), and go to the **Console** tab.
- Check for any JavaScript errors and note them down.
2. **Disable Other Plugins:**
- Temporarily disable all plugins except Contact Form 7 and check if the issue is resolved.
- If it is, re-enable the plugins one by one to identify the conflicting plugin.
3. **Switch to a Default Theme:**
- Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One.
- Test the form again to see if the issue is theme-related.
#### **Step 3: Apply Custom CSS Fix**
If JavaScript conflicts aren’t the issue, a CSS adjustment may be required to make the spinner visible and functional.
1- **Add Custom CSS:**
- Add the following CSS code to your theme:
```
`form.wpcf7-form.submitting .ajax-loader { visibility: visible; }`
```
- This code ensures the Ajax spinner is visible when the form is submitting.
2- **Clear Caches:**
- After applying the CSS fix, clear all caches, including your browser’s cache, to ensure the changes take effect.
#### **Step 4: Optimize JavaScript Loading**
Optimizing how JavaScript files are loaded can sometimes resolve issues related to the loading spinner.
1. **Defer JavaScript Loading:**
- Install a plugin like **Autoptimize** to optimize your site’s JavaScript code.
- In **Autoptimize**, enable **Optimize JavaScript Code** and **Add try-catch wrapping**.
- Save the changes and test the form.
2. **Disable Unused Scripts:**
- Use the **Asset CleanUp** plugin to disable any scripts that are not needed on the form page.
#### **Step 5: Use an Alternative Ajax Handler**
If the problem persists, consider using an alternative Ajax handler by disabling Contact Form 7’s default Ajax script and loading an alternative one.
1- **Disable Default Ajax Handler:**
- Add this code to your theme’s `functions.php` file:
```
add_filter('wpcf7_load_js', '__return_false');
```
2\. **Manually Load Alternative Ajax Script:**
- Implement a custom script or use an alternative plugin to handle form submissions.
#### **Step 6: Reinstall Contact Form 7**
If none of the above steps work, consider reinstalling the Contact Form 7 plugin to ensure all files are intact.
1. **Deactivate and Delete Contact Form 7:**
- Go to **Plugins > Installed Plugins**, deactivate, and delete Contact Form 7.
2. **Reinstall Contact Form 7:**
- Go to **Plugins > Add New**, search for Contact Form 7, and reinstall the plugin.
The Ajax loading spinner not disappearing in Contact Form 7 can be a frustrating issue, but it’s usually solvable with the right approach. By updating your WordPress, checking for conflicts, applying custom CSS, or [optimizing JavaScript](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?"), you should be able to fix the problem. If the issue persists, consider more advanced troubleshooting or seek help from a developer.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Top 5 WordPress Caching Plugins for Lightning-Fast Websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you want to speed up your site and load it faster, you can use plenty of WordPress caching plugins. They come with various features, and from fairly simple to advance.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Explanation of Caching and Its Importance](#Explanation_of_Caching_and_Its_Importance)
- [1. W3 Total Cache](#1_W3_Total_Cache)
- [2. WP Fastest Cache](#2_WP_Fastest_Cache)
- [3. LiteSpeed Cache](#3_LiteSpeed_Cache)
- [4. WP Super Cache](#4_WP_Super_Cache)
- [5. WP Rocket](#5_WP_Rocket)
## Explanation of Caching and Its Importance
In WordPress, caching means saving ready-to-go versions of web pages and stuff like images and styles. Instead of creating them fresh each time someone visits, they’re stored and served up quickly when needed again.
When a user typically visits your website, WordPress displays information by fetching it from the database along with many processes. These processes slow down the page generation process. After that, it sends the page to the user’s browser.
You can speed up the page generation process using a cache plugin on your WordPress site. A caching plugin will make a copy of the page after the first load and then serves that copy to all the users.
Caching is a technology that boosts the speed of your website without sacrificing anything in the process. Enabling cache will result in significantly faster load times and [decrease the load on your server](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-i-fixed-siteground-low-server-response-time-issue/ "How I Fixed SiteGround Slow Server Response Time Issue?").
Here are some WordPress caching plugins you can install to boost website performance.
**Note**: I recommend you test these plugins on a [staging environment](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/ "How to Set up and Use SiteGround Staging to Test Your Site?") before using them on your live site.
## 1. W3 Total Cache
W3 Total Cache is a popular caching plugin for WordPress websites.
**Key Features:**
- **Caching Types:** It supports various caching types like page caching, browser caching, and object caching, making your site load faster from different angles.
- **CDN Integration:** W3 Total Cache seamlessly integrates with content delivery networks (CDNs) like Cloudflare and MaxCDN, spreading your site’s content across multiple servers worldwide for even faster loading times.
- **Minification:** It reduces the size of your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files by removing unnecessary spaces and characters, further improving load times.
- **Compatibility:** It plays nice with other plugins and themes, ensuring smooth operation without conflicts.
**Pros:**
- **Free and Powerful:** It offers a lot of features for free, making it accessible to all types of WordPress users.
- **Performance Boost:** Users often report significant improvements in site speed and performance after installing W3 Total Cache.
- **Regular Updates:** The plugin is actively maintained and updated, keeping pace with the latest WordPress developments and security standards.
**Cons:**
- **Complex Settings:** Some users find the settings overwhelming or confusing, especially beginners.
- **Potential Conflicts:** Due to its extensive features, W3 Total Cache may sometimes clash with certain themes or plugins, requiring troubleshooting.
Overall, W3 Total Cache is a robust caching solution that can turbocharge your WordPress site’s speed and performance, though it may require a bit of tinkering to get the settings just right.
I have recently written a tutorial to [configure W3 Total Cache settings](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-configure-w3-total-cache-settings-step-by-step-tutorial/ "How to Configure W3 Total Cache Settings? (Step by Step Tutorial)"). You should check that out.
## 2. WP Fastest Cache
WP Fastest Cache is a user-friendly caching plugin designed to improve the performance of WordPress websites. It works by generating static HTML files from dynamic WordPress pages, which are then served to visitors, resulting in faster load times and improved site performance.
**Key Features:**
- **One-Click Setup:** WP Fastest Cache offers a simple and intuitive setup process, allowing users to enable caching with just one click.
- **Modest Approach:** It focuses on essential caching features, such as page caching and minification, without overwhelming users with unnecessary complexities.
- **Image Optimization:** The premium version of WP Fastest Cache includes image optimization features, automatically compressing images to reduce file sizes and further enhance loading speeds.
- **CDN Support:** It seamlessly integrates with content delivery networks (CDNs) for enhanced global performance and reliability.
**Pros:**
- **Ease of Use:** Beginners appreciate its straightforward setup and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of all experience levels.
- **Lightweight:** WP Fastest Cache is known for its minimal impact on server resources, ensuring efficient caching without slowing down website performance.
- **Effective Caching:** Users often report noticeable improvements in site speed and performance after activating WP Fastest Cache, even with minimal configuration.
**Cons:**
- **Limited Free Version:** While the free version offers essential caching features, advanced functionalities like image optimization are reserved for the premium version.
- **Less Customization:** Some users may find the plugin’s simplicity limiting, especially if they require more advanced caching options or fine-grained control over settings.
In summary, WP Fastest Cache offers a user-friendly caching solution for WordPress websites, prioritizing simplicity and effectiveness. With its straightforward setup and modest feature set, it’s an excellent choice for users seeking real performance improvements without the complexity of more comprehensive caching plugins.
I have also tested this plugin on a testing site. Please feel free to check out [WP Fastest Cache vs. WP Super Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs WP Fastest Cache – Which One is Better? (Case Study)") comparison.
## 3. LiteSpeed Cache
[LiteSpeed Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-litespeed-cache-which-is-better-for-you/ "NitroPack vs. LiteSpeed Cache: Which is Better For You?") is a high-performance caching plugin designed to optimize WordPress websites powered by LiteSpeed web servers. It leverages advanced caching techniques to deliver unparalleled speed and performance enhancements, making it a preferred choice for users seeking top-notch performance optimization.
**Key Features:**
- **LiteSpeed Server Compatibility:** As the name suggests, LiteSpeed Cache is specifically tailored for websites hosted on LiteSpeed web servers, capitalizing on their unique architecture for optimized caching and delivery.
- **Server-Level Cache:** Unlike traditional caching plugins, LiteSpeed Cache operates at the server level, allowing for lightning-fast caching and retrieval of content without the overhead of PHP-based solutions.
- **Dynamic Content Support:** LiteSpeed Cache intelligently handles dynamic content, ensuring that personalized or frequently updated elements remain fresh while still benefiting from caching optimizations.
- **Image Optimization:** It includes built-in image optimization capabilities, automatically compressing and resizing images to minimize file sizes and further accelerate page loading times.
- **Advanced Caching Policies:** Users have granular control over caching policies, allowing them to fine-tune caching rules based on content types, user roles, and specific URLs.
**Pros:**
- **Exceptional Performance:** LiteSpeed Cache is renowned for its ability to dramatically improve website speed and performance, especially when paired with LiteSpeed web servers.
- **Seamless Integration:** It seamlessly integrates with LiteSpeed servers, ensuring optimal compatibility and performance enhancements without requiring complex configurations.
- **Comprehensive Feature Set:** From server-level caching to image optimization and dynamic content support, LiteSpeed Cache offers a comprehensive suite of optimization tools to enhance every aspect of website performance.
**Cons:**
- **LiteSpeed Server Requirement:** LiteSpeed Cache is optimized for LiteSpeed web servers, meaning users must host their websites on LiteSpeed-enabled hosting environments to fully leverage its capabilities.
- **Learning Curve:** While the plugin offers extensive features and customization options, it may require some learning for users unfamiliar with LiteSpeed-specific caching configurations.
In conclusion, LiteSpeed Cache stands out as a powerhouse caching solution for WordPress websites hosted on LiteSpeed servers. With its server-level caching and comprehensive feature set, it’s a top choice for users prioritizing speed, reliability, and efficiency in their WordPress hosting environment.
## 4. WP Super Cache
WP Super Cache is a popular caching plugin for WordPress websites, known for its simplicity and effectiveness in improving site performance. Developed by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, WP Super Cache offers robust caching features designed to accelerate page loading times and reduce server load.
**Key Features:**
- **Caching Modes:** WP Super Cache offers three primary caching modes: Simple, Expert, and WP-Cache caching. Each mode caters to different user preferences and technical requirements, providing flexibility in caching configurations.
- **Static HTML File Generation:** The plugin generates static HTML files from dynamic WordPress pages, which are served to visitors instead of processing PHP scripts on every request, resulting in faster page loading times.
- **Garbage Collection:** WP Super Cache includes a garbage collection feature, automatically cleaning up expired or stale cache files to ensure optimal performance and disk space efficiency.
- **CDN Support:** It seamlessly integrates with content delivery networks (CDNs) for enhanced global performance and scalability, distributing cached content across multiple server locations for faster delivery to users worldwide.
**Pros:**
- **Ease of Use:** WP Super Cache offers a straightforward setup process and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of all experience levels.
- **Reliability:** Developed by Automattic, WP Super Cache benefits from ongoing maintenance and updates, ensuring compatibility with the latest WordPress versions and security standards.
- **Effective Caching:** Users often report noticeable improvements in site speed and performance after activating WP Super Cache, with significant reductions in page loading times and server load.
**Cons:**
- **Limited Customization:** While WP Super Cache offers essential caching features, it may lack some of the advanced customization options found in other caching plugins, limiting fine-grained control over caching policies.
- **Compatibility Issues:** In some cases, WP Super Cache may conflict with certain themes or plugins, requiring troubleshooting to resolve compatibility issues and ensure smooth operation.
WP Super Cache is a reliable and effective caching solution for WordPress websites, offering a balance of simplicity and performance optimization.
## 5. WP Rocket
It is a premium WordPress caching plugin. You can’t find this plugin in a WordPress directory. You must buy a package from the WP Rocket website to install this plugin.
If you want you can try our [WP Rocket Coupon code](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-rocket-coupon-boost-your-website-speed-and-save-money/ "WP Rocket Coupon Codes: Maximize Your Savings!") to get a %50 discount.
The plugin itself is pretty easy to install and configure. The documentation from the developer is excellent. Also, since this is a premium plugin, you will get free [customer support](https://azibyaqoob.com/my-experience-working-as-a-wordpress-customer-support-specialist/ "My Experience Working as a WordPress Customer Support Specialist").
I have written an in-depth review of [WP Rocket and compared it with NitroPack](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which One is the Best for You?"). Please check out this review to learn more about all the features WP Rocket offers.
If you use any of these plugins, your website speed will significantly boost. However, it doesn’t mean you should forget other speed optimization tips such as [compressing images](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality – Image Compression Guide 2019"), using mobile-friendly themes, and minimalistic but practical web design.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Rank Google My Business Page on Google Maps?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-rank-google-my-business-listing-on-google-maps/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Creating a Google My Business listing is an effective way to [promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online"). In this tutorial, I will show you how you can rank Google My Business page on Google search and Google maps.
Without ranking on the 1st page for your business keywords, you won’t get as much business as you should. So, your listing, as well as the website, need to be completely optimized. I will show you how you can do it easily.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [What is Google My Business Listing?](#What_is_Google_My_Business_Listing)
- [Why You Need a Google My Business Page?](#Why_You_Need_a_Google_My_Business_Page)
- [How to Create Google My Business Listing?](#How_to_Create_Google_My_Business_Listing)
- [What if your business is already listed on Google Maps?](#What_if_your_business_is_already_listed_on_Google_Maps)
- [How to Optimize Your Google My Business Page?](#How_to_Optimize_Your_Google_My_Business_Page)
- [How to Rank Google My Business Page higher?](#How_to_Rank_Google_My_Business_Page_higher)
- [1. Verify Your Business Location](#1_Verify_Your_Business_Location)
- [2. Add Accurate Information about Your Business](#2_Add_Accurate_Information_about_Your_Business)
- [3. Get More Reviews from Your Customers](#3_Get_More_Reviews_from_Your_Customers)
- [4. Respond to Your Customers](#4_Respond_to_Your_Customers)
- [5. Add Photos and Videos](#5_Add_Photos_and_Videos)
- [6. Add Your Business Location to Your Site](#6_Add_Your_Business_Location_to_Your_Site)
- [7. Improve Your Website Ranking](#7_Improve_Your_Website_Ranking)
- [8. Add Post to Your Business Listing](#8_Add_Post_to_Your_Business_Listing)
## What is Google My Business Listing?
Google My business is a free service by Google to show your business on Google maps and Google [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/).
When people search for a keyword related to your business, your business page appear in the search results.
If you’re a local business, then Google Business is quite an effective tool to acquire new customers.
- You can easily manage your business listing through a laptop or a mobile device.
- You can also use Google ads to display your Business page as an ad on top of Google Maps when people search for your [business keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?").
- There’s an “Insight” feature in Google My Business to track traffic and user actions on your business page.
## Why You Need a Google My Business Page?
You can use it to give users your business location, business hours, website, and street address. They can use this information to navigate to your location and contact you through the phone or website.
There are many ways users can interact with your page. Google My Business account allows you to reach those customers.
You can respond to reviews, answer questions, enable direct messaging, and set up associated alerts. You can even use Google My Business to publish posts to your profile, much like you would with Facebook and other social media platforms.
## How to Create Google My Business Listing?
This is a relatively simple process. However, for the best results, you must fill out all the details as much as possible.
Let me show you how you can create an **optimized** Google My Business page:
**Note:** You need a Google account to create a Google My Business page for your business.
[Sign up](https://business.google.com/ "Sign up for Google My Business") for Google My Business with your Google account. They Will Ask you to provide the business name. Add your actual business name, which your existing customers recognize.
In the next step, add a business location so that Google can show your business on Google Maps. If you don’t have an office or a shop, don’t worry. You can still create a business listing.
After adding your business location, they might ask, “**do you also serve customers outside this location?**“. This is good for businesses that visit customers’ locations to provide services/products. Add areas and neighborhoods where you operate.
Type the category of your business. You should specifically pick the category that represents your business accurately. This is an important step which most businesses don’t pay enough attention to.
Next, they will ask for your website address and business phone number.
This is an optional field, so you may leave it if you don’t have a website. However, I would strongly suggest that you add at least your business phone number so potential customers can contact you.
Now, click on the finish button. In the next step, you have to verify your business location.
You can do it later at some point and leave it for now if you want. However, unverified business listings [won’t appear in local searches](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?") or maps.
It would help to verify your business listing to make it visible in the search.
Enter your contact name, and they will send you a postcard by postal mail at the business address.
Within 14 days, you will receive a postcard from Google. Wait for the postal mail to arrive in your mailbox.
Once you receive the letter, you will find a verification code on paper. After logging in to your Google Business account, you need to enter that verification code.
## What if your business is already listed on Google Maps?
If your business location is already listed on Google Maps, then you can claim that business location.
1. Open Google Maps and search for your business name.
2. When the knowledge panel appears, click on the **Claim this business** button.
3. In the next step, click on ‘I own or manage this business.
4. Select a verification process and follow the steps provided.
## How to Optimize Your Google My Business Page?
When Google verifies your business page, it is time to optimize it.
You must fill out all the essential information and ensure it is accurate. For example, please don’t lie to people that your business operates 24/7 when it’s not. Here’s how you can optimize your Google My Business page.
Click on the “info” link from your Google My Business dashboard from the left sidebar. It will load a new page; you can fill out your business listing info here.
1. **Add Hours**: Add your business hours accurately and tell your customers about the days you open your store/office.
2. **Add Phone**: Enter your business phone number so customers can contact you and ask questions.
3. **Add Website**: If users need more information about your business, they can get it from your website.
4. **Services**: If you’re a service provider, add your services, price, service name, and description. Make sure you use proper keywords (queries people search on Maps and Search).
5. **Products**: If you sell physical products, enter as many products as possible, including the price.
6. **Business Description**: Add more information about your business and what makes you different than your competitor. You can rephrase the about us page from your business website and add it here. You must fill out this information so that people can understand your business.
## How to Rank Google My Business Page higher?
Ranking your Business page on top positions on Google maps and search is essential to get more users.
To achieve that goal, you should always add all the essential keywords in your business page description. It will help Google send qualified traffic interested in buying your product or services. Here are a few more tips to optimize your business listing for higher rankings.
## 1. Verify Your Business Location
At the start of this tutorial, I explained why you need to verify your business location; I won’t explain it again. However, I’d recommend you confirm your business listing, or it won’t appear on Google.
## 2. Add Accurate Information about Your Business
If you haven’t filled out complete information about your business, Google won’t rank it higher. You need to fill out all the essential information such as your business hours, physical address, phone number, category of your business, and attributes.
## 3. Get More Reviews from Your Customers
To attract more potential customers and business listing rank, you must have a lot of positive customer reviews.
Make sure that you improve customer satisfaction by going the extra mile. A few bad reviews might affect your business ranking on Google (especially if it’s new). Contact your best customers and encourage them to leave feedback about your service so that you can improve your service quality.
## 4. Respond to Your Customers
It is a strategy that is most often neglected by many businesses. Google recommends that a company should respond to its customers. Also, acknowledging what your customer has to say about your business is a good business practice. Even if the review is negative, you must respond to it and explain why you couldn’t fulfill the customer’s expectations.
## 5. Add Photos and Videos
Add high-quality images and videos to your business listing, which shows customers your goods and services. Your customers can add photos and videos to your listing by visiting your Google Business listing page. Add your business photos to showcase your products and services to people looking for what you offer.
## 6. Add Your Business Location to Your Site
You must add business location correctly on your website. Here’s how to do it the right way.
Log into your Google My Business account and click on the link **View on Maps**. It will open up your business listing page on Google Maps.
Click on the **share** button, which will open up a new window. In the second tab of this window, click on **Embed a map**. Now select and copy the iframe code given there.
Add this code to your website about/contact page.
## 7. Improve Your Website Ranking
If you want to rank Google My Business listing for, let’s suppose, “interior designer London” you should first rank your website on the 1st page on that keyword. It is a good indicator that a business is well-established online.
You can boost your website ranking by [getting more backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/) and optimizing your site pages for important business keywords.
## 8. Add Post to Your Business Listing
Creating a new post and keeping your customers updated on the latest discounts and offers is an excellent way to get a quick boost in the ranking. You can also add a call-to-action, such as a button to call you or read more. There are countless ways you can add content using a post option. Make sure to include an image or video to grab the user’s attention.
There are countless ways that you can use to [promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online"). If, let’s suppose these tips doesn’t work for you for any reason, then you can always try out Google Ads, SEO, social media marketing, and other countless ways.
I hope you found this post helpful. If you want to download Google Maps search results to spy on your competitors, read this post on [how to export Google Maps search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?").
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Best Cheap Email Marketing Services to Grow Your List](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you currently using an email marketing service that costs a fortune? If so, then you’ll want to explore these best cheap email marketing services.
If you’re not utilizing email marketing at the moment, you’re probably missing out on a lot of potential customers.
While social media is an excellent tool for driving traffic, it lacks the control you have with email marketing. You don’t own your Facebook or Twitter page.
These platforms can delete your page for seemingly arbitrary reasons, a scenario that has occurred with many businesses before and will likely continue.
On the contrary, you completely own your email subscriber list because people willingly provided their email addresses to you.
They trusted your brand/business enough to give you their email address. You can market your next product, offer them discounts, or just use this channel to share important announcements.
What I’m emphasizing is that the list belongs to you.
No one can take that away from you.
Sure, your email marketing service accounts might be canceled or terminated for various reasons, but if you have a backup of your list, you can upload it to a new email marketing service.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why Email Marketing Matters?](#Why_Email_Marketing_Matters)
- [Why do you need Affordable Email Marketing?](#Why_do_you_need_Affordable_Email_Marketing)
- [Best Cheap Email Marketing Services](#Best_Cheap_Email_Marketing_Services)
- [1. MailChimp](#1_MailChimp)
- [2. AWeber](#2_AWeber)
- [3. Sendinblue](#3_Sendinblue)
- [4. Mailjet](#4_Mailjet)
- [5. MailerLite](#5_MailerLite)
- [6. Sendy](#6_Sendy)
- [7. CakeMail](#7_CakeMail)
- [8. Moosend](#8_Moosend)
- [9. SendPulse](#9_SendPulse)
- [Considerations for Choosing a Cheap Email Marketing Service](#Considerations_for_Choosing_a_Cheap_Email_Marketing_Service)
- [Budget Considerations](#Budget_Considerations)
- [Features and Functionality](#Features_and_Functionality)
- [Deliverability and Reputation](#Deliverability_and_Reputation)
- [Customer Support and Resources](#Customer_Support_and_Resources)
- [Integration and Compatibility](#Integration_and_Compatibility)
- [Conclusion](#Conclusion)
## Why Email Marketing Matters?
It’s an age-old yet highly effective marketing practice that enables you to send various types of content to a list of subscribers via email. Email marketing services such as MailChimp, AWeber, etc., facilitate sending these emails.
Email marketing helps businesses generate website traffic, leads, and sales. A staggering 86% of professionals prefer to use email when communicating for business purposes. It’s an efficient way to market your brand, product, content, or service.
## Why do you need Affordable Email Marketing?
When it comes to email, you have to pay to play. Without an email marketing software your campaign deliverability suffers. Hence, it’s important to opt for an affordable marketing solution that is on your pocket in long term.
1. **Cost Efficiency**: Small businesses and startups often have limited budgets. Affordable email marketing allows them to access essential marketing tools without breaking the bank.
2. **Reach**: Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to reach a large audience. With affordable solutions, businesses can send targeted messages to their subscribers without worrying about excessive costs.
3. **Engagement**: Email marketing platforms offer features like automation, personalization, and analytics, which are crucial for engaging with customers effectively. Affordable solutions allow businesses of all sizes to utilize these features to build relationships with their audience.
4. **ROI**: Email marketing consistently provides a high return on investment (ROI). Affordable solutions ensure that businesses can achieve a positive ROI without spending beyond their means.
5. **Scalability**: As businesses grow, they need scalable solutions that can accommodate their increasing subscriber lists and evolving needs. Affordable email marketing platforms often offer scalable pricing plans that allow businesses to upgrade as they expand.
6. **Competitive Advantage**: In today’s digital landscape, email marketing is a standard practice for businesses across industries. Having access to affordable email marketing tools ensures that even smaller businesses can compete effectively with larger counterparts.
## Best Cheap Email Marketing Services
Here is a list of the best and most affordable email marketing services. Whether you send thousands of emails per month or millions any of these services are effective.
### 1. MailChimp
[](https://mailchimp.com/)
I kept it in the number 1 position because of the popularity of this service. MailChimp is one of the most used email marketing services.
MailChimp is easyeasier to use for beginners because of helpful documentation and thoughtful UX.
If you have trouble understanding a particular feature, you can find a lot of helpful tutorials on their knowledge base.
I would recommend MailChimp if you are new to email marketing.
##### MailChimp Top Features
Email BeamerRSS-to-EmailEmail DesignerDelivery by Time ZoneEmail TemplatesA/B TestingIntegrationsMailChimp Coupon ScannerMerge TagsMailChimp EditorMulti-User AccountsMailChimp MobileCustom FormsMailChimp SnapSegmentation and GroupsMailChimp VIPsSubscriber ProfilesMobile Signup FormsAutomationSMS for EventsSpam Filter DiagnosticsCampaign ArchivesEmail DeliverySocial ProfilesGeolocationSocial SharingEmail Client TestingReports#### MailChimp Price
MailChimp allows a free plan for its new users. This is especially good for beginners. With MailChimp free plan you can add up to 2,000 subscribers and send 12,000 emails monthly. Once you’ve exceeded these numbers you might want to upgrade to the **Grow** or **Pro** plan.
**MailChimp Paid Plans:**
- Up to 5,000 subscribers: $50 per month
- Up to 10,000 subscribers: $75 per month
- Up to 25,000 subscribers: $150 per month
- Up to 52,000 subscribers: $250 per month
If this sounds too expensive for you then check out other MailChimp alternatives below.
### 2. AWeber
[](https://www.aweber.com/)
AWeber charges based on the number of subscribers your list has. They don’t offer a free program like MailChimp or other email marketing tools.
Still, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial. After that period, you have to pay to use their service.
The backbone of AWeber’s appeal is its dedication to helping you use its stuff. They’re equipped with a friendly [customer support](https://azibyaqoob.com/my-experience-working-as-a-wordpress-customer-support-specialist/ "My Experience Working as a WordPress Customer Support Specialist") team that’s available 12 hours per day, 5 days a week.
#### AWeber Top Features
Here are some of the top features of Aweber. Please note that each plan offers different features, so for more accurate feature details you can check features on their [website](https://www.aweber.com/features-overview.htm "AWeber Features").
Drag and Drop EditorHTML TemplatesEmail AutomationTaggingSplit TestingAutoresponder Follow-UpsRSS to EmailIntegrations with many online toolsMobile responsive Sing Up FormsConnect 3rd-party integrations with Email APIMobile AppSubscriber segmentationEmail performance analyticsLeading deliverability rate#### AWeber Price
Now, let’s check its price. Aweber pricing is competitive but they don’t support long-term basic freemium plans as their competitors.
Their pricing is based on the number of subscribers you have. You can send unlimited emails in all the plans.
- Free trial for 30 days – all the features included
- $19/mo 500 subscribers – unlimited emails
- $29/mo 2,500 subscribers – unlimited emails
- $49/mo 5,000 subscribers – unlimited emails
- $69/mo 10,000 subscribers – unlimited emails
- $149/mo 25,000 subscribers – unlimited emails
- Custom pricing after 25,000+ subscribers
### 3. Sendinblue
[](https://www.sendinblue.com/)
Sendinblue offers email marketing, SMS marketing, and chat integration services. It is one of the industry-leading email marketing services.
A basic free membership can be used to send 300 emails/day.
The good thing is that you can add unlimited contacts. Sendichargescharge on email sends, unlike other competitors who charge based on the number of subscribers.
#### Top Sendinblue Features
Here are some of the top features of Aweber. Please note that each plan offers different features, so for more accurate feature details you can check features on their [site](https://www.sendinblue.com/features/ "Sendinblue Features").
Mobile-friendly email designerLanding page builderEmail template libraryTransactional email and SMS sendingEmail & SMS personalizationCore API featuresSMS marketingAdvanced templating languageA/B testingNo daily sending limitNo daily sending limitDedicated IP includedRemove Sendinblue logoWorkflow editorSend time optimizationPage tracking[Facebook ads](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "How to Set Up Facebook Retargeting Ads Campaign (Step by Step Guide)")Marketing automation workflowsChatGeography & device reportingRetargeting adsHeat map reportingUnlimited contacts & detailsAdvanced open & click statsAdvanced segmentationAPI & pluginsCustomizable signup formsSSO & SAMLSales CRMService Level Agreement (SLA)#### Sendinblue Price
It is fairly cheap for small business owners to satisfy their email marketing needs. Sendinblue is one of the well-known names in email marketing. Here are the pricing details for Sendinblue.
- Free plaemails email/day with unlimited contacts
- Lite plan: $25/mo, send 40,00 emails monthly
- Essential plan: $39/mo, send 60,000 emails monthly
- Premium plan: $66/mo, send 120,000 emails monthly
- Custom pricing after the premium plan
### 4. Mailjet
[](https://www.mailjet.com/)
It is perhaps the most affordable solution to your marketing needs. Its paid plan starts at only $8.69 a month. They also offer transactional emails and Transactional SMS services which could further improve your marketing game.
**What is a transactional email?**
When a user performs a particular action such as when he creates an account or resets a password, the email that is sent automatically after that action is known as transactional email.
Other than that, you can use Mailjet other features.
#### Top Mailjet Features
Please note that all the features are different based on the plan you choose. For ease of understanding, I compiled all the features in a single table.
Collaboration ToolkitTransactional email API IntegrationSubscription formsA/B Testingemail template galleryReal-time Analyticsdrag-and-drop email builderDedicated IPcontact segmentationEmail AutomationTransactional SMSCustom reports#### Mailjet Price
It is quite an [affordable service](https://azibyaqoob.com/law-firms/) suitable for individual creators and small business sites. You can store unlimited contacts to your list whether you use their free account or a paid plan.
Mailjet charges are based on the number of emails sent each month rather than the number of subscribers. Also, there’s no daily sending limit on any account.
You can pay a monthly fee or pay an annual fee at a 10% discount on all the plans. I’m going to divide both of these plans:
**Mailjet Annual Fee (10% Discount)**
- 6,000 emails/monthly (Daily 200 emails limit): price Free
- 30,000 emails/monthly: Price $8.69/m
- 30,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $18.86/m
- 60,000 emails/monthly: Price $17.06/m
- 60,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $37.76/m
- 150,000 emails/monthly: Price $62.06/m
- 150,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $87.26/m
- 450,000 emails/monthly: Price $150.26/m
- 450,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $206.96/m
- 900,000 emails/monthly: Price $300.56/m
- 900,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $359.06/m
- Custom pricing after 900,000+ emails
**Mailjet Monthly Fee (No Discount)**
- 6,000 emails/monthly (Daily 200 emails limit): price Free
- 30,000 emails/monthly: Price $9.65/m
- 30,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $20.95/m
- 60,000 emails/monthly: Price $18.95/m
- 60,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $41.95/m
- 150,000 emails/monthly: Price $68.95/m
- 150,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $96.95/m
- 450,000 emails/monthly: Price $166.95/m
- 450,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $229.95/m
- 900,000 emails/monthly: Price $333.95/m
- 900,000 emails/monthly (Extra Features): Price $398.95/m
- Custom pricing after 900,000+ emails
### 5. MailerLite
[](https://www.mailerlite.com/)
Mailerlite is another affordable email marketing service that is new in the game. It comes with a drag-and-drop editor to create responsive emails.
You can use built-in newsletter templates from the MailerLite template gallery, to create landing pages, pop-up forms, and embedded forms.
It can be easily integrated with popular e-commerce platforms such as WooCommerce, [Shopify](https://azibyaqoob.com/increase-sales-shopify/ "How to Increase Sales on Your Shopify Website by 60% Right Now"), EasyStore, and many others.
#### Mailerlite Top Features
Drag & Drop Newsletter EditorEmail AutomationCustom HTML EditorRSS CampaignsRich Text EditorDeliver by TimezoneNewsletter templatesAuto ResendBuilt-in photo editingA/B Split TestingFile ManagerSegmentationMobile-Friendly Email NewslettersPersonalizationEcommerce CampaignsInterest Groups (Tagging)Pop-up Subscribe FormsEmail Newsletter ReportsLanding PagesClick mapsEmbedded Signup FormsOpens by LocationSubscriber ManagementIntegrationsUnsubscribe Page BuilderDeveloper API#### Mailerlite Price
They charge on the number of subscribers. You can send unlimited emails monthly when you use any of their paid plans, there is no sending limit.
You can also avail a discount if you pay annually. However, in the given list, I have included only a monthly price.
SubscribersMonthly CostEmails per MonthFeatures1 – 1,000Free12,000Limited1 – 1,000$10UnlimitedAll Features1,001 – 2,500$15UnlimitedAll Features2,501 – 5,000$30UnlimitedAll Features5,001 – 10,000$50UnlimitedAll Features### 6. Sendy
[](https://sendy.co/)
This platform is quite different than its competitors. One of the top features of Sendy, it is a self-hosted email newsletter application.
It lets you send trackable emails via Amazon Simple Email Service (SES). It is definitely the cheapest email marketing service on this list.
You only need to pay a one-time fee of $59 and that’s it. They won’t charge you anything. However, to send emails you have to use Amazon SES which costs $1 per 10,000 emails.
This is a great service but installation and management could be a little difficult for the end-user. So, you could even hire Sendy’s support team to set up your account. Let’s see which features they provide at that price point.
#### Sendy Top Features
Amazon SES ReportsTwo-factor authenticationManage multiple client accountsMass add, delete or unsubscribe usersAutorespondersReady to use subscription formList segmentationStore templatesList and subscribers managementGoogle Analytics supportCustom fieldsGoogle reCAPTCHA supportBounce, complaint, & unsubscribe handlingPersonalization tagsIntegrates with many popular appsImport lists without re-confirmationSetup custom domainsSend emails with attachmentsFast multi-threaded sendingBlacklist for emails and/or domainsGDPR featuresUse any other SMTP servicesTranslation readySingle or double opt-in & opt-out#### Sendy Price
Since it doesn’t offer any plans, the pricing for Sendy is simple. I have included a complete setup fee.
- $59 fee for unlimited Sendy use
- Amazon SES $1 for each 10,000 emails
- Installation fee for Sendy is $79
### 7. CakeMail
[](https://www.cakemail.com/)
Another affordable solution to your email marketing needs, CakeMail is comparatively new in the game.
It’s a great tool for generating and designing newsletters for your client list, featuring your news, Images,, texts and customize templates from a wide selection of themes.
For small business owners and individual content creators, this could be a valuable service. However, it has limited features, if you compare it to some more feature-rich alternatives in this list.
#### Top CakeMail Features
Here are some of the top feathat which you will get with every membership plan.
Drag and Drop EditorA/B TestingLibrary of content blocksList SegmentationCreate groupsDocument LibraryContact ManagementReal-time Email EditorMailing List ManagementClick MapSpam CheckEmail SchedulingTemplate ManagementPredesigned Email Templates#### CakeMail Price
CakeMail Charges are based on the number of subscribers. It doesn’t offer a free plan that its competitors offer but it comes with a free 30-day trial without adding a credit card.
- Free 30-day trial. No credit card required
- 500 subscribers $8/monthly or $77/year
- 1,000 subscribers $12/monthly or $115/year
- 2,500 subscribers $24/monthly or $230/year
- 5,000 subscribers $39/monthly or $374/year
- 10,000 subscribers $59/monthly or $566/year
- 25,000 subscribers $119/monthly or $1142/year
### 8. Moosend
[](https://moosend.com/)
Moosend is also an affordable email marketing service. It comes with more features than some of its direct competitors such as CakeMail.
Moosend is an email marketing software that enables users to send triggered campaigns based on subscriber behavior.
Moosend pricing is based on the number of subscribers in an account. You can upgrade to new plans as soon as you reach your limits.
#### Moosend Top Features
Easy to use Drag and Drop EditorCustom Automated WorkflowsEmail Marketing AutomationPre-built Workflow TemplatesAdvanced SegmentationEasy Website IntegrationPowerful Real-time AnalyticsAccurate ReportingManage MembersCart AbandonmentCustom FieldsProduct RecommendationsSegmentationEmail Analytics OverviewCustom Opt-in FormsRecipient ActivityDrag and Drop Campaign EditorActivity Over TimeDesignr own templatesLink PerformanceNewsletter templatesEmail Client & Mobile Device TrackingPersonalized contentActivity By LocationScheduled DeliveryExport Reports to ExcelConvert More LeadsAPI integrationsRecover Abandoned CartsSMTP#### Moosend Price
Moosend charges are based on the number of subscribers. They also offer a free account that you can use to add 1,000 subscribers and send unlimited emails each month. All of their free or paid plans can send unlimited emails monthly.
Their monthly plans are also quite affordable. You can pay either monthly, yearly, or half-yearly. They offer discounts when you pay a half-yearly or yearly fee at once.
**Monthly Payment No Discounts**
- Up to 1,000 subscribers: Price Free
- Up to 2,000 subscribers: Price $10
- Up to 3,000 subscribers: Price $20
- Up to 5,000 subscribers: Price $30
- Up to 8,000 subscribers: Price $40
- Up to 10,000 subscribers: Price $55
They offer many plans for up to 1,000,000 subscribers: Price $3,650
**Half-yearly Payment 15% Discount**
- Up to 1,000 subscribers: Price Free
- Up to 2,000 subscribers: Price $8
- Up to 3,000 subscribers: Price $17
- Up to 5,000 subscribers: Price $25
- Up to 8,000 subscribers: Price $34
- Up to 10,000 subscribers: Price $46
They offer many plans for up to 1,000,000 subscribers: $3,102
**Yearly Payment 20% Discount**
- Up to 1,000 subscribers: Price Free
- Up to 2,000 subscribers: Price $8
- Up to 3,000 subscribers: Price $16
- Up to 5,000 subscribers: Price $24
- Up to 8,000 subscribers: Price $32
- Up to 10,000 subscribers: Price $44
They offer many plans for up to 1,000,000 subscribers: $2,920
### 9. SendPulse
This marketing automation platform is definitely among the best out there as it combines all the essential [email marketing features](https://sendpulse.com/features/email) with multichannel capabilities.
According to reviews on G2 many businesses all over the world recognize SendPulse as a reliable marketing automation platform and praise the platform for its ease of use and flexible pricing policy.
In recent years, SendPulse has evolved into a full-fledged multichannel marketing hub that combines email and SMS campaigns, a powerful chatbot marketing suit, and its own CRM.
Email templates builderSegmentation Subscription forms A/B testing Smart pop-ups Resend to unopened option Landing page builder Automation 360 Email VerifierCampaign analytics SMTP server Triggered emails #### SendPulse pricing
SendPulse offers a free plan that allows users to send 15000 free emails to 500 subscribers every month.
Paid plans start at $7. The free plan gives access to other features like chatbots or website builders. It’s worth mentioning that SendPulse also offers 12000 free emails through [its SMTP server](https://sendpulse.com/features/smtp) for transactional messages.
The free plan has its limitations but for small businesses, it’s an ideal option.
## Considerations for Choosing a Cheap Email Marketing Service
When considering which email marketing service to choose, there are several important factors to take into account:
### Budget Considerations
- Determine your budget for email marketing. Understanding how much you can afford to spend will help narrow down your options.
- Compare pricing plans offered by different email marketing services. Some providers offer tiered pricing based on the size of your email list or the features included.
- Look for any hidden fees or additional costs that may not be immediately apparent. Consider the long-term affordability of the service, especially as your email list grows.
### Features and Functionality
- Assess the features offered by each email marketing service and determine which ones are essential for your business needs.
- Consider the ease of use and user interface of the email marketing platform. A user-friendly interface can save time and frustration when creating and managing email campaigns.
- Evaluate the scalability of the service. Ensure that it can accommodate your business’s growth and increasing email marketing needs without requiring a significant upgrade in pricing or features.
### Deliverability and Reputation
- Email deliverability is crucial for the success of your campaigns. Look for an email marketing service with a strong reputation for delivering emails to the inbox rather than the spam folder.
- Consider factors that affect deliverability, such as sender reputation, spam detection tools, and compliance with email marketing regulations like GDPR and CAN-SPAM.
- Research reviews and testimonials from other users to gauge the reliability and effectiveness of the service in delivering emails.
### Customer Support and Resources
- Evaluate the level of customer support provided by the email marketing service. Look for options such as email support, live chat, phone support, and comprehensive help documentation.
- Consider whether the service offers educational resources and training to help you get the most out of their platform. This could include tutorials, webinars, blog posts, and other resources to improve your email marketing skills.
### Integration and Compatibility
- Determine whether the email marketing service integrates seamlessly with your existing tools and software. This includes your website platform, CRM system, e-commerce platform, and other marketing tools.
- Check for compatibility with popular third-party integrations such as Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, and e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
- Assess the flexibility of the service in terms of customization and API access, especially if you have unique integration requirements for your business.
## Conclusion
Choose a cheap marketing service that aligns with your budget, requirements, and long-term goals. Set your business up for success in reaching and engaging your audience through email campaigns.
Choosing the right email marketing service is crucial for unlocking growth opportunities.
Whether you opt for MailChimp’s user-friendly interface or SendPulse’s advanced automation, the key is to align the platform with your business goals and budget.
With the insights from this guide, you’re equipped to make an informed decision and take your marketing efforts to the next level.
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which is Faster?](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** Struggling to choose a WordPress plugin? Dive into the world of NitroPack vs. WP Rocket. From features to pricing, we'll explore everything you need to know!
**Content:**
When aiming to enhance the performance of your WordPress website, experts frequently recommend NitroPack and WP Rocket.
In this post, I will compare NitroPack and WP Rocket features, usability, performance, and pricing. You can easily make an informed decision after reading this post.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Features of NitroPack](#Features_of_NitroPack)
- [Features of WP Rocket](#Features_of_WP_Rocket)
- [Pricing Comparison](#Pricing_Comparison)
- [Ease of Use](#Ease_of_Use)
- [Performance Comparison](#Performance_Comparison)
- [Compatibility](#Compatibility)
- [Support and Documentation](#Support_and_Documentation)
- [Updates and Maintenance](#Updates_and_Maintenance)
- [Pros and Cons of NitroPack](#Pros_and_Cons_of_NitroPack)
- [Pros and Cons of WP Rocket](#Pros_and_Cons_of_WP_Rocket)
- [User Reviews and Feedback](#User_Reviews_and_Feedback)
- [Comparison of NitroPack vs. WP Rocket](#Comparison_of_NitroPack_vs_WP_Rocket)
- [NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which One You Should Use?](#NitroPack_vs_WP_Rocket_Which_One_You_Should_Use)
## Features of NitroPack
NitroPack offers a comprehensive set of features to boost website speed:
- **Effectiveness:** Nitropack is highly effective at optimizing your WordPress site for the Core Web Vitals test. It has been shown to achieve near-perfect scores and is particularly adept at addressing performance issues related to Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).
- **Built-in CDN:** Nitropack offers a built-in Content Delivery Network (CDN) feature, which stores all your assets on a CDN. This can help improve loading times and reduce latency.
- **Image optimization:** It [optimizes images without compromising quality](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality?"), further enhancing load times.
- **Lazy loading:** NitroPack implements lazy loading, ensuring that only visible content loads initially, improving user experience.
- **CDN integration:** It seamlessly integrates with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for faster content delivery across the globe.
## Features of WP Rocket
WP Rocket focuses on simplicity and effectiveness with features including:
- **Affordability**: WP Rocket is more affordable than Nitropack. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for a cost-effective solution.
- **Caching Plugin:** WP Rocket primarily functions as a caching plugin. While it can help you pass the Core Web Vitals test, it doesn’t cover all aspects. For example, it lacks a built-in CDN and image optimization features.
- **Advanced Settings:** WP Rocket offers great advanced settings and features, making it suitable for users who want more control over their caching and optimization.
- **Compatibility**: Being open-source, WP Rocket has better compatibility with other plugins, and its community actively addresses issues.
- **Browser caching:** WP Rocket leverages browser caching to store static files locally, [reducing server requests](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?") and improving load times for returning visitors.
## Pricing Comparison
When it comes to pricing, both NitroPack and WP Rocket offer competitive packages tailored to different needs and budgets.
NitroPack offers several pricing plans, including a free tier with limited features, as well as premium plans catering to small businesses and large enterprises. Pricing is based on website traffic and desired features.
NitroPack offers three pricing plans, including Business, Growth, and Scale. You can pay either monthly or yearly.
**NitroPack Pricing**:
- **Business:** The Business plan costs $210 per year.
- **Growth:** The Growth plan costs $510 per year.
- **Scale:** The scale plan costs $1760.04 per year.
WP Rocket also provides flexible pricing options, including a single-site license and options for multiple websites. WP Rocket is quite affordable compared to NitroPack. If you want to purchase CDN and image optimization services seperately, WP Rocket won’t disappoint you.
The WP Media, parent company of WP Rocket, has partnered with Bunny CDN. As a result, they now offer CDN services separately. For image optimization, you can use their service, Imagify.
**WP Rocket Pricing:**
- **Single:** The Single plan costs $59 per year.
- **Plus:** The Plus plan costs $119 per year.
- **Infinite:** The Infinite plan costs $299 per year.
**Note:** If you want a WP Rocket license for one year at up to a 50% discount, check out this [WP Rocket coupon codes](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-rocket-coupon-boost-your-website-speed-and-save-money/ "WP Rocket Coupon: Boost Your Website Speed and Save Money") guide.
## Ease of Use
In terms of usability, both NitroPack and WP Rocket offer user-friendly interfaces and straightforward setup processes. NitroPack boasts a simple setup wizard and intuitive dashboard, making it easy for users to configure optimization settings.
WP Rocket also provides a seamless setup experience, with a clean and intuitive interface. Users can quickly enable caching and optimization features with just a few clicks, even without technical expertise.
## Performance Comparison
Performance is a crucial factor when choosing between NitroPack and WP Rocket. Both tools aim to improve website speed, but the actual performance may vary depending on individual websites and configurations.
Speed test results and user experiences indicate that NitroPack consistently delivers impressive performance improvements, with significant reductions in loading times across various website types and platforms.
Similarly, WP Rocket has garnered praise for its effectiveness in boosting website speed. Many users report noticeable improvements in performance after implementing WP Rocket, particularly in terms of page loading times and overall responsiveness.
## Compatibility
Compatibility is another important consideration for website owners. NitroPack and WP Rocket are both compatible with popular Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Magento.
Additionally, both plugins work well with different hosting environments, including shared hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers. This ensures compatibility and seamless integration regardless of the website’s platform or hosting provider.
## Support and Documentation
When it comes to support and documentation, both NitroPack and WP Rocket offer comprehensive resources to help users get the most out of their products.
NitroPack provides dedicated support channels, including email support and a knowledge base with helpful articles and tutorials. Users can also access community forums to ask questions and share experiences with other users.
Similarly, WP Rocket offers extensive documentation, including detailed setup guides and troubleshooting tips. Users can contact support via email for assistance with technical issues or inquiries about the product.
## Updates and Maintenance
Regular updates and maintenance are essential for ensuring optimal performance and security. Both NitroPack and WP Rocket release frequent updates to address bugs, improve features, and enhance compatibility with new technologies.
By staying up-to-date with the latest versions, users can benefit from improved performance and stability while minimizing the risk of security vulnerabilities or compatibility issues.
## Pros and Cons of NitroPack
### Pros:
- Comprehensive optimization features.
- User-friendly interface.
- Excellent performance improvements.
- Flexible pricing options.
### Cons:
- Limited customization options.
- Some advanced features may require technical expertise.
- Pricing may be higher for larger websites.
## Pros and Cons of WP Rocket
### Pros:
- Simple setup process.
- Effective caching and optimization features.
- Compatibility with various CMS platforms.
- Dedicated support and documentation.
### Cons:
- Slightly higher pricing compared to competitors.
- Limited advanced customization options.
- May not be suitable for extremely large websites with complex needs.
## User Reviews and Feedback
Both NitroPack and WP Rocket have received positive reviews from users and industry experts alike. Users praise NitroPack for its ease of use and significant performance improvements, particularly for e-commerce websites and high-traffic blogs.
Similarly, WP Rocket has garnered praise for its simplicity and effectiveness in speeding up WordPress websites. Many users appreciate its intuitive interface and responsive support team.
## Comparison of NitroPack vs. WP Rocket
To help you choose the right [WordPress optimization plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/yoast-seo-free-vs-yoast-seo-premium-full-review/ "Free Vs. Premium: Which Yoast SEO Is Right For You?") for your website, I created this comparison table of NitroPack vs WP Rocket. I included all their features, pricing, and pros and cons.
Feature NitroPack WP Rocket Speed optimization Yes Yes Cloud-based Yes No Caching Yes Yes Image optimization Yes No Mobile optimization Yes No SEO optimization Yes Yes Database optimization No Yes CDN integration Yes Yes Lazy loading Yes Yes Free plan Yes, with limited features No Pricing options Business ($21/month)
Growth ($51/month)
Scale ($176/month) Single ($47.20/year)
Plus ($95.20/year)
Infinite ($239.20/year) Support Documentation, knowledge base, and [customer support](https://azibyaqoob.com/my-experience-working-as-a-wordpress-customer-support-specialist/) Documentation, knowledge base, and customer support Custom branding Yes No The comparison table shows that both NitroPack and WP Rocket provide speed optimization, caching, SEO optimization, and lazy loading.
However, NitroPack provides cloud-based, image, and mobile optimization, which are not available in WP Rocket. On the other hand, WP Rocket provides database optimization and more pricing options than NitroPack.
## NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which One You Should Use?
In conclusion, both NitroPack and WP Rocket offer powerful solutions for optimizing website speed and performance. While NitroPack excels in comprehensive optimization features and ease of use, WP Rocket stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness. Ultimately, the choice between NitroPack and WP Rocket depends on individual preferences, budget considerations, and specific website requirements.
### FAQs
1. **Which Plugin is better for a WordPress website?**
Both NitroPack and WP Rocket are excellent choices for WordPress websites. It ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
2. **Can I use NitroPack and WP Rocket together?**
While it’s technically possible to use both plugins together, it’s generally not recommended as they may conflict with each other’s optimization settings.
3. **Do NitroPack and WP Rocket offer free trials?**
NitroPack offers a free tier with limited features, while WP Rocket does not offer a free trial but provides a money-back guarantee.
4. **Are NitroPack and WP Rocket compatible with WooCommerce?**
Yes, both NitroPack and WP Rocket are compatible with WooCommerce, the popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress.
5. **Do NitroPack and WP Rocket provide refunds?**
Both offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Caching, Image compression, WP Rocket
---
### [How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Submitting your XML sitemap to search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo is an essential step in improving your website’s search performance (SEO). In this post, I will explain the process of how to submit sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo so that your website can be discovered and ranked more effectively.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [What is a Sitemap?](#What_is_a_Sitemap)
- [How to Create an XML Sitemap?](#How_to_Create_an_XML_Sitemap)
- [Submit XML Sitemap to Google](#Submit_XML_Sitemap_to_Google)
- [Submit XML Sitemap to Bing](#Submit_XML_Sitemap_to_Bing)
- [Submit XML Sitemap to Yahoo](#Submit_XML_Sitemap_to_Yahoo)
## What is a Sitemap?
An XML sitemap is a file that lists all the pages on your website that you want the search engine bots to crawl and index. We use sitemaps to inform search engines about new web pages ready to crawl and index.
It is a collection of URLs in an XML format. Sitemaps can also provide extra information, such as the page’s last modified time, last update time, and which pages are more important to crawl by setting a priority.
Search engine crawlers can easily find your pages through internal links or links from other websites (backlinks). However, most search engines recommend submitting an XML sitemap so crawlers can regularly crawl and index your website’s new pages.
## How to Create an XML Sitemap?
The first step in submitting your XML sitemap to search engines is to create one. There are various ways to create an XML sitemap. If you are using WordPress, you can use any of these[ XML sitemap plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-xml-sitemap-plugins-for-wordpress/ "Best XML Sitemap Plugins for WordPress") to generate a sitemap.
You can create an XML sitemap using Yoast SEO, install the [Yoast SEO plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/yoast-seo-free-vs-yoast-seo-premium-full-review/ "Free Vs. Premium: Which Yoast SEO Is Right For You?"), and go to “SEO > General > Features” in your WordPress dashboard. Enable the XML sitemaps feature and click on the “See XML Sitemap” button to view your sitemap.
If you are using some other Content Management System (Shopify, Drupal, etc.), then you can read their documentation. You can also [create an XML sitemap manually](https://www.sitemaps.org/protocol.html "XML Sitemap Protocol").
If you want to create an XML sitemap manually, use a text editor like Notepad or Sublime Text to create a file named “sitemap.xml”. In the file, add the URLs of all the pages on your website that you want the search engine bots to crawl and index. Make sure to follow the [XML sitemap protocol](https://www.sitemaps.org/protocol.html), including the and tags and the tag for each page’s URL.
- Begin with an opening tag and end with a closing tag.
- Specify the namespace (protocol standard) within the tag.
- Include a entry for each URL as a parent XML tag.
- Include a child entry for each parent tag.
**Here is an example of a manual XML sitemap:**
```
http://www.example.com/
```
After creating a sitemap, you can submit it by following this process:
## Submit XML Sitemap to Google
**Step 1:** Create an XML sitemap manually or through a plugin.
**Step 2:** Copy the end URL ` sitemap.xml` or ` sitemap_index_xml`. It depends on which method you choose to create a sitemap. Make sure you are landing on the XML sitemap using the complete URL.
**Step 3:** Go to Google Search Console > **Indexing** > **Sitemaps**. Enter the URL of your sitemap and press the submit button.
**Step 4:** Refresh this page; it will display all your website’s submitted pages.
**Note:** Google will take some time to crawl and index those pages. It depends on the number of pages that are ready to be crawled.
## Submit XML Sitemap to Bing
**Step 1:** Generate a sitemap and copy the URL. Login to your Bing Webmaster Tools Account.
**Step 2:** Look for the property where you want to submit the sitemap.
**Step 3:** Look for the **Sitemaps** in the sidebar menu. Here you will find a box that says submit a sitemap. You can paste your complete sitemap URL and click the **submit** button.
Wait for a few weeks, and Bing will start indexing your website’s pages.
## Submit XML Sitemap to Yahoo
Submit your site via Bing Webmaster Tools. You don’t need to submit a sitemap to Yahoo if you have already added a sitemap to Bing.
Your content can take around eight weeks to show up in the Yahoo Search after sitemap submission.
If you particularly want to add a sitemap to Yahoo, then no such process is available. Follow the Bing submission steps to add a sitemap to the Yahoo search engine.
I hope you find this post helpful. Let me know in the comments if you are unable to submit your sitemap to Google, Bing, or Yahoo.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Export Google Search Results to Excel?](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** Are you looking for a way to download Google search results to an Excel CSV or Google Sheets? Here is a step-by-step tutorial on downloading search results quickly to an Excel spreadsheet.
**Content:**
Are you looking for a way to export Google search results to an Excel CSV? In this tutorial, I will share with you how to export search results quickly to an Excel spreadsheet.
**Note:** You can use this method to export Bing, Yahoo, Google, and Yandex search results.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Export Search Results in Google Chrome](#Export_Search_Results_in_Google_Chrome)
- [Change results per page settings](#Change_results_per_page_settings)
- [Download Search Results in Mozilla Firefox](#Download_Search_Results_in_Mozilla_Firefox)
- [Upload Search Results to Google Drive](#Upload_Search_Results_to_Google_Drive)
- [Export Google Maps Search Results to CSV](#Export_Google_Maps_Search_Results_to_CSV)
## Export Search Results in Google Chrome
**Step 1:** Download the [SEOQuake extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/seoquake/akdgnmcogleenhbclghghlkkdndkjdjc?hl=en "SEOquake - Chrome Web Store") in your Chrome browser.
**Step 2:** Search for your keyword on Google. You will find a box at the left side of search results.
**Note**: If you wish to configure your final CSV output, you can click the **Parameters** button.
Change the search results settings. By default, Google and other [search engines](https://azibyaqoob.com/image-seo-guide-how-to-optimize-images-for-search-engines/) show **ten results per page**. Here’s how to change those settings:
## Change results per page settings
**Step 1:** Search for anything on Google. Find the **settings** option below the top search bar.
**Step 2:** Click on **settings**. Now select the option **search settings**.
**Step 3:** Find **results per page** option. Select 100 or any number according to your need.
**Step 4:** Now go back to your [search result](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/) page. Search for your keyword. Wait to load the search results page completely. Now click **Export CSV**.
That’s it! It should download a CSV file to your computer.
## Download Search Results in Mozilla Firefox
**Step 1:** Install the [SEOquake Firefox extension](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/seoquake-seo-extension/ "SeoQuake SEO extension") in your Firefox browser.
**Step 2:** Search for your keyword, At the top left corner, you will find **Export CSV** option. Click on it to download the search results.
**Note:** If you want to configure the search results, click the **Parameters** button. Also, if you want to download 100 search results or more, read this [section](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/#Change_results_per_page_settings)
You can upload this CSV file to Google Drive, Google Sheets, or any other cloud storage capable of processing CSV files.
## Upload Search Results to Google Drive
First of all, you need a Google account. By creating an account on Google, you can access many useful tools, including Google Sheets and Google Drive.
You can upload your CSV file to Google Drive after creating an account.
Go to your Google Drive account and click the **New** Button at the top left corner. Click the **File Upload** button.
Upload your CSV file. You can share this file with anyone with an Internet connection. You no longer need to save that file on a USB drive.
## Export Google Maps Search Results to CSV
A user asked about exporting Google Maps search results into a CSV file.
Recently, I discovered a Google Chrome extension to extract Google Maps search results into a CSV file.
You can open it in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. Here’s how to export Google Maps search results in Chrome:
1. Install the [Easy Web Data Scraper](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/easy-web-data-scraper/mndkmbnkepbhdlkhlofdfcmgflbjggnl/related "Easy Web Data Scraper - Google Chrome Store") extension.
2. Visit Google.com/maps and search for the data you want to extract.
3. Scroll down to as many results as you want to scrap.
4. Click on the **Easy Web Data Scraper** icon in the toolbar.
5. Highlight the fields you want to extract by clicking the **Switch Table** button.
6. Use the **Preview** feature to verify that the correct data is being extracted.
7. Use the **Export** feature to export the data into various formats such as *CSV, XLSX,* or *JSON*.
**That’s it! With Easy Web Data Scraper, you can export Google Maps and Google Search results quickly.**
I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** search results
---
### [How to Migrate a Website from Wix to WordPress?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-move-a-website-from-wix-to-wordpress/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you want to migrate your website from Wix to WordPress, you will find this tutorial helpful. I will show you exactly how to transfer from Wix to WordPress without [losing its ranking](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?"). It might sounds like a difficult task but believe me it is much simple.
I suggest you carefully plan out the whole Wix to WordPress migration process. If you are unsure about it then you should do your research before starting the process. If website development and SEO are not your strong suit, you should consider hiring a professional.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Benefits of Moving from Wix to WordPress](#Benefits_of_Moving_from_Wix_to_WordPress)
- [How to Migrate from Wix to WordPress?](#How_to_Migrate_from_Wix_to_WordPress)
- [Step 1: Purchase a Domain and Hosting](#Step_1_Purchase_a_Domain_and_Hosting)
- [Step 2: Install WordPress](#Step_2_Install_WordPress)
- [Step 3: Install a Theme on WordPress](#Step_3_Install_a_Theme_on_WordPress)
- [Step 4: Manually Transfer Pages from Wix to WordPress](#Step_4_Manually_Transfer_Pages_from_Wix_to_WordPress)
- [Step 5: Import Blog Posts from Wix to WordPress](#Step_5_Import_Blog_Posts_from_Wix_to_WordPress)
- [Step 6: Import Images from Wix to WordPress](#Step_6_Import_Images_from_Wix_to_WordPress)
- [Step 7: Redirecting Traffic from Wix to WordPress](#Step_7_Redirecting_Traffic_from_Wix_to_WordPress)
- [Hire me to Migrate from Wix to WordPress](#Hire_me_to_Migrate_from_Wix_to_WordPress)
## Benefits of Moving from Wix to WordPress
Well, if you are reading this post, the chances are you have already made up your mind. If you need more convincing, then here are some of the benefits of migrating from Wix to WordPress:
- Compared to Wix, WordPress is quite an SEO-friendly platform. You can install dedicated SEO plugins like [Rank Math or Yoast](https://azibyaqoob.com/rank-math-vs-yoast-seo-which-is-better-for-you/ "Rank Math vs Yoast SEO: Which is Better for You?") for better search ranking.
- WordPress is an Open Source website builder, and Wix is a closed-source platform.
- WordPress is accessible as a content management system, and Wix is not.
- You have control over everything on WordPress.
- WordPress offers thousands of free plugins and themes
## How to Migrate from Wix to WordPress?
Without further ado, let’s get started the migrating process:
### Step 1: Purchase a Domain and Hosting
Wix host the website on its servers. So, if you want to migrate your website from Wix, you must buy a separate hosting service to host your domain. Also, if you don’t have a domain name, you have to register one.
You can find reliable and cheap hosting and domains from NameCheap, Hostinger, or Godaddy.
When you are purchasing a hosting plan, make sure that it can tackle your site’s traffic needs.
Once you buy hosting, you must transfer your domain name from Wix to your hosting service.
Here’s how you can transfer your domain from Wix:
1. Login to Wix and go to the My Domains page.
2. Select the relevant domain if you have multiple domains hosted with Wix.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Press the button **Transfer away from Wix**
5. Click Send Code
### Step 2: Install WordPress
Currently, there is no official Wix migration solution. It seems as if they deliberately made the migration process complex.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that you can’t move it. It is possible. Perhaps a little challenging, but with the help of this tutorial, you can quickly transfer your Wix Website to WordPress.
After buying a new hosting, you need to install WordPress on your site.
Most hosting companies these days provide a one-click WordPress install solution. The exact instructions are different for each hosting platform but, you will find this option close to your hosting Dashboard.
You will find WordPress Installer when you log in to your cPanel. Follow the instructions, if any, which will take a few minutes.
**Note:** If you can’t locate the one-click WordPress install then contact your hosting provider.
After installing WordPress, you need to copy your Wix website content, images, videos, and blog posts to WordPress.
Let me show you how to download all your website content from Wix.
### Step 3: Install a Theme on WordPress
It is super easy to install a theme on WordPress.
You can download free WordPress themes from the [WordPress themes directory](https://wordpress.org/themes/browse/featured/ "WordPress Free Themes"). I recommend trying the [GeneratePress](https://wordpress.org/themes/generatepress/) theme, it is super easy and customizable.
If you want well-designed themes and customer support, then you can also purchase a premium WordPress theme from these sites:
- [StudioPress](https://my.studiopress.com/themes/ "Premium WordPress Themes")
- [ThemeForest](https://themeforest.net/category/wordpress "ThemeForest")
- [Elegant Themes](https://www.elegantthemes.com/ "WordPress Premium Themes")
Once you have your theme downloaded, log in to your WordPress website by typing `domain.com/wp-login.php` in your browser. Replace `domain.com` with your actual domain name.
Now, bring your mouse to “Appearance” and click on “Themes.”
On the next page, click on the “Add New” then “Upload” button.
Press the “Choose File” button and select the downloaded theme from your computer.
Now, click on the Install button. It will take a few seconds and redirect you to a new page.
Click the **Activate** button, and your theme is installed on the website.
### Step 4: Manually Transfer Pages from Wix to WordPress
You can import blog posts via RSS feed from Wix to WordPress. However, there’s no automated solution to transfer your site pages from Wix to WordPress. So, we need to copy all the existing pages from Wix to WordPress manually.
In WordPress, you can create a page by bringing your mouse to Pages and clicking on the “Add New” button from the sidebar options.
Copy and paste all the content from your Wix pages to WordPress. Once you are done, click on the **Publish** button.
### Step 5: Import Blog Posts from Wix to WordPress
You can quickly move blog posts from Wix to WordPress. Here’s how:
Type your domain, and at the end of your Wix site URL, add `/feed.xml`. Please see the example below:
https://domain.com/feed.xml
or
https://domain.com/blog-feed.xml
Save the page if you see a page like the above screenshot on any of the feed URLs. Right-click on the page and **save** to download this XML RSS feed to your computer.
Now, log in to your WordPress admin area. From there, bring your mouse to **Tools,** then click on the **Import** button.
Here you will find an RSS import tool. Click on the Install link. Wait for a while, then click on the link **Run Importer**.
Click the “Choose File” button on the next page and upload the XML file we downloaded earlier. Click on the upload and Import button.
Uploading all your blog posts from Wix to WordPress will take time. However, this tool won’t upload all the images you added to the posts. For that, we can use another method.
### Step 6: Import Images from Wix to WordPress
Don’t worry. You don’t need to upload each image individually from Wix to WordPress. In WordPress, you can easily upload blog images by installing the plugin [Auto Upload Images](https://wordpress.org/plugins/auto-upload-images/ "Auto Upload Images").
Log in to your WordPress admin area. Bring your mouse to the Plugins option in the sidebar. And click on the Add New button.
Now, search for this plugin, “Auto Upload Images.”
Click on the Install button and wait for a while. Now, click on the **Activate** button.
Move your mouse over the sidebar on “Settings,” then click on **Auto Upload Images**. It will open up this plugin setting. Scroll down to the page and press the **Save Changes** button.
Now, you need to update all your posts and pages which contain those images. Go to posts > All posts. Click on the Screen Options button at the top.
Increase the number of items per page to 999 and click the Apply button. Select all your posts and click on the Edit button under the Bulk Action menu.
Click on **Apply**, then the **Update** button.
All your posts will be updated with the images. You can repeat this process to upload images to relevant pages.
### Step 7: Redirecting Traffic from Wix to WordPress
Once your migration is complete, redirecting traffic from Wix to WordPress is crucial for ensuring your existing audience can easily find your new site.
**Note:** Free Wix accounts do not support redirection. If redirection isn’t possible, place a notification on your old Wix site directing visitors to your new WordPress site. If you have a custom URL on Wix to set up a redirect then here’s what you need to do:
```
var hashesarr = {
"#!about/ghit7”:’/about-us/‘,
"#!contact-us/fe37”:’/contact/',
“#!dog-article/c6hg”:’/dog-article/'
};
for (var hash in hashesarr) {
var patt = new RegExp(hash);
if (window.location.hash.match(patt) !== null) {
window.location.href = hashesarr[hash];
}
}
```
1. **Customize the redirection code:** Utilize the provided JavaScript code snippet to establish redirection rules. Replace the placeholder URLs in the code with the corresponding URLs from your Wix site and their respective WordPress slugs.
2. **Save the code:** Paste the customized code into a text editor like Notepad and save it as **“redirects.js”**.
3. **Upload the file:** Use a Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) client to upload the “redirects.js” file to the **/js/** directory of your WordPress website. If the directory doesn’t exist in your theme, create it.
```
function wpb_wixjs () {
wp_enqueue_script( 'wixredirect', get_stylesheet_directory_uri() . '/js/redirects.js', array(), '1.0.0', true);
}
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'wpb_wixjs');
```
1. **Edit functions.php:** Add the provided function to your theme’s functions.php file. This function enqueues the JavaScript file for redirection.
2. **Save changes:** Save your modifications to functions.php.
3. T**est the redirection:** Visit an old Wix URL to ensure that you and your visitors are redirected to the corresponding pages on your new WordPress site.
## Hire me to Migrate from Wix to WordPress
If you find the migration from Wix to WordPress a bit too challenging then please feel free to contact me. I can answer all of your questions regarding the migration process. Also, if this all sounds too difficult for you, you can [hire a professional like me](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/).
Once you migrate from Wix to WordPress, you might want to improve WordPress SEO; for that, you can install a plugin such as [Yoast SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/yoast-seo-free-vs-yoast-seo-premium-full-review/ "Yoast SEO Free vs Yoast SEO Premium (Full Review)"). Other than that, here are additional [WordPress plugins for SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "20+ Best Free SEO Plugins for WordPress") that can further help you boost your site ranking.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Serve Cache for Logged-In Users in WordPress?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-serve-cache-for-logged-in-users-in-wordpress/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** Caching for membership websites vary from traditional websites. I will discuss advanced strategies to achieve seamless caching in this tutorial. These strategies are designed to maintain user personalization on your WordPress membership site, especially for logged-in users.
**Content:**
Caching for membership websites is different from traditional websites. To seamlessly cache content for logged-in users, follow these tips designed to maintain personalized experiences on your WordPress membership site.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Understand the Membership Site Challenges](#Understand_the_Membership_Site_Challenges)
- [Identify Logged-In User Content on WordPress](#Identify_Logged-In_User_Content_on_WordPress)
- [Setting Up Conditional Content Display](#Setting_Up_Conditional_Content_Display)
- [Cache Invalidation for User-Specific Content](#Cache_Invalidation_for_User-Specific_Content)
- [User-Specific Caching with Edge Side Includes (ESI)](#User-Specific_Caching_with_Edge_Side_Includes_ESI)
- [Utilizing Cookies for Personalization](#Utilizing_Cookies_for_Personalization)
- [Best Practices for WordPress Cache for Logged in Users.](#Best_Practices_for_WordPress_Cache_for_Logged_in_Users)
## Understand the Membership Site Challenges
When it comes to membership sites, caching can be a bit tricky. To ensure successful implementation, it’s important first to plan out your caching strategy. Don’t forget to consider the various types of personalized content and plugins that will be used.
WordPress membership and community sites fall into what we sometimes call “tricky” category. If not set up or configured correctly, you’ll soon experience 500 errors, downtime, and higher [initial server response time](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?").
### 1- Non-Cacheable Content
Membership websites usually have a lot of content and pages that can’t be stored in a cache, which are frequently being changed or updated.
Elements like the login page for community members, checkout pages, and discussion boards fall into this category. Unfortunately, these elements are typically unsuitable for caching.
This issue extends beyond just caching. On a typical WordPress site, the dashboard is not cached for users who are logged in. While this may not be an issue for smaller sites with only a few admins and authors, it can become problematic for sites with thousands of members.
If the server’s cache cannot provide any content, it can cause performance problems. To avoid this, a robust infrastructure and architecture is essential. Shared hosting providers might struggle in these scenarios.
### 2- Influx of Concurrent Users
Another problem membership sites often face is an influx of concurrent visitors and sessions.
When someone visits a WordPress site for information, they usually spend a few minutes looking for what they need. But, on membership sites, people may take hours if they’re studying online. This means the number of visitors on your WordPress host can go up quickly.
### 3- Complex Queries
Membership sites often create more complicated queries. This means it takes longer to get information [from the MySQL database](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-change-mariadb-to-mysql-in-xampp/ "How to Change MariaDB to MySQL in XAMPP?").
Much of this complexity arises from the numerous components in play and the substantial volumes of data inherent to such sites.
These are some of the performance problems membership sites face. There are some ways you can use to handle this situation better.
## Identify Logged-In User Content on WordPress
- **User Roles and Capabilities:** Define various user roles, such as subscribers and contributors, along with their corresponding capabilities, such as access to specific content.
- **Membership Plugin Configuration:** Configure your membership plugin to assign user roles upon registration or subscription.
## Setting Up Conditional Content Display
- **Conditional Statements:** In your theme files (e.g., single.php, page.php), use conditional statements like `is_user_logged_in()` to determine user status.
- **Display User-Specific Content:** Wrap content blocks with conditional tags. For example, show a welcome message to logged-in users:
```
Welcome, !
```
## Cache Invalidation for User-Specific Content
- **Cache Tags:** Choose a caching plugin that supports cache tags (e.g., [WP Rocket](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: The Ultimate Speed Optimization Showdown")). Use cache tags to associate specific content with identifiers (tags) representing user roles.
- **Implement Cache Invalidation:** In your theme or plugin code, use cache tag functions provided by your caching plugin to clear the cache associated with specific tags when content changes.
## User-Specific Caching with Edge Side Includes (ESI)
- **Choose ESI-Compatible Caching Plugin:** Opt for a caching plugin that supports Edge Side Includes (ESI). [W3 Total Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-configure-w3-total-cache-settings-step-by-step-tutorial/ "How to Configure W3 Total Cache Settings? (Step by Step Tutorial)") is one plugin you can use to apply ESI.
- **Divide Your Page:** Identify parts of your page that require personalization (e.g., user profile widget) and separate them from the main content.
- **Implement ESI:** In your theme, use [ESI functions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edge_Side_Includes) provided by your [caching plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Best WordPress Caching Plugins to Improve Your Site Speed") to include personalized content blocks within cached pages.
## Utilizing Cookies for Personalization
- Set Cookies for Logged-In Users: Use the `setcookie()` function in your theme’s `functions.php` to set a cookie upon user login:
```
function set_logged_in_cookie() {
if (is_user_logged_in()) {
setcookie('logged_in', 'true', time() + 3600, COOKIEPATH, COOKIE_DOMAIN);
}
}
add_action('wp_login', 'set_logged_in_cookie');
```
- **Adjust Cache Behavior with Cookies:** Modify cache rules based on the `logged_in` cookie:
```
add_action('init', 'modify_cache_behavior');
function modify_cache_behavior() {
if (isset($_COOKIE['logged_in']) && $_COOKIE['logged_in'] === 'true') {
// Adjust cache settings for logged-in users
// Example: Don't cache pages for logged-in users
}
}
```
## Best Practices for WordPress Cache for Logged in Users.
**Thorough Testing:** [Test your setup](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/ "Test your setup") extensively across different user roles and scenarios.
**Regular Monitoring:** Continuously monitor cache behavior and user experiences to address issues promptly.
**Documentation:** Maintain clear documentation of your caching setup, including cache invalidation strategies, ESI implementation, and cookie usage.
Successfully caching logged-in user content on membership sites requires a thoughtful approach.
To provide [customized experiences,](https://azibyaqoob.com/my-experience-working-as-a-wordpress-customer-support-specialist/) you can utilize cache tags, ESI, cookies, and conditional statements.
Serve cache for logged-in WordPress users By carefully planning and executing these techniques, you can improve the speed and customization of your users’ experience, ultimately increasing their engagement.
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Caching
---
### [How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** The initial server response time is one of the most critical factors that affect website speed. Let's reduce the initial server response time on your WordPress site
**Content:**
Are you trying to reduce initial server response time on your WordPress site?
The initial server response time is one of the most important factors that affect website speed. It can cause a bad user experience, and can even affect your search rankings.
In this article, we will discuss ways to easily reduce the initial server response time in WordPress.
### What Causes Slow Initial Server Response Time?
Slow initial server response time is caused by your web server settings. If you are using a good hosting provider, there are settings you can tweak to fix the initial server response time.
Here are some of the most common reasons that can cause slow initial server response time:
1. **Hardware resources:** The server’s hardware, such as CPU, RAM, and disk space, can affect response time. Poor hardware or lower resources may increase the server’s time to respond.
2. **Network connectivity:** The speed and quality of the network connection between the server and client can also impact response time. Network congestion, distance, and latency can cause delays.
3. **Software issues:** Issues with the server’s software, such as outdated software, misconfigured settings, or bugs in the code, can also contribute to slow response times.
4. **Traffic volume:** High traffic volumes can overload the server, leading to slower response times.
5. **Database queries:** Slow database queries can also impact response time. Mainly if the server processes many requests at the same time.
To diagnose and address slow initial server response time, it’s essential to carefully review the server’s hardware and software configurations, monitor network connectivity, and optimize code and database queries as necessary.
### Fixing Slow Server Response Time in WordPress
Fixing slow server response time in WordPress can be a complex process that requires a combination of strategies. Below are some common solutions that can help you fix the slow server response time in WordPress.
#### 1- Choose a Good Hosting Provider
The first and most important step in reducing the initial server response time is to choose a good hosting provider.
Your hosting provider should have a fast, reliable server, high uptime, and good [customer support](https://azibyaqoob.com/my-experience-working-as-a-wordpress-customer-support-specialist/ "My Experience Working as a WordPress Customer Support Specialist"). A good hosting provider will also offer various hosting plans designed to meet the needs of different types of websites.
#### 2- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A content delivery network (CDN) is a network of servers that are located around the world. When a user visits your website, the CDN will serve the content from the server that is closest to the user. This can significantly reduce the initial server response time and improve the overall performance of your website.
#### 3- Optimize Your Images
Large images can significantly slow down your website, especially if not optimized for the web.
Make sure to [compress images for WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality") and use the correct file format. JPEG is the best file format for photographs, while PNG is best for graphics and illustrations.
#### 4- Minify Your CSS and JavaScript
CSS and JavaScript files are essential for the design and functionality of your website. However, they can also slow down your website.
Make sure to minify your CSS and JavaScript files to [reduce their size and improve your website’s](https://azibyaqoob.com/here-is-a-quick-cure-to-reduce-bounce-rate-of-any-website/) performance. Test your site functionality if you minify CSS and JavaScript because it can sometimes mess up the code.
#### 5- Use a Caching Plugin
A [WordPress caching plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Best WordPress Caching Plugins to Improve Your Site Speed") can significantly improve the performance of your website by storing frequently accessed data in a cache. This reduces the number of requests to your server and speeds up the initial server response time.
If you have an eCommerce WordPress website then ensure you [serve cache for logged-in users](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-serve-cache-for-logged-in-users-in-wordpress/ "How to Serve Cache for Logged-In Users in WordPress?").
On WordPress, there are several caching plugins available. I have compared the top ones, please feel free to check them out:
1. Comparison between [WP Rocket and NitroPack](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/ "NitroPack vs. WP Rocket: Which is Faster?")
2. Performance case study: [WP Super Cache and WP Fastest Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs. Fastest Cache: Which is Better?")
#### 6- Poor Quality WordPress Plugins and Themes
Some WordPress plugins or themes may not be using the proper coding standards. For example, they may add too many requests on each page load which could [affect your website’s](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-hreflang-attribute-how-it-affects-seo-of-your-website/) performance.
Similarly, WordPress themes and plugins may[ load unnecessary JavaScript ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-obj-character-in-wordpress-post-title/ "How to Remove OBJ in a Box in WordPress?")and CSS files or run unoptimized database queries. This could cause the server to become sluggish and affect its responsiveness.
Only use plugins and themes with good reviews to avoid this problem.
#### 7- Use a Lightweight Theme
A lightweight theme can significantly improve the performance of your [website by reducing](https://azibyaqoob.com/here-is-a-quick-cure-to-reduce-bounce-rate-of-any-website/) the amount of code that needs to be loaded. Choose a theme optimized for speed and performance, such as Astra or GeneratePress.
You can create a [staging WordPress site](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/ "How to Set up and Use SiteGround Staging to Test Your Site?") and then test different themes. Use speed testing tools like Pingdom or [PageSpeed Insights](https://pagespeed.web.dev/ "PageSpeed Insights") to see which theme gives the best results.
Reducing the initial server response time is essential for improving the performance of your WordPress website. By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the initial server response time and provide a better user experience for your visitors.
The most important factor to help you speed up the website is server-side caching. You can use these methods to ensure your site loads as fast as possible according to your hosting plan.
### Fixing Initial Server Response Time on Different Hosting Platforms
Many WordPress hosting companies have their own built-in caching systems. These default caching mechanisms are optimized for their own server software and give you the best chance of reducing the initial server response time.
Here is how to fix slow server response time on top WordPress hosting companies.
#### Fix Initial Server Response Time on SiteGround
On SiteGround, you can fix the initial server time by following these steps:
To get started, log in to your SiteGround account and navigate to the Speed section of the dashboard. Here, you’ll be able to enable SuperCacher for your website.
Next, you’ll need to choose a caching method. SiteGround offers three different SuperCacher options:
1. **Static Cache:** This method caches your website’s static content, such as images, CSS files, and JavaScript files.
2. **Dynamic Cache:** This method caches your website’s dynamic content, such as database queries and PHP pages.
3. **Memcached:** This method stores frequently accessed data in memory, retrieving it faster than disk-based caching.
You can choose one or more caching methods depending on your website’s needs.
Configure SuperCacher settings
Once you’ve chosen your caching methods, you can [configure additional settings](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-configure-w3-total-cache-settings-step-by-step-tutorial/) to optimize SuperCacher’s performance. For example, you can specify which [URLs should be excluded](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-url-structure-practices-for-seo/ "Best URL Structure Practices for SEO: This Is What Professionals Do") from caching or set a limit on the size of cached files.
Once you have enabled these settings, install SiteGround’s Optimizer WordPress plugin. You can find this plugin in the WordPress directory.
#### Fix Initial Server Response Time on Hostinger
Hostinger hosting is a well-known name in the shared hosting space. Hostinger plans include the LiteSpeed Cache pre-installed.
1. Log in to your Hostinger hosting account. Access the **hPanel** (Dashboard) by clicking the **Hosting** tab.
2. Click the **Manage** button next to the domain you want to enable caching.
3. Scroll to the **Advanced** settings and click **Cache Manager**.
4. Enable the **Automatic Cache** toggle.
**Note:** When you enable Automatic Cache feature, it automatically renews the cache of your website after every 30 minutes. This feature will enable your site users only see the latest updated version.
After enabling the automatic caching feature, we have to activate the LiteSpeed cache.
1. open **hPanel** and select **Overview** under the **WordPress** section.
2. Under the Dashboard menu, find the **LiteSpeed** settings option and turn it on.
3. Log in to your WordPress website, and search for the LiteSpeed Cache plugin. **Install** and **activate** the plugin.
Recently LiteSpeed has introduced pre-defined official presets, which can help you further [optimize the page load speed](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/).
You can use one of these pre-defined presets to speed up the website. Also, if you understand caching, you can manually modify settings according to your needs.
#### Fix Initial Server Response Time on Bluehost
Bluehost offers caching solutions that can help improve the speed and performance of your website. Here are some of the caching options available on Bluehost:
1. **Varnish Caching:** Varnish is a powerful caching technology that can improve the speed of your website. It is available on Bluehost’s Pro and VPS hosting plans. Varnish caches frequently accessed content on your website, which can reduce the load on your server and improve the response time.
2. **Content Delivery Network (CDN):** Bluehost offers free Cloudflare CDN integration that can improve the performance of your website by caching content on multiple servers worldwide. This can reduce the distance that content needs to travel, resulting in faster loading times.
3. **WordPress Caching:** Bluehost offers a default WordPress caching mechanism you can use from your hosting account.
To enable caching on your Bluehost website, you can follow these steps:
- Log in to your Bluehost account and navigate to the “My Sites” section.
65. Click “Manage Site” next to the website you want to enable caching.
66. Click on “Performance” in the left-hand menu.
67. 
68. Select the caching option you want to enable (e.g., Varnish Caching, CDN, or WordPress Caching).
69. Follow the prompts to enable the caching solution.
Note that enabling caching on your website can significantly impact your website’s performance. However, testing your website after enabling caching is important to ensure everything works as expected.
**Categories:** WordPress
---
### [How to Find Your Competitors' Backlinks? (A Step-by-Step Guide)](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-competitors-backlinks-easily-a-simple-backlinks-analysis-guide/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Competitors’ backlinks analysis is an integral part of growing a link profile of any website. Improving backlinks quality and quantity will increase organic search ranking. There are many strategies to find competitors’ backlinks. In this guide, I will show you how to find your competitors’ backlinks for free.
Unfortunately, most useful backlink audit tools are expensive, and the free ones hold limited functionality. Also, not every small business can afford to buy all the [link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free Link Building Tools"), especially if a business is new with limited funds. That’s why I have mentioned mostly free backlinks analysis tools.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Introduction: Discovering Success with Competitor Backlink Analysis](#Introduction_Discovering_Success_with_Competitor_Backlink_Analysis)
- [Tools for Finding Competitors’ Backlinks](#Tools_for_Finding_Competitors_Backlinks)
- [1- Ahrefs](#1-_Ahrefs)
- [2- SEMrush](#2-_SEMrush)
- [3- Moz’s Link Explorer](#3-_Mozs_Link_Explorer)
- [4- Majestic](#4-_Majestic)
- [5- Google Search Console](#5-_Google_Search_Console)
- [6- SpyFu](#6-_SpyFu)
- [7- Ubersuggest](#7-_Ubersuggest)
- [8- Open Site Explorer](#8-_Open_Site_Explorer)
- [Benefits of Analyzing Competitors’ Backlinks](#Benefits_of_Analyzing_Competitors_Backlinks)
- [1- Understanding Competitors’ SEO Strategies](#1-_Understanding_Competitors_SEO_Strategies)
- [2- Identifying High-Quality Link Opportunities](#2-_Identifying_High-Quality_Link_Opportunities)
- [3- Uncovering Untapped Sources of Traffic](#3-_Uncovering_Untapped_Sources_of_Traffic)
- [4- Benchmarking Against Competitors](#4-_Benchmarking_Against_Competitors)
- [5- Enhancing Your Link Building Strategy](#5-_Enhancing_Your_Link_Building_Strategy)
- [6- Boosting Your Search Engine Rankings](#6-_Boosting_Your_Search_Engine_Rankings)
- [Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Competitors’ Backlinks](#Step-by-Step_Guide_to_Finding_Competitors_Backlinks)
- [Step 1: Identify Your Competitors:](#Step_1_Identify_Your_Competitors)
- [Step 2: Choose a Backlink Analysis Tool:](#Step_2_Choose_a_Backlink_Analysis_Tool)
- [Step 3: Enter Competitors’ URLs into the Tool:](#Step_3_Enter_Competitors_URLs_into_the_Tool)
- [Step 4: Explore Backlink Metrics:](#Step_4_Explore_Backlink_Metrics)
- [Step 5: Identify High-Quality Backlinks:](#Step_5_Identify_High-Quality_Backlinks)
- [Step 6: Analyze Anchor Text and Linking Pages:](#Step_6_Analyze_Anchor_Text_and_Linking_Pages)
- [Step 7: Track Changes Over Time:](#Step_7_Track_Changes_Over_Time)
- [Step 8: Repeat the Process Regularly:](#Step_8_Repeat_the_Process_Regularly)
- [Analyzing Competitors’ Backlink Profiles](#Analyzing_Competitors_Backlink_Profiles)
- [1. Assess Overall Backlink Quantity and Quality](#1_Assess_Overall_Backlink_Quantity_and_Quality)
- [2. Evaluate Referring Domains](#2_Evaluate_Referring_Domains)
- [3. Examine Anchor Text Distribution](#3_Examine_Anchor_Text_Distribution)
- [4. Identify Top-Performing Pages](#4_Identify_Top-Performing_Pages)
- [5. Monitor Trends and Changes Over Time:](#5_Monitor_Trends_and_Changes_Over_Time)
- [6. Consider Contextual Relevance:](#6_Consider_Contextual_Relevance)
- [7. Utilize Competitive Intelligence Tools:](#7_Utilize_Competitive_Intelligence_Tools)
- [8. Draw Insights for Your Own Strategy:](#8_Draw_Insights_for_Your_Own_Strategy)
- [Strategies for Leveraging Competitors’ Backlinks](#Strategies_for_Leveraging_Competitors_Backlinks)
- [1. Identify Common Backlink Sources](#1_Identify_Common_Backlink_Sources)
- [2. Replicate Successful Link Building Tactics:](#2_Replicate_Successful_Link_Building_Tactics)
- [3. Reverse Engineer Competitors’ Content Strategy:](#3_Reverse_Engineer_Competitors_Content_Strategy)
- [4. Outreach to Linking Domains:](#4_Outreach_to_Linking_Domains)
- [5. Improve Upon Competitors’ Content:](#5_Improve_Upon_Competitors_Content)
- [6. Monitor Competitors’ Lost Backlinks:](#6_Monitor_Competitors_Lost_Backlinks)
- [7. Leverage Competitors’ Brand Mentions:](#7_Leverage_Competitors_Brand_Mentions)
- [8. Stay Agile and Adapt:](#8_Stay_Agile_and_Adapt)
- [Conclusion](#Conclusion)
## Introduction: Discovering Success with Competitor Backlink Analysis
When it comes to getting noticed online, backlinks are like gold stars—they show search engines that your website is trustworthy and important.
But did you know that spying on your competitors’ backlinks can actually help you improve your own website’s ranking?
In this guide, I will show you how to look at what your competitors are doing with their backlinks and use that info to boost your own website’s visibility on Google.
It’s like getting a secret weapon for your SEO strategy!
By the end of this guide, you’ll know why it’s smart to check out your competitors’ backlinks and how to do it yourself. Get ready to level up your website’s SEO game!
## Tools for Finding Competitors’ Backlinks
In the fast-paced landscape of SEO, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference.
Fortunately, there are several powerful tools available that can help you uncover the backlink strategies of your competitors.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular ones:
### 1- Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO tool that offers a wide range of features, including a robust backlink analysis tool.
With Ahrefs, you can easily identify the backlinks pointing to any website, including those of your competitors.
The tool provides detailed insights into the quality and quantity of backlinks, allowing you to assess your competitors’ link building strategies effectively
### 2- SEMrush
SEMrush is another top-notch SEO tool that offers extensive backlink analysis capabilities.
With SEMrush, you can explore your competitors’ backlink profiles, uncovering valuable insights such as referring domains, anchor text distribution, and top-performing pages.
Also, SEMrush provides competitive intelligence reports that allow you to compare your website’s backlink profile with that of your competitors.
### 3- Moz’s Link Explorer
Moz’s Link Explorer is a user-friendly tool designed specifically for backlink analysis.
With Link Explorer, you can easily identify the backlinks pointing to any website and assess their quality using metrics such as Domain Authority (DA) and Spam Score.
The tool also offers advanced features such as link intersect, which allows you to identify common backlinks shared by multiple competitors.
### 4- Majestic
Majestic is a popular backlink analysis tool known for its comprehensive database of backlinks.
With Majestic, you can explore your competitors’ backlink profiles in detail, uncovering valuable insights such as Trust Flow, Citation Flow, and topical relevance.
The tool also offers features such as the Backlink History Checker, which allows you to track changes in your competitors’ backlink profiles over time.
### 5- Google Search Console
While not as comprehensive as dedicated SEO tools, Google Search Console provides valuable insights into your website’s backlink profile.
In the “Links” section of Google Search Console, you can view a list of websites that link to your site, as well as the pages on your site with the most backlinks.
While it primarily focuses on your own website, Google Search Console can still provide useful information for understanding your competitors’ backlink strategies.
### 6- SpyFu
SpyFu is a competitive intelligence tool that offers insights into your competitors’ SEO and PPC strategies.
With SpyFu, you can uncover your competitors’ backlink profiles, including the number of backlinks, referring domains, and top-performing pages.
The tool also provides historical data, allowing you to track changes in your competitors’ backlink profiles over time.
### 7- Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is an all-in-one SEO tool that offers a backlink analysis feature among its many capabilities.
With Ubersuggest, you can explore your competitors’ backlink profiles, including the number of backlinks, referring domains, and top pages.
The tool also provides insights into anchor text distribution and link types, helping you understand your competitors’ link building strategies.
### 8- Open Site Explorer
Open Site Explorer, formerly offered by Moz, is another useful tool for backlink analysis.
With Open Site Explorer, you can explore your competitors’ backlink profiles, including metrics such as Domain Authority, Page Authority, and Spam Score.
The tool also offers features such as the “Just Discovered” tab, which allows you to see recently discovered backlinks pointing to your competitors’ websites.
These tools offer a wealth of data and insights that can help you gain a competitive edge in the world of SEO.
By leveraging their capabilities, you can uncover valuable information about your competitors’ backlink strategies and use it to inform your own link building efforts.
## Benefits of Analyzing Competitors’ Backlinks
Analyzing competitors’ backlinks isn’t just a way to satisfy your curiosity about what others are doing—it’s a strategic move that can yield numerous benefits for your own website’s SEO efforts. Let’s explore some of the key advantages of diving into your competitors’ backlink profiles:
### 1- Understanding Competitors’ SEO Strategies
One of the primary benefits of analyzing competitors’ backlinks is gaining insight into their SEO strategies.
Backlinks are a fundamental aspect of SEO, and by examining the types of websites linking to your competitors, you can uncover the tactics they’re using to improve their search engine rankings.
Whether it’s guest blogging, directory submissions, or influencer outreach, analyzing competitors’ backlinks can reveal the strategies that are working for them.
### 2- Identifying High-Quality Link Opportunities
Not all backlinks are created equal. Some carry more weight in the eyes of search engines due to factors such as domain authority, relevance, and trustworthiness.
By analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles, you can identify high-quality link opportunities that you may have overlooked otherwise.
These could include authoritative websites, industry directories, or niche influencers that are worth reaching out to for backlinks.
### 3- Uncovering Untapped Sources of Traffic
Backlinks aren’t just about improving your search engine rankings—they can also drive direct traffic to your website.
By analyzing your competitors’ backlinks, you can identify sources of referral traffic that you may not have considered before. This could include websites, blogs, or online communities where your target audience congregates.
By securing backlinks from these sources, you can attract targeted visitors to your website and potentially convert them into customers or subscribers.
### 4- Benchmarking Against Competitors
Analyzing competitors’ backlinks allows you to benchmark your own website’s performance against theirs.
By comparing metrics such as the number of backlinks, domain authority, and referring domains, you can identify areas where you’re lagging behind and opportunities for improvement.
This competitive analysis can serve as a valuable benchmarking tool, helping you set goals and track your progress over time.
### 5- Enhancing Your Link Building Strategy
Backlink analysis isn’t just about copying your competitors’ strategies—it’s about learning from them and applying those insights to your own link building efforts.
By identifying the types of websites that are linking to your competitors and the tactics they’re using to acquire backlinks, you can refine your own link building strategy and make it more effective.
This could involve targeting similar websites, creating content that’s more likely to attract backlinks, or adopting new outreach techniques.
### 6- Boosting Your Search Engine Rankings
Ultimately, the goal of analyzing competitors’ backlinks is to improve your own website’s search engine rankings.
By identifying high-quality link opportunities, attracting referral traffic, and enhancing your link building strategy, you can increase your website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) and drive more organic traffic.
While there are no guarantees in SEO, a well-executed backlink analysis can give you a competitive edge and help you climb the rankings ladder.
In a nutshell, analyzing competitors’ backlinks offers a wealth of benefits for your website’s SEO efforts. From gaining insights into competitors’ strategies to uncovering untapped sources of traffic and improving your search engine rankings, the advantages are clear.
By investing time and effort into backlink analysis, you can position your website for success in the competitive world of online search.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Competitors’ Backlinks
Analyzing your competitors’ backlinks might sound like a difficult task, but with the right approach and tools, it can be surprisingly straightforward. Follow these step-by-step instructions to uncover valuable insights into your competitors’ backlink profiles:
### Step 1: Identify Your Competitors:
Before you can analyze their backlinks, you need to identify who your competitors are in the online space. Start by conducting a search for the keywords and phrases that are relevant to your industry or niche. Take note of the websites that consistently appear in the search results and are targeting similar keywords as your own website. These are your primary competitors.
### Step 2: Choose a Backlink Analysis Tool:
Next, choose a reliable backlink analysis tool to help you gather data on your competitors’ backlinks. There are several options available, including Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz’s Link Explorer, Majestic, and others. Select a tool that fits your budget and offers the features you need for thorough backlink analysis.
### Step 3: Enter Competitors’ URLs into the Tool:
Once you’ve chosen a backlink analysis tool, enter your competitors’ URLs into the tool’s search bar. Most tools will provide you with the option to analyze a specific URL or domain. Enter the URL of your competitor’s website and initiate the backlink analysis process.
### Step 4: Explore Backlink Metrics:
After the tool has finished analyzing your competitor’s backlink profile, take some time to explore the various metrics and data points provided. Pay attention to metrics such as the number of backlinks, referring domains, domain authority, anchor text distribution, and top-performing pages. These metrics will help you gauge the overall strength and quality of your competitor’s backlink profile.
### Step 5: Identify High-Quality Backlinks:
Focus on identifying high-quality backlinks that are likely to have a positive impact on your competitors’ search engine rankings. Look for backlinks from authoritative websites, industry publications, and trusted sources within your niche. These are the types of backlinks you’ll want to target for your own website.
### Step 6: Analyze Anchor Text and Linking Pages:
Pay close attention to the anchor text used in your competitors’ backlinks and the pages on their website that are being linked to. Analyzing anchor text distribution can give you insights into the keywords and phrases that are important to your competitors’ SEO strategy. Similarly, examining the linking pages can help you understand which content on their website is attracting backlinks.
### Step 7: Track Changes Over Time:
Finally, consider tracking changes in your competitors’ backlink profiles over time. Many backlink analysis tools offer features that allow you to monitor changes in backlink metrics, such as new backlinks acquired, lost backlinks, and changes in domain authority. By keeping tabs on your competitors’ backlink profiles, you can stay informed about their ongoing SEO efforts and adjust your own strategy accordingly.
### Step 8: Repeat the Process Regularly:
Competitor backlink analysis isn’t a one-time activity—it’s an ongoing process. Make it a habit to regularly revisit your competitors’ backlink profiles and track changes over time. By staying proactive and vigilant, you can continue to uncover new insights and opportunities to improve your own website’s SEO performance.
## Analyzing Competitors’ Backlink Profiles
Once you’ve gathered data on your competitors’ backlinks, the next step is to analyze this information to gain valuable insights into their SEO strategies. Here’s how you can effectively analyze your competitors’ backlink profiles:
### 1. Assess Overall Backlink Quantity and Quality
Start by examining the overall quantity of backlinks pointing to your competitors’ websites. While a high number of backlinks can indicate authority, it’s essential to assess the quality of these links as well.
Look for backlinks from reputable and relevant websites within your industry or niche. These are often considered high-quality backlinks and can have a more significant impact on search engine rankings.
### 2. Evaluate Referring Domains
Referring domains refer to the number of unique websites linking to your competitors’ websites. A diverse range of referring domains indicates a healthy backlink profile.
Assess the diversity and authority of the referring domains. Backlinks from a variety of trustworthy sources can enhance a website’s credibility and authority in the eyes of search engines.
### 3. Examine Anchor Text Distribution
Anchor text refers to the clickable text used in a hyperlink. Analyzing the anchor text distribution of your competitors’ backlinks can provide insights into their keyword targeting strategies.
Look for a natural and diverse distribution of anchor text, including branded terms, generic phrases, and keywords related to their content. Avoid over-optimized anchor text, as it may raise red flags with search engines.
### 4. Identify Top-Performing Pages
Determine which pages on your competitors’ websites are attracting the most backlinks. These top-performing pages often contain high-quality content that resonates with audiences and earns organic links.
Analyze the content and structure of these pages to understand what makes them link-worthy. Consider incorporating similar elements into your own content strategy to attract backlinks.
### 5. Monitor Trends and Changes Over Time:
Keep track of any changes or trends in your competitors’ backlink profiles over time. This includes new backlinks acquired, lost backlinks, and fluctuations in domain authority.
Look for patterns or shifts in their backlink acquisition strategies. Understanding how your competitors’ backlink profiles evolve can help you adapt your own SEO strategy accordingly.
### 6. Consider Contextual Relevance:
Contextual relevance is crucial when evaluating backlinks. Assess whether the linking websites and the content surrounding the backlinks are relevant to your competitors’ industry, niche, or target audience.
Backlinks from contextually relevant sources are more likely to contribute positively to search engine rankings and drive relevant traffic to your competitors’ websites.
### 7. Utilize Competitive Intelligence Tools:
Consider leveraging competitive intelligence tools to gain deeper insights into your competitors’ backlink profiles. These tools often provide additional data and analysis, such as link intersect analysis and historical backlink data.
Use these tools to identify common backlink sources among competitors and uncover new link building opportunities.
### 8. Draw Insights for Your Own Strategy:
Finally, use the insights gained from analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles to inform your own SEO strategy. Identify gaps, weaknesses, and opportunities in your competitors’ backlink profiles that you can capitalize on.
Develop a strategic plan to acquire high-quality backlinks, improve content quality, and enhance your website’s overall authority and relevance within your industry or niche.
By thoroughly analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles, you can gain valuable insights into their SEO strategies and identify opportunities to strengthen your own website’s backlink profile and search engine rankings.
## Strategies for Leveraging Competitors’ Backlinks
Analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles is not just about gathering information – it’s about turning that data into actionable strategies that can propel your own website’s SEO performance. Here are several effective strategies for leveraging your competitors’ backlinks to your advantage:
### 1. Identify Common Backlink Sources
- Analyze your competitors’ backlink profiles to identify common sources that are linking to multiple competitors. These sources are likely to be industry directories, niche blogs, or authoritative websites within your field.
- Reach out to these common backlink sources and pitch your own content or offerings. Highlight the value you can provide to their audience and emphasize why they should consider linking to your website.
### 2. Replicate Successful Link Building Tactics:
- Take note of the specific link building tactics that have proven successful for your competitors. Whether it’s guest blogging, resource page outreach, or content partnerships, identify the strategies that are yielding the most backlinks.
- Replicate these tactics for your own website, but put your unique spin on them to differentiate yourself from your competitors. Offer fresh perspectives, valuable insights, or unique content formats to attract attention and backlinks.
### 3. Reverse Engineer Competitors’ Content Strategy:
- Examine the content on your competitors’ websites that has attracted the most backlinks. Reverse engineer their content strategy by identifying common themes, topics, and formats that resonate with their audience.
- Use this insight to inform your own content creation efforts. Develop high-quality, relevant content that addresses similar topics or fills gaps in the existing content landscape. By offering valuable and engaging content, you can attract backlinks organically.
### 4. Outreach to Linking Domains:
- Identify websites that are linking to your competitors but not to your own website. These are potential link building opportunities that you can capitalize on through targeted outreach.
- Craft personalized outreach emails to the webmasters or editors of these websites. Highlight the relevance of your website or content to their audience and explain why they should consider linking to you. Offer something of value in return, such as exclusive insights, data, or resources.
### 5. Improve Upon Competitors’ Content:
- Conduct a thorough analysis of your competitors’ top-performing content that has attracted a significant number of backlinks. Identify areas where you can improve upon their content by offering additional value, insights, or updated information.
- Create superior content that addresses the same topics but provides a more comprehensive or unique perspective. Use multimedia elements, case studies, expert interviews, or original research to differentiate your content and attract backlinks.
### 6. Monitor Competitors’ Lost Backlinks:
- Keep track of any lost backlinks from your competitors’ profiles, as this may indicate opportunities to fill gaps or capitalize on changes in their backlink landscape.
- Reach out to the webmasters of websites that have removed backlinks to your competitors and offer them alternative content or resources that could fill the void. Position yourself as a valuable resource and build relationships for future link building opportunities.
### 7. Leverage Competitors’ Brand Mentions:
- Identify instances where your competitors are mentioned or cited on external websites without a corresponding backlink. These brand mentions represent potential opportunities to secure backlinks through simple outreach.
- Reach out to the authors or editors of these mentions and politely request that they add a backlink to your website as well. Emphasize the value of providing readers with additional context or resources related to the mention.
### 8. Stay Agile and Adapt:
- SEO is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, so it’s essential to stay agile and adapt your strategies based on changing trends and circumstances.
- Continuously monitor your competitors’ backlink profiles, industry developments, and algorithm updates to identify new opportunities and challenges. Adjust your tactics accordingly to stay ahead of the curve and maintain your competitive edge.
## Conclusion
Throughout this guide, I’ve explored the importance of competitor backlink analysis and provided practical tips and strategies for leveraging this valuable data. From identifying high-quality link opportunities to reverse engineering successful link building tactics, you now have the tools and knowledge to take your SEO game to the next level.
But the journey doesn’t end here. SEO is an ongoing process, and success requires continual adaptation and refinement of your strategies.
Monitor changes in your competitors’ backlink profiles, experiment with new tactics, and track the impact of your efforts on your website’s search engine rankings. By staying proactive and responsive to the ever-changing landscape of SEO, you’ll be well-positioned to outrank the competition and achieve lasting success.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Negative SEO Impact in 2024 (Case Study)](https://azibyaqoob.com/negative-seo-impact/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Negative SEO does work, but not how it used to before. In this negative SEO case study, I collected data from my client’s SEO campaign (with his permission). His website got infected by negative SEO attacks.
After the [Penguin update by Google](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Penguin), it was easier for black hat SEOs to shine their business. They suppress many [competitors’ websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-website-top-seo-competitors/) in exchange for money.
Negative SEO in a traditional sense (making thousands of [negative backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/ "How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)")) doesn’t work.
I have personally tested the blog that I created for testing purposes. It did [move some search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?") here and there, but nothing major.
Negative SEO worked a few years back when Google’s [algorithm heavily relied on backlinks](https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/66356?hl=en "Google Webmaster") to rank a website.
Since then, Google’s algorithm has matured enough. It gets regular updates from Google’s search team, and they have developed an AI which can enhance itself as it learns more.
To read how Google search works, please check out this [article](https://www.google.com/search/howsearchworks/algorithms/ "How Google Search Works").
## What negative SEO / black hat SEO strategy still works?
My client had been targeted by a negative SEO campaign a few months ago; the competitor suppressed his website and social profiles of his brand name.
So, I thought about writing a negative SEO case study to help others in the industry know the results.
- He approached me through my website and asked if I could help him in this situation.
- I had to dig deeper. I analyzed each negative search result thoroughly.
- Most of the c[ontent on those websites was duplicated](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?") and stuffed with keywords of my client’s name.
Moving a single [search result](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/) from the 1st page usually takes months. I told my client that it could take a long time, and even then, I could not guarantee outcomes. He desperately wanted to get rid of [negative results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/). So, he permitted me to start the work.
In the first few weeks, most of the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Docs?") were gone.
- The ones that stayed on the 1st page were more stubborn because those domains had very high authority.
- At this point, I continued building the reputation with positive content about the business and brand.
- My client even got leads with my SEO efforts.
## How did I suppress the last high authority result?
I had to publish his content on highly authoritative websites with [a dofollow backlink](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links") to the client’s website. After posting a few such articles, the negative story finally started moving to the 2nd page of Google.
We are continuing the efforts to improve his business and brand reputation further.
**Negative SEO** is still in action, but not as most people think. There are other more innovative ways to trick Google Search.
Maybe now, but I believe it will be impossible to game the Google search because of self-learning AI in a few years.
Let me know what you think of using negative SEO and black hat SEO tactics. In your experience, are they still working? What negative SEO strategy have you seen in action?
If you like this article, I would appreciate it if you share it and spread the word.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Fix SSL Unavailable Error on Shopify?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-ssl-unavailable-error-in-shopify/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** You might see the SSL Unavailable error when you install SSL on your Shopify store. In this post, I will tell you how to quickly fix the SSL unavailable error in Shopify.
**Content:**
You might see the **SSL Unavailable** error when you install SSL on your Shopify store. In this post, I will tell you how to quickly fix the SSL unavailable error on Shopify.
#### What is SSL?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It’s the standard technology for safeguarding sensitive data between the two systems.
It prevents criminals and hackers from reading and modifying any information during transfer.
SSL makes the data impossible to read when transferred between users and sites. It uses encryption algorithms to mask the data and prevent hackers from reading it.
#### Why Should You Install SSL on Shopify?
If you manage a website or blog, you need to install [SSL](https://www.ssl.com/faqs/faq-what-is-ssl/ "What is SSL?"). It’s as simple as that. An SSL certificate is no longer a luxury; it’s become necessary nowadays.
Here are a few key reasons why you should install SSL:
- A website using SSL looks more trustworthy to users.
- SSL is more secure for both users and website owners.
- SSL is good for SEO. Please read my post on [HTTP vs. HTTPS](https://azibyaqoob.com/http-vs-https-which-one-is-the-right-choice-for-seo/ "HTTP vs HTTPS which one is good for SEO") protocol to understand why.
#### Why Do You See ‘SSL Unavailable’ Error on Shopify?
When you add a custom domain to your Shopify store, a new SSL certificate is automatically generated.
Sometimes, it takes up to 48 hours to properly work. You might see an ‘SSL Unavailable’ error in your Shopify admin during that time. Also, when you visit your Shopify store on a browser, you might see these errors.
- Your connection is not private (Google Chrome)
- Your connection is not secure (Mozilla Firefox)
- There is a problem connecting securely to this website (Microsoft Edge)
Shopify recommends users wait for at least 48 hours before troubleshooting this error.
#### How to Fix SSL Unavailable Error on Shopify?
As I have explained, this error could be temporary and resolved within 48 hours. However, if your issue persists, here are some ways to fix the SSL Unavailable error.
#### 1. A record isn’t pointing to Shopify
If you’ve purchased your domain through a third-party domain provider such as Godaddy or Namecheap, then you need to edit the following DNS settings:
- Your A record should point to Shopify’s IP address, which is **23.227.38.65**
- Your www CNAME record should point to **shops.myshopify.com**.
Follow these steps:
- Log in to the account that you have with your domain provider.
- Find your DNS settings. Edit your A record to point to Shopify’s IP address **23.227.38.65**.
- Save the A Record (click Save, Save Zone File, Add Record, or similar).
- Find the **CNAME** record in your DNS settings.
- Change your www CNAME record to point to **shops.myshopify.com**.
- Save the **CNAME** Record.
**Note:** CNAME records must always point to a domain name, never an IP address.
#### 2. Your domain has more than one A record
Shopify automatically sets your domain’s ‘A Record’ and CNAME Record. However, you should check and resolve your domain with multiple A records.
- From your Shopify admin, access **Online Store** > **Domains**.
- In the **Shopify-managed domains** sections, click the domain name you want to edit, then click **DNS Settings**.
- To delete ‘A Record,’ click **Actions** > **Remove**, and then click **Remove** again to confirm.
#### 3. You are using a CAA Record
Shopify recommends not using CAA (Certification Authority Authorization) Records if you use Shopify SSL.
If CAA records are required, you must add Certificate Authorities to each CAA record.
- letsencrypt.org
- digicert.com
- globalsign.com
#### 4. You are using an AAAA record
If an AAAA record exists for the domain name you’re trying to issue an SSL certificate for, Shopify tries to verify that it also answers with the correct file it expects. Unfortunately, it will never work because Shopify doesn’t support IPV6.
If you are using AAAA records, you might encounter SSL issues. Hence, make sure that you remove the AAAA record from your DNS.
If your sales are tanking on Shopify, and you are looking for creative ways to boost it, check out my recent post on [how to boost Shopify sales](https://azibyaqoob.com/increase-sales-shopify/ "increase your Shopify store sales").
**Categories:** Shopify
---
### [Ultimate Amazon SEO Strategy for 2022 - A Complete SEO Guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/ultimate-amazon-seo-strategy-a-complete-seo-guide/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer, and if you plan to sell products on Amazon, you must know how Amazon SEO works.
You should follow this simple Amazon SEO strategy to increase sales of your Amazon store. It is a step-by-step process to teach you Amazon search optimization.
#### Why Should You Learn SEO as an Amazon Seller?
Well, if you are planning to open a store on Amazon, it is an important subject that you must know. Here are other benefits of Amazon SEO:
- Your Amazon sales will increase significantly.
- Product pages will be more optimized for both users and Amazon search.
- It will be much easier for the customers to find your product through search.
Who doesn’t want to [boost sales](https://azibyaqoob.com/increase-sales-shopify/ "How to Increase Sales on Your Shopify Website by 60% Right Now"), right? So, let’s jump right into how to do it properly.
#### How does A9 Algorithm work?
All the search engines use pre-defined algorithms, including Amazon. An algorithm is a process or set of rules to follow calculations or other problem-solving operations. In simple terms, an algorithm calculates different rules and functions and displays things accordingly.
As defined by the A9 official website, here’s how it works:
> “Great search can seem to customers like it is reading their minds. We start the search [experience by giving customers](https://azibyaqoob.com/my-experience-working-as-a-wordpress-customer-support-specialist/) suggestions on how to formulate their queries as soon as they start typing.
>
> The better we understand the meaning of a query, the better we can help customers find the products they want. So we focus on the words and the intent behind those words. When a customer tells us they are looking for “Harry Potter in books”, we distinguish in their query the title: “Harry Potter” from the category information: “in books”.”
#### The Basics of Amazon SEO: Thinking like A9
If you learn how Amazon ranks products in their search, you can easily rank a product at the top of the search.
**Amazon SEO is all about improving the sales target**
- **Execution Factors:** These speak to how prevalent/fruitful an item has been so far with customers.
- The key measurements are CTR (active visitor clicking percentage), transformation rate, and sales.
- Amazon’s search algorithm works uniquely in contrast to Google’s algorithm. It’s crucial to have a strong understanding of how Amazon search functions.
#### Keyword Research is the Core of Amazon SEO
Keywords are queries typed by users to find a product using the Amazon search function. So, using the correct keywords that people search for when trying to find a particular product is a necessary step.
You can use plenty of [keyword research tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "7 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools 2020 (Updated)") to find good keywords. Make sure that any keywords you choose have a good amount of search volume.
#### Keyword Location is Important in Amazon Ranking
The general rule of thumb for keyword placement in your Amazon posting optimization:
- Product title: Immediately relevant keywords and synonyms, including size (e.g., 20″, 500g) if relevant
- Bullet points: Long-tail keywords relating to product use, benefits, ingredients, or materials
- Product descriptions: Use long-tail keywords blended with convincing explanations for purchase
#### Product Title (Name of your product)
Amazon recommends including the following in your Product Title:
- Brand
- Product
- Key features
- Size
- Quantity
#### Key Product Features (Bullet Points) and Product Description
The Key Product Features and Product Descriptions are searchable by customers, which can impact your Amazon SEO.
- Highlight the five key elements you need customers to consider, for example, measurements, age suitability, et cetera.
- Repeat important data from the title and description.
- Start every bullet point with a capital letter.
- Compose with sentence sections and do exclude finishing punctuation.
- Try not to include promotional and pricing details.
#### Product Images
Include high-quality product pictures to create initial customer interest, pass on the qualities and features of the product, and eventually change over the guest to a paying customer. You can also use stock images to spice up your product pages. Check out these best free stock photo websites to include on your product page or website.
You should also [optimize your images without losing quality](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality – Image Compression Guide 2020") using software like Photoshop or Gimp.
The pictures greatly influence the conversion rate and CTR (Click Through Rate). Amazon lays out some straightforward rules that ought to be natural as you set up your posting together, including:
- The picture should match the product description in size, color, etc.
- The picture must be a photograph and not a drawing
- The image must be sufficiently bright.
- The item occupies no less than 80% of the picture region.
- The image’s background should be simple and clean, not distracting the viewer.
Check out this [image SEO guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality") for more information on optimizing images.
#### Product Pricing and Customer Feedback
Competitive product pricing significantly improves search performance. However, the quality of a product needs to be similar to your competitors; otherwise, your product will receive negative customer feedback. And you don’t want that because it will bury your listing in the search.
It would help if you considered doing competitors’ research. You cannot offer the lowest pricing for your product, but you must ensure that it is not incredibly expensive compared to your competitors.
I hope you find this post helpful. Please feel free to [reach out to me](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/ "Contact") if you need help with Amazon SEO or website optimization.
If you have an Etsy store, I am sure you will find this [Etsy SEO guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/etsy-store-seo-a-simple-seo-guide-to-optimize-your-etsy-store/ "Etsy Store SEO: A Simple SEO Guide to Optimize Your Etsy Store") quite helpful.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Compress Images without Losing Quality?](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** Do you want to compress images without losing image quality?
Large image files take longer to load on the user's end.
**Content:**
Do you want to compress images without losing image quality?
Large image files take [longer to load](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?") on the user’s end. They slow down your website, which affects user experience and SEO.
Image compression is essential to improve your website page load speed. Faster-loading websites tend to rank higher in [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/). Using this image compression guide, you can easily resize an image without compromising its quality.
#### Why You Should Compress Images?
Every website these days uses high-resolution images to improve the user experience. However, those images could [affect your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-hreflang-attribute-how-it-affects-seo-of-your-website/) page load speed if you don’t compress them before uploading them.
Image compression allows you to reduce image file size. For example, you can compress high-quality photos from your phone, typically more than 1 MB in file size to less than 100 KB.
Compressed images load faster, improve user experience, and boost your on-page SEO.
Image compression is also crucial for WordPress [speed optimization,](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/) as images take the most time to load on any website.
I performed a page speed test on a web page. First, I checked the page speed with unoptimized images. After that, I compressed images to smaller file sizes and re-ran the test.
Here are the results:
**Before image optimization:**
**After image optimization:**
As you can see, this is a huge performance boost and makes a big difference in any website’s success.
#### How to Adjust and Resize Images?
There are two methods you can use to optimize images.
- Resize image resolution
- Compress the image to reduce its file size
Image resolution is the dimensions (width and height) of the image. It is calculated in pixels, for instance, 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels.
It also has pixel density settings depending on which device created or captured the image. Higher pixel density means a higher quality photo and larger size.
Your goal is to reduce the image resolution and file size.
Image resolution matters when it comes to image optimization. You have to adjust it according to your website content area.
For example, if your website content’s area has a height and width of **500px x 500px**. you can reduce the image resolution to 500px x 500px using image editing software. Doing this will reduce the size of your image file.
Usually, most modern mobile phones save images in high resolution. These images are larger in every way. Hence, they are not suitable to be used on the web.
When compressing your images, you must also choose a reasonable resolution. If you are unsure about the width, select anything less than 1000px wide.
Resolution ensures that your image is still pleasant to see but not too large to slow down your website.
#### Compress Images Manually Before Uploading
If you want to compress an image before uploading it to your website, use the following image compression tools.
#### 1. Adobe Photoshop (Paid)
Adobe Photoshop is one of the most used image editing software. It allows you to retain the maximum image quality while reducing its size simultaneously.
Using Photoshop, you can choose the image file format between JPEG or PNG. It will show a preview of the file size for each format. This way, you can select a file format that produces the best result.
Here is how you can optimize an image if you use Adobe Photoshop.
First, open the image you want to compress in Adobe Photoshop.
Click on **File** > **Export** > **Save for web (legacy)**.
Now select **JPG** from the right corner of this new window.
Adjust quality as per your requirement.
Colorful Images look good in JPG format, while you can compress images with fewer colors in **PNG-8** or **PNG-24** file formats.
Even in those formats, you can customize colors and image resolution., It should significantly reduce the image file size without losing quality.
You’ll be able to see the preview of the compressed image and the file size in the bottom left corner of the preview window.
If you reduce the file size much, this will affect the quality of the image. You need to keep the balance between quality and acceptable image file size.
For instance, I keep image file sizes under 100 KB max on my blogs. It always helps with faster page loading.
However, if you run a [photography business](https://azibyaqoob.com/professional-and-effective-ways-to-promote-your-photography-business/ "15 Professional and Effective ways to Promote Your Photography Business") or graphic design agency, you might want your website to have a much higher quality of images.
The great thing about using software like Adobe Photoshop is that you can try different combinations and see previews before saving your image.
Adobe Photoshop is expensive software, and it’s not affordable for everyone. The following method would suit those looking for free image compression software.
#### 2. GIMP (Free)
[GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/ "GIMP") is a free, open-source image editing software for Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems.
Here’s how to use this free software to compress your images.
Open any image in GIMP, then click **File** > **Export as**.
Click the **Export** button, which will open a new window.
You can reduce the image quality as much as you want. Clicking on **Show Preview in image window** will give you an estimated file size.
Try different image file types and compression settings to find the best result. After some practice, you’ll get used to saving your images optimized for the web by default.
#### 3. Compress Images with TinyJPG (Online/free)
TinyJPG is an online free image compression tool. One benefit of using TinyJPG is you can compress multiple images in one go.
**How to Compress image to 100kb Online with TinyJPG**
Visit the [TinyJPG website](https://tinyjpg.com/ "TinyJPG") and start uploading your images.
It will start compressing your images on the cloud, and you can download them to your computer.
That’s it! Without any quality loss, you can compress images. The ideal image size for the web is less than 100 KB, mainly if your website loads multiple images at once.
They also have a sister site called TinyPNG that helps you shrink PNG images without losing quality.
#### Automatically Compress Images on WordPress
If you have already uploaded images on your website without optimizing them, you can still compress them without losing their quality.
#### 1. Smush: WordPress Image Compression Plugin
Smush is a free WordPress image compression plugin. It has over a million users and thousands of five-star reviews.
It simply optimizes your images when you upload them to your WordPress website. You can also compress old photos in bulk.
Install the [Smush plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-smushit/ "Smush WordPress Image Compression Plugin") on your website.
After that, click on the Smush icon in the WordPress admin sidebar and choose the **Bulk Optimize** option.
#### 2. EWWW Image Optimizer
EWWW is an excellent alternative to the Smush WordPress image compression plugin.
First, download the [EWWW Image Optimizer](https://wordpress.org/plugins/ewww-image-optimizer/ "EWWW Image Optimizer") plugin to your WordPress website.
Go to Media > **Bulk Optimize**.
Click on **Scan for unoptimized images**.
It will take some time to scan. After completing the scan, click on **Start Optimizing**.
#### How to Compress Images in Next-gen Formats?
Using WordPress, you can easily convert your existing JPEG and PNG images into next-gen image formats.
**What is a next-gen image Format?**
You must have read about the next-gen image format while using Google’s page speed Insights.
Google recommends compressing images in size using next-gen formats such as **JPEG 2000**, **JPEG XR**, and **WebP**.
These formats compress your JPEG and PNG images further without affecting quality.
Google is right about that. However, next-gen image formats are still not widely used on the web. It is hard to find photos in “next-gen” formats.
If you use WordPress as your CMS, you can use a third-party plugin to convert your existing JPEG and PNG images into webP format.
You can install a plugin, [WebP Express](https://wordpress.org/plugins/webp-express/). Here’s how to install this plugin.
- Login to your WordPress site. Go to Plugins.
- Click the Add New button. Search for ‘WebP Express.’
- Install and Activate the plugin.
After that, existing images on your site will use WebP format. If a user’s browser doesn’t support **WebP** format, this plugin will show them an original JPG or PNG image.
That’s it! Hopefully, this guide helped you compress images. You can also maximize loading times by using a [WordPress caching plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Best WordPress Caching Plugins to Improve Your Site Speed").
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Image compression, WordPress
---
### [Common Mobile SEO Mistakes that You Should Avoid in 2021 (Updated)](https://azibyaqoob.com/common-mobile-seo-mistakes-that-you-should-avoid/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
With recent mobile-first indexing algorithm introduced by Google, it gets quite important to have a well-optimized mobile website. I have covered this topic in my mobile SEO guide. However, in this post, I am going to mention the top Mobile SEO mistakes people make when creating and optimizing mobile site design. These mistakes can leave a negative impact on your overall SEO
These days, most people on an average spend around 5-6 hours a day on mobile. Research has proved that almost 50% of the mobile users close tabs when a website doesn’t respond quickly. If your website is struggling to get traffic through mobile searches, then you must be doing the following mistakes in your mobile SEO.
Here I am listing 5 major mobile SEO mistakes, which may [affect your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/?p=7553) SEO as well as its design.
#### 1. Extremely Slow Website
Mobile users are more impatient than an average desktop user. The reason is, mobile users are looking for quick information. That’s why it is quite important to speed up your website for mobile users and improve the overall user experience.
First you should consider checking your [mobile website load speed](https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/ "PageSpeed Insights").
If your website is taking more than 2 seconds to load then you need to [optimize its speed](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/). Here’s how to speed up your mobile site:
- [Compress all the images on your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "Compress Images without Losing Quality? Image Compression Guide 2018").
- Consider checking your website for unnecessary CSS/JS files. If your site is loading lots of CSS or JavaScript files, then it may slow down the page load time.
- Use WordPress Caching plugins to speed up your site speed, here is a step by step tutorial to configure W3 Total Cache settings.
#### 2. Cheap Hosting Solutions
If you are looking for a cheapest hosting solution then it won’t help your site in running efficiently. It’s definitely going to save your money but traffic will be affected.
If you want to host huge traffic then always choose reliable hosting service and check the quality as well as reviews of that hosting solution. Always go for high-quality hosting solutions, especially when it’s for an e-commerce site.
The biggest drawback of buying cheapest hosting is that your website has to face lots of security threats and server downtimes.
#### 3. Blocked Files
Never restrict Googlebot to access your Javascript, CSS and image files because it can severely [affect SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/negative-seo-impact/ "Negative SEO Impact in 2018 (Case Study)") rankings.
Googlebot should be able to crawl your site like any other user. If you are not sure about blocked files then check it by accessing your website [robot.txt file](https://azibyaqoob.com/robots-txt-file-do-you-really-need-it-this-will-help-you-decide/ "Robots.txt File: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!").
You can use ‘Fetch as Google’ tool from [Google Search Console](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2020 (Updated)"). You will be able to find indexing issues, site usability errors, etc… Don’t forget to check all URLs of your website, both desktop, and mobile versions.
#### 4. Multimedia Content
Of course, multimedia content makes your site look professional and increase user engagement. However using video players, unoptimized gif images, and flash can sometimes don’t work on mobile sites.
If you are going to use multimedia content on your website, then you should test if it is working properly on all the devices. Also, test the speed of your website once you use multimedia content.
A good practice is to use HTML5 tags to include animations and video embeds. HTML5 is supported by all major web browsers and [Googlebot ](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?")can easily crawl this content type. Here is a [great tool by Google](https://www.google.com/webdesigner/ "Google Web Designer") to create animations in HTML5.
#### 5. Use of Mobile Viewport
The most common mistake, actually a blunder developer’s do is not to specify the viewports correctly using meta tag.
There are a variety of mobile devices with different specifications and screen sizes. So your website should be responsive across all devices.
For making content responsive across all the devices, a viewport meta tag in the HTML head usually use. Here’s a step by step tutorial on how to [make your website content responsive](https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/design-and-ux/responsive/#size_content_to_the_viewport "Responsive Web Design Basics") across all the devices.
I have recently compiled a list of best free SEO tools, make sure to check them out to improve your mobile SEO.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [The Ultimate Guide to Small Business SEO Strategy](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-strategy/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Every new business needs a flow of customers to increase their profits. There are numerous ways to promote a small business online. In this post, I will share a simple yet effective SEO strategy specifically designed for your small business.
I will focus on using search traffic as a reliable method to bring in a steady flow of new customers.
Every small business faces challenges that are usually identical. Most business owners think about SEO when they do [not receive any organic search traffic](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?").
Wouldn’t it be better if they had addressed the SEO aspect earlier? Implementing an SEO strategy early on could help safeguard your business website from potential SEO setbacks in the future
> Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory.
> Tactics without strategy are the noise before defeat.
> -Sun Tzu
By following this article, you will learn how to craft a fundamental SEO strategy for your small business website. Applying these methods to formulate an SEO strategy is crucial to safeguard your online business from potential future SEO failures
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Keyword research](#1_Keyword_research)
- [2. SEO Competition Analysis](#2_SEO_Competition_Analysis)
- [3. Website Structure for SEO](#3_Website_Structure_for_SEO)
- [4. Target audience](#4_Target_audience)
- [5. Local business directories](#5_Local_business_directories)
## 1. Keyword research
When you start an SEO campaign, your first and most important task is to focus on keywords. Keywords are the words and phrases that help you explain your business to potential customers and understand who your potential customers are.
Keyword research is crucial for the success of your SEO campaign. If you don’t choose the right keywords and structure them well, your website won’t appear in front of the people you want to reach. This won’t benefit your online business.
Picking the right keywords for your website is a straightforward process. You can use various tools to find keywords for your webpages. Here are some free [keyword research tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "7 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools 2022 (Updated)") to get you started.
## 2. SEO Competition Analysis
One of the crucial steps in any SEO campaign involves [analyzing your competition](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-website-top-seo-competitors/ "How to Find Out Your Website Top SEO Competitors?") from the start. Examining your competition’s SEO strategies provides valuable insights.
This insight is instrumental in shaping your own SEO campaign for your business.
You have several excellent tools at your disposal for uncovering your competitors’ SEO data. Also, you can rely on your own SEO knowledge and common sense to assess their websites, content, and SEO techniques.
For those who prefer a simpler approach, here are some effective SEO [competition research tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-seo-competition-research-analysis-tools/ "7 Best SEO Competition Research and Analysis Tools") that can assist you in gathering valuable SEO information to craft your own SEO strategy.
## 3. Website Structure for SEO
When it comes to SEO, the way your website is set up can have a big impact on how it shows up in search results and how easy it is for people to use.
So, what can you do to make your website work well?
1. **Plan Your Content**: Decide what topics and categories you want to write about on your site.
2. **Make Clear Menus**: Create easy-to-use menus at the top and bottom of your site, and make sure they link to all your pages and categories.
3. **Link Inside Your Site**: Connect your pages and articles with links. This makes it simpler for people to move around your site and for search engines to understand it.
4. **Handle External Links**: If you link to other websites, mark those links as “nofollow” to keep your site in good shape and not pass on your SEO strength to others.
5. **Use WordPress Tools**: If your website runs on WordPress, consider using plugins that suggest similar posts or manually add related content at the end of your blog posts.
By following these steps, you can organize your website effectively, improve your search rankings, and make it easier for visitors to use.
## 4. Target audience
Identify your target audience. If you can discover potential buyers by using questionnaires and social networking, this will give your business a competitive edge.
Your target audience is a specific group of people you are aiming to reach with your product.
Focus on a particular community.
For instance, if you’re selling bicycles, you can determine, through research on sports and vehicle-related forums, the types of individuals interested in purchasing a bicycle.
Let’s assume that fitness enthusiasts are keen on buying bicycles. In this case, tailor your website content and landing pages to appeal specifically to this audience.
## 5. Local business directories
Every small business, especially those targeting a local audience, should consider submitting their website to top business directories. These directories play a significant role in enhancing your local online presence.
To boost your local SEO ranking, I recommend checking out this [local SEO guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-local-restaurants-seo-guide-to-acquire-new-customers/ "Step by Step Local Restaurants SEO Guide to Acquire New Customers").
Typically, a business listing includes essential details such as your business Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP), along with other relevant information.
You can discover various websites like Yelp, Foursquare, and Better Business Bureau where local businesses can create business listings.
For SEO purposes, it’s essential to identify local business directories that accept website submissions. This can significantly improve your search engine ranking and visibility on platforms like Google Maps.
Also, consider that many people search for businesses in these directories, potentially generating valuable leads for your business.
#### How Much Should Small Business SEO Cost?
If running your business keeps you too busy to learn and consistently apply SEO, you have other options.
Many local marketing agencies are available to help with your small business’s SEO, but their costs can vary by location.
For example, in Western countries, they might be more expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, you can also hire freelancers through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
I hope this post will give you a great start in developing a perfect SEO strategy. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
**Categories:** SEO
**Tags:** seo strategy
---
### [WP Super Cache vs. Fastest Cache: Which is Better?](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** Comparison between WP Super Cache vs. Fastest Cache to determine which is faster. Let's go!
**Content:**
Setting up a WordPress caching plugin is a must, but which caching plugin to choose? I chose two of the very best WordPress caching plugins and tested them thoroughly. I will compare WP Super Cache vs. Fastest Cache to determine which is faster.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [Why I Chose to Compare WP Super Cache and WP Fastest Cache](#Why_I_Chose_to_Compare_WP_Super_Cache_and_WP_Fastest_Cache)
- [Features & Benefits Comparison](#Features_Benefits_Comparison)
- [How My Website Performed Without Caching](#How_My_Website_Performed_Without_Caching)
- [Testing Performance with WP Super Cache](#Testing_Performance_with_WP_Super_Cache)
- [Testing Performance with WP Fastest Cache](#Testing_Performance_with_WP_Fastest_Cache)
- [WP Super Cache vs WP Fastest Cache – Comparison Table](#WP_Super_Cache_vs_WP_Fastest_Cache_%E2%80%93_Comparison_Table)
- [Conclusion](#Conclusion)
### Why I Chose to Compare WP Super Cache and WP Fastest Cache
Speed is one of the most critical factors that affect SEO. As an SEO professional, I want all my client’s websites to be as fast as possible.
You must use a caching plugin on a WordPress website to achieve better website speed. Now the question is, which caching plugin is the best? There are so many of them, but I used [WP Super Cache](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-super-cache/ "WP Super Cache") vs. [WP Fastest Cache](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-fastest-cache/ "WP Fastest Cache").
Automattic, a company that created WordPress, has developed WP Super Cache. It is one of the most popular WordPress plugins and is at the top among [WordPress caching plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-wordpress-cache-plugins-to-make-your-website-load-faster/ "Best WordPress Caching Plugins to Improve Your Site Speed").
WP Fastest Cache is also a very popular plugin but nowhere close to WP Super Cache in the number of downloads and installs. It has more than 1700 five-star reviews, which says a lot.
### Features & Benefits Comparison
Aspect WP Super Cache WP Fastest Cache Features Page caching
CDN support
Preload cache
GZIP compression
Cache rebuilding
Advanced caching options Page caching
Browser caching
GZIP compression
Minification of HTML, CSS, JS
CDN integration
Lazy load images Benefits Developed by Automattic (WordPress parent company)
Wide community support
Free and open-source
Effective caching Easy setup and configuration
Comprehensive optimization features
Premium version with additional features
Frequent updates Pricing Free Free (basic version)
Premium version available with additional features at various pricing levels Technology Caching using mod\_rewrite or PHP
Utilizes Supercache static files Caching using .htaccess or PHP
Minification of files
Lazy loading of images I wanted to test and review both plugins. So, I ran a few tests using Pingdom. I also wanted to try them on my client’s websites. This allowed me to test WP Super Cache and WP Fastest Cache on multiple web hosting companies.
### How My Website Performed Without Caching
Before testing the caching plugins, I first [tested my website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/ "How to Set up and Use SiteGround Staging to Test Your Site?") performance without any caching plugins. Here is the result of my website without caching.
Yeah, I didn’t believe my eyes either. This test result is horrible and will [negatively impact SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/negative-seo-impact/ "Negative SEO Impact in 2022 (Case Study)"). My website was loading in more than 6 seconds. That’s completely unacceptable.
### Testing Performance with WP Super Cache
I wanted to see how WP Super Cache could improve my website speed. I installed and activated the plugin and set it up. The first [step was to turn on caching](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-configure-w3-total-cache-settings-step-by-step-tutorial/).
The second step was to enable gzip compression. Gzip compression is important because it compresses a web page before sending it to users, which makes the [page download quicker](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Google Search Results to Excel CSV?").
WP Super Cache has many advanced options, but I only wanted to [enable page caching](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-serve-cache-for-logged-in-users-in-wordpress/ "How to Serve Cache for Logged-In Users in WordPress?") and gzip compression. I looked into minifying CSS and JS, but that was difficult with WP Super Cache.
After setting the WP Super Cache on my website, I tested it using the Pingdom tool. Here is the test result screenshot.
Yep, this result is much better. My website was now loading under 635 ms. It was now faster than 95% of all websites. That’s amazing!
Let’s see how WP Fastest Cache compares to such a great result.
### Testing Performance with WP Fastest Cache
After installing WP Fastest Cache, I went to its settings. The interface looks much cleaner than WP Super Cache. I finished setting it up within a few seconds.
**Note:** I don’t have the [premium version of the plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/yoast-seo-free-vs-yoast-seo-premium-full-review/ "Free Vs. Premium: Which Yoast SEO Is Right For You?"), just the basic free version. I noticed that they have many more options in their premium version.
After the setup, I visited the Pingdom website and ran the test. Here is a screenshot of my test result.
This result is incredible! My website was loading under 528 ms now, faster than 96% of all websites.
WP Fastest Cache simplifies combining and minimizing CSS and JavaScript files.
This means it reduces the number of page requests and [lowers the page load time](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-reduce-initial-server-response-time-in-wordpress/ "How to Reduce Initial Server Response Time in WordPress?") by a few extra milliseconds compared to WP Super Cache.
### WP Super Cache vs WP Fastest Cache – Comparison Table
The following table shows values for WP Super Cache and WP Fastest Cache results on Pingdom.
MetricNo CachingWP Super CacheWP Fastest CacheGradeC 74C 74B 82Load time6.53 s635 ms528 msFaster than22%95%96%Page Size479.4 KB449.7 KB444.4 KBRequests454634You can clearly see that WP Fastest Cache outperformed WP Super Cache in every aspect. However, the difference isn’t too significant between the two.
### Conclusion
I found both plugins, WP Super Cache and WP Fastest Cache, performed great. It can help with [optimizing your website ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-optimize-a-website-in-2019-for-google-search-whats-different-about-google-search/ "How to Optimize a Website in 2019 for Google Search")for better speed and SEO.
If you are already using WP Super Cache and are happy with the results, then you should keep using it.
If you want to improve your website speed or start a new WordPress website, I highly recommend WP Fastest Cache. I will use WP Fastest Cache on all my websites and recommend it to all my SEO clients.
I hope this case study about WP Super Cache vs. WP Fastest Cache offered you a proper comparison. If you want to try any other caching plugin, please check out this comparison of [Nitropack vs. WP Rocket](https://azibyaqoob.com/nitropack-vs-wp-rocket/).
**Categories:** WordPress
**Tags:** Caching, WordPress
---
### [How I Reduced SiteGround's initial Server Response Time?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-i-fixed-siteground-low-server-response-time-issue/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you facing slow server response time on SiteGround web hosting? It took me a while to reduce the initial server response time on SiteGround.
I was using Dreamhost before switching to SiteGround. There wasn’t a particular reason for moving my website from Dreamhost to SiteGround apart from an excellent black-Friday discount.
After moving my website to SiteGround, I optimized my page load time. I noticed my website was loading slowly due to the initial response time issue from Siteground. At first, I didn’t find a solution to this problem online, but after testing a few methods, I finally fixed it. Here’s how you can fix it too:
#### Check Your Page Load Time
First, you need to check your website’s page load speed with tools like [Pingdom](https://tools.pingdom.com/ "Website speed test") and [PageSpeed Insights Tool by Google](https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/ "PageSpeed Insights"). Both of these tools can give you the actual load time of a website. You can use that information to determine why your website is responding slowly.
Many things can slow down your website apart from the initial server response time. Most users won’t mind reasonably slow loading websites, but if your website is incredibly slow, it creates a bad user experience. SEO is all about improving the user experience. So, if your website loads slowly, [Google can drop your ranking](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?").
#### How to Fix Slow Server Response Time Issue on SiteGround Hosting?
I installed caching plugin recommended by SiteGround, which resolved the issue permanently. Here’s how you can configure it on your WordPress website:
**Step 1:** First, log in to your SiteGround hosting account. Click on the Account tab. It will open a different page. By clicking on **Go to cPanel** button, you will find plenty of options.
**Step 2:** Now look for the heading **WordPress Tools**. Here you will find plenty of tools that you can use on your WordPress website. Look for the option under WordPress Tools **SuperCacher**. It will open up a new page where you can find settings to optimize SuperCacher.
**Step 3:** Under the first tab, **Level 1: Static Cache,** turn **on** the cache on a domain that is affected by low server response time. Similarly, you can optimize further by turning on **Level 2: Dynamic cache** and **Level 3: Memcached**.
#### Install SuperCacher WordPress Plugin
**Step 1:** log in to your WordPress Website. Look for the **Plugins** option in your WordPress sidebar menu. When you hover your mouse over it, you will find an option **Add New**. Clicking on it will open the WordPress plugins directory.
**Step 2:** Search for the **SG Optimizer** plugin in the WordPress directory. Click on the **Install** button and wait a few seconds to let it install on your website. Once complete, you can press the **Activate** button to start using it.
**Step 3:** You will find an option in your WordPress right-hand sidebar under **SG Optimizer**. Hovering your mouse over this option will open a drop-down menu. Select **SuperCacher Config** from there. It will bring you to the configuration page of the SuperCacher plugin. Now Turn on all the options you selected in the cPanel [configuration step](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-configure-w3-total-cache-settings-step-by-step-tutorial/). For this tutorial, we will choose all the options.
Hopefully, you will notice a significant difference in speed, considering your website is already well optimized. If not, you can use a WordPress caching plugin such as [WP Fastest Cache or WP Super Cache](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs WP Fastest Cache – Which One is Better? (Case Study)").
I hope this tutorial solved your server response time issue on the SiteGround hosting. I think you will also like my latest tutorial on [setting up SiteGround Staging](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/ "How to Set up and Use SiteGround Staging to Test Your Site?").
**Categories:** WordPress
---
### [Rich Result, Featured Snippet, and Knowledge Graph Explained](https://azibyaqoob.com/rich-result-featured-snippet-and-knowledge-graph-explained/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Nowadays, When you search for things on Google you might see a featured snippet, which is a featured block at the top of the search results page. In this post, I am going to tell you the name of those featured search results and why you should know.
Featured [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?") are now an integral part of Google search. They all [serve a different purpose and the user](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-serve-cache-for-logged-in-users-in-wordpress/)‘s search intent.
#### What is a Rich Result?
You must have seen these search results by now if you use Google. Rich results are mostly shown in various formats such as carousels, images, or other non-textual elements. There are many kinds of rich results. Many are linked to the specific content type being displayed (book, movie, article, and so on).
The purpose of a rich snippet or rich result is to provide the most relevant data from a web page to the user within the search results. It will help users to decide whether the page is relevant to their search. Webmasters can use [structured markups](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/data-types/article "structured markups") to enhance their search results.
you can also [test if your page supports the rich results](https://search.google.com/test/rich-results "test if your page supports the rich results"). You have to use structured data on your pages in order to be displayed in a rich result.
#### History of Rich Results
In May 2009, Google announced that they would render website microformats to populate search results with “Rich snippets”. These snippets include additional details about web pages such as reviews, download links, location, social media accounts, etc…
Google further expanded on the Rich snippets in 2016. They improved the presentation of rich results by including “Rich card”. It is similar to the rich snippet but it provides search results in the form of a swipeable carousel format on mobile devices.
#### What is a Featured Snippet?
A featured snippet is a search result on the 1st position hand-picked by Google’s algorithm. It is shown as a prominent block with a page title, content description, and link to the actual page.
Google picks up any data from a page which it considers would best answer the user-specific question.
For example, if someone searches for ‘cheesecake recipe’, it is more than likely that Google will show up a featured snippet to the user.
You can read further about [how to add or remove featured snippet](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-add-or-remove-googles-featured-snippet/ "How to Add or Remove Google’s Featured Snippet?") to your webpage.
#### What is the Google Knowledge Graph?
The Google Knowledge Graph gathered information from a variety of sources and used by Google to enhance it’s search results. Google usually displays this information in a box to the right of the actual search page.
Google shows a knowledge graph when you search for specific things such as a company name, influential person, and sometimes books, actors, tv shows, etc..
#### What is a Onebox Search Result?
In simple terms, it looks something like a featured snippet but without any link to the website. These are only shown when you search for things such as weather, time, flight status, translation, and a few such elements.
It is not very helpful for webmasters as Google won’t show a link to their website when it shows a Onebox [search result](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/). Here are some examples of Onebox search results.
Flight Status on Onebox Search ResultTranslation Onebox Search Result#### Difference between Rich Result, Featured Snippet, and Knowledge Graph
You might think that they all look the same but they completely serve different purposes and audience. For example, featured snippet and one box result try to provide a complete answer to user’s questions.
However, the knowledge graph and rich result are providing specific information to the user. When you search for a company name such as “Nike” or “Adidas”, you will get a knowledge graph about those companies, a description fetched from Wikipedia, social links, website, etc..
Also, webmasters can [provide structured data to Google](https://developers.google.com/custom-search/docs/structured_data "Providing Structured Data") in order to serve knowledge graph and rich results on specific queries.
I hope now you understand clearly the difference between rich result, featured snippet, and knowledge graph.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Increase Sales on Your Shopify Store by 60% Right Now](https://azibyaqoob.com/increase-sales-shopify/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
There are many different ways to increase sales on a Shopify store. New Shopify store owners always struggle to find the right way to boost their traffic and sales.
In this post, I will show you only my tested methods that will immediately boost your Shopify sales.
Update: I wrote a recent post on [upselling products](https://azibyaqoob.com/upsell-cross-sell-products-shopify/) on your Shopify store. Please check; it will also help you increase sales.
Let’s not wait further and start learning how to increase sales on your Shopify store.
Have you encountered a website with an unbelievably insane amount of email subscribers, Facebook fans, and Instagram followers?
Most probably, yes, because we all often love to shop online.
As an entrepreneur, the question that your should ask is: How those stores developed such a loyal customer base?
Of course, by spending plenty of time and tons of money. They improve their marketing and sales, which eventually leads to more sales.
#### What are different ways to Increase Sales on your Shopify Store?
Your Shopify store needs a lot of traffic + highly optimized sales pages to boost sales. I will do my best to share as many best practices as you can apply to increase sales directly.
#### 1. Create an Amazing Call to Action
If you don’t tell your potential customers to take a specific action, believe it or not, your bounce rate will be higher, and you will see lower conversion rates.
That’s why you must use proper call-to-actions throughout the website. Not everyone will buy your product on the 1st engagement, so you need to convince them.
You should get their email by placing a call-to-action button and links on every page. You can offer discounts, coupon codes, and various other ways.
All the great Shopify stores use this secret method to improve their sales. They place call-to-action buttons to get in touch with their customers.
Once you have your customer’s emails, you can quickly contact them and sell your product.
#### What is a Call-to-Action (CTA)?
Call-to-action can be a button or a simple internal link that will drive users to act. That action could be anything from a **Buy Now** button to a ‘Get 20% discount’.
If you don’t tell a user what steps they should take to buy a product from you, they don’t know either. Everyone wants to save a few bucks, but it is your job to convince them otherwise.
Here are a few more tips to improve your call to action:
- Always use short text with call-to-action buttons.
- Create CTA buttons on essential pages, such as the homepage, blog header, blog sidebar, navigation menu, and footer.
- Use CTA buttons that encourage users to buy a product or subscribe to your email list.
#### 2. Boost Sales on Shopify Website with Blogging
Blogging is one of the best free marketing channels to increase organic traffic.
This free marketing tool can boost sales and increase customers in a Shopify store. To write an effective blog post, you should know the following:
- What content would your customers like to read?
- How to convert those readers into customers?
- How to create unique content?
Create helpful content that your customers would love to read and share.
Blogging has helped many small businesses to **boost sales**. You need to understand your target customer’s problems and write a helpful blog post to solve that particular problem.
Always write catchy headlines and make sure to optimize your content for search engines.
#### 3. Use Email Marketing to Increase Sales on a Shopify Website
It is one of the effective marketing methods that many Shopify stores ignore. Why? Because they don’t know how to boost their sales and customers through email marketing.
You should know how to capture emails from potential customers before starting an email campaign,
- Use lead forms on important pages to capture leads throughout your website.
- Offer your customers something valuable, such as compelling discount offers, and in return, ask for their email.
- Capture emails through Abandoned check-out.
Once you have those emails, you can use them in many different ways. You can create an email funnel to move users from 1st engagement to the product purchase. Never spam your customers with irrelevant content that’s not beneficial to them.
- Create helpful content and share it with your customers.
- Use call-to-action in every email campaign to buy your product.
- Offer them discounts and coupon codes to bring them back to complete their purchase.
Here is a list of the [best affordable email marketing service](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/ "Best Affordable Email Marketing Services in 2019 to Grow Your List") providers you can use to send email campaigns.
#### 4. Boost Sales on Shopify Website with SEO
Organic search traffic is a must for every business’s long-term survival. If you haven’t already optimized your website, then do it right away or hire someone to take care of your website’s SEO.
There are mainly two different aspects of SEO:
1. On-page SEO
2. Off-page SEO
#### On-page SEO
Things we usually optimize on a website internally are called [on-page SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/on-page-seo/ "On-page SEO Services").
There are many things that we can optimize on a website.
Here are some things you can optimize on your website, meta titles, descriptions, HTML headings, URL structure, page load speed, mobile SEO, etc. Please check out these on-page SEO tips for beginners for more information.
#### Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO is mostly about promoting your website on other relevant websites.
It can boost your website’s domain authority and ranking. There are plenty of benefits of off-page SEO.
- You can write a blog post on other blogs influential in your industry to [get dofollow backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links").
- Alternatively, you can make social profiles, create web 2.0 blogs, and ask influencers to endorse your website.
- You can use these[ best free link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free White Hat Link Building Tools") to improve your off-page SEO.
Ensure all the links you get are relevant to your website.
If you want more valuable strategies to improve sales on Shopify, please read this article: [Promote Your Business Online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "Start Marketing Your Business Online (Step by Step Guide)").
**Categories:** Shopify
---
### [How to Set Up Facebook Retargeting Ads Campaign?](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you are not using Facebook retargeting ads, you might lose business. Ads retargeting is an essential subject in marketing, but many companies are unaware of how to take full advantage of ad retargeting.
In this post, I will teach you step-by-step how to set up Facebook retargeting ads. Using the Facebook retargeting campaign, you can convert more visitors into customers. Every small business can boost its sales to a whole new level. It is a great way to [promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online").
These days, Facebook retargeting has become an essential part of digital marketing. Countless businesses use retargeting to achieve their business goals. However, you should not forget about SEO if you want to acquire customers for free. Read these blog posts to optimize your store:
- [Etsy SEO guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/etsy-store-seo-a-simple-seo-guide-to-optimize-your-etsy-store/ "Etsy Store SEO: A Simple SEO Guide to Optimize Your Etsy Store")
- [Amazon SEO guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/ultimate-amazon-seo-strategy-a-complete-seo-guide/ "Ultimate Amazon SEO Strategy for 2019 – A Complete SEO Guide")
- WordPress SEO guide
#### What is Retargeting?
In the marketing world, retargeting is an online advertising method that can help you connect with users who left without taking the desired action. Retargeting is also sometimes known as ‘remarketing’.
You can use a couple of different retargeting programs, such as Facebook Pixel, Google Adwords Retargeting, AdRoll, Perfect Audience, etc.
In this post, we will only talk about Facebook retargeting ads.
#### What is Facebook Retargeting
Have you ever checked a product or visited a website and later on, when surfing your Facebook newsfeed, found advertising from the same website? Well, this sort of marketing is done with the help of Facebook retargeting advertising.
Now, you might be thinking, how does Facebook know that you have visited a particular [product on a website](https://azibyaqoob.com/?p=2751)? The answer to this question is that some websites add JavaScript code to their website. This code allows a website to show visitors an ad when they leave the website without buying the product.
It has excellent potential as an advertising platform. Any website visit can be converted into a customer using retargeting ads.
Do you use Amazon to sell your products? If yes, then check out this [Amazon SEO guide to boost your sales](https://azibyaqoob.com/ultimate-amazon-seo-strategy-a-complete-seo-guide/ "Ultimate Amazon SEO Strategy for 2019 – A Complete SEO Guide").
Let me elaborate on this a little more with two examples:
- Just imagine your customers getting distracted when they are about to check out. What if they see your products on their newsfeed? Most likely, they will remember and complete their purchase.
- Similarly, your customers might be reluctant to purchase from you because they are not sure about the value you are offering. For such customers, a 20% discount offer can work, and you can pave the way for a good relationship between you two.
Some people think that retargeting sounds invasive, but this is not the case. In fact, a nicely set up retargeting campaign shows that you pay attention to your customers and take care of their buying experience.
#### Types of Retargeting Ads
Let’s discuss more retargeting ad types. There are three different types of retargeting ads:
#### 1. Content Retargeting Ads
With the help of a content retargeting ad, you push your audience to an article that may help them. Your end goal for such an ad is to make awareness instead of driving your audience to make a purchase or even to sign up.
Below is an example of a content ad:
#### 2. Retargeting Ads for Lead Generation
In most cases, these types of ads help you build an email list. You can link such ads directly to a free download or a landing page.
The primary purpose of retargeting ads for lead generation is to offer value to your audience or help them solve any of their problems. Later you have a chance to convert them via email. You can try these [affordable email marketing services](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/ "Best Affordable Email Marketing Services in 2020 to Grow Your List") to build an email list.
#### 3. Retargeting Ads for Direct Purchase
The primary purpose of direct purchase retargeting ads is to bring people back to your product purchasing page.
Usually, these ads are used for people with whom you already have a good relationship. For instance, people on your mailing list. One of the best practices for such ads is offering your customers a special discount on the product.
#### How to Set up a Facebook Retargeting Ad Campaign?
Let’s discuss how you can set up a successful Facebook retargeting campaign.
##### Step 1: Install Facebook Pixel
Installing Facebook Pixel is the first step towards running a successful Facebook retargeting ad. Last year, Facebook updated its old tracking system to a new one. Therefore, make sure that you have installed the latest Facebook Pixel. Check out this post if you’re [unable to connect to Facebook Pixel](https://azibyaqoob.com/unable-to-connect-facebook-pixel-with-shopify-store-try-this/ "Unable to Connect Facebook Pixel with Shopify Store? Try This").
Pixels help you track your customers’ behavior, like where they go and what they do. This tracking allows you to retarget them properly.
To Set up your retargeting pixel, go to **Menu** > **Pixels**.
If you are creating a pixel for the first time, before hitting next, name your pixel. After naming your pixel, you must choose how to install it.
Facebook allows you to integrate your pixel with WooCommerce, Google Tag Manager, BigCommerce, Magento, and Wix. If you are using any of these platforms, you only need to select yours and follow the instructions.
If you are not using any of the above platforms, don’t worry. You can still install pixels on any site. You need to copy and paste the code between the HTML ` < head > ` tag on your website. Usually, all platforms offer simple instructions that you can follow to edit this part.
You can also use Facebook pixels to track all your customer’s actions on your site, such as adding a product to the cart, filling in the billing information, etc. But to do this, you must add a few extra code lines on specific pages.
The common pages you may need to track are the ‘Thank you’ and ‘Checkout’ pages.
To ensure that you have installed everything correctly on your site, download this [Facebook Pixel Helper plugin for chrome](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/facebook-pixel-helper/fdgfkebogiimcoedlicjlajpkdmockpc "Facebook Pixel Helper").
##### **Step 2:** Create an Audience for Retargeting
After installing Facebook pixels, go to Facebook Ad Manager and create a custom audience you want to retarget.
To do this, go to Menu > **Audience** > **Create audience**> **Custom Audience**.
This will allow you to retarget people based on their behavior on specific pages of your website.
Your target audience depends on your retargeting campaign goal. For this guide, I will assume that our campaign is meant for abandoned carts.
The period of showing a retargeting ad is also an important parameter. You can offer this ad for 10-14 days for abandoned carts. After 14 days, if still, your customers don’t want to buy your product, you are doing nothing but annoying them.
After setting up the filter, you now need to name the group and save it.
If you are a new user of the Facebook pixel, you may see a warning that says the audience is too small. It is because, according to the requirements of Facebook, you should have at least 20 customers who fall within your criteria before the campaign starts.
You can continue setting up your campaign. It will turn on as soon as the required number of customers is tracked on your site.
##### Step 3: Start Running your Retargeting Campaign
After setting up your audience, now it’s time to run some specific ads to retarget them. An effective way to retarget your audience is to create ads based on specific categories or products.
If your [website contains many products,](https://azibyaqoob.com/upsell-cross-sell-products-shopify/) you can create ads for the best sellers.
Add your logo and brand name to your ad copy, as you will get tons of impressions, even if your target audience decides not to buy from you.
Once you are ready, click “Create Ad” on the top right of the screen.
##### Step 4: Determine your Ad Objective
The next step is to determine your objective of creating an ad. Facebook gives you some options to choose from. The most common options are “Conversions” and “Traffic”.
Determining your objective helps Facebook decide to whom they should show your ad based on their prediction of who can help you achieve your goal.
The two common goals are:
- **Traffic Goal** – it will let a large number of people visit your site/store
- **Conversion Goal** – this helps you in getting customers who complete a specific action (usually make a purchase)
If you sell high-ticket products, you better stick to the traffic goal. It is because, before purchasing an expensive product, people visit your website frequently.
If you set your goal as conversions, you need to follow the following steps:
- To start a new campaign, you need to name it and click on continue. After that, you must select your goal, which in this case will be Conversions. Verify your pixels.
- Usually, the primary purpose of selecting conversions as your goal is to let the customers purchase. Therefore, choose that option. If you need to learn more about it, click on Learn More, and you can learn from the guidelines of Facebook towards your goals and funnels.
##### Step 5: Select Retarget Audience
Under the custom audience option, select the group you have saved for retargeting in Step 2.
##### Step 6: Placement of Your Ad
Once you are done creating, designing, and targeting your ad, the next step is to determine where it will show.
The best way to do placement is to let Facebook do it for you. No one knows better than Facebook where your ad can perform the best.
##### Step 7: Set Budget for your Retargeting Campaign
To see the results of your Facebook ad campaign, you don’t need to spend much money first.
It also depends on your business, but it is better to start with a small budget and raise it for proven profitable campaigns.
Retargeting ads should run continuously, as new people will keep visiting your site and abandoning their carts daily.
It is also essential to keep an eye on the efficiency of your ad. If an ad is not working efficiently, stop it right away.
##### Step 8: Create Retargeting Ads
From here, you can create an ad as usual. Good images and action-inducing triggers help you create compelling ads that can convert well.
Before you start and set up a retargeting campaign, I think you would appreciate a complete strategy on how to do it effectively. Here’s how you can do it:
#### How to Formulate a Facebook Ad Retargeting Strategy?
Well, there are a lot of ways you can use retargeting campaigns. However, some of my favorite strategies helped my clients get higher ROI.
**1. Show them your value first**
Before you start throwing ads to anyone your website visits, you should remember that sales don’t work like that. Yeah, sometimes people buy things on the 1st engagement, but most of the time, it doesn’t work like that. So, it would help if you built an audience most likely to buy at this point.
For example, people who didn’t check out but added products to the cart. You can set up this audience and retarget them with ads. Or, if you are selling a digital product/service, you can set up a lead magnet campaign.
**2. Retargeting Specific Audience**
You can use this strategy if you get lots of traffic on your service/product pages and people are not converting well.
Suppose you sell an expensive service, and people are not contacting you. Then you can retarget this audience with compelling ads. You can show them a video where you introduce yourself as an expert and answer specific questions about your service. Similarly, you can get their email with an enticing lead magnet.
Facebook retargeting is a great way to boost your conversions and sales. By using an effective retargeting strategy, you can improve the ROI of your business.
I hope you find this post helpful. If you did, check out [how to add Facebook chat to a WordPress website. ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-add-facebook-chat-in-a-wordpress-website/ "how to add facebook chat in a WordPress website")
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [How to Create an SEO-Friendly Website Structure?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Does website structure hold importance in SEO? How search engines like Google and Bing treat well-structured websites? In this post, I am going to talk about the best practices to structure a website, and how to develop a well-structured website which will improve your ranking.
Google and other search engines, they give importance to how a website is structured and its link pattern. Few key benefits of optimizing your website structure:
- Well-Structured websites are easier to crawl for search engines
- It will improve the overall user experience of your website
- You will see a major ranking boost if your website is well structured in comparison to your competitors
#### How to Structure Your Website?
It is not a difficult task to do. In a few hours, you can develop a great logical site structure. However, you need to keep these things in mind when developing a website structure.
You can use [mind mapping software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept-_and_mind-mapping_software "List of Mind Mapping Software - Wikipedia") to visualize how will your website look when you add pages and how to link them. A piece of paper can be equally good to visualize the structure of a website.
#### Navigation Structure
Navigation links such as menus, sidebar and footer links are the most important part of website structure. Well-Structured navigation should provide a logical path for the user to follow and easily navigate the website.
The ideal time to create navigation structure is before developing your website. You can draw navigation structure on a piece of paper or use a mind mapping software. Define every single page of your website, and how to link these pages in menus such as top header menu, sidebar menu (depends on the design), and of course footer menu.
Well-Structured navigation should have all the [top pages or categories of the website](https://azibyaqoob.com/?p=4442) included. So, people could easily browse your website completely.
#### URL Structure
Structure of URL on the website should match the pattern of navigation structure. For example, if let’s say you have a [product category on your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/upsell-cross-sell-products-shopify/) by the name ‘men’s Shoes’ then ideally product pages on this category should have a URL structure which complements the product category: `Https://example.com/Men-shoes/product1/`
You can easily define URL structure when you have a solid visual navigation site structure on a piece of paper or on a software. The ideal time to define is, after developing navigation structure.
#### Categories structure
Categories can benefit a website to improve its structure. Only big websites which have lots of content would be in need of categories. Websites such as eCommerce websites, blogs, and news websites are a prime example which can benefit a lot by using categories.
**So how do you structure categories to improve SEO?**
Before starting your website, you should develop the category structure. Don’t use more than 10 categories unless you have an enormous website. Keep the structure short and sweet. However, if you have more categories then you can create sub-categories as well.
Always include a unique category description, title and Meta tags. Otherwise, you may face [duplicate content issues](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?") on Google Search Console.
#### Labels & Tags Structure
Some webmasters and SEOs have no idea how to use tags/labels to improve SEO. You can create tags pages and set these tags to appropriate posts/products on your website. The ideal scenario is to use no more than 5 tags per page.
#### Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are especially good for websites which have lots of content. These can help users understand where they are in the [website hierarchy and how they can move](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-move-a-website-from-wix-to-wordpress/) to the main page.
Although breadcrumbs are not necessary to use especially if your website has less than 100 pages. However, a big [website can benefit a lot by using breadcrumbs](https://azibyaqoob.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-add-breadcrumbs-to-a-wordpress-website/).
Breadcrumbs will make navigation of your website much easier and [Google will show your search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?") with unique breadcrumb links.
#### Internal Link Structure
You can add links to the internal pages of your website to link them together. It will help users and search engines navigate and crawl your site pages more easily. Also, having internal links also help reduce the user’s bounce rate.
When you create internal links always use descriptive anchor text so the user can understand where he will land if he clicks on this particular link.
You can decide however you would like to link your pages and post. Make sure that all the external links on your website use a [nofollow tag](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide").
#### Content Structure
Content on your website should follow a pattern. It is important due to the factor Google like websites which are discussing particular topics. It helps Google categorize those websites and rank them accordingly. I have written a guide on how small businesses can do content marketing. This guide will help you understand the concepts of content structure and content marketing. You can use this information to structure your website or blog content.
If you have already created a website you can still use the above tutorial to improve your website structure. However, I would recommend you plan ahead a complete [site structure process and test](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/) it on a localhost.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Which Yoast SEO Plugin Features You Should Not Use?](https://azibyaqoob.com/which-yoast-seo-plugin-features-you-should-not-use/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Do you use all the Yoast SEO plugin features in WordPress? Well, in my personal opinion, you shouldn’t use all the features of Yoast SEO plugin. Why? Those SEO features are not meant to be used by every website and some of them are outdated.
Yoast SEO is one of the [best free WordPress SEO plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2018 (Updated)"). However, some of its features can make your content looks **over optimized**. Google doesn’t like over-optimized content. So it is quite important that you should focus your pages/posts for your target audience, not for search engines.
Check out my full review of [Yoast SEO VS Yoast SEO premium](https://azibyaqoob.com/yoast-seo-free-vs-yoast-seo-premium-full-review/ "Yoast SEO Free vs Yoast SEO Premium (Full Review)").
Some features are supposed to be used by specific kind of websites. If you have a [small business website](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking") you wouldn’t need those Yoast SEO plugin features.
#### Ryte
This feature supposed to notify you as soon as your website has indexing issues. You can also use their online tool to perform content and [SEO audit](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Manually Perform a Technical Website SEO Audit?"). You have to fill out signup forms to get started with this tool. It is a third-party service for on-page optimization audit.
I personally don’t find this feature to be useful as it usually doesn’t notify me when websites have indexing issues. And there are better content and SEO audit tools, I think it is a useless feature. It doesn’t impact your website ranking in any way.
#### Force Rewrite Titles
If your meta title output is not correct, then you can use this feature to force rewrite meta titles. For example, your brand name is showing up twice in [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/) or getting double titles. In that scenario only you need to use this Yoast SEO plugin feature.
If still, you are facing issues, you can contact your theme developer or plugin author to resolve the issue.
#### Readability Analysis
I was quite used to this feature before but lately, it doesn’t make any sense. Using readability analysis can sometimes result in over-optimization. Also sometimes it is impossible to pass the readability analysis test due to the nature of the topic. Not every topic is a simple how-to tutorial. So, in my opinion, it should be taken as lightly.
You should write content in a concise and easiest manner. Divide your content into multiple headings, subheadings and use shorter paragraphs.
#### Keyword Analysis
This [feature removes boxes to add](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-add-or-remove-googles-featured-snippet/) Meta keywords and focus keywords. Some SEOs advice that Meta keywords shouldn’t be used anymore and some say otherwise. It comes down to your own preference whether you want to add meta keywords to your post or not.
#### Author archives
You can find this option by going to Title & Meta’s> Archives > Author Archives Settings > Author Archives. This feature is supposed to be used by big publications/blogs who have multiple authors writing content on the website. If your blog has 1 author, then this feature is not necessary to use. Disabling it will redirect your author page to the homepage.
#### Date archives
This option can also be found under Title & Metas > Archives > Author Archives Settings > Date Archives. Disabling this feature will save you from [duplicate content issues](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?").
#### Unnecessary taxonomies
You can set noindex, follow on taxonomy pages such as post tags, categories, etc.. I personally use those taxonomies so I let them indexed by search engines. If your website structure is messed up with irrelevant post tags, and categories you shouldn’t be using this feature.
#### Yoast Breadcrumbs
To add breadcrumbs to your theme, you may need to change a few settings and add PHP code too. When using Yoast breadcrumbs feature my website was acting up a bit.
I had to manually add breadcrumbs every time I wrote a post. So I started using a different NavXT plugin to show breadcrumbs. This plugin is far easier to customize and there is a lot of documentation on the plugin author’s [website to customize the outlook of breadcrumbs](https://azibyaqoob.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-add-breadcrumbs-to-a-wordpress-website/).
#### Yoast XML sitemap
Although, it is a great feature of this plugin and many people use Yoast XML sitemap (including myself). However, Yoast has added dofollow backlinks of his website in the code of XML sitemap. That’s why I have removed backlinks from Yoast XML sitemap by editing the plugin code.
You can check out [best XML sitemap plugins for WordPres](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-xml-sitemap-plugins-for-wordpress/ "Best XML Sitemap Plugins for WordPress")s and pick anyone that suits your need. After that, you should [submit sitemap to Google, Bing and Yahoo](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?").
#### Greenlight obsession
Making all the lights green on Yoast interface [won’t rank your post](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?") on the 1st position. This feature when introduced was quite useful but, I don’t think it is as accurate anymore it was before.
It’s up to you whether you use this feature or not. However, I would advise you take it lightly.
If your content sucks, then no plugin, developer or an SEO can help you rank high. Make sure that your content is always the best and it answers the question user has searched on Google.
**Categories:** WordPress
---
### [What are Internal Links and Why You Should Start Adding Them Right Away?](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-are-internal-links-and-why-you-should-start-adding-them-right-away/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
By creating internal links your website bounce rate will decrease. Internal links are an important part of on-page SEO. Interlinking between pages and posts of your website will help Googlebot crawl your website pages easily.
Have you come across a website, which has great content and you want to read more but you don’t find many internal links?
I don’t know about you, but I see this kind of websites quite often. How much do internal links hold the value in terms of SEO is another story but it is one of the crucial things to improve user experience on your website.
#### What is internal link?
Any hyperlink on a website that is moving users from one page to another page or moving users from one website to another. There are 2 different types of hyperlinks used on a website:
1\. **Internal** – Links that are moving users to different pages of the same website.
2\. **External** – These are links that [move users from one website to another website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-move-a-website-from-wix-to-wordpress/).
**Note:** When creating external links on your website, make sure to [add a nofollow attribute to external links](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide"). Also please check out this post to know the [difference between dofollow and nofollow links](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links")
#### How to Create Internal Links?
The secret to creating internal links is to write content on a topical basis. For example, if your content piece is telling people how to solve a particular issue in “XYZ” then you should also cover all the underlying issues people usually face when doing “XYZ”. You can link articles which are discussing the same or similar topics with each other. It is an incredible way of [link building](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/ "White hat link building service").
#### How many Internal Links are Too many?
According to Google Webmaster Central, you can create a few thousand internal links per page. Those are a lot of links. I would suggest you keep it under 100 links so people can easily follow those links.
#### Do you need to create Internal Links on every page?
Not necessarily, you can create posts and pages without adding internal links but the problem is that if you keep doing that your bounce rate will increase. Internal links are a great way to reduce bounce rate on your website. However, it is advisable by many SEOs that you should link at least 2-3 pages on your website from the new one. It is an ideal scenario, however, if you don’t use internal links, there won’t be any [negative impact on your website’s SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/negative-seo-impact/ "Negative SEO Impact in 2018 (Case Study)").
#### What Anchor Text Should You Use to Create Internal Links
Ideally, a descriptive anchor text that defines the linking top will give you more impact in terms of SEO as well as UX.
I would suggest you keep your anchor text a little explanatory so people can understand the context better.
#### Which are Ideal Places in Content to Add Internal Links
You can add links anywhere you like. Different kinds of internal links have different placement order. For example, if you want to place a call to action, it would be good at the end of the paragraph.
Another good way to add an internal call to actions is to use it between the article in a CSS styled box.
I usually place mine at the end of the article which is a good place because if someone like your content they are more likely to be clicking on that link. However, you can try different strategies and find out which is giving you more clicks.
#### Should You Link Every Page with Each Other?
It sounds to me impossible unless you have written on one topic and preplanned.
However, it is a good practice to link to pages which are relevant and answering questions on the same topic.
#### Why Internal links are important in SEO?
Google bot find out new pages through internal/external links. For example, if Google crawls a Wikipedia page on cars, it will also likely follow all the links mentioned on that particular entry. It will build up your page topical context in Google and hence I believe it is one of the ranking factors.
#### How do I create Internal links?
You can create internal links by updating your current and old blog posts link them together as much as possible. Where you see a need for linking to the old content page, you should do it. There is no perfect rule to create internal backlinks. I don’t think there’s much have written on this topic.
I hope this article cleared some misconceptions about internal links.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Proven Reputation Management Guide: Build Your Business or Brand Reputation](https://azibyaqoob.com/proven-reputation-management-guide-build-your-business-or-brand-reputation/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you looking for a reputation management guide to fix your reputation? This easy to use online reputation management tutorial will walk you through different useful and proven techniques. By applying this guide, you can [build up your damaged online reputation](https://azibyaqoob.com/internet-reputation-repair-2017/ "Repairing Internet Reputation: A DIY Guide to Reputation Management").
I have used the exact same strategy to [push down negative search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?") for many of my clients. I am sure you would also find it quite useful.
> It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you will do things differently. — Warren Buffet
#### What is Online Reputation Management?
In simple terms, it is the process of managing brand/individual reputation on the Internet. There are different platforms where reputation management can play a significant part such as social media platforms, review sites, web directories, and search engines.
#### Why Online Reputation Management is Important?
Brands or individuals who have established their business online could get affected by negative news, comments or reviews. Hence, it is quite important to manage your reputation on the Internet. If you don’t manage it at the right time, you could get your business damaged to a great extent.
#### What you should do when face a reputation Crisis?
First of all, keep calm and take a deep breath. You can [fix your online reputation but it will take some time](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-improve-online-reputation/ "How Long Does it Take to Improve Online Reputation?"). It could be weeks, months or even years. It mostly depends on how big and reputable is your brand already. The more reputable you are, then the chances are more people talking about your business. You can [remove or suppress negative search results from Google](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?") by constantly working on the campaign
You should follow this step by step process which I shared in this blog post. This strategy has worked for lots of my clients and I am quite confident that you will see the results yourself.
#### How to Create an effective Online Reputation Management Strategy
A negative [search result](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/) could affect your sales or completely destroy your business. That’s why every online business should manage its reputation. The question is, how do you begin a reputation management campaign.
Before starting any reputation management campaign, you must have a solid strategy. Why? Because without a strategy you won’t have a complete action plan to fix your damaged internet reputation. Here’s how you can develop a great online reputation management strategy.
- Find out negative search results, reviews, or websites which are damaging your reputation. Create a list, or export all the search results.
- Make a list of negative content.
- Now, devise a plan according to your resources. For example, how do you create new content, what link building techniques you should use, etc.
- Make a plan to constantly monitor your online reputation.
- If there are negative comments and reviews then devise a response plan.
- Create a content strategy for new positive stories.
Let’s move on to the actual process to learn how to manage your reputation online as a brand or an individual.
#### Online Reputation Management Process
There are countless ways and platforms you can use to [promote your online business](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online") positive image. I am going to share all of them one by one so you can understand the complete process.
#### Create a Solid Content Strategy
It should be one of the top priorities of your reputation campaign. Because without content, it is impossible to fix or build up an online reputation. So, how you should create a content strategy?
First of all, you should know the critical or damaging points of your product/service. If there are already negative reviews or comments then it would help you understand why people are talking negatively about your brand.
When you have a great understanding of your critical areas, it would be much easier to create a strategy. Now, find out platforms that you are going to use to publish this content.
#### Manage Your web Properties
Whichever website, blog, or social profile that you own, keep them updated with the latest posts. It is a quite helpful way to get more exposure for your business. Also, keeping properties updated will tell Google that those particular web properties are more active than the other links. You can use these [social media tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/ "10 Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools You Should Use") to automate some of that process.
What will happen? Google will rank higher your web profiles and websites.
#### Guest Posting on Influential Blogs
Guest posting is one of the great [ways to promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online"). Here are some of the great techniques which you can use to publish a blog post on any influential blog within your business niche.
- Find out targeted blogs that your audience likely read.
- Check out their website for a ‘Write for Us’ page.
- Make a list of those sites, their contact details. If there are guidelines to publish content on their blog then read them too.
- If you are a writer then curate article topics that might interest those blogs.
- Pitch them with your article idea and how it would benefit their blog audience.
- Wait if they don’t respond then send a follow-up email.
If you need to send email campaigns then check out these [affordable email marketing solutions](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/ "Best Affordable Email Marketing Services in 2020 to Grow Your List").
I hope this process will get you started with guest posting. Always offer webmasters something of value in order for them to let you publish a blog.
#### Create Web 2.0 properties
Web 2.0 sites such as WordPress, Medium, Blogspot, or Tumblr are easy to use and create. There are around thousands of such free blogging platforms which you can use to promote your business as well as improving your brand reputation on the Internet.
However, I would recommend that create a few such blogs which you can manage and use frequently. Publish content on them regularly and make sure that all the posts are correctly optimized for search engines. You can read these blog posts to improve your SEO skills:
- [SEO guide for small business websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking")
- Best online reputation management techniques
#### YouTube Video Content
Youtube is one of the trending platforms to advertise or promote your business on the Internet. You can use it to promote your brand, boost your influence, attract new customers, and repair your damaged reputation.
YouTube videos tend to rank higher on Google search. If you keep creating content on YouTube then your content might show up on the 1st page of Google. It is a great platform that can be used to build up your online reputation.
#### Google Business Listing
If you are a local business then Google Business listing not only help you with reputation management but will also improve your sales. However, if you are an individual posting your address is not a very good idea. So, this will work for businesses and brands only.
You can use it to promote your business such as if you are a restaurant then users can easily find you on the maps. Check out this [local restaurant SEO guide ](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-local-restaurants-seo-guide-to-acquire-new-customers/ "Step by Step Local Restaurants SEO Guide to Acquire New Customers")for more info on the topic.
#### Link Building Strategy
It is an effective SEO strategy to rank websites on the 1st page. Link building can also be used in online reputation management. You can build authoritative backlinks to your website to increase its ranking.
- You can build authority backlinks to positive search stories on your brand or business name.
- This is an effective way to suppress negative search results and improve your brand trust in the customer’s’ eyes.
- Quality of the backlinks is quite important. So, make a few but powerful backlinks.
#### Social Media Profiles
We are living in a social media bubble. All our friends, favorite [businesses are using social media accounts](https://azibyaqoob.com/instagram-promotion-strategy-to-boost-followers-of-your-business-account/) to connect with the world. It is a great opportunity to bring in new customers for your business as well as creating awareness of your brand.
You can create social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.. Creating those pages will help your brand reputation in the search.
**Categories:** Online Reputation Management
---
### [13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
I know how difficult it seems when you want to promote your business online. We have all been there. Promoting an online business is complicated, but believe me, you will find it much more manageable after following these website promotion techniques. I have compiled a list of fast, free methods to promote your business online. These techniques will help you boost traffic and sales.
After reading this article, you should be able to decide which marketing methods work best for your business. Since every company targets a different audience and location, I recommend you try other marketing channels. Once you start seeing results, you can invest more money and resources to acquire more customers.
**Please keep in mind that slow progress is still better than no progress. Keep patience, and you will achieve your goals.**
### How to Do Free Online advertising?
These are the best ways to promote your business for free. Most of these free marketing methods have worked for me, my clients, and a lot of other companies. You will surely see significant results after following these “promotion techniques.”
#### 1. Ways to Promote a Business Using Social Media
Social networking for business is fun; you can share real-life stories, events, product benefits, user reviews, etc.
You should do it immediately if you haven’t already set up [business accounts](https://azibyaqoob.com/?p=1126) on all major social networks. Start promoting your online business on all relevant social pages. Find people in your niche, and connect with them. Find your potential customers and pitch them your product.
You can use these well-known social networks to promote your business online. If you are unsure which one you should focus on, you can try and find out which brings more traffic and sales. Then start building connections:
1. Twitter
2. LinkedIn
3. Facebook
4. Instagram
5. Pinterest
#### 2. Develop and Execute Content Marketing Strategy
Content marketing is the new trend. It is helping many offline businesses to establish their presence on the Internet.
We all like to hear great stories. If you can deliver good stories to your target audience, you can attract many new customers.
**What is Content Marketing?**
It is a marketing concept that involves creating and sharing online material in videos, blogs, and [social media](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/) posts. Content marketing can stimulate a user’s interest in your product or service.
That’s the textbook definition of content marketing but let me explain it further. Many brands use online content marketing to attract their target audience and convert them into customers later.
You can reach more people by creating helpful content for your target audience through blog posts, videos, infographics, pdf, and podcasts.
You can convert those visitors into paying customers by offering them something more for free.
Please check out my article about how to do content [marketing for small businesses](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-interior-design-marketing-strategies-to-get-clients/).
#### 3. Email Marketing and List Building
Email marketing is an effective tool that works for many online businesses.
Over 3.7 billion email users worldwide, meaning the projected number of users by 2022 is 5.1 billion. Also, email is 40 times more effective at acquiring new customers than Facebook or Twitter.
You should immediately set up an account on MailChimp, AWeber, or Constant Contact. You can collect and approach leads using one of these services.
However, you need to set up lead magnets on essential places on your website to collect leads. After that, you can send them weekly updates, new discount offers, special packages, etc. The possibilities are endless. Here are some key points to remember when you create an [email marketing](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/) campaign.
- Build Relationships: Build connections through personalized engagement.
- Brand Awareness: Keep your company and your services top-of-mind for the moment when your prospects are ready to engage.
- Content Promotion: Use email to share relevant blog content or valuable assets with your prospects.
- Lead Generation: Entice your subscribers to provide their personal information in exchange for an asset that they’d find valuable.
- Product Marketing: Promote your products and services.
- Lead Nurturing: Delight your customers with content that can help them achieve their goals.
I have compiled a list of the [best affordable email marketing services](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/ "Best Affordable Email Marketing Services in 2019 to Grow Your List") that you can try.
#### 4. Ways to Use Cross-Promotion Techniques
If you have established connections with the right people, you can cross-promote your products on their website/social media platforms and give them the same opportunity.
Cross-promotion is a great way to promote your business online. However, cross-promotion doesn’t work for every business model out there.
You have to find out if businesses in your niche are already using this strategy or not; if yes, then you can promote using the same way as your competitors. Competition research is an essential part of understanding the niche.
Here are some ways to cross-promote your product in your niche.
- **Find Influencers:** Reach out to influencers in your industry to ask for a product review and opinion.
- **Guest Posting:** You can promote your product/services on the blogs within your niche. However, a guest post must also help the business on whose blog you are publishing.
- **Joint Adverting:** You can partner up with relevant brands and work together to create a deal. You can then promote this deal using different advertising platforms to reach more customers.
#### 5. How to Promote Your Business on Google for Free?
[Organic search traffic](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?") can give your business a new boost. It can help you grow your audience and customer base and [improve brand recognition](https://azibyaqoob.com/internet-reputation-repair-2017/ "Repairing Internet Reputation: A DIY Guide to Reputation Management"). SEO is a little different than other marketing channels mentioned in the post. It is one of the great ways to promote your business online.
It takes a lot of time, and there are chances that Google can penalize your website for over-optimization (it doesn’t happen very often, though).
You can use different [white hat link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free White Hat Link Building Tools") to build strong links and utilize these on-page SEO tips for beginners.
It would help if you kept a few things in mind when optimizing your website for search engines. Please read this [small business SEO guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small business SEO guide"). It will help you follow a step-by-step process to improve your website’s SEO.
#### 6. Use Cold Emailing Technique
It is a trickier one. You need to send personalized emails to your prospect to gain business opportunities. If you are good at sales, you will do good with cold emailing. It is one of my favorite ways to promote a business online.
- Start establishing some connections before pitching your service or product.
- When you see your prospects interested, it is time to pitch them your excellent product.
- Ask them a question at the end of your email.
- They will most likely give you a response.
On the other hand, if you send an email blast to strangers, your email might get marked as spam. It will be no good for your business. Email blast techniques sometimes work, but for most of us, it is a waste of time. A great marketer can, however, receive an excellent opening rate using the email blast technique.
#### 7. Using a Cold Calling Strategy
To collect leads, you can use local business directories, LinkedIn, Google my business listing, and so on. You need to find out the active phone number of your prospect.
When you have, let’s suppose, a set number of prospects, 50 – 100, you can start dialing. You’ll get many rejections, but if you keep doing it, you will find cold-calling scripts finally working. The average conversion rate through cold calling is relatively low.
It would help if you optimized your cold calling scripts to be short and to the point. Don’t waste your customer’s time; no one wants to be bothered with long promotional calls.
- Keep the conversation to the point.
- Give a little introduction and start your pitch right away.
- Make sure to end your sales pitch with a simple yes or no question.
#### 8. Effective Forum and Group Promotion Techniques
There are thousands of Internet forums and groups that you can use to promote your business. You don’t have to sell your service/product directly to people, but you can help people by showing your expertise in the field. Answer their questions, and also ask your questions.
You can build some great business relationships using forums and Internet groups. These connections can help you grow your online community.
#### 9. Guest Posting
Guest posting has recently become a necessity for every online business promotion. It will improve your domain authority in Google search (which is good for SEO). It is also an effective way to generate referral traffic.
**How to submit a guest post?**
The simple answer would be finding out which blogs your audience reads. Contact those blogs and pitch them your article idea. Most small blogs need new content on their blogs, so they welcome new guest posts.
Your guest blog post should be helpful and well-written. You can [add a few nofollow backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide") to your main product/service page (make sure to optimize those pages for conversions).
It will bring some referral traffic to your website. Guest posting is a very effective marketing method to leverage and establish your brand and business online.
#### 10. Blogging
If you haven’t already set up a blog on your website, then you are missing quite a lot of visitors.
Blogging has helped many online businesses and brands tell stories and impact their audience decisions.
It is challenging, and challenges are good. It is also a great way to learn new things.
Blogging will help build your online brand. More traffic on your blog means a boost in brand awareness.
Blogging can help you reach a wide range of people within and outside your network. It is also a great way to build a community around your brand.
### Promote Your Business Online by Advertising
Advertising is also an effective method to promote a business online. However, most small businesses can’t afford to spend much advertising money to get online exposure. You can check out these top advertising methods to boost your online sales with a reasonable advertising budget.
#### 1. Social Media Marketing
It has a mixed response regarding conversions; most marketers believe [social media marketing is an excellent tool](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/) to generate leads that they can use later in their marketing campaigns.
Why?
Google and Bing show ads when people search for your product or a related query on search engines. So that means these people desire to either buy or know about the cost of a particular product.
On the other hand, when you see ads on Facebook, they are not always relevant, and I don’t think people search for products on Facebook. So, I think social media marketing won’t give you the same results as a PPC campaign.
That’s why Facebook has introduced retargeting ads. Facebook Pixel is a far better approach than showing direct ads. Please read this blog post on [how to set up Facebook retargeting ads](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "How to Set Up Facebook Retargeting Ads Campaign (Step by Step Guide)").
#### 2. Promote Your Business with Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Search engine marketing or PPC advertising can help your business get direct sales. It is one of the widely used ways to promote business online.
It is expensive, but if you have a budget, search engine marketing is a great way to boost your online sales and promote your product/service.
To best learn search engine marketing, dive into guides posted by Google, Bing, and Yahoo PPC networks:
[Bing Ads Courses](https://advertise.bingads.microsoft.com/en-in/resources/training/courses "Bing Ads courses")
[Your guide to Google Adwords](https://support.google.com/adwords/answer/6146252?hl=en "Google Adwords Guide")
[Yahoo Advertising](https://gemini.yahoo.com/ "Learn Yahoo Advertising")
Here are other PPC networks that are also affordable due to low advertisers’ competition.
- Infolinks
- Bidvertiser
- Chitika
- Clicksor
#### 3. Influencer Marketing
When it comes to marketing, there is no single channel you know right off the bet that would give you the best ROI. So, the most important thing is knowing your target audience, their needs, and their pains.
If you know your target audience quite clearly, it would be much easier to target a promotional campaign for them.
Now that you have found the industry, you should discover influencers. An influencer can be a blogger, vlogger, YouTuber, or anyone who influences your industry.
First, you need to connect with them using any social channel or anywhere you can find them.
Most of the time, if you build connections correctly, then you don’t need to pay an influencer. Offering them product samples or discounts is usually more than enough.
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [Step by Step Local Restaurants SEO Guide to Acquire New Customers](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-local-restaurants-seo-guide-to-acquire-new-customers/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Using this local restaurant SEO guide will help you understand the core concepts of promoting your restaurant business to more customers online. If you are not using SEO as a marketing method for your restaurant then you are definitely losing a lot of customers.
The restaurant business is one of the leading businesses virtually everywhere. However, to sustain a new restaurant business you need a lot of new customers. One of the best ways to acquire new customers is to rank your business well on Google. For that, we use Search Engine Optimization often referred to as SEO.
#### Local SEO for Restaurants
What you need is to set up an online presence of your restaurant business. You can do that by using multiple platforms such as social media, local directories, Google My Business listing, and online advertising. However, I would highly recommend that you create a website then [promote your business with it online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online"). You should not rely totally on Facebook, Twitter, or any other third party platform because they can restrict or remove your accounts at any given time.
A well-designed website is the first step to quickly acquire more customers. If you want to rank higher on the search engine like Google, you should make your website useful, and most importantly, SEO friendly.
By using local SEO strategies you can easily rank your restaurant website on the search engines. However, you need to keep yourself updated with the latest trends in the local SEO. The reason is from time to time, local SEO trends keep changing. In this guide, I am going to give you a step by step process.
#### Optimized Website and Content
[Website optimization](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-optimize-a-website-in-2019-for-google-search-whats-different-about-google-search/ "How to Optimize a Website in 2019 for Google Search") is one of the important steps which you should never miss. Your website has to be responsive, adaptable, and reliable for your visitors and for the search crawlers. With recent mobile-first indexing update from Google, it is more important than ever to have a mobile-friendly website. Check out this mobile SEO guide to make your website responsive.
If you are putting every piece of the puzzle in the right box, the whole picture will be clear, for your potential customers as well as search engines.
Adding only text on your website could lead to higher bounce rate. So, it is important that you should use high-quality images along with your text. You can hire an actual photographer or use software such as Adobe Photoshop to enhance the quality of your photos. You can also use stock photo and video websites to enrich your copy.
Once you have those images, you must also [compress images without losing their quality](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality – Image Compression Guide 2019"). Why? Because compressed images will load faster and Google likes faster loading websites. You can find more image optimization tips in this image SEO guide.
Add your restaurant physical address either on a website footer or on a contact page. You should use Google map to pinpoint your physical address. Also, when you use Google My Business listing, make sure to give a link to your website.
Add Meta tags properly on the website. When you have lots of pages such as restaurant menu, new deals, and discount offers your pages should use all the important meta tags.
Add meta title: Use keywords which you think your potential customers might be using to search this page. Make sure that they are concise and useful. You can check your [top competitor’s website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-website-top-seo-competitors/) to have an idea.
Add meta description: To give further details about a page, we use the meta description tag. In this tag, you can add relevant information which attracts a user to click on the link when they see it as a [search snippet ](https://azibyaqoob.com/rich-result-featured-snippet-and-knowledge-graph-explained/ "Rich Result, Featured Snippet, and Knowledge Graph Explained")on Google.
#### Use Schema for Restaurants
The structured data is quite important especially when it comes to local SEO. Since most restaurant websites target a specific neighborhood or city, there are a lot of benefits of using Schema markup on your website.
Structured data helps search engines understand the content. Using structured data on important things, such as the address, phone number, reserving tables, place orders, etc.. This data could be shown as a search snippet when people look for your restaurant number or want to place an order.
If you are using WordPress as a CMS then you can use these [best WordPress SEO plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "20+ Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2019 (Updated)") to use structured data. You can also [add schema manually](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/data-types/local-business "Local Business Structured Data") without a hastle. .
#### Google My Business
Google My Business is one of the essential platforms, especially for local restaurants. Most people these days use Google Voice search (Google Assistant) to find nearby places.
With the help of Google My Business listing you can show your restaurant physical location on Google Map. It will help potential customers to find your restaurant easily.
It also gives you the opportunity to tell your customer about your operating hours so that they can make reservations and give you orders when you are open.
Other than that, you can also add posts and photos to your business listing. In that post, you could describe a discount offer, prices, etc..
#### Business Listing and Citation
If you want to rank locally, you should also enlist your restaurant in the local business directories.
Business directories will help you out to rank better in the search. You need to research top business directories of your city/country. Create a list of those directories and start submitting your restaurant website one by one.
Also, you have to make sure that you enter the exact information on all the directories. In SEO, it is often referred to as NAP (Name, Address, & Phone Number). Sometimes, Google picks data from business directories especially when you don’t have a Google My Business listing page.
#### Social Media is Essential
Social media is quite an effective way to show your customers your business location, atmosphere, menu, and new deals. You should create social media pages on websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can use [social media competitor analysis tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/ "10 Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools You Should Use") to find out your competitors’ social strategy.
Social media pages for your restaurant business will give you a chance to introduce your business to a whole new audience. Search engines such as Google and Bing consider social sharing as a ranking factor. So, if you grow your channel, you will get more traffic to your website from both search engines and social media pages.
When you are creating a page on any of those platforms, make sure to always add your restaurant address, phone number, working hours and a bit of information about how you operate.
Whenever you create a new page or post on your website, always share it with your audience on all the social media pages. Keep your social media pages updated regularly. In the beginning, you might not get many likes and shares but as your [business grow your social media following](https://azibyaqoob.com/?p=1126) will grow too.
Always answer your customer’s questions whenever they send you a message on any social pages. Facebook, Twitter and many social media websites when finding a page active they increase the ranking on site-wide searches. So let’s say if someone search for your business-related keyword on Facebook or Twitter, your social page might have a chance to show up.
#### Positive Reviews Helps in Attracting New Customers
Real reviews from your customers can help you to rank in the local searches. Try to convince your every customer to give a review on Google business page, yelp, and your website.
Google also ask your customer when they visit your restaurant, to leave a review about their experience. So, you should always provide high-quality service to get positive reviews.
You can also respond to your customer’s reviews on your Google My Business page. So, if somehow they are not satisfied with the service, they could leave a negative review. I would highly recommend that you respond to bad reviews immediately.
Getting good or negative feedback from your customers will help you grow your business. If you get more positive reviews than your competitors you will always come up more frequently when people search for nearby restaurants. Read more on how to [remove negative content from Google search](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?").
#### Conversion and User Experience
If we talk about the conversion you might think that it is nearly impossible to convert a visitor into a customer but trust me you can. If your website has some problems the customer will most likely never visit it again. It can be bad for your business.
If you are providing home delivery service, then make sure that your checkout process is working smoothly.
Always try to make your website user-friendly so that everyone can see the information which they need without calling you. Your restaurant menu is perhaps the most important thing so it should be clearly visible on the website. The loading time of the website has to be optimized so that everyone can find the information as fast as possible.
I have recently compiled a list of the best free SEO tools, make sure to check them out. There are lots of useful tools to perform different SEO related tasks.
#### Analyzing the Results
To measure your website progress, Google Analytics is a great traffic tracking tool. It is completely free for anyone who has a Google account. [Set up a Google Analytics account](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?"), so you can track your SEO campaign results successfully. You can also [use Google Tag Manager](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-google-tag-manager-guide-for-beginners/ "Step by Step Google Tag Manager Guide for Beginners") to add Google verification code to your website.
Google Analytics is one of the best tools which tells how many visitors are coming on your website, what’s your bounce rate, and how much time they spend on the website.
I would also recommend you to use Google Search Console to track how your website is appearing in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/). You can check out this beginner-friendly [Google Search Console guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2019 (Updated)") for more information.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Cleaning low-quality negative backlinks can help your website recover from Google’s algorithmic penalties. Backlinks are a critical Google ranking factor. However, building low-quality backlinks could be equally harmful to your website ranking.
[Link building](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/ "white hat link building service") is a lot more complicated than it was before. Hence, some people still use old link-building techniques to create backlinks.
#### What is a Negative Backlink?
An artificially created backlink to influence the [ranking of any website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?") is considered a negative or a bad backlink. These links could be why your [website is not showing up on Google](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "website is not showing up on Google") Search. You can identify a bad backlink if it follows some of these practices:
- Link Buying – When a webmaster pays some cost to acquire a backlink.
- Link to me, and I will link to you – Cross-linking to gain and manipulate Google algorithm.
- Automated backlinks – Excessive backlinks created using software and tools to influence ranking.
#### How Can a Website Get Negative Backlinks?
Sometimes a jealous competitor can build those backlinks to suppress your website in [Google search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Docs?").
Also, [hiring an SEO specialist](https://azibyaqoob.com/hire-freelance-seo-service-provider/ "How to Hire the Right Freelance SEO Service Provider?") with limited experience could be a reason for negative links. That’s why for any webmaster, it is important to know how to clean up bad backlinks.
#### How do I Find Out Negative Backlinks?
You can [use Google Search Console](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-give-google-search-console-access-to-your-seo-manager/ "How to Give Google Search Console Access to Your SEO Manager?") to find which websites are linking you. However, Google Search Console doesn’t always provide all the backlinks. You can use third-party [tools such as Ahrefs and Semrush ](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free White Hat Link Building Tools")to find more backlinks data.
When you identify bad backlinks, you can use these two methods to get rid of low-quality backlinks:
1- Remove harmful backlinks manually
2- Use the Google Link Disavow Tool
#### 1- Manually Remove Negative Backlinks
If you hired someone to [create backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links") in the past, he must have shared with you the email accounts and passwords to build links.
- You can log onto those sites and manually remove your links.
- If you don’t have access to the linking website, you can request the webmaster to remove your link.
- Don’t worry; if the webmaster didn’t remove your backlink, you could use the following method to clean up bad backlinks
#### 2- Use Google Link Disavow Tool
*Important: Removing backlinks that are not harmful links can hurt your website’s ranking. So use this tool only if your website has been penalized by Google.*
Google Link Disavow is the only tool that can help you get rid of harmful or low-quality backlinks.
First of all, you need to find bad backlinks. I use Google Search Console for almost everything. So, in this tutorial, we will use that to find bad backlinks.
**Step 1:** Log into your Google Search Console account. Click on **Search Traffic,** then **Links to your site**.
This will open up a new window where you can find all the backlinks. In the ‘Who links the most’ tab, you will see a link with the anchor ‘more’.
**Step 2:** Clicking on it will open a new page. Here you will find out [all the domains](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-subdomain-are-subdomains-bad-for-seo/ "What is a subdomain? Are Subdomains Bad for SEO?") linking back to your website.
**Step 3:** Navigating all of these pages could be time-consuming. You can download these results by clicking on the button ‘Download more sample links’.
#### How to create and submit a disavow link report to Google
*Important: Don’t include all your backlinks in the Disavow link file. Only add harmful backlinks to this disavow file.*
**Step 1:** In the previous step, we downloaded a CSV backlinks file from Google Search Console. Now, we need to identify bad backlinks from this file. After that, create a text file using notepad (on Microsoft). Similarly, if you are using Mac, you can use TextEdit.
**Step 2:** Name this file anything that you want. Make sure this file has a .txt extension in the end and must be encoded in UTF-8 or 7-bit ASCII. Now place negative links in a single line at a time like this:
`Example.com/page1/negative-linkExample.com/page2/negative-link2https://Example.exampledomain.com/negativelinks/`
**Step 3:** Once you are done, save this file on your computer. Now [visit Google Link Disavow tool website](https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/disavow-links-main "Search Console"). Select your property carefully (the [website affected](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-hreflang-attribute-how-it-affects-seo-of-your-website/) by bad backlinks).
**Step 4:** Clicking on the ‘Disavow Links’ button will open up a new page, where it will show you a warning. Read that warning carefully and click the ‘Disavow Links’ button again.
**Step 5:** Now choose the negative links .txt file from your computer and upload it. Click on the submit button and Press Done.
Hopefully, this will clean up the bad backlink from the Google index. You will get an email notification from Google Search Console. After that, you can file a reconsideration request to Google to remove the algorithmic penalty.
If this article helped you clean up negative backlinks, I am sure you would love to read these latest link building techniques to improve your domain authority.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Duplicate content issues can drop any [website ranking](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?") considerably. To attract more traffic to your website, every business should focus on content marketing.
When creating content, you can face content duplication issues on your website. Especially if you are using a content management system such as WordPress. It is famous for creating duplicate pages which can affect your Website’s SEO.
In this tutorial, we will discuss tools to find out duplicate content and how to fix those content issues.
#### What is Duplicate Content?
A block of content that has been copied internally on a website or by external sources (content piracy). Both of these content issues need to be fixed to achieve a great user experience throughout the website.
#### How to find out Duplicate Content on your website?
You can use a variety of tools to find out duplicate content. Here are some tools that can help you find the content duplication issues:
#### 1. Google Search Console
Google Search Console mainly report duplicate meta tag issues, which most of the times help find the duplicate content pages. However, Google Search Console sometimes doesn’t report duplication issues or sometimes it takes time to index and report those issues. If you don’t find issues reported by Google Search Console, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your content is safe.
I always use multiple tools to check duplicate content on a clients website. Siteliner is one of those tools which helped me a lot to find duplicate content.
#### 2. Siteliner
You can use Siteliner to find duplicate content blocks or [broken links](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?") on a website. It is a great and highly recommended tool to fix those particular issues. You just need to type your website URL in the search box. Siteliner will provide a comprehensive content analysis report for free.
You can browse the report on the site or [download content analysis report in a variety of formats](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?").
#### 3. CopyScape
It can help you find out content that has been copied by other websites. You can use it to find out if your blog posts and pages are getting copied.
However, it won’t tell you much about duplicate content blocks on your website. Also, if you hired a writer to write content for your business, then you can check if it has been copied from some other famous blog within your niche using Copyscape.
#### How to Fix Duplicate Content Issues
When you find out content issues, it would be much easier to get them fixed. Here’s how you can do that:
#### Use 301 Redirect to fix Duplicate Content
If you moved content from old URL variation to the new one, then you can use a 301 redirect. For example, if you have a page `example.com/buy-cars-2017/` and you have updated the content for 2018 by changing the URL to `example.com/buy-cars-2018/`.
In this case, you can redirect the old 2017 URL variation to the updated one. It will help you move the link juice from old URL variation to the new one.
#### Canonical Attribute
If your website has 2 identical content pages with different URLs, you can use the [canonical link element](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/ "What is Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?"). It will help Google to understand which of the 2 identical pages that you want to be shown in the search.
You can also use a canonical [attribute when you are syndicating content to other websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-hreflang-attribute-how-it-affects-seo-of-your-website/) and social platforms.
#### NoIndex Nofollow Tag
Similarly, you can use Noindex and [nofollow tag](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide"), in case you want search engines to completely don’t crawl and index a particular page in SERP. It’s a meta tag which means it can be included in the ` HTML < head > ` section of a page.
Here is an example of Noindex follow meta tag:
` < meta name="robots" content="noindex,follow" > `
You can use this tag on pages which you don’t want search engines to index and crawl. Example of such pages; privacy policy, terms, and conditions, user login page, etc…
Similarly, you can use [robots.txt file](https://azibyaqoob.com/robots-txt-file-do-you-really-need-it-this-will-help-you-decide/ "Robots.txt File: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!") to allow or disallow pages to be crawled by Googlebot.
If you are using WordPress, then you can check out these [useful WordPress SEO plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2018 (Updated)") to optimize your content to the next level.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [What is Keyword Cannibalization? How to Find and Fix it Easily?](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-keyword-cannibalization-how-to-find-and-fix-it-easily/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If your [page is not ranking higher](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?") despite careful optimization, you might be affected by keyword cannibalization. In this post, I will explain keyword cannibalization and how you can find cannibalized pages and fix them.
#### What is Keyword Cannibalization?
In simple words, Keyword Cannibalization or keyword Cannibalism happens when you unintentionally target exact keywords on multiple website pages.
Search engines confuse which pages are more relevant to the user’s query. All the affected pages start competing with each other. That could harm the [ranking of all keyword-cannibalized pages](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-rank-google-my-business-listing-on-google-maps/).
For example; if your website has two or more separate pages, one of them is targeting the keyword “best men’s shoes,” and another page is targeting “best shoes for men 2019,” then this could perhaps confuse search engines which page is more relevant when a user search for “best men shoes.”
In that case, Google might not show both pages on the 1st page despite having the best SEO.
Keyword cannibalization could affect any website, but the good news is you can quickly fix it and rank better.
#### How to Find out Keyword has cannibalized Pages?
Here’s how you can find out if your keyword is cannibalized:
Log in to your Search Console account. Go to the Search Performance report, then click on the “+ NEW” > **Query**.
Select “Query is exactly,” then enter the keyword you think might be cannibalized. Press the enter or click on Apply.
Now, in the below dimensions area, go to Pages.
Do you see multiple pages here?
If the answer is yes, those pages might be affected by keyword cannibalization.
Of course, you should check whether those pages are competing with each other in SERP or not. If they are not competing, you don’t need to worry about this sort of partial keyword cannibalism.
However, if the pages are replacing each other in the SERP on the same keyword from time to time, then you should fix this issue.
#### How to Fix Keyword Cannibalization
There are multiple ways to fix keyword cannibalization. You can use 301 redirects, canonical URLs, alternate keywords, and perhaps remove a page. Let me show you how we can use these methods to fix cannibalization issues.
#### Method 1: Alter Primary Keywords
You can optimize all the affected pages with new keywords or variations. For example, if two pages on your site compete on one keyword, “Men Shoes,” then you can optimize 1 of the page on a different keyword, such as “Best Sports Shoes for Men.”
It would help if you also considered checking existing [internal links](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-are-internal-links-and-why-you-should-start-adding-them-right-away/) that point to both pages. If they are the same, then change those links’ anchor text.
#### Method 2: Combined Affected pages and 301 Redirect
Although in most cases, it won’t be possible without affecting the user experience. But if you have a chance to combine any of the affected pages, then this could be an option.
For example, suppose you have a messed-up content pillar, and every post competes with each other on that particular content pillar. In that case, you can combine all the posts into one single ultimate information hub.
Once you do that, make sure to place 301 redirects on all of the affected pages.
#### Method 3: Use Canonicalize URLs
You can also use a canonical link tag to tell search engines which page you want to be displayed in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?").
A [canonical URL](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/ "What is a Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?") is a way to tell search engines how to treat duplicate or similar pages.
For example, you can combine affected pages from keyword cannibalism and place a canonical URL from all the pages to the one pillar article.
#### Method 4: Remove Pages and 301 Redirect
You should consider removing the page if you can’t change the content on some affected pages. I don’t recommend removing content unless there is no other way around it. You can always modify and improve your existing content.
To get link juice to your newer articles, you should place a 301 redirect after removing pages to the more recent report.
Using the above methods, you can fix keyword cannibalization and improve your keyword ranking. Tell me about your experience with keyword cannibalizations in the comments and how you fixed it.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Upsell and Cross-sell your products on shopify website?](https://azibyaqoob.com/upsell-cross-sell-products-shopify/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
In this post, we are going to discuss upselling and cross-selling strategies which you can use on your Shopify website. Upselling and cross-selling techniques are highly effective and they have been used by various companies, brands and online businesses to boost their sales. On Shopify, there are some extensions as well which you can use to upsell your products.
Let me first define what is upselling and cross-selling and what is the difference between them.
**So, how to upsell products on Shopify?**
Many Shopify stores these days use different [sales promotions techniques](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online Effectively") throughout their website and marketing material.
They create sales trigger events to upsell their products. Businesses use a variety of different upselling techniques to boost sales.
To upsell your product, it is quite important to know and understand your customer’s background, budget, and needs. This will help you create better sell copy on your website.
**What is Up-selling?**
Upselling is a sales technique used to persuade a customer to buy expensive items, add-ons, and tools to make a more profitable sales.
For instance, you can sell laptop add-ons, tools and upgrades when offering your customer to buy a laptop.
**What is Cross-selling?**
It is a sales techniques to improve sales of a business through selling similar products or 2 different products often bought together.
You can use a variety of tools and techniques to upsell products on Shopify.
There’s a huge difference between upselling and cross-selling. So don’t confuse them with one another.
Let’s check out different techniques which we can utilize on our Shopify website.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Use CTAs frequently](#1_Use_CTAs_frequently)
- [2. Use Email Marketing Campaigns](#2_Use_Email_Marketing_Campaigns)
- [3- Use Internal links Frequently](#3-_Use_Internal_links_Frequently)
- [4- Offer Discounts](#4-_Offer_Discounts)
## 1. Use CTAs frequently
Call to action can be a single anchored text link or a button. CTA’s are often used to send a customer to sell’s page.
Using call-to-actions you can increase your Shopify sales drastically. Interlink similar products or use plugins to show similar products/or products bought together on your sells page.
You should also A/B test different positions, pages, and placement of CTA’s in order to find the right placements. You can use Google analytics to test this process.
## 2. Use Email Marketing Campaigns
If you are not really utilizing email campaigns for your Shopify business then you are losing an incredible amount of money. Email marketing can be used to upsell or cross-sell products.
For example, when a customer buys a product from your store, you can send an email to upsell or cross-sell products. Check out this list of [cost-effective email marketing services](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/ "Best Affordable Email Marketing Services in 2019 to Grow Your List") to choose your email service provider.
It is a great opportunity to boost your store sales. I would highly recommend you to properly set up opt-in forms as well as collect emails from any form of your website that you can. Use those [email addresses in your email marketing](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/) campaigns.
## 3- Use Internal links Frequently
Internal links are used to enhance user experience as well as SEO. There are a lot of benefits using proper internal links structure on your Shopify site. Make sure that [all the external links on your Shopify website are nofollow](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide").
- Internal links improve [your website ranking](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?"). They pass link juice from one page to the next page.
- Internal links will boost your conversion rate high (placement of the links is important).
- You can use internal links to send traffic to your sells pages.
## 4- Offer Discounts
Offering discounts on your shopify store can boost your sales. It is a highly effective and an old sales strategy. If you want to [increase your Shopify store sales](https://azibyaqoob.com/increase-sales-shopify/ "How to Increase Sales on Your Shopify Website by 60% Right Now"), you should consider offering discount, promotional codes, shipping discounts, and so on and so forth.
It boils down to a better understanding of your customer pains. If you know how to comfort them, you can manipulate and upsell your products.
If you don’t have an understanding of customer’s background and their pains, It would be difficult to convince people even to buy a product from you in the first place.
**How to better understand your customers?**
Here’s how you can know your customers better:
- Learn from your competitors, what audience they are targeting and what’s their strategy to tackle their customer issues.
- Improve customer’s engagement with your brand and build a community around your customers.
- Generate Data from tools like Google Analytics to find out key data such as your customers, gender, location, age, etc…
Use all the collected data with the above techniques and I am sure you will see a quick improvement in sales by at least 40%.
If you like this post and want to further improve your Shopify sales, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter.
**Categories:** Shopify
---
### [My Experience Working as a WordPress Customer Support Specialist](https://azibyaqoob.com/my-experience-working-as-a-wordpress-customer-support-specialist/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
The purpose of this post is to share my journey working as a WordPress customer support specialist and the challenges I faced along the way.
Working in a WordPress customer support role is challenging and exciting at the same time.
I can’t describe the satisfaction you get when you help frustrated users solve their technical issues.
**Note**: In this post, I’m not going to mention the company name I worked for as a WordPress customer support agent.
Before I tell you about my experience working as a WordPress customer service specialist, I think I better give you some information about my background.
#### How I start Using WordPress?
I have been blogging for around eight years (give or take).
I started my first blog on Blogspot (like many others).
Soon I noticed that BlogSpot is a fantastic platform, but it limits me from customizing the layout, design, and site functionality according to my needs.
I decided it was time to switch to a better CMS (Content Management System) where I have more flexibility to customize.
Upon a quick Google search, I found out about WordPress. I liked the fact it was an open-source platform.
WordPress is far more customizable than Blogspot or any alternative.
I asked my brother to assign me a [subdomain](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-subdomain-are-subdomains-bad-for-seo/ "What is a subdomain? Are Subdomains Bad for SEO?"). He had a domain name, but it was in his use. He gave me a subdomain and let me host my site on his server.
Back then, [moving a website to WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-move-a-website-from-wix-to-wordpress/ "How to Move a Website from Wix to WordPress?") wasn’t an easy feat. Hence, I learned how WordPress works and how to move from Blogspot to WordPress.
Then I designed the site and made it functional according to my needs. I was not running any ads or selling anything. It was a free web tech tutorial blog.
After that, I created many sites for my clients. I started selling my [services](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/ "SEO Services") as an SEO and web developer. I helped many small business owners with WordPress website creation.
When I worked as a freelancer, I learned a lot about WordPress. I used platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Elance, and Freelancer.com.
#### How I Started Working as a Customer Support Specialist?
Fast forward to 2021, I was getting married, and I was working as a freelancer at that time.
While freelancing has its perks, it’s not a steady income. Clients come and go at their own will.
To secure my future, I was looking for a permanent position. Hence, I sent out a few emails and applied for WordPress jobs.
Within a month, I received a response from a well-known WordPress SEO plugin company. They were looking for a customer support agent to assist their customers.
They asked a few questions through email exchange; then scheduled an interview over Slack. The interview went well.
I got the job, but I had minimal knowledge of customer support. This company trained me for over two weeks and let me read their plugin documentation.
I worked hard because I wanted this job desperately. During my trial, I learned a lot about handling customer queries, comforting displeased customers, debugging WordPress, and identifying conflicts between themes or plugins.
My trial ended after two weeks, and they offered me a position.
It was a 48 hours/week job, and the pay was way below the market’s average.
That didn’t stop me from accepting the offer. Now, I am glad I got the proposal because it gave me a chance to learn about customer support. Also, it helped me switch my career.
#### Downsides of working in Customer Support:
I worked hard (48 hours every week), and during this time, I had also to plan my upcoming wedding, buy clothes, and fix venues. Hence, I got sick after a while. I asked for a one-day ill leave (they offer 12 sick days per annum), and they agreed.
When I logged on to my Slack the next working day, I received a message from HR; he was asking me why didn’t I add a medical certificate along with the leave application. I said, “You never asked for it, nor does your company’s Employee Policy dictate this clause.”
He didn’t answer my question, and I continued working for a few hours.
After that, I received a notification that I had logged out from their support forum; I kept trying to log in but didn’t get access. I was confused and wanted to let HR know about this issue.
When I opened Slack, I found that they had also removed me from their Slack Channel.
I emailed HR to ask whether they were experiencing any technical issues with the site. They told me after two days that my contract with the company got terminated because of non-compliance with punctuality.
It was quite a shock, but I had no choice but to move on.
Since then, I began my job hunt. I applied for jobs anywhere I could find.
Recently I applied for a gig related to WordPress customer support on Upwork. I sent a proposal and got hired. This is a much smaller company than I was working for, but we are working on good terms.
This is a customer support role but a more open one, and we don’t have any contract yet signed between us. It could be a long-term opportunity or one of those temporary jobs people post on Upwork, it’s hard to say for sure, but only time can tell.
#### Remote jobs in WordPress Support
Most customer support jobs I applied for are work-from-home, remote positions.
Some people find remote jobs comfortable; for some, it is an annoyance working on their own, tracking time, and having no physical communication.
Most companies encourage employees to use Slack, Zoom, and other online collaboration tools. However, some people find remote work too intimidating.
I find remote jobs quite comfortable. I think tech companies should offer more remote work opportunities.
In an interview with The Verge, Mark Zuckerberg talks about how Facebook’s shift to remote work positively impacts employees’ productivity.
#### Do I like Working as a WordPress customer Support specialist?
Yes, I love to help out people, and troubleshooting is quite fun.
However, I think this job might not be suitable for everyone.
Let me explain with an example. When I was working for this company, they introduced a new [feature to the plugin](https://azibyaqoob.com/which-yoast-seo-plugin-features-you-should-not-use/). This feature made their existing customers frustrated.
Soon after, many new tickets opened, and customers started asking various questions regarding the new feature.
During that particular week, customer support agents had to extend their shifts for a few extra hours to handle all the new customer queries.
So on top of 48 hours shift, we had to sit a few extra hours, and I’m not going to lie, it was very hectic.
I learned a lot and am very grateful to that company for giving me this opportunity. I am now on the lookout for another permanent WordPress customer support position, and I think this is something that I enjoy very much.
**Categories:** Thoughts
---
### [How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Fixing broken links on a WordPress website should give your website a ranking boost. This simple tutorial will help you find, remove, and fix every broken link on your WordPress website. Broken links will definitely create a bad user experience as well as it may drop your [website ranking ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?")in [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?"). We will fix broken links using a free WordPress plugin.
Check out these [best WordPress SEO plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2018 (Updated)") to optimize your site further. Also, this WordPress SEO guide will help you a lot.
**Note:** This tutorial is only for self hosted WordPress websites.
#### What are Broken Links?
A hyperlink which is either taking users to a non-existing page or either its hyperlink tag is non-functional. These sort of links are considered as broken links or dead links. These links can be internally linked or linked to an external website. Broken links leave a user dissatisfied and can cause them to leave the website. If you want to improve your bounce rate then you should look for and fix broken links as many as possible.
#### How You Can Fix Broken Links on a WordPress Website?
If you have a small website, then you can check each hyperlink individually. Browse all the pages/posts on your website and check every internal link possibly. However, I wouldn’t advise this method because as humans we are not good with such repetitive tasks. On the other hand, we can use a plugin which handles broken links much easier.
Check out my recent post on how the latest link building techniques to improve your site’s ranking.
#### Download Broken Link Checker Plugin
Download and install the broken link checker plugin. There are many other plugins to [fix this error](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-ssl-unavailable-error-in-shopify/) then why use “broken link checker”? I will be using this plugin just because of its flexibility and ease of use.
**Important:** This plugin may slow down your website if you keep it activated. Make sure to delete this plugin after fixing all the broken links on the website. Deleting the plugin will save you from [slow server response time](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-i-fixed-siteground-low-server-response-time-issue/ "How I Fixed SiteGround Low Server Response Time Issue?").
#### How to Find Broken Links
After installing and activating the plugin. Go to the setting >> link checker page. The plugin will automatically start looking for the broken links in your website. It may take some time depending upon your site size, so wait awhile. After completing the search, this plugin will find all the broken links on your website.
Go to tools >> broken links page to see actual pages which are affected by broken links. You will find plenty of options on each page.
1. **unlink:** You can use the option only when the linked page has been deleted from your website and you don’t have any replacing page.
2. **Edit URL:** If you recently change URLs of some older posts, you would expect to experience broken links. You can edit those changed URL links to the newer URLs.
3. **Dismiss** option will basically dismiss the notification from the plugin.
4. **Recheck:** Once you have updated a URL, you can click on Recheck button. It will recheck if the link is fixed or not.
I hope you found this post useful. You can check out my [link building services](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/ "Link Building") if you are interested to [improve your SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/ "How to Improve Wix SEO in 2018 (Step by Step Guide)").
Having troubles with incoming links on your website? Check out this tutorial on [how to remove negative backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/ "How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)")
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [What is a Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Canonical URL or URL canonicalization is a process to tell search engines about duplicate pages on a website. That’s why it is important to have a solid URL structure so you could avoid canonical issues. It might be a little confusing subject for beginners but if you read this post, it will start making more sense.
URL canonicalization process is simple and can be used in a variety of ways. E.g; you can do cross-domain canonicalization, self-referencing canonicals, and of course duplicate URLs canonicalization. It is a great concept to know if you are serious about [promoting your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online").
In this post, I am going to explain each scenario with a lot of examples so you can understand each concept clearly. Also, I am going to discuss different ways to canonicalize URLs.
If you are looking for link building strategy then check out my post on [how to create dofollow backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links").
#### What is a Canonical URL?
If your website has two or more identical pages with different URLs, you can use a canonical tag. It will help Google to understand which one that you want to be shown in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/).
Let’s suppose your website has 2 exact same pages on a product ‘red sneakers’. Their URLs look something like this:
`example.com/red-sneakers/example.com/sneakers-color-red/`
They both have the exact same content but the only difference they both have is separate URLs. Now, you want to tell search engines specifically which page is to be included in the search results when people search for ‘red sneakers’ or keywords used on the page. In that case, you would use a `rel=canonical` element.
It is an HTML element to tell search engines about displaying a specific page from multiple duplicate pages as a search snippet in the search listing.
#### What are the SEO benefits of using a Canonical URL?
The most important SEO benefit of using the canonical URL tag is to resolve duplicate content issues on your website. Although Google sometimes canonicalizes pages on its own, they prefer that you (webmaster) should specify it using different methods of URL canonicalization.
Also, with a canonical URL, you can resolve keyword cannibalization issues.
#### How to Canonicalize URLs?
There are different ways to tell search engines about duplicate pages. Here’s how you can use them to specifically tell how to treat duplicate pages.
#### 301 Redirect
When you create a new page on an existing topic and think that the earlier page you have written is outdated. You can use a 301 redirect from the old page to the new one. It will redirect users visiting the old URL to the new page.
Let’s suppose you have written an article a decade ago. Now you want to re-write a new article on the same topic but with new content. In that case, you will use a 301 redirect from the old article to the new one. It will pass all the link juice.
#### Self-referencing Canonical
Self-referencing canonical is basically a canonical link used in the HTML head section of the same page to tell Google this is the original source. Some content management systems create URL parameters when users approach a URL from different sections of the website. This could create [duplicate content issues](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?") that’s why it is important to have a self-referencing canonical link on every page of the website.
#### Rel=Canonical VS 301 Redirect
They both serve a different purpose. Let me explain both of them with a few examples:
**rel=canonical:** It will tell search engines to credit a single page and use it as a search snippet when someone searches related queries. Search engines when they find a rel=canonical tag in the
section of your page, they will mark this page as a duplicate of the page that we used in the rel=canonical tag. So, instead of showing all the duplicate pages in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/) search engines will pick one which we have defined using a rel=canonical tag. If your Google Search Console is reporting duplicate title, descriptions errors then you should have a look at each page. If they are duplicate pages then you can use this rel=canonical method to tell search engines. You can read my complete [Google Search Console guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2018") to find such tips.
**301 Redirect:** to move/redirect users from outdated content to the newer version. Use this method when you want to get rid of existing duplicate pages, but need to ensure a smooth transition before you retire the old URLs.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How Long Does it Take to Improve Online Reputation?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-improve-online-reputation/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Improving or building a reputation is a slow process but the real question to ask would be, how slow it could be to improve online reputation. My clients have asked this question to me many times. To answer their question I am writing this blog post to explain the scenario with more details.
If you want to do it yourself then check out this [online reputation management guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/proven-reputation-management-guide-build-your-business-or-brand-reputation/ "Proven Reputation Management Guide: Build Your Business or Brand Reputation").
Online reputation management is not about suppressing the stories. As a matter of fact, most reputation management companies and also my clients think of it this way.
It is a process of building an online brand reputation and it does involve all kind of online marketing activities to achieve this goal. It will also help you in [promoting your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online").
Your brand name is the center of all your business empire. As soon as your business will grow people will start searching for you in Google.
But what if there are a lot of negative reviews or false claims by competition?
The short answer would be, it will hurt your business bad and it might tank revenue considerably.
That’s why using proper online reputation management techniques is important to build a brand reputation. It’s a valuable investment that your business can make.
**There are a lot of activities that influence online reputation, such as:**
- SEO
- Content marketing
- Blogger outreach
- Guest posting
- Domain acquisition
- Property building
- Social media campaign
- Link building campaigns
The above can’t be done in a week or even in a month, it will need constant effort from an expert to [monitor and control the reputation.](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-monitor-your-brand-mentions-for-reputation-management/ "How to Monitor Your Brand Mentions for Reputation Management?")
If you want to take care of a damaged online reputation then check out this [online reputation management guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/proven-reputation-management-guide-build-your-business-or-brand-reputation/ "Proven Reputation Management Guide: Build Your Business or Brand Reputation").
The benefits of online reputation will long last forever. However, it is important that you always monitor your brand online presence all the time.
This will help you take care of the negative results as soon as you see them.
#### How Long Does it Take to Push Down Negative Information?
The duration for each reputation campaign differs from one another. Some brands have a lot of competitors, so it needs a lot more work and time to build up a strong reputation. It could take from 6 months up to 2 years.
For smaller brands and controlling the damaged reputation of an individual is a much faster process. However, it can take from 2 months up to 6 months if the competition is low.
When it comes to online reputation, time is what it takes most to repair it. If you are short of time then it is much difficult for you to take care of your online reputation constantly. Hence, you can always hire a freelancer to take care of it while you manage your business or a job.
#### Reputation Management is a Slow Process
It might take a while before you see any significant results. It doesn’t mean that you should give up.
In fact, consistency is the most important factor to build up your brand search results again. It is quite a slow process, and as you start working on a campaign you will understand what’s working and what’s not.
Let me know if you have specific questions about online reputation management, which were not discussed in this post. If you like this post, check out this other post on [how to remove and push down negative search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?").
**Categories:** Online Reputation Management
---
### [How to Remove OBJ in a Box in WordPress?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-obj-character-in-wordpress-post-title/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Excerpt:** In this article, I will explain how to remove OBJ in a box in WordPress post titles and why it appears in the post title and URL.
**Content:**
If you have a WordPress website with 3D models or games, you might have faced the problem of OBJ characters appearing in the post title. These OBJ characters can be confusing and look ugly. In this post, I will explain how to remove OBJ in a box in WordPress.
[Keyword-rich](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?") WordPress post titles and URLs are essential for your SEO. Even though Google can read Unicode characters, it’s not a [good SEO practice](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-url-structure-practices-for-seo/ "Best URL Structure Practices for SEO: This Is What Professionals Do") to add them when they are unnecessary.
##### Why does the OBJ Character Appear in the WordPress Post Title?
OBJ is a [Unicode](https://www.compart.com/en/unicode/U+FFFC "OBJ Unicode Character Properties") character. A standardized character encoding system assigns a unique code point to each character used in human communication. This includes characters in various languages, scripts, symbols, and emojis.
OBJ characters in WordPress post titles usually appear when you import or embed 3D models or games into your website. OBJ is a 3D file format commonly used in computer graphics for storing 3D models. When you import or embed a 3D model into your website, it can sometimes add the OBJ characters to the post title.
In some cases, the OBJ characters can also appear when the text has encoding issues. This can happen when the text is copied and pasted from another source or your website has character encoding settings issues.
Another possible cause of OBJ characters appearing in WordPress post titles is a bug or issue with your theme or plugin. If you’re experiencing this issue, checking with the theme or plugin developer for a solution or update is a good idea.
In any case, OBJ characters in post titles can be frustrating and make your website look unprofessional. Removing them as soon as possible ensures your website looks clean and polished.
##### How to Remove the OBJ Box in the WordPress Post Title?
To remove the “OBJ” box at the end of your title, follow these steps. It’s essential to paste the text as plain to avoid copying any unwanted formatting.
Log in to your WordPress dashboard. Once logged in, navigate to the post containing the **OBJ** characters in the title.
Click on the “Edit” button to open the post editor. Once in the editor, locate the title field where the OBJ characters appear.
**There are three ways to remove the “OBJ” box:**
1. You can simply retype the title text without the “OBJ” characters at the end.
2. Alternatively, you can use a keyboard shortcut to paste the text as plain. On a Windows computer, press **CTRL + SHIFT + V**. On a Mac, use **CMD + SHIFT + V**. This will remove any invisible characters from the copied text.
3. Another option is to paste the title into a text editor, copy it again, and then paste it into the WordPress post title. This process should eliminate unwanted characters, including the “OBJ” box.
##### How to Remove the OBJ Box in the WordPress Post URL (Permalink)?
If you typed the post title with an **OBJ** box before, your page URL now might look weird.
Below the post title, you will see the Permalink option. Click the **Edit** button next to it, [remove the old URL altogether,](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-can-i-remove-my-domain-name-completely/) then click the **Ok** button.
Doing this should update the URL of your WordPress post and remove any special characters from the URL.
Once you’ve removed the OBJ characters from the title and URL, click the “Update” button to save your changes. Your post title and URL should now be free from OBJ characters.
**Categories:** WordPress
---
### [How to Increase Your Instagram Business Account Followers?](https://azibyaqoob.com/instagram-promotion-strategy-to-boost-followers-of-your-business-account/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Businesses are making a crazy amount of money using free Instagram organic reach. You can quickly grow your Instagram followers if you follow this post. It is a super easy and actionable strategy.
I have performed a test to grow my Instagram followers for a test brand. I took no more than 30 minutes each week to get instant results.
Today, I will show you how to use this same strategy to grow your followers on Instagram.
Instagram is a great platform to [promote your small business](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking").
This strategy will work if you do it right. However, this is not a magic trick or not even a cheat. This strategy will work for those who know how to create great content.
**According to their claims, Instagram has more than 300 million active users.**
These are huge numbers; the real question is how as an online business, you can [boost your sales](https://azibyaqoob.com/increase-sales-shopify/ "How to Increase Sales on Your Shopify Website by 60% Right Now") using Instagram.
#### How to Boost Your Instagram Business Followers?
First of all, you need to create an account on Instagram. Here are a few excellent practices to help you optimize your Instagram profile.
- Use a unique business name and username. Please include any of the essential keywords here. However, keep it short and memorable.
- Fill out your bio and include important keywords related to your niche. Don’t use just keywords. Use one or two meaningful sentences which will explain your brand
- Tell your audience how you are better than the rest of your competitors and what is your unique selling point.
- Connect your Instagram account to Facebook. Create a tab on your Facebook page for Instagram.
- Use hashtags with your [business keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?") on every photo you share on Instagram.
- Update your account more frequently and regularly with new content.
Find your competitor’s hashtag strategy and experiment with those hashtags. Try different hashtags and pick the ones which work best for your business.
Engage with your potential customers, comment on their posts, and like their photos. You can find them by searching for your business-related hashtags. Respond to every single comment on your photos and encourage new people to follow you for more incredible images and products you offer.
Share your customer stories by mentioning your customers in the photos. You can thank them for buying or using your product.
Track each URL that you post with your content. It will help you understand which strategy is working and bringing the traffic. You can try [Bitly URL shortener](https://bitly.com/ "URL shortener") to track click rates and other helpful information such as the user’s geographic region, OS, etc.
#### How did I Gow 1,000+ Followers on Instagram & Facebook?
These numbers are not huge, but these 1,000 followers were very engaging. I have used this strategy to boost Instagram followers instantly. So, I thought, why not share my experience here so more people can grow their Instagram followers quickly?
This method works so well that even though I haven’t posted for some time, I still get 30+ followers daily.
#### Grow Instagram Followers for Your Business for Free
I grew these followers mainly through organic reach. I increased my followers from 0 to 1,000 within a month. And no, I haven’t spent more than 6 hours doing so. Anyone can quickly boost their followers, but you must post content consistently.
The idea was to collect as much data as possible before starting an online business. I read a post on maybe r/entrepreneur (Reddit) or probably on Ycombinator. I don’t have a backlink to that post. However, the post’s central theme is that before starting any business, you should collect data, create a user base, and see if they are willing to buy the product.
So, here’s how I started. I set up an account on Instagram and used these tools to create banners, posts, and content schedules:
1. Canva
2. IFTTT
3. Gimp
4. Unfollowerstats
I will explain how I used these tools in a bit. Right now, we should talk about how exactly you should set up your accounts on all the social platforms.
First of all, you should use one unique handle. Add a keyword if possible. If you are a brand that sells shoes, you can create aliases such as “Brand+Shoes” or “Brand+Shoes+City.”
You can use anything but make sure that this handle is available on all the platforms.
Now that you have created pages, make your social pages look attractive. Add information about your brand and include keywords in the description of every account.
You can use keywords anywhere you like. By using keywords and tags related to your page, Instagram will boost the organic reach.
If you have skills to create and design images, then I don’t think you would need Canva or similar software. However, for those who are not graphic designers, you can use Canva.
Canva is an image editing online software. It is free to use, but if you want more features, consider buying a Canva membership. It is quite a helpful tool, so you won’t regret your decision.
#### Why are we using these tools?
Image editing tools help create compelling images. Adding and improving shades of ideas will make your pictures look attractive. Users will more likely click on the like or follow button when they have a reason.
Add high-quality images if you want this or any content strategy to work. You can use a variety of tools to create better-quality images. Here is some image editing software that you might find helpful:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Gimp
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Premiere Elements
- Final Cut Pro
#### Create a Content Strategy for Your Instagram Account
Now, let’s move on to our next step. You need to have lots of content before publishing it on social media. Finding and posting images could be hectic, so schedule a social media content plan. Here’s how to do it:
- Create content for a month beforehand.
- Define how often you publish content on your pages and schedule your content strategy accordingly.
- Research relevant tags that are most used by influencers in the industry.
- Write compelling and informative text descriptions.
Now, schedule these posts using [IFTTT](https://ifttt.com/). When I worked on my accounts, there wasn’t any recipe to schedule monthly postings on an Instagram account. So, here’s how I did it:
- I posted two images each day on the exact period (except Sunday).
- I scheduled content for a month, including photos, descriptions, and tags in a spreadsheet.
- Then I posted each image at an exact time twice a day.
Other than that, I followed relevant accounts. Each day I followed 50 accounts. Those accounts were engaging with similar content I posted.
At the end of each week, I checked followers and unfollowers. For this, I used a free tool, [UnfollowerStats](https://unfollowerstats.com/). I created a list of users who were not following me back and started interacting with them. This method has quickly helped me boost my followers.
So, I hope these suggestions will help boost your Instagram and Facebook followers. Let me know in the comments what other techniques you have used to increase engagement on Instagram.
If you want to advertise on Facebook, check out this post on [Facebook retargeting ads](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "Everything You Need to Know about Facebook Retargeting Ads").
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [Best XML Sitemap Plugins for WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-xml-sitemap-plugins-for-wordpress/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Looking for the best WordPress XML sitemap plugins? It is quite frustrating to select a sitemap plugin on WordPress especially when you are new to this platform or to the SEO. I have compiled a list of top best free WordPress XML sitemap plugins which you can use to index your website faster in search engines.
Sitemap won’t directly help your website rank better in [search results pages.](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?") However, by using XML sitemap you are giving search engines a chance to index all the pages. More indexed pages increase the chance of [showing up more frequently on Google search](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?").
#### What is an XML Sitemap?
An XML sitemap provides information to search engines which pages on the website are available to crawl. It makes the job of search engines easier to understand your website structure, and it will get indexed faster in search engines as well.
Some other benefits of using an XML sitemap are:
1. You can notify search engines which pages are needed to be crawled and indexed in search results.
2. Your XML sitemap will notify search engines whenever you modify the website.
Here are some of the best XML sitemap plugins which you can use on your WordPress website and forget about sitemap issues forever.
Check out my latest WordPress SEO guide to have a better understanding of SEO.
#### 1. Google XML sitemap
In my opinion, it is one of the best WordPress XML sitemap plugin available for free in the WordPress plugins directory.
Why?
It has tons of features to optimize your sitemap. These options come handy especially when the website has an enormous amount of pages and posts. In that scenario, it would be difficult to manage your XML sitemap.
Playing with some of these options will give you an idea where and how to use those features. Also, you can read comprehensive plugin documentation on the plugin author’s website.
For most small business websites, I don’t think there is a need to use those features in the sitemap plugin.
You can install this plugin from WordPress plugins directory, activate it and copy the URL and [submit XML sitemap to Google Search Console](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?").
#### 2. All in One SEO Pack
Another great WordPress SEO plugin that can help you fix SEO issues as well as creating a sitemap. You can use multiple features in this plugin.
To create an XML sitemap in All in One SEO Pack, you need to first install this plugin from the WordPress plugins directory.
After that, go to plugin menu icon on the right side-bar menu. Select **Features Manager** and in the XML Sitemap tab, click on the **Activate** button.
You can now copy [sitemap URL and submit](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/) it to Google Search Console, Bing, or anywhere you like.
#### 3- Yoast SEO XML Sitemap
Yoast SEO is a great WordPress SEO plugin. You can use [Yoast SEO plugin features](https://azibyaqoob.com/which-yoast-seo-plugin-features-you-should-not-use/ "Which Yoast SEO Plugin Features You Should Not Use?") to optimize many things. It is one of the most popular WordPress SEO plugins.
Install this plugin from the WordPress plugins directory. Go to SEO, then Dashboard.
It will open up a new page. Here you need to **Enable** the **Advanced Settings Pages** option.
On the right-hand sidebar, you will find XML Sitemaps under the SEO menu. By going to this page, you can enable the sitemap.
Yoast SEO will give you a URL of the newly generated XML sitemap, which you should submit to Google Search Console.
#### Submit XML Sitemap to Google Search Console
Now that you have created an XML sitemap, you should submit it to Google Search Console.
[Access your Google search console](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-give-google-search-console-access-to-your-seo-manager/ "How to Give Google Search Console Access to Your SEO Manager?") property. Click on Search performance > sitemap, and only enter the last part of sitemap URL in this box.
E.g, if your XML sitemap URL is `example.com/sitemap.xml`, then you only need to enter `Sitemap.xml` in Google Search Console.
Give it some time and check back after a week. Google Search Console will start updating how many URLs got indexed and submitted. If you want to learn how to use Google Search Console more efficiently then check out this [Google Search Console guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2018").
I hope you like this article. Which [WordPress SEO plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2018 (Updated)") do you use to optimize your websites? Let me know in the comments below.
**Categories:** WordPress
---
### [How to Reduce Bounce Rate of Your Website](https://azibyaqoob.com/here-is-a-quick-cure-to-reduce-bounce-rate-of-any-website/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
A bounce rate is a crucial metric which most webmasters ignore until they realize their conversion rate is too low. Reducing bounce rate on any website will give your readers more chance to explore your content, which will improve your brand trust and conversions.
If your website or blog has a low bounce rate, that’s a good sign that your content is engaging users to do more on site. Higher bounce rate does not always mean that your content sucks. Most educational websites which offer tutorials and guides have a higher bounce rate.
Let’s find out in this post what is bounce rate and how you can reduce it considerably using simple good UX practices.
#### What is Bounce rate?
Suppose a visitor lands on your site via [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?"), scroll down the content without clicking on any other link on that particular page and exits back to SERP, that is called a single session and will most likely be shown as a 100% bounce rate in Google Analytics tool.
Sometimes users have no intention to read further on a website. In those cases, it is totally acceptable to have a higher bounce rate. That’s the reason why Google doesn’t consider it as a ranking factor.
According to Google, A bounce is a single-page session on your site. In Analytics, a bounce is calculated specifically as a session that triggers only a single request to the Analytics server, such as when a user opens a single page on your site and then exits without triggering any other requests to the Analytics server during that session.
It is single-page sessions divided by the percentage of all sessions on your site in which users viewed only a single page, sending only a single request to the Analytics server.
A bounce rate event is triggered when a user enters another URL in the address bar, clicks on the back button in the browser, closes the active window or tab, stays inactive for about half an hour on the page or clicks on an outbound link.
As I discussed earlier, the bounce rate may vary from business to business. While a high bounce rate for an e-commerce site is somewhat alarming, a high bounce rate for a blog or an online dictionary is relatively normal. A visual depiction can give you a clear picture of the bounce rate for different types of businesses.
#### How to Check Your Bounce Rate using Google Analytics?
You can use Google Analytics to measure and examine your current bounce rate. You can check a lot of data such as bounce rate by referral, bounce rate by organic searches, bounce rate by social traffic, and more.
If you are not using Google Analytics then you can [install it using Google Tag Manager](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-google-tag-manager-guide-for-beginners/ "Step by Step Google Tag Manager Guide for Beginners"), or by [adding Google Analytics code](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?") inside HTML head and body tags.
You can check your website bounce rate by browsing these pages in your Google Analytics property:
1\. In **Audience > Overview report**, you can find bounce rate for your overall website. You can also check the daily bounce rate, monthly bounce rate, and set a manual date to show the bounce rate for that specific period.
2\. The Channels report can give you organic search bounce rate, referral bounce rate, social bounce rate, and direct visits bounce rate. You can check this report by going to **Acquisition > All Traffic > Channels**.
3\. In **Acquisition > All Traffic > Source/Medium**, you can find individual source or medium bounce rate.
4\. If you want to find out an individual page bounce rate, you can do that by going to **Behavior > Site Content > All Pages**. Here you can find out any individual page bounce rate.
#### How to reduce your bounce rate?
Now that we have got some insight into bounce rate phenomena, we can discuss how to reduce it.
**Improve page load time**. It is one of the crucial factors to consider when you want to reduce the bounce rate. A page which loads faster can lower your bounce rate. A page should completely load on user’s end in an average of under 2 seconds time. You can improve your website speed by using cache plugins on WordPress. Here is a step by step tutorial to configure W3 Total Cache settings.
**Excessive Use of Pop-up Windows**. While Pop-ups provide additional functionality to ad campaigns like announcing Webinars, lead generation, etc… But Pop-ups are generally an annoying factor from the user perspective as it sometimes distracts the user. Some pop-ups would be fine but using them extensively would definitely increase your bounce rate. Use them only where you find them necessary.
**Harness Whitespace**. White space refers to the empty space on your website. A website cluttered with menus, bars, and ad banners are big No to users. Harnessing the power of White space gives dominance to the actual content that users seek or CTAs (Call to Actions). Just take a look at Google’s homepage.
**Website Structure**. Sometimes a cluttered website with too many menu links, sidebar links can put off the user. Internal links are important for SEO and reducing bounce rate, but make sure that your[ website structure](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/ "How to Create a Most Logical Website Structure to Boost SEO?") won’t get affected when creating internal links and menu links.
**Simple and Skim-friendly text**. Visitors don’t ‘read’ content on web pages, rather they skim through it. A heavily loaded unformatted text page will almost immediately bounce off a visitor. Try putting relatively large font for headings and clear text with short paragraphs. It helps the user to skim the content.
**Using the Right Keywords**. Your SEO strategy should be focused on optimizing for the right keywords related to your business. This attracts the relevant organic traffic via SERPs and increases the chance of a conversion.
Don’t get overwhelmed with optimizing just for bounce rate. The primary SEO goal should be improving the user experience. The more user-friendly and relevant your content is, the higher the organic traffic and lower the bounce rate. If you are using WordPress then you can check out my latest WordPress SEO guide to improve your traffic.
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [The Ultimate Guide to Add Breadcrumbs in a WordPress Website](https://azibyaqoob.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-add-breadcrumbs-to-a-wordpress-website/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Wondering what is a breadcrumb and how to add breadcrumbs to your WordPress website? Breadcrumbs help users to understand where currently they are browsing on your website. Users can navigate a website better with the use of breadcrumbs especially if a website has numerous pages. In this tutorial, I am going to show you how easily you can add breadcrumbs to a WordPress website.
Some years ago, it was a long and difficult process to add breadcrumbs. A user had to add an HTML tag on each page individually. But WordPress now offers an easy process to add breadcrumbs. Depending on the fact that how much you want your breadcrumbs to be customized, WordPress offers different methods of adding breadcrumbs to a site.
#### What is Breadcrumb?
Simply put, breadcrumbs help users navigate and understand website link hierarchy.
In other words, the main purpose of breadcrumbs is to provide users a way to easily navigate through your website. It also helps search engines in understanding the hierarchy of the pages.
#### Why Breadcrumbs are Important for SEO?
Google and other search engines can show these breadcrumbs as a rich result in the SERP. However, you may have to add structured data markup for breadcrumbs, so search engines can understand these breadcrumbs and display them.
Here are some of the advantages to improve your SEO by using breadcrumbs:
- Breadcrumbs link certain keywords of different web pages and help search engines to see how one page is related to another on a site.
- When you use them in the hierarchy, it helps you in improving your SEO for the category pages as well as the innermost pages of your website.
- Breadcrumbs also help in improving the internal linking and [website structure](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/ "How to Create a Most Logical Website Structure to Boost SEO?").
- Adding breadcrumbs can help you in reducing your bounce rate. If a visitor does not find what he is looking for, breadcrumbs can show them an alternative path to other categories of your website.
#### How to Add Breadcrumbs to a WordPress Website?
It is quite easy to add breadcrumbs to a WordPress website. However, it is important that your theme should support breadcrumbs navigation. Else you might have to adjust the code to display breadcrumbs on a WordPress website.
We will be using 2 different plugins to add breadcrumbs.
**Note:** Before applying technical changes on your site, I would highly recommend to backup your website.
#### Use Yoast SEO Breadcrumbs
If you are using WordPress, then I am pretty sure you must have heard of this plugin ‘Yoast SEO’. It is one of the [best WordPress SEO plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2018 (Updated)") to improve the website’s search performance. You can also use it to add breadcrumbs. Here’s how to properly configure breadcrumbs using Yoast SEO.
First of all, you need to access your website using FTP. The usual area to add breadcrumbs is before or after the page/post title, which you can locate in one of these theme files; **page.php**, **single.php,** or **header.php**. It depends on your WordPress theme structure where this information is located. You need to add this piece of code:
\[php\]’,'
‘);
}
?>
\[/php\]
After that, find the Yoast SEO menu in the right sidebar and go to **SEO** > **Search Appearance** > **Breadcrumbs** and enable the **breadcrumbs**.
#### Use Breadcrumb NavXT
It is a standalone breadcrumb plugin that is widely used due to the fact it is quite easy to customize and there are many options to enhance the style of breadcrumbs. I personally use this plugin on my website.
Install [Breadcrumb NavXT](https://wordpress.org/plugins/breadcrumb-navxt/ "Breadcrumb NavXT - WordPress Plugins") plugin from the WordPress plugins directory. Activate this plugin.
To display breadcrumbs properly on your site, you need to place a piece of code in the header.php file:
\[php\]
\[/php\]
**Note:** Some themes have different theme structure, so you may have to contact your theme developer and ask where to place breadcrumbs.
Now you should have breadcrumbs on your WordPress site. To configure this plugin setting, go to **settings** > **Breadcrumb NavXT**.
I hope you find this post useful. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you are looking to boost your WordPress website’s SEO then check out my WordPress SEO guide for beginners.
**Categories:** WordPress
---
### [Best URL Structure Practices for SEO: This Is What Professionals Do](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-url-structure-practices-for-seo/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Do you want to improve the URL structure of your website? In this post, I am going to share some of the best practices to optimize URLs. Your website URL structure can [improve SEO ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/ "How to Improve Wix SEO in 2019 (Step by Step Guide)")and user experience to a great extent.
A site’s URL structure should be kept as readable as possible to humans as well as search engines. A good URL structure is the one which is memorable. These tips will help you create URLs that will add to the success of your website.
Also, if you are looking for more advanced information on this topic then check out this post on [Canonical URLs](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/ "What is a Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?").
#### 1. Relevant Keyword
It is one of the ways that a search engine and human gather knowledge about a web page and its content, so it is important that you include one or more [relevant keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?") in the URL.
They will be most useful when they match the content on your page. Think about how often you copy and paste URLs from social media, in text messages, and in emails. As there is no anchor text, the text in these URLs is vital in describing what the link contains.
When you are using relevant keyword within the URL, you are really checking many boxes at once. You can use these [keyword research tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "7 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools 2018") to find great keywords. The keywords are great for communicating what the content is all about to search engines so that it can deliver your content to those who are performing a relevant search query.
I have recently compiled a list of the best free SEO tools, be sure to check it out.
#### 2. Readability of URLs
As a URL is read by both, search engine and humans, it is important for it to make sense. Your URL should be able to tell the reader what they will find if they choose to click on it. For example, when you put in many keywords and delete the extras, you will still have a URL that makes sense.
Ideally, a URL would have multiple keywords – just make sure that it does not look like spam. [Google penalizes websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-if-your-website-is-penalized-by-google-and-how-to-fix-it/ "How to Check if Your Website is Penalized by Google and How to Fix it?") that use such spam techniques. This is especially important when thinking about accessibility. You should try to make the URL as easy as possible to read for the search engines and the users.
#### 3. Remove Extra Words
You should remove words that do not add significance to the URL for the sake of readability. This would be words like “that” “and”, or even a few extra words from the end that are used for classification.
The main thing to remember is that while you can take out some extra words, make sure that the URL is still readable for the humans.
Not only will it help them understand what the site is really about, but it will also make them feel more trustworthy.
Rather than using the phrase like “7 ways that will help you lose weight”, you can shorten it to “7 ways to lose weight”. It expresses a clear thought as to what the content is about and what to expect from it.
#### 4. Canonicalize When Possible
If for some reason you end up with two URLs that contain similar content, you should consider using a 301 redirect or a canonical tag. Please check this post on [what is canonical URL](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/ "What is Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?") and how to use it.
Having [duplicate content](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?") doesn’t really make or break for a search engine, but it might harm your search engine potential because of the ranking signals being split between two pages.
It might not occur to some people that a web page will have a www version as well as a non-www version and even an [HTTP and HTTPS version](https://azibyaqoob.com/http-vs-https-which-one-is-the-right-choice-for-seo/ "HTTP VS HTTPS – Which One is the Right Choice for SEO?").
#### 5. Utilize Hyphens and Underscores
The option when separating words in URLs is to use hyphens, underscores or use nothing at all.
It is highly recommended to go with the hyphens. This will help with the overall readability of the URL, making it easy for the search engines and humans to comprehend it.
Underscores have actually risen in popularity within URLs, thanks to search engines overcoming their previous challenges with them. Now, hyphens and underscores are treated similarly.
Spaces are not recommended because they translate into %20 within the URL and take away from the overall readability of the pages. Avoid spaces when possible, but this has become easier thanks to the newer content management systems.
Just do not forget to double-check your hyphens and underscores, ensuring that they are not truncating your URL.
#### 6. Single Domain and Subdomain
Ideally, a website should be using a root domain and subfolders to categorize the content.
There are still people who argue which is the ideal scenario either to use a subdomain or a single domain. I have written down a post on [subdomains ](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-subdomain-are-subdomains-bad-for-seo/ "What is a subdomain? Are Subdomains Bad for SEO?")before, if you are interested you should check it out.
So in terms of URL structure, you should be using 1 domain and many subpages to categorize your content. However, if you have already categorized your website into subdomains then at this point you should stick with your choice.
These URL structure practice will boost the SEO of any website. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or follow me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/azib204 "Follow Azib on Twitter").
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Set up and Use SiteGround Staging to Test Your Site?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-setup-and-use-sitegrounds-staging-to-test-your-site/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Recently I changed the design of this website. I used the One-Click SiteGround staging environment to develop this website. So, in this tutorial, I will show you how you can also set up the Siteground staging. Using SiteGround’s Staging tool, anyone can quickly set up a staging environment. Let me show you how.
#### First Things First: What is a Staging Environment?
If you are new to web development, this may look like an alien term. So, Let me explain. The web development process goes through several stages before making a website live. A web development workflow usually looks like this:
**Local:** When you work on your computer (localhost) to create/code the website. It means you are hosting this website on your computer. It is faster to load, and you don’t need an Internet connection to test it.
**Staging:** This is where you test the developed website for its complete functionality before deploying it live. Also, it is an excellent way to show your clients or stakeholders recently implemented changes.
**Production:** This is where your actual website exists. Anyone with an active Internet connection can access it. You don’t want to modify the live website because things could go wrong, and your site could go down. So, always avoid the production environment to deploy significant changes.
#### Why Should You Use a Staging Environment?
A staging environment is a clone of your live website. You can easily test new major features using a staging environment. Most web developers use the staging environment as a testing ground; it prevents issues from occurring on the live website.
#### What is One-Click SiteGround Staging Environment?
To create and manage development copies of your website, you can use the SiteGround staging tool. It is an excellent tool for people with no prior coding experience or new web developers. Also, it will save you a lot of time.
**Note:** One-Click SiteGround Staging is only available to GrowBig and GoGeek Plan users. And it only works if you are using either Joomla or WordPress.
#### How to Setup SiteGround Staging Environment?
You can find the Staging Tool in the cPanel on SiteGround GrowBig or GoGeek plans. Here’s how to access and make a staging copy of your live website:
**Step 1:** Log in to your SiteGround hosting Dashboard. Go to My Account, then click on the “Go to Cpanel” button.
**Step 2:** You will find a new page with many options and tools. Scroll down and look for WordPress Tools and Joomla Tools. Pick a platform you are using and click on the “Staging” button.
**Step 3:** You will find all the domain names hosted on SiteGround. Click on the button “Create Staging Copy.” It might show you some root directory folders and files which are not part of the standard WordPress install—select files and directories which are essential. Click on the “Continue” button.
**Step 4:** Now, it will ask you to use password protection for this staging copy. Create a password and change the username to something memorable. Click on the “Continue” button.
**Note:** I would strongly recommend that you use password protection so search engines such as Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo won’t be able to [crawl and index](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?") your staging copy.
**Step 5:** It will generate a staging copy of your live website. Now you can access it by clicking on the “Admin Panel” button. It will ask you to enter the username and password we set up in the last step. Enter those details and press enter. It will redirect you to the staging WordPress login area. Please note down the URL so you can access and work on the website.
#### Deploy from SiteGround Staging to Live Website
After testing, you can use SiteGound Staging to deploy the website live. Your site will move from Staging to live along with all the changes.
Click the **Push to Live** button from the staging environment page.
There are two options to push your staging copy to your live site.
It will display two different options **Full Deploy** and **Custom Deploy**. Let me explain what each of these options will do.
**1. Full Deploy**
If you click the Full Deploy button, your staging copy and database files will overwrite your live site. For example, this option is suitable if you don’t have something specific to deploy on your live website.
**2. Custom Deploy**
You can use the Custom Deploy option to deploy specific database files to a live website. When you press this button, Siteground will display all the database files from your staging environment, and you can control to add or remove them.
#### Destroy SiteGround Staging Copy
Similarly, you can delete this staging copy when you are done by going to cPanel > Staging > Manage Staging Copies > Destroy.
If you push the staging copy to the live website and somehow things don’t go as expected, you can always restore a backup. SiteGround and many web hosting services have easy backup and restoration services.
When you push the staging copy live, You can access that by going to cPanel > Staging > Manage Staging> Restore Backup.
I hope you found this helpful post. If you are using SiteGround, check out this post [to reduce server response time on SiteGround hosting](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-i-fixed-siteground-low-server-response-time-issue/ "How I Fixed SiteGround Slow Server Response Time Issue?").
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [What's the Main Difference between White Hat SEO VS Black Hat SEO?](https://azibyaqoob.com/whats-the-main-difference-between-white-hat-seo-vs-black-hat-seo/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you wondering what is ‘White hat SEO’ or ‘black hat SEO’? These terms are generally referred to the practices used by SEO experts and webmasters to improve their website organic search ranking. It is the post about the difference between white hat SEO and black hat SEO, Are there any benefits of using one strategy over the other? As a [business which of these SEO strategies](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-interior-design-marketing-strategies-to-get-clients/) Should you use? Let’s find out.
Most SEO experts and webmasters want to see their websites all the way up to the top in [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/). Now, it’s a difficult task to decide the right strategies to achieve this goal.
There are two different SEO strategies;
- White-hat
- Black-hat
Before I proceed, let me clarify that SEO applies to organic searches in a search engine unlike paid or [featured snippets](https://azibyaqoob.com/rich-result-featured-snippet-and-knowledge-graph-explained/ "Rich Result, Featured Snippet, and Knowledge Graph Explained"). Let us examine each of the above strategies and elaborate which ‘hat’ will be good for you!
#### White-hat SEO
White-hat SEO techniques are Google-friendly or ‘approved’ techniques which constantly and fiercely updates in order to comply with Google algorithmic updates.
With the more frequent algorithm updates, SEO strategies have been overhauled to synchronize the previously adopted SEO techniques.
**White-hat SEO involves some of the following approaches:**
1\. **Quality content** – The core element of a high-traffic website is original and quality content. Any high-traffic website must have original and quality content. As a webmaster you should always write content for your audience, and not for search engines. An information-rich website will result in higher conversion rates and it will reduce bounce rate.
2\. **Quality Backlinks** – Backlinks are the backbone to a successful SEO strategy. Creating quality backlinks on relevant websites will bring ‘authority’ as well as traffic to your website.
3\. **Organized site structure** – Keeping a clean and [logical site structure](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/ "How to Create a Most Logical Website Structure to Boost SEO?") makes it a lot easier for Google search spiders to crawl up your website and index the content. Make sure your website hierarchy is well-defined. [Include a sitemap on your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?") to increase crawling by Googlebot.
4\. **Keyword-rich meta tags** – Always write keyword rich meta tags, so search bots can easily understand the page context. Try to add the most relevant keywords which you think might be searched by your site audience. Avoid keyword stuffing at all cost.
5\. **Page title and URL** – You don’t want to be seen as a SPAM website with a long or ambiguous URL and page titles. It’s part of the plan to keep an organized URL structure. Therefore, a professional page title with a nifty URL adds value and accessibility both to search bots and visitors.
#### Black-Hat SEO
Keep in mind that Black-Hat SEO may seem like the ‘villains’ in digital marketing, but it is not illegal though unethical. Black-Hat SEO techniques will eventually have your [website penalized or de-indexed from Google](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-if-your-website-is-penalized-by-google-and-how-to-fix-it/ "How to Check if Your Website is Penalized by Google and How to Fix it?") altogether.
Black-Hat SEO likes to play dirty and does not ‘abide by’ Google’s webmaster guidelines for SEO.
**Here are some of the black hat techniques that you should know of:**
1\. **Duplicate or ‘scraped’ content** – Using [duplicate content](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?") throughout the website is one of the top black hat SEO methods. Google also penalize such websites and de-index them (sometimes without any notification).
2\. **Keywords stuffing** – Repeating keywords just to improve the keyword density of a particular page – It is one of the techniques which was popular some years ago. Some black hat SEO experts even use white text to hide repetitive keywords, and sometimes completely hide text with the help of CSS.
3\. **Negative Backlinks**. Although this technique rarely works these days, it is the most perilous and dark SEO technique. Applied through buying SPAM links in thousands and directing the links to [competitors websites](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-website-top-seo-competitors/) will eventually having them ‘punished’ by Google. Read this [negative SEO case study](https://azibyaqoob.com/negative-seo-impact/ "Negative SEO Impact in 2018 (Case Study)") which would help you understand how it all works.
4\. **Doorway pages**. It is a technique mostly used to show a different page to Googlebot while sending visitors to a totally different page. These pages redirect visitors which come through organic search to an irrelevant website which visitor wasn’t expecting to see.
5\. **Private Blog Network (PBN)**. Prior to Penguin update, this technique was extensively used. This involves building up a network of low-quality blogging networks net together to form an inbound connection to your site, thus pushing your site ranking up in searches where every ‘potential’ clicks links to your site via these blogs. Post-Penguin update, the quantity is replaced with quality and such low-quality inbound links severely impact your SEO.
The trade-off between white-hat and black-hat is pretty obvious. You need to bear the following aspects in mind while applying these techniques.
#### High-value vs Low-value
While applying black-hat techniques might be tempting in achieving high ranks in a short amount of time, they tend to be low-value.
White-hat tactics are high-value in the sense that they will eventually pay-off by improving your rank in SERP.
Black-hat tactics ignore the return on investment for short yield and are therefore riskier considering the fact that Google’s policies are more aggressive than before.
#### Long-term vs Short-term
It is evident that applying Black-hat techniques can give great results in short-term as long as a website not penalized by Google. A high short-term gain inflicts a high risk as well.
Therefore, any legitimate business would not risk years of work for short-term gains.
Let me know in the comments below what do you think of these methods. What’s your experience using each of these SEO techniques?
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Start Your Freelance SEO Business?](https://azibyaqoob.com/start-freelance-seo-business/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you want to start a freelance SEO business then this article is for you. I have seen so many freelance SEO experts struggle to find a better job but they work tirelessly for people who don’t value their work.
#### So what can you do to start a freelance SEO business?
There are countless possibilities and things that can be done. I understand that you are good at SEO but you might have other flows like me or anyone else.
If you want to start your freelance SEO business then you should read this article on [how to promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "Promote Your Business Online: 13 Ways to Boost Your Online Business"). It will help you to understand what are different ways other than SEO that you can use and boost your freelance SEO business.
However, when starting a new business keep these things in mind as well:
#### 1. Growing your freelance business will be a slow process.
No matter which [marketing methods you chose to promote your business](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-interior-design-marketing-strategies-to-get-clients/). If you want to build a business you have to rely on slow progress. It is the only safest option unless you have a lot of funding to advertise on different online and offline mediums.
To start your freelance SEO business, you should gain more skills as well. Rank a website, build a portfolio and attract new customers.
#### 2. Learn new skills
You can learn new skills or improve your current SEO skills by reading important SEO blogs. Some of my personal favorite blogs to stay updated with SEO news are:
- Google Webmaster Blog
- Matt Cutts
- Danny Sullivan
- Rand Fishkin
- Backlinko
- Neil Patel
You can follow them on twitter to get frequent SEO updates.
#### 3. Set up a website
It is important, if you want to be an SEO expert you must have a presence on the web. It will help your potential customers to find you easily. When it comes to [hiring a freelance SEO service provider](https://azibyaqoob.com/hire-freelance-seo-service-provider/ "How to Hire the Right Freelance SEO Service Provider?"), people would be more likely to spend their money on someone who show them results.
Now that you have developed a great looking website, it is time for you to write awesome content and get [dofollow backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links"). Soon you will see the interest of your potential buyers.
#### 4. Optimize Your site
It should be obvious to you since your job is optimizing websites your own blog and website should use all the best on-page SEO practices. If you don’t know how to do that, then check out these on-page SEO tips for beginners.
- Create unique articles
- Guest post on other blogs
- Share your website on social networks
- Start a secondary blog on Medium & LinkedIn
- Use these [free link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free White Hat Link Building Tools") to get more links.
#### 5. Local + social networking
It is an important part to generate more leads for your freelance SEO business. Whether it’s a local event or an online one make sure to attend as many networking events in your city or if you like to travel then you can join thousands of networking events in multiple cities and countries.
Other than that, you should consider online networking. Use all the social networks you can and join as many groups as you can. Build up new connections with the people, teach them something new and learn new things.
I am sure that any [freelance SEO consultant](https://azibyaqoob.com/freelance-seo-consultant/ "About") can use these tips and improve their business. If you like this article and feel like this is something useful, then please feel free to share it. I would really appreciate it.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [5 Online reputation Management Techniques that Give Instant Results](https://azibyaqoob.com/online-reputation-management-techniques-instant-results/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you tired of trying different online reputation techniques that don’t give your instant results? Well, you shouldn’t be. I have compiled a list of the best online reputation management techniques that I use to fix my clients’ reputation. These techniques helped me [push down negative search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?") for many of my clients.
[Fixing an online reputation could take some time.](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-improve-online-reputation/ "How Long Does it Take to Improve Online Reputation?") If you don’t see immediate results with these Online reputation management techniques then you should wait awhile.
Why?
Because Google takes time to index and crawl pages. When pages get crawled Google will rank them appropriately using its algorithm. You can also try this [online reputation management guide ](https://azibyaqoob.com/proven-reputation-management-guide-build-your-business-or-brand-reputation/ "Proven Reputation Management Guide: Build Your Business or Brand Reputation")for effective results.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a popular brand or an individual’s reputation at stake, using these online reputation management techniques you can [repair Internet reputation ](https://azibyaqoob.com/internet-reputation-repair-2017/ "Internet Reputation Repair: an Easy DIY Guide to Reputation Management")of anyone.
#### What is Online reputation management?
It is a process of managing and maintaining a brand or an individual’s search online reputation. There are different areas where online reputation management is a necessity. Most common mediums such as:
- Facebook
- Google
- Bing
- Yelp (other review based sites)
- Yahoo
These mediums are used by millions of people every day. So, if you are an influential person and there is [negative search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?") on you or your brand name, in simple terms you will lose business and a lot of it.
Let’s see which techniques can be used to fix your internet reputation
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Link building](#1_Link_building)
- [2. Search engine optimization](#2_Search_engine_optimization)
- [3. Social profiles](#3_Social_profiles)
- [4- Web 2.0 blogs](#4-_Web_20_blogs)
- [5. Guest posts](#5_Guest_posts)
## 1. Link building
Although it does not directly influence your online reputation, you can [build links](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/) to your popular and positive articles, blogs, social networks. Powerful backlinks will help those positive stories rank better in [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/). Make sure to get as many [dofollow backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links") as possible. It doesn’t mean that [nofollow links](https://azibyaqoob.com/add-nofollow-links-platform-ultimate-guide/ "How to Add Nofollow Links to Any Platform: The Ultimate Guide") don’t matter. They definitely help give a little boost.
When creating links make sure to always use SEO best practices. You can check out these [best free link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free White Hat Link Building Tools") to make powerful links. Also if it’s not your area of expertise or you don’t have time to create links then make sure to check out my [link building services](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/ "Link Building").
## 2. Search engine optimization
SEO is an important part of online reputation management because most activities in online reputation go hand in hand with SEO. If you don’t have a website right now and your publicity is ruined in search engines then you should create one now.
SEO is used to rank websites on desired keywords. Please check out these on-page SEO tips for beginners to learn more about how you can optimize your sites. These will definitely help you out.
## 3. Social profiles
You need to create social profiles on sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc… These sites already have high domain authority so they most likely rank well especially if you optimize them on your brand keyword.
Have you created profiles? That’s great! now here comes the tricky part. Optimize those profiles with your brand keyword.
Make sure that it is quite apparent for any profile visitor to see your brand keyword everywhere on the page. Fill out details of each profile and make sure to add your brand keywords in the profile name, URL, and description.
Now you have to keep posting every day. The more you post and use these social networks they will rank more highly.
## 4- Web 2.0 blogs
Create simple web 2.0 blogs on sites like Medium, Blogspot, WordPress(.com), Tumblr, Wix, etc…
To optimize those web 2.0 blogs, you need to mention your brand name everywhere:
- Use keywords in meta title
- Site title
- Meta description
- Page headings
- Post headings
- Use keywords in paragraphs (make sure to use it as early on the page as possible)
## 5. Guest posts
Writing on authority blogs in your niche is definitely a great idea for brand marketing. If writing’s not one of your strong suit then hire a writer. Find out blogs which have huge domain authority.
Pitch article ideas to blogs then wait for an answer.
Key points:
- Include your brand keyword in heading
- Write about your brand keyword
- Only write articles on huge authority blogs in your niche
- Publish as much guest posts as possible for maximum effect.
That’s all! Wait for a while. See which of these strategies are working good and how you can further enhance them. Please also check out this article on online reputation management mistakes. Knowing these mistakes can save you a lot of time, money and future headache.
Let me know if you have any question or concerns. If these techniques won’t work out for you then, you can always try my other [online reputation management tutotrials](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/online-reputation-management/ "Online Reputation Management Tutorials and Case Studies") to fix your damaged reputation.
**Categories:** Online Reputation Management
---
### [How Subdomains Affect SEO: The Truth You Need to Know](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-subdomain-are-subdomains-bad-for-seo/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Subdomains have been a topic of debate among SEO professionals for a long time. While some argue that subdomains can negatively impact SEO, others claim that subdomains have no significant effect on search engine rankings. So, are subdomains bad for SEO?
The answer depends on the situation. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of subdomains and help you make an informed decision for your website.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [What is a subdomain?](#What_is_a_subdomain)
- [What is a root domain?](#What_is_a_root_domain)
- [Are Subdomains Bad for SEO?](#Are_Subdomains_Bad_for_SEO)
- [Pros of using subdomains](#Pros_of_using_subdomains)
- [Cons of using subdomains](#Cons_of_using_subdomains)
### What is a subdomain?
Any domain that has been created in a subdirectory of a parent domain is considered a subdomain. Here is an example of a subdomain:
`https://blog.example.com (subdomain)`
In the above example, we have a root domain (example.com). The site owner creates a different folder in his website directory by the blog’s name. The website owner can create as many folders as desired in its root directory. These subfolders are called subdomains.
Some website owners like to keep different sections of websites under other directories (subdomains). As you can see in the above example, the website owner created a subdomain as `blog.example.com`
They can also create `shop.example.com` or `help.example.com`.
### What is a root domain?
DNS forms a domain by applying rules and procedures. A domain highest in a website’s hierarchy is considered a Root Domain. Here is an example of a root domain:
`http://example.com`
### Are Subdomains Bad for SEO?
It is a question that my clients have asked so many times. Googlebot considers a subdomain as a new website. Google does not associate subdomains with root domains. The simple answer would be, no, Google does not hurt your existing root domain’s ranking. However, for any subdomain you create, Google will take it as a new website.
Suppose your root domain has a high authority, and you start a new blog on the subdomain; this subdomain will get no domain authority from Google. You are almost creating a new website.
Although, you can [create links](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/) between the root domain and subdomain. It doesn’t mean it would give your new subdomain the same authority as the root domain. Maybe it will improve your subdomain authority to some degree, but your subdomain won’t have an exact root domain authority.
## Pros of using subdomains
When it comes to SEO, subdomains can play an important role in helping website owners improve their website’s ranking and visibility in search engine results pages. Let’s explore the different pros of using subdomains.
#### 1- Organization and management
One of the primary benefits of using subdomains for SEO is that they can help to improve the overall structure and organization of a website.
By separating different sections of a site into separate subdomains, website owners can make it easier for users and search engines to navigate and understand the site’s content.
This can result in a better user experience and can also help to improve website ranking and traffic.
#### 2- Better User Experience
Subdomains can also help to improve the user experience of a website. By separating different sections of a site into separate subdomains, users can easily navigate to the section of the site that is most relevant to their needs. This can result in a better overall user experience and can also help to improve website engagement and retention.
#### 3- Localization
If a website has an international audience, subdomains can be used to provide localized content. For example, a website targeting audiences in different countries can use subdomains such as us.example.com or uk.example.com to serve localized content.
### Cons of using subdomains
While subdomains can offer several advantages for website owners looking to improve their website’s SEO, they also come with their own set of drawbacks. Subdomains can create challenges for website management and can potentially harm a website’s overall SEO performance. Let’s explore the different cons of using subdomains
#### 1- Diluted authority
When a website uses subdomains, it divides its authority among different sections of the site. This can dilute the overall authority of the website, making it harder for individual pages or sections to rank higher in search engine results. This is because search engines consider the main domain and subdomains as separate entities, and the subdomains don’t inherit the authority of the main domain.
For example, if a website has a blog hosted on a subdomain, the blog may have a lower search engine ranking compared to the main website, as it has its own authority score. This can lead to a lack of visibility for the blog, even if the content is high-quality and relevant.
#### 2- Duplicate content
Subdomains can create issues with duplicate content. If the same content is published on multiple subdomains, search engines may not be able to identify the original source of the content, leading to duplicate content issues. This can result in a penalty from search engines, causing a drop in search engine rankings and traffic.
For example, if a website has a subdomain for its mobile version, but the same content is published on both the main domain and the subdomain, search engines may have a hard time determining which version is the original one. This can lead to a decrease in search engine rankings for both the main domain and the subdomain.
#### 3- Link Equity
When a website is split into multiple subdomains, each subdomain is treated as a separate website by search engines. This means that the authority and link equity of the main domain is not transferred to the subdomains, and each subdomain must [build its own authority and link](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/) equity from scratch.
This can make it more difficult to improve the overall authority and ranking of the site.
#### Should you use a subdomain?
It is up to you whether to use a subdomain on your website. A new Subdomain can be ranked high in the search results. However, to rank a subdomain, your site must be optimized.
The best scenario and most recommended one is to use a single domain to [manage all of your business](https://azibyaqoob.com/proven-reputation-management-guide-build-your-business-or-brand-reputation/) activities. You can create different pages and categories to differentiate them.
The best way to do it is before starting your new website. You should develop the structure of your website on a piece of paper or use any [mind-mapping ](https://www.diagrams.net/ "Diagram and Flowchart maker")software.
Map pages you would create on the website and structure them in a way that is easier to understand for your target user. This will help your website’s users to navigate the website easily. Also, Google and other search engines love [websites with suitable navigation structures](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/).
#### Should I use the “Noindex/nofollow” tag or password protection? Is it going to affect the root domain?
You can use both methods. However, the most recommended way is always to protect your development site with a password.
It will tell Googlebot that this website is not intended to get indexed in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/). If your development subdomain gets indexed in the search, you can permanently [remove your website from the search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-your-entire-website-from-google-forever/ "How to Remove Your Entire Website from Google Forever?"). And no, as I wrote earlier in the post, your subdomain is considered a different domain by Googlebot. It shouldn’t affect your root domain ranking.
I hope this answers your question. In the comments, let me know if you have specific questions about root domains and subdomains.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Opt Out Of Featured Snippets: Reclaim Your Traffic](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-add-or-remove-googles-featured-snippet/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
You can get a Google-featured snippet by optimizing your article concisely. However, you can also opt-out or disable featured snippets for your page on Google. In this post, I will show you how to opt out of Google’s featured snippets.
You can control how your website appears in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?").
#### What is a Featured Snippet?
A [featured snippet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_results_page#Featured_snippets "Featured Snippet") is a search box selected by Google’s algorithm at the top of search results. It is displayed as a prominent block with a page title, content description, and link to the actual page. This featured snippet can be a calculator, a Google translate box, or a flight schedule.
To show a featured search snippet, Google considers page optimization, user query intent, and other SEO factors.
Google programmatically collects data from a page, such as it creates bullet points and picking images from the page to give a meaningful answer to the user’s question.
However, a featured snippet does not always appear when a user searches a specific page or query. Google programmatically selects specific queries when [searched for, showing particular search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/) in a featured snippet.
#### How to Get Google featured snippet?
Unfortunately, there’s no unique tag or specific formula to get a featured search snippet search.
There are a few ways you can use to optimize your page. It will improve the chances of getting a featured snippet from Google.
Most of my content gets [featured snippets](https://azibyaqoob.com/rich-result-featured-snippet-and-knowledge-graph-explained/) (as long as I can rank them on the 1st page). There are no secrets, just simple old SEO techniques still considered a significant ranking factor by Google’s algorithm.
Let me explain this in detail.
#### Display your page as a featured snippet on Google
The first thing that you need is a fully optimized page. Make sure you have used the best SEO practices to create that post. Now, you need to make some changes.
1. Remove excessive steps from a how-to article or a tutorial. Every action should be explained as concisely as possible.
2. Add [essential keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?") throughout your content. Remove irrelevant images, ads, and paragraphs that make your article needlessly long.
3. If your content is long, then you should divide the content into several sections. It will make it more readable and scannable for the user. Google considers this as a readability factor and gives a slight boost in the ranking. Also, it helps Google gather the content to be used in the featured snippet.
4. Optimize your content for voice searches. That’s the best way to get a featured snippet. Most of the time, Google assistant picks up information from the featured snippet when answering people’s questions.
The downside of a featured snippet is Google sometimes gives a complete answer to a user query in a featured snippet. In such cases, users don’t even click on any page from the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/).
Some experts claim that Google intends to keep the user getting the answer from Google instead of clicking on any articles from the search results. You can opt out of Google’s featured snippet program.
It is a simple process, and you can easily do it by telling Googlebot not to show a specific page as a featured snippet in the search.
#### How to Disable or Opt-out Google’s Featured Snippet?
You can opt out of featured snippets by preventing snippets on your page using this meta tag on the page:
\[html\] \[/html\]
This code will exclude your page from appearing as a featured snippet in Google search.
You might find this post helpful. Learn how to [remove your domain name](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-can-i-remove-my-domain-name-completely/ "How Can I Remove My Domain Name Completely?") safely and completely.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
You must be wondering what could cause your website to not show up in Google Search, right? There could be a lot of reasons. This post can help you index the website faster and resolve other Google Crawling issues.
### Why isn’t Your Website Showing Up on Google?
There could be a lot of reasons that could stop a website appearing in search. Below are a few common SEO problems people face when their website does not appear on Google Search:
#### 1. Google Hasn’t Indexed Your Website Yet
If you created a [website on a new domain name](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-subdomain-are-subdomains-bad-for-seo/ "What is a subdomain? Are Subdomains Bad for SEO?"), Google will take some time to index your website. At least wait for 3 months to let Google and other search engines crawl your website.
Any new website will take some time to get indexed properly on Google. Adding new content regularly and linking internally can help a site index faster.
You can check whether your website is indexed on Google or not by using a site search operator on Google: `site:https://example.com`
Replace `https://example.com` with your website’s actual domain name. You can also [download those search results to excel spreadsheet](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Docs?").
#### 2. Targeting Highly Competitive Keywords
Your content is focused on very competitive keywords. There are authoritative websites in your niche, that have written content on the same topics as you.
[Targeting low competitive keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?") can bring a small amount of traffic on your new website. When your website has built up some authority, you can target more competitive keywords.
#### 3. Google Algorithmic penalty
It happens rarely but it is a possibility that your website is either de-indexed from Google search or it is facing a manual spam action. Using [black-hat SEO tactics or building bad backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/ "How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)") can cause a website struck by Google algorithmic penalty.
I would highly recommend using [Google Search Console to monitor your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-give-google-search-console-access-to-your-seo-manager/ "How to Give Google Search Console Access to Your SEO Manager?") issues. Google Search Console will report if your website has been penalized or de-indexed from Google Search.
#### 4. Your Website is Using Noindex Tag
Some content management systems by default set a no-index tag to a newly created website. Using Noindex tag you can tell Google do not index a particular page.
So make sure to check for noindex tag in your content management system settings. If you are using WordPress, then you can go to **Settings** > **Reading** > **Search Engine Visibility**. Here make sure that this option is unchecked.
#### 5. Extremely Slow Website
A poorly coded website or using uncompressed high-quality images can cause a website to load slow. There are a lot of things that could slow down a website.
Resolving these issues can help you increase your website speed and could help your website get indexed. Always [compress images before uploading them to your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Image Quality?") and use a WordPress Caching plugin.
#### 6. You don’t have enough quality content
Most small businesses fail to create content strategy, which is helpful to get your website more visitors. Your content should be entertaining, persuasive, and useful to your target audience.
If people don’t stay on your website for long, Google will drop your website ranking because of high bounce rate. A low bounce rate is a good indicator that people are actually reading your content. That means your content is useful if you found your bounce rate too high, that means you need to improve quality of your content so more people can read your content.
When it comes to SEO and website ranking, user experience matters a lot.
#### 7. Avoid Clocking/Improper Redirects
If your website is using too many redirects or using cloaking it could hurt your website ranking. Showing different content/URLs to users and search engines, it is a direct violation of Google Webmaster Guidelines and it could get your website de-indexed from Google.
So make sure that your website pages are properly redirecting to the relevant pages.
#### 8. Use of Doorway Pages
Another reason could be using doorway pages to hide the actual content. Google count it as [manipulative SEO tactic](https://azibyaqoob.com/negative-seo-impact/ "Negative SEO Impact in 2018 (Case Study)") that should be avoided at any cost.
If a user clicks to a typical doorway page from [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/) page, the user will be redirected with a fast Meta refresh command to another page. You can use Google Search Console to check issues like these reported.
#### 9. Google Shows a Website Hacked or Malware Infected Website Warning
Any website can be infected with a virus or get hacked. It is always a good practice to use security plugins/extensions or service. Google will derank your website or will de-index it if you don’t take proper action removing the malware or resolving hacked site as soon as possible.
Also never use pirated themes, plugins, extensions on your website to avoid hacking and malware infections.
I hope you find this post useful. You can check out On-page SEO tips for beginners and this [small business SEO guide ](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking")to improve your website ranking. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Check if Your Website is Penalized by Google and How to Fix it?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-if-your-website-is-penalized-by-google-and-how-to-fix-it/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you afraid that your website has been penalized by Google? The main reasons for most websites to get punished by Google Search are powerful SEO techniques, auto-generated content, and similar actions to game the Google search algorithm. This post will tell you about different kinds of Google penalties and how to fix them.
One bad day, you realize that your entire web traffic has dropped, your entire [website no longer appears in Google search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?"), or some of your website’s pages are removed from Google’s search index. The reason could be “Google Penalty,” AKA Spam Action.
**Note:** If you are using WordPress, you can check out this WordPress SEO guide which will save you from any Google penalty.
#### What is Google penalty (Manual Actions)?
Getting acquainted with these “Manual Actions” from Google is essential. Google, being the leading search engine, define parameters and update its search engine algorithms periodically for better [web page ranking ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?")and relevant search results to constantly improve user experience. Google spam actions have two kinds – Manual and Algorithmic (the latter tastes awful!)
#### Manual Actions
A manual spam action is a result of a review by a representative of the Google webspam team. They penalize the entire website or a few or several pages of your website based on violations of Google’s guidelines.
#### Algorithm Penalty
The algorithmic penalty again has several varieties, based on periodic updates from Google. Although, the Google Search Console website didn’t provide much information on this matter. According to the Google Search Console Help website, “Google’s algorithms can detect the vast majority of spam and automatically demote its ranking in search results”.
The question is, what kind of websites are considered spam by the Google algorithm? We don’t know for sure. However, a site using SEO techniques against Google’s webmaster guidelines can be a good contender for auto-spam detection by Google.
#### How to Check if Your Website is Penalized?
It is important to keep track of the latest changes in Google’s algorithm to avoid penalties. A manual penalty is also a consequence of an occurrence of an algorithmic one.
In this case, a notification is forwarded from the webspam team to the webmaster about the cause of the penalty. There might also be a ‘Partial manual’ penalty where the reviewer will provide feedback based on problems related to non-functional links and content of your webpage that does not conform to Google’s guidelines.
To check for penalties, in this case, you have to log onto the Google Search Console account and select “Manual actions” in the “Search Traffic.”
In the worst case, your site may be entirely removed from Google’s index, yet, in the most common situation, it will fall over nominal listings in the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) for several keywords.
In such a case, there can hardly be a reason that your website has been hit with a penalty. There can be other potential reasons, such as:
All webmasters acquire the latest and most effective SEO strategies to increase the ranking of their site’s search index listing. Therefore, those websites below your website’s listing might have considerably improved their ranks by [creating backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links").
Since Google consistently and periodically updates website guidelines to adapt to its search engine indexing. There is a good chance Google might have voided such backlinks that resulted in a higher ranking in recent updates.
With each update from Google, the SEO strategies must be molded accordingly to keep up with the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/). So, following the recent updates, there is possibly a reason that the analysis criteria might have changed pertaining to on-site and off-site aspects.
Once given a manual penalty along with the highlighted problems, you, as a webmaster, need to take the necessary steps to eliminate the errors and submit a reconsideration request to Google.
Your website will be reviewed, and you will be notified whether the penalty has been removed.
In case of Google algorithm penalty following a recent ranking algorithm update, you will not receive any notification from Google.
There is also no option of reconsideration form as in the case of a manual penalty. To identify whether an algorithm update hits you, apply either of the following techniques.
The most effective method is to log in to Google Analytics and overview your Google organic traffic. You can select your website from the Google Analytics dashboard and then select ACQUISITION > ALL TRAFFIC > SOURCE > MEDIUM.
From the list, select GOOGLE > ORGANIC. You can view the web traffic you receive via [Google search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?").
Further, select the reporting period from the top right to analyze the potential drop in your web traffic. After correlating the drop with the timeline, you can check with the recent Google algorithm update(s) released during the period to identify which update caused you a penalty.
A similar method exists where you can signup and login to monitorbacklinks.com, and from the Overview page, you can see the minutes from all the recent Google updates. After reconciling the notes with the period of the traffic drop, you can identify the cause of the penalty.
When hit with an algorithm penalty or a filter (Panda, Penguin, etc.), first conduct a [link audit](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/ "How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)") and a forensic SEO to get to the roots of the cause. Backlinks are essential to achieve a higher ranking but can also be why your website is penalized.
#### Why Google Penalizes a Website?
With vague algorithm changes in Google indexing, webmasters must be on their toes to deal with an unpleasant experience in the shape of a penalty and losing target traffic. Some reasons why Google bashes your website can be:
- **Over optimizing Anchor Link Text.** Using excessive anchor link text points to your site as a result of closely matching the keywords for ranking.
- **Duplicate content.** Copying content is already unethical, let alone a penalty from Google. Make sure the content on your website is original and unique. Here is [how to check and fix duplicate content issues](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?").
- **Excessive substandard links.** Too many links from substandard or spam sites can cause you a penalty from Google. Sites with less than ten Open Site Explorer Domain Authority or an Ahrefs Domain Rank of less than 40 are considered low quality.
- **Buzzword content.** Content buttered with high keyword density is a candidate for a Google penalty, being low-quality content.
- **Use of excessive advertising.** The Google algorithm negatively assesses a cluttered website loaded with advertisement banners and links. A website must provide ample space in pixels on pages concerning the content.
- **High Bounce Rate.** A website or a page may also be penalized for a very reason if a visitor bounces back quickly to the search results without spending adequate time. Such a page is considered less valuable, or the content may be irrelevant to the user’s query.
- **Malware.** A severe offense where the identity and system of the visitor may be jeopardized if your website is infected with malware or has been hacked altogether.
- **Hidden links.** All the links must be visible to the users on your website. In case of any secret link, it can be considered suspicious.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you like this post, then please consider sharing it.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [15 Professional and Effective ways to Promote Your Photography Business](https://azibyaqoob.com/professional-and-effective-ways-to-promote-your-photography-business/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
The competition among photographers is fierce, and you must give your all to succeed. Promoting your photography business seems difficult, but anyone can effectively promote it. I have compiled a list of the best strategies to promote your photography website.
#### 1. Create a Portfolio Website
As a photographer, your portfolio website is your business card in the digital world. Having a website is a surefire way to [promote any business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online"). An online photography portfolio will often be the first introduction between you and potential clients. Your portfolio must be memorable and leave a good impression on your client.
The first thing that you should do is create or hire someone to create a photography portfolio website.
Here, you will upload your best work to showcase to potential clients. Also, ensure to include contact details properly throughout the important places on your website. So, if people like your work, they can contact you and make an appointment.
#### 2. Optimize Every Image
When you post an image, optimize its size and quality. For that, you can use paid software like Photoshop or a free one such as Gimp. Most professional photographers use Photoshop to enhance the quality of their photos.
Always remember to [compress images without losing image quality](https://azibyaqoob.com/compress-images-without-losing-quality/ "How to Compress Images without Losing Quality – Image Compression Guide 2019"). Why? Because huge images might be slow to load on the user’s end. So, users might have to wait a while to see photos in their browser. Also, we all know that online users’ attention spans are very short, so we must not risk it.
#### 3. Start a Blog
Writing content on your website is an effective way to bring extra traffic to your website. This traffic could convert into sales if you create a proper sales funnel.
Write at least weekly engaging posts on the topic that interest your audience. For example, you can tell them how to take quality photos, what lens to use, etc.
#### 4. Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization or SEO is a great way to promote your portfolio website. [Use proper keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?") on your website, which will bring potential clients to the website. It is not that difficult; you will get the hang of it in a few weeks at max. SEO will boost your website’s Performance in search. Your [website will rank better than your competitors](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-website-top-seo-competitors/) if you use a good SEO strategy.
You should check out these posts to improve your website’s SEO.
- Image SEO guide
- How to create SEO friendly pages
- WordPress SEO guide
- WordPress speed optimization guide
#### 5. Online Advertising
There are a lot of ways you can advertise your photography business. It depends on where your target audience spends their time. Pay-per-click advertising is a great way to attract them to your website if they search for services on search engines.
You can advertise on Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and many search engines like them. The most effective ones are Google and Bing, respectively. Make sure to read this post on [common online advertising mistakes](https://azibyaqoob.com/most-common-online-advertising-mistakes-beginners-make/ "Most Common Online Advertising Mistakes that Beginners Make") before spending your money on expensive ads.
#### 6. Social Media Marketing
Many youngsters use social media to connect with their friends and family. They also engage with brands and businesses using multiple social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and more.
You should first find out which social media platforms your audience use. You can do that with the help of these [social media competitor analysis tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/ "10 Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools You Should Use").
Once you know your audience’s social media usage, creating a marketing campaign will be much easier.
#### 7. Build an email list
Email marketing is one of the very cost-effective ways to scale any business. It has proven to work for a lot of companies. You can generate leads using lead magnets throughout your website and social media campaigns. You can use programs such as MailChimp and Aweber to build lists. Here are more [affordable email marketing services](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-affordable-email-marketing-services/ "Best Affordable Email Marketing Services in 2019 to Grow Your List") you can use for email marketing campaigns.
Once you have built an email list, you should craft a targeted message for all your email lists. You can offer them discounts, consultation, or be helpful.
#### 8. Promote Your Best Work
If you are an established photographer, you must have some photos you are proud of taking. You can promote those photos on any paid or free platform. You can also use Instagram and Twitter influencers to include your photos in their timeline and your portfolio URL. Promoting your work on free platforms will surely help you lend a few clients.
#### 9- Guest Blogging
Guest blogging means you reach out to the blogs via email/social media/call and ask their permission to publish a blog post on their website. It is a great way to promote any brand, build authority in a niche, get links to the website (helps with SEO), and much more.
Here’s how you can reach out to the top blogs in your niche.
First, find out top-quality websites in your niche. If you are a wedding photographer, you can write guest posts on wedding planners and event management blogs. Or anywhere you think your target audience might read.
Get their email, social media, or phone number. Create a Google spreadsheet and include all such blogs with their contact details.
Once you have enough blogs in the spreadsheet, start sending them a blog idea. You have to use creative ways to convince web admins to let you publish a blog on their website.
#### 10. Attend Local Meetups
Your goal in networking should be to meet new people and develop professional relationships. You will need to establish a connection with people in those meetups. It means you can establish trust, build credibility, and eventually position yourself as an expert in your field.
You can try meetup.com to find out about events around your city. Once you are there, you should introduce yourself as a photographer to anyone you meet there. A lot of people will approach and talk to you. Attending such local events will help you build meaningful business relationships.
#### 11. Create a Google Business Listing
Google My Business will help your business profile shows up on Google when someone searches for a photographer in your city. Your listing will appear on Google Maps and local 3-pack [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/). It is a great way to promote your photography business to online customers.
After creating a business listing, get as many positive reviews from your past and clients. It will help your business listing perform better in the [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?").
#### 12. Define a Target audience
You should define a target market that would likely buy your services. Defining a target audience will help you substantially in crafting your advertising campaigns. It will help you in creating more focused ads, blog posts, and social media posts, and it will also help you convert website visits into customers.
The more focused you are on determining the target audience, the more valuable it will be. Answering questions like the ones mentioned below will help you determine your target audience.
- What’s the gender of your ideal customer?
- What products/services other than yours do they use?
- What’s their lifestyle look like?
- What sort of websites do they visit
- What’s their marital status?
#### 13. Get Reviews and Testimonials from Clients
People buy your services because they know others have used them before. That’s also called social proof.
You can use platforms such as Google My Business, Yelp, and BBB. Also, you can create a section for clients on your website to let them publish testimonials.
#### 14. Use Facebook Retargeting
When people visit your website, most of them never see it again. You can use Facebook ads retargeting to bring those people back to your website. There are endless possibilities for how to use Facebook retargeting and boost your sales.
I have written a thorough guide on [how to set up Facebook Retargeting ads](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "How to Set Up Facebook Retargeting Ads Campaign (Step by Step Guide)"). It will help you create ads and use them without losing a potential client.
#### 15. Track and Improve Performance
Use a platform such as Google Analytics to track your website performance. It will help you understand which of these promotion techniques are working and how you can improve further.
Setting up an Analytics account is quite easy, and anyone can [set up and integrate Google Analytics ](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?")into their website. It has a lot of options to track things such as audience demographics, gender, buying habits, traffic analysis, keyword analysis, conversion tracking, and a lot more.
You can [use Google Tag Manager to add Google Analytics](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-google-tag-manager-guide-for-beginners/ "Step by Step Google Tag Manager Guide for Beginners") and different tracking codes to your website.
It is quite an essential tool for anyone interested in tracking their online business performance.
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [How to Find Out Your Website Top SEO Competitors?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-website-top-seo-competitors/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Before starting a website, every webmaster must perform SEO competitors research. It is an important part of developing a killer SEO strategy for your business.
Keeping this in mind, how should you actually perform competition research? You can use a variety of tools to perform great SEO competition Analysis, learn what your competitors are doing and how you can beat your competition in SERP.
#### Perform a Keyword research
The first step for you is to [find out your keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?"). You may use Google’s Keyword Planner to search those keywords.
Once you are sure of your keywords, it will be easier to find out your competitors using those keywords.
#### How to find out SEO Competition?
There are many ways that you can search for competitors SEO strategy. I will cover some of them in this article. Let’s first start how to manually find competitors.
Search keywords that you want to target in your SEO campaign on Google. [Download top 10 search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?") from every targeting keyword.
Now you can perform a [manual SEO audit](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-manually-perform-a-technical-website-seo-audit/ "How to Manually Perform a Technical Website SEO Audit?") and find out which meta tags they are using, how did they structure their website, and how many backlinks they are getting back to their website, how many of those [backlinks have low-quality](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/ "How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)").
### What information of Your Competitors is Important?
In order to rank higher than your competition, you should know where your website stands in comparison with the competition.
For that purpose, we need to collect data such as your competitors top performing pages, SEO techniques they are using, link building strategy, and more.
#### Find Out Competitors Link Building Strategy
A [backlink analysis](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-competitors-backlinks-easily-a-simple-backlinks-analysis-guide/) can be carried out by typing “link:” along with the site’s URL in Google’s search box. The results will show the sites that are currently linking to their site as well as the total number of backlinks.
You can also use plenty of [link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free Link Building Tools") to find out [competitors backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-out-your-competitors-backlinks-easily-a-simple-backlinks-analysis-guide/ "How to Find Out Your Competitors Backlinks Easily? ( A Simple Backlinks Analysis Guide)").
You can use this information to get backlinks on your website too.
#### Use Tools to Find Out Competition SEO
SEMRush and SpyFu are [research tools that provide keyword](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "5 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools"), [search ranking of any website](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?"), and traffic data.
There are two versions available for both the tools; one is the free version while the other is the paid one. The free version of SpyFu provides up to five websites and SEMRush provides up to 10 URLs that they consider being your competitors.
You can find AdWords keywords and organic keywords, both of which are considered important. The paid version shows tons of sites which are competing on the same keywords as you. This technique is far better than doing it manually.
Similarweb is another similar tool that lets you identify the sites that are similar to yours. Enter your URL, using the free version you can get a list of up to 10 similar sites that are running the same business as yours.
Another advantage of using Similarweb tool is that it allows you to enter your competitor’s site to receive more relevant websites.
There are tools like Open site explorer and Buzzsumo that allow you to figure out high performing content on a certain site. The content can be filtered by language, date and content type (infographic, guest posts etc).
#### Compare Your SEO with your Competitors
You don’t need to find out every competitor of your website. Around 5-10 Competitors on each keyword are enough to give you the required information.
The next step is to figure out what is that they are doing to achieve higher ranking which you are not? Develop your SEO strategy according to that information.
#### Focus on Gap Content
Your competitors are getting highly [ranked for certain keywords,](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/) while you are not. This, in turn, is the reason for them to [acquire more traffic to the site](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking"). You need to fill in these gaps by creating more appropriate content which can divert traffic to your site.
#### Track Competitor Mentions
If you want to go to the extent that you wish to be alerted whenever your [competitor has been linked or acquired a social](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/) mention, you should consider using tools like Google Alerts, Moz, and Talkwalker.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Check Your Website's Keyword Ranking Accurately?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Do you see different keyword rankings whenever you search your keywords on Google? There are better ways to track your website’s keyword ranking more accurately.
**Why should you Check Keyword Ranking?**
It is a great way to know whether the content strategy is working. If working, then how can you further improve the ranking? Knowing how well your site ranks on Google gives you a slight advantage.
There are multiple ways to track keyword positions accurately.
#### 1. Google Search Console
You can use Google Search Console to find keywords, clicks, and impressions all your keywords get[ in search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?"). You must have [Google Search Console access](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-give-google-search-console-access-to-your-seo-manager/ "How to Give Google Search Console Access to Your SEO Manager?") and verified property on GSC to get the search analytics.
**Note:** If you recently created and verified your website’s property on Google Search Console, it will take some time to load the data. Google Search Console is not run in real-time. It fetches data when Google crawls your website. If you update your website frequently, you will see results in GSC more quicker.
1- Go to Google Search Console and your verified property dashboard.
2- By clicking on search traffic, there will be a drop-down menu appears. You can click on Search Analytics to open it.
3- Here, you can find out [which keywords people use](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?") to access your website, keyword impressions, and the average search position of all your keywords.
You can also [download these search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Docs?") and keyword positions in a CSV file by clicking the download button. You can find that button at the bottom of the Search Analytics page.
#### 2. Manual Search
Many of my clients don’t know how to track their keyword rankings correctly. Google shows personalized search results to each user individually.
It doesn’t matter if the user is logged into Google or not. Google stores a cookie in your browser which records your activity on the Internet (which is creepy). Searching on Google about your interests will show you search results influenced by your browsing and recent search history.
To see accurate search results, you can use incognito or private mode in your browser.
On Google Chrome, you need to go to the Chrome settings menu and select **New Incognito Window**. Alternatively, you can use a keyboard shortcut **Ctrl+Shift+N**.
If using the Mozilla Firefox browser, you should press the settings and select **New Private Window**. Alternatively, you can use a keyboard shortcut **Ctrl+Shift+P**.
A private/incognito mode will turn off cookies recording and influence your browsing experience.
If you want to search in different countries, you can use any VPN to change your country. Make sure also to change the Google domain to a country-specific domain.
**Note:** Sometimes, when your keyword ranking fluctuates places in search results for no reason, it could be due to keyword cannibalization.
#### 3. Chrome Extension – FATRANK
FATRANK is a Google Chrome extension that you can install for free. You can check any keyword ranking in multiple local regions. You can install this extension in your browser.
After installing this extension, you will find an icon in your browser’s top right corner. Clicking on it will show a drop-down menu. They may ask for your email address to get started.
Now, go to any website or a particular web page and open this tool again. Enter any keyword from that page.
It will tell you if that particular page is ranking in the 100 top search results or not. If it is ranking, it will also tell you the position. It is also a great way to keep an eye on your competition keywords.
#### 4. Using Third-Party Tools
You can use multiple third-party tools & websites to check keyword ranking. These are equally good ways of checking the ranking of keywords. However, features differ in each tool.
##### SEMrush
You can find out any website’s top-ranking keywords quite accurately with this tool. However, it is not a free tool. If you want full functionality, you have to purchase the membership. If you’re going to use it free, signup on SEMrush and start using it. Here’s how to track your website’s keyword ranking using SEMrush.
Type any website address in the SEMrush search box. Now at the right menu bar, you will find an option for Domain Analytics.
Clicking on it will open a drop-down menu. From this menu, select Organic Research.
You will find the [top 10 keywords for which your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/?p=4442) ranks (if you use the free version).
##### SERPs
Using this website, you can check the ranking of a particular keyword online. It is a paid tool. However, a free or trial version gives you limited functionality.
Enter the keyword and domain name in the search. It will show you where this domain is ranking on that particular keyword. To get more functionality out of this tool, you must create a free trial account or buy a premium membership.
Which one of these tools do you use to track keyword ranking? If you didn’t know how to check your website’s keyword ranking in Google accurately, this post helped you. Please feel free to share it.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [HTTP VS HTTPS - Which One is the Right Choice for SEO?](https://azibyaqoob.com/http-vs-https-which-one-is-the-right-choice-for-seo/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Which protocol should you use between HTTP vs HTTPS? It is no secret that secure websites have a good chance of ranking higher in search.
However, you can use HTTP as well in some cases. Like when you don’t ask users to submit private information through contact forms.
We will dig deeper into HTTP and HTTPS and how they could [impact SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/negative-seo-impact/ "Negative SEO Impact in 2018 (Case Study)").
As a small business, you should know the difference between HTTP and HTTPS to use protocols according to your site needs.
It is important to learn why Google favors HTTPS over HTTP. But before we choose between the two protocols, let’s see each protocol’s use cases.
#### What is HTTP?
Simply put, it is a process to encode information and transport it between a web browser and a web server. To transmit data across the Internet, HTTP is a primary protocol. When a user opens their Internet browser, they use HTTP.
#### What is HTTPS?
On the other hand, HTTPS is a ‘secured’ extension of HTTP.
It establishes the connection to the website server over the same TCP/IP protocols. However, it adds an extra Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to transfer data over the servers in encrypted form safely.
HTTPS makes websites more secure. It was intended to be used by banking websites, online stores, and sites where users share private information.
#### HTTPS Privilege
HTTPS or ‘secured HTTP’ main element is securely transmitting data. Every website with authorization, such as email clients, [social media](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/), online transactions, and eCommerce checkouts, always uses HTTPS.
The main benefit of using HTTPS is encryption. HTTPS encrypts data before transmitting it. This data cannot be modified or corrupted during transmission.
Most browsers these days indicate secure/unsecured websites in the address bar. Any website using HTTPS is considered secure, and if it’s using HTTP, the browser will display it in the address bar.
Since Google emphasizes better user experience, therefore the obvious choice is to make your website secure for users. It will also [improve your brand reputation](https://azibyaqoob.com/internet-reputation-repair-2017/ "Repairing Internet Reputation: A DIY Guide to Reputation Management").
#### SEO benefit of switching to HTTPS
The most obvious reason for switching to HTTPS is ‘security.’ After all, we appreciate having our site appear secure in the browser. But apart from security, there are a couple more reasons to consider switching to HTTPS to reinforce your site rankings.
**Boost SERP ranking**
With [Google’s announcement](https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2014/08/https-as-ranking-signal.html "Official Google Webmaster Central Blog") to give a slight bump to HTTPS sites, it can lead to a persistent boost as secured sites receive more web traffic. It assures the user that the site they are visiting is safe.
**Referrer data**
Using a simple HTTP site will not preserve the secured data of referrer sources in Google analytics. Instead, they will appear just as ‘direct traffic’.
**Privacy and Security**
HTTPS helps with encrypted data, like storing passwords or credit card information that is not at the disposal of an intrusion. Additionally, the user builds confidence and trust with your site, knowing that their browsing history is safe and any information they enter is not at risk. Secure websites potentially result in better conversion rates. HTTPS also prevents interference by third parties.
#### SEO concerns with HTTPS Migration
While the switch to HTTPS is worth it, there are some concerns that you should keep in mind while switching from HTTP to HTTPS.
**Add HTTPS property to Google Search Console**. If you are using HTTPS, you must [add your website property to Google Search Console](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "New Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2019").
**Additional certificates**. It’s not only just an SSL certificate that you need. There are a couple of other credentials necessary for the purpose. These include:
1\. Single Domain certificate, issued for one domain or subdomain.
2\. Multiple Domain certificates, also known as a Unified Communications certificate, enable securing a primary domain name and upwards of 99 additional Subject Alternative Names.
3\. Wildcard certificate secure website URL as well as unlimited subdomains.
**Allow Google to crawl up your website**. If Google cannot do so [using robots.txt](https://azibyaqoob.com/robots-txt-file-do-you-really-need-it-this-will-help-you-decide/ "Robots.txt File: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!") for the purpose, this could seriously jeopardize your site ranking. Therefore, you must update your test server to allow bots to crawl up your website.
**Smooth transition**. You must analyze the switching process from HTTP to HTTPS via Google Search Console to make sure everything goes smoothly. When Search Console report issues, fix them quickly.
When Transferring from HTTP to HTTPS make sure to do it safely. If you don’t know how then hire a professional. Make sure you test every link and if everything works properly. A poor user experience might impact your site rankings.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Repair Your Online Reputation [DIY Guide]](https://azibyaqoob.com/internet-reputation-repair-2017/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
A stellar online reputation helps your business achieve career goals. I know it looks like an impossible task to play with search results. However, I think anyone can quickly fix their online reputation by following this simple guide.
#### What is Online Reputation Repair?
Online Reputation Repair is a process of pushing down and removing negative information from search results for a person’s or brand’s keyword. Maintaining an excellent reputation in Google search results is necessary to repair your reputation. This helps brands gain the trust of customers or hiring managers if they are individuals.
You can [remove negative search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?") or push them down using the simple strategies mentioned in this post.
Online **brand reputation** determines conversion rates like content and search rankings. If you look from a financial point of view, reputation helps you get a job, make money, and be more influential.
An [online reputation campaign could take a lot of time](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-improve-online-reputation/ "How Long Does it Take to Improve Online Reputation?"). Hence it is essential to have a strategy before starting to work on it.
In recent years, the concept of online reputation repair has gathered widespread interest. Because, like it or not, when people want to spend their money, they want to make sure they are working with someone trustworthy.
#### Here is How You Can Repair your damaged Online Reputation
Always consider your business name as a brand name. Prospects most likely search your brand name on Google when they hear about your business from someone. By fixing your Internet reputation, you can also [promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "Promote Your Business Online: 13 Ways to Boost Your Online Business").
I have helped businesses and brands repair their damaged online reputation. I will share online reputation management techniques, which I find most helpful when fixing my clients’ reputations.
#### 1. Right Information at The Right Time
You can control search content that appears in search results when prospects search your business name on Google.
Most businesses don’t consider online reputation management until they get [harmful backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-get-rid-of-negative-backlinks/ "How to Get Rid of Negative Backlinks? (Step by Step)") or [negative SEO content](https://azibyaqoob.com/negative-seo-impact/ "Negative SEO Impact in 2018 (Case Study)"). You need to help prospects find the correct information on Google search so they can easily decide to do business with you.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. It doesn’t matter if you are a thriving business or just yet started. To grow your business, you should prioritize your online brand reputation.
### 2. Create Social Media Profiles for Your Brand
Every entrepreneur must know how to improve their brand’s online reputation.
Social media is an excellent tool for brand awareness. It will help you build trust as a business and help prospects find your business more appealing.
Social media profiles will help your business reputation in search results. When prospects search your brand name, these social profiles will likely show top results. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t yet published content on those platforms. However, frequently posting on [social media](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/) is a good practice. Here are some key points to devise a social media strategy for online reputation.
- Optimize your social profiles for your brand keywords.
- Keep all your social media profiles updated regularly
- Link all your social profiles from your website
- Make sure that your profile is indexable by search engines.
#### 3. Monitor Your Brand reputation and Keywords
You cannot always keep track of a brand and its keyword mentions by yourself. At some point, you would need to automate this process.
There are a couple of tools that can help you [monitor brand mentions](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-monitor-your-brand-mentions-for-reputation-management/ "How to Monitor Your Brand Mentions for Reputation Management?"). My favorite is Google Alerts to keep track of my client’s brand mentions.
When [Google indexes](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?") mention a brand name, Google Alerts will send you an email. Of course, you would have to add those keywords to your Google Alerts account.
You can add multiple keywords and track them using Google Alerts. It is a simple, free and effective tool that gets the job done.
#### 4. Create Quality Content For Your Brand reputation to repair
Content is a crucial part of repairing your damaged Internet reputation. Without quality content, it is nearly impossible to suppress a bad reputation. Always [avoid duplicate content](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?") when creating content for website property. If you add duplicate content, [your website won’t appear in Google Search](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?").
Highlight your brand by writing content that targets negative keywords.
Excellent quality content has the potential to rank higher in search results. It doesn’t matter if your brand yet not have negative comments and angry customer feedback, but it would save your brand name from future risks.
Also, it will bring organic traffic to your website, which will [improve business and online sales](https://azibyaqoob.com/increase-sales-shopify/ "How to Increase Sales on Your Shopify Website by 60% Right Now").
You can hire people to write creative content for your business if you are not a good writer. Always look for quality over quantity.
### 5. Never Do Negative SEO to fix online reputation
First, it doesn’t work if you want to push down negative links from Google. It might result in a higher ranking of the negative search result.
Negative SEO is a typical online reputation management mistake that can further damage any brand’s reputation.
I always recommend my client’s never to use negative SEO unless they know the outcomes.
Negative SEO worked for people years ago, but Google’s algorithm has grown more intelligent.
If someone recommends negative SEO to suppress search results, they likely have no idea how reputation management works.
Hopefully, this will get you started repairing your damaged online reputation. Every brand name and keyword has different competition, so it will take some time.
**Internet reputation repair** is all about patience and hard work. If you are not ready for it, you should hire someone to do reputation repair for you.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or want my help regarding your online reputation.
**Categories:** Online Reputation Management
---
### [How to Give Google Search Console Access to Your SEO Manager?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-give-google-search-console-access-to-your-seo-manager/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Want to share Google Search Console Access to an SEO manager, SEO staff, SEO team or marketing staff? This tutorial will get you covered.
Most of my [small business SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking") clients have a hard time finding this information, so that’s why I am writing this tutorial so people can easily give or revoke access to their Google Search Console account whoever they wish.
#### Why Should You Use Google Search Console?
If you are not already using Google Search Console, it could be one of the big SEO mistakes that you should avoid. Why? Because it is the most useful free SEO tool to give you insights of [how a website actually performs in Google search](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?").
**Key benefits of using Google Search Console:**
- You can check crawling errors of a website.
- Find which websites are giving you [dofollow backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links").
- Monitor Search [queries on which your website is showing up in Google](https://azibyaqoob.com/why-my-website-is-not-showing-up-on-google-search/ "Why My Website is Not Showing Up on Google Search?").
- find out how your website is performing on mobile device and desktop computer.
- [Submit sitemap to Google](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-submit-xml-sitemap-to-google-bing-and-yahoo/ "How to Submit XML Sitemap to Google, Bing, and Yahoo?") to index all the pages on Google.
#### How to Give Google Search Console Access to an SEO Manager?
First of all, you need a verified property in Google Search Console.
After getting your website property verified, please follow this tutorial:
Log into your Google Search Console Account.
Select a property which you want to share with SEO manager from your Search Console Dashboard.
Now you will see a setting gear icon at the top right corner of your property dashboard. Clicking on it will open a new menu.
Here, you need to select the option ‘Users and Property Owners’.
It will open up a new page in your Google Search Console account. When you look at the top right corner, you will find a red button which will be saying something like ‘ADD A NEW USER’. Clicking on this option will open up a new window, where you can add your SEO manager’s Email address.
After giving your SEO manager’s email address, next to it is a permission box. You can give restricted access or full access through this option.
- **Full user** Has view rights to most data, and can take some actions.
- **Restricted user** Has simple view rights on most data.
You can give full access, as your SEO manager may have to make some changes to your property such as adding sitemap, [fixing and finding related SEO errors](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-ssl-unavailable-error-in-shopify/).
After selecting the permission, click on ‘Add’. This new user will be added as a user to your Google Search Console property. He will get a confirmation email from Google to access this new property.
What to do when the job is [complete and now you want to remove](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-can-i-remove-my-domain-name-completely/) this user from your property? Here’s what you need to do.
#### How to Remove a User Accessing Google Search Console Property?
You can remove a user from Google Search Console similarly. Login to your Google Search Console Account. Select the property from where you want to remove a user.
You will find the settings gear icon at the top right corner of property dashboard. Clicking on it will bring a new menu. From this menu, select ‘Users and Property Owners’.
Now, select any user who you want to delete from accessing this property. Clicking on the username will show you an option of **deleting** this user if you look at the right corner of the username.
Pressing the delete button will open a confirmation box. By pressing ‘ok’ button will remove this user from accessing this Google Search Console property.
I hope this tutorial helped you giving and revoking access to your SEO Manager from Google Search Console account. If you like this post please feel free to join me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/azib204 "Follow Azib Yaqoob on Twitter") or subscribe to my newsletter.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [What is a Hreflang Attribute? How it Affects SEO of Your Website?](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-hreflang-attribute-how-it-affects-seo-of-your-website/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Have you seen the hreflang attribute error reported in [Google Search Console](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-search-console-beginner-friendly-guide/ "Google Search Console Beginner Friendly Guide 2019 (Updated)")? If yes, you should read this post to understand what hreflang is and why it is crucial for your [website’s SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-optimize-a-website-in-2019-for-google-search-whats-different-about-google-search/ "How to Optimize a Website in 2019 for Google Search").
There are multiple HTML tags that Google and other search engines use to identify the content format, language, location, and [website structure](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-create-a-most-logical-website-structure-to-boost-seo/ "How to Create a Most Logical Website Structure to Boost SEO?").
By collecting this information, [search engines display results](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?") more accurately to their users. That’s why some HTML tags and attributes are considered necessary in SEO because search engines give these tags importance.
#### What is HTML hreflang Attribute?
Hreflang is an HTML attribute that specifies the document’s language in the link.
It is used to inform search engines about what language is used on a specific page and which region of users need to see it.
Suppose someone visits your website from France, and your content is written in English and French. Now to inform Google to show this specific French user a French version of the website, we will use the **hreflang** attribute.
Using Hreflang, any webmaster can easily tell Google which language version of your website to be shown to which user.
#### When is it appropriate to Use Hreflang Attribute?
If you have a multi-language website and audience in multiple countries, hreflang should be an [important part of your SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/ "How to Improve Wix SEO in 2019 (Step by Step Guide)").
However, if your website is in English only, you don’t need to use the hreflang attribute. You can ignore this error in Google Search Console.
Hreflang attribute can also help your multi-language content protect from Google’s duplicate content errors.
An example of such a scenario where a multilingual website can use the hreflang attribute to save its content from [duplicate content issues](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-fix-duplicate-content-on-your-website/ "How to Find and Fix Duplicate Content on Your Website?") is when you are targeting different languages such as **English US**, **English UK**, and **English AU**.
These languages have minor differences, so if you don’t use an hreflang attribute, the chances are that Google will consider these pages duplicate content. However, if you correctly use the hreflang attribute on all the versions of the same page, your content will be regarded as unique, and there won’t have any content duplication issues.
Do you have a multilingual website? If yes, the hreflang attribute can save you a lot of trouble in the future. If it is a single-language website, then there’s no point in using the hreflang attribute on your website.
#### Hreflang Supported Language and Region Codes
Hreflang accepts values that define languages ISO 639-1 and countries (ISO 3166-1). Both of these standards use two-letter codes to represent the country and language.
You can find out relevant codes for your language and region with the help of these Wikipedia articles:
- [List of ISO 639-1 codes (for language)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ISO_639-1_codes "List of ISO 639-1 codes (for language)")
- [ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 (country codes)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-1_alpha-2 "ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 (country codes)")
#### Hreflang Tools to Debug and Generate hreflang Attributes
The process of using hreflang attributes in the multi-language website could be confusing. Hence, it would help if you debugged hreflang errors using these tools:
#### International Targeting Report
[Google Search Console](https://google.com/webmasters/tools/home?hl=en "International targeting report") has a report by the name international targeting report. You can use this report to tell Google which region and languages you are targeting on your website. Once it [crawls and indexes ](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?")all those pages, it will show messages and errors.
#### Merkle’s Tool
By entering information such as a page URL, you can check whether a page has used proper hreflang attributes. [Markle’s tool](https://technicalseo.com/seo-tools/hreflang/ "Markle's Tool") can test your page for multiple user agents such as Google, Yahoo, and Yandex.
You can find errors and tutorials on solving them with this helpful tool.
#### Aleyda Solis’s hreflang tag generator tool
You can generate the hreflang tags for your multi-language or multi-country site with [Aleyda Solis’s Hreflang tag generator tool](https://www.aleydasolis.com/english/international-seo-tools/hreflang-tags-generator/ "Aleyda Solis's Hreflang tag generator tool").
It will help you generate the hreflang tag patterns to use in the different language and country versions of your pages, using the correct values and syntax following Google’s specifications, with ISO 639-1 for languages and ISO 3166-1 Alpha 2 for countries.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Step by Step Google Tag Manager Guide for Beginners](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-google-tag-manager-guide-for-beginners/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
In this tutorial, I will show you how to easily install the Google Tag Manager and add a Google Analytics tracking code via Tag Manager.
Google Tag Manager eliminates the nuisance of adding multiple tracking codes to your site code.
#### Why You Should Start Using Google Tag Manager?
It is quite a valuable tool to deploy codes without worrying about breaking things up on your website. Let me explain why you should start using Google Tag Manager:
- Once you set up a tag manager container, you won’t need to add tracking codes directly to your site.
- You can debug tags via tag manager before applying them to your live site.
- With Google Tag Manager, you can easily install third-party tracking codes such as Facebook Pixel, Quora Pixel, and many more.
**Requirements for this tutorial:**
1. Google Account
2. Website Login Access
#### How to Set up Google Tag Manager on Your Website?
It is a relatively simple process. You can also verify Google Analytics Property using this method.
**Step 1:** You need a Google account to use Google Analytics and Tag Manager. So, if you don’t have one, [create a Google account](https://accounts.google.com/signup "Create your Google Account").
**Step 2:** Log in[ to Google Tag Manage](https://tagmanager.google.com/ "Google Tag Manager")r. Once you are there, it will ask you to create an account.
#### Add a New Account
**Add Account Name:** You can enter your company name, personal name, or website name.
**Select a Country:** It is self-explanatory. Select your country from the drop-down menu.
**Share Data anonymously with Google and others:** If you mark this field, Google will send your website data anonymously to other programs such as Google Trends, Adwords, etc. It is an optional field. So, you can leave it unchecked.
#### How to Set up a Container?
**Container name:** give any memorable name to your container. It could be your website name or domain name. This field is essential if you plan to create multiple containers in the future.
**Where to use container:** You can select any of the given options. In my case, I’m using the Tag manager on my website, so I will choose “Web.”
Now, click on the Create button. It might also show you the terms of the service agreement; read it and click on Yes.
#### Install Google Tag Manager Script on Your Website
You will see a new page with a script that you have to place inside the HTML <`head`> tag. And the second one is at the start of the <`body`> tag.
On multiple content management systems such as Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, Joomla, and Drupal, there is usually an option to add scripts inside the head and body tags. You can read my post on [how to add Google Analytics to Wix, Shopify, and WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/ "How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?").
Since WordPress is the most popular content management system, I will share a simple process of installing the Tag Manager in WordPress.
If you are using WordPress as your CMS, check out these [best WordPress SEO plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-wordpress-seo-plugins/ "20+ Best Free WordPress SEO Plugins in 2019 (Updated)") and this WordPress SEO Guide for beginners.
#### Install Google Tag Manager in WordPress Using a Plugin
There are multiple ways to install Google Tag Manager on a WordPress site. Since this tutorial is for beginners, I will use the simplest one.
**Step 1:** Download [Insert Headers and Footers plugin ](https://wordpress.org/plugins/insert-headers-and-footers/ "Insert Headers and Footers plugin")and install it on your website. Click the Activate button when the installation is complete.
**Step 2:** Go to your WordPress settings option and click on the “Insert Headers and Footers” link.
**Step 3:** Go back to your Google Tag Manager and select and copy the code for the <`head`> section. Now, paste it inside the plugin’s <`head`> section.
**Step 4:** Similarly, copy the code for the body tag by going to Google Tag Manager and paste it inside the body section. Save these settings.
#### How to Check if Google Tag Manager is Correctly Installed?
Download this Google Chrome extension [Google Tag Assistant](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/tag-assistant-by-google/kejbdjndbnbjgmefkgdddjlbokphdefk?hl=en "Google Tag Assistant"). Make sure that you are using the Google Chrome browser.
Once you install this extension, you will see a little symbol at the top right corner of your Chrome browser. You will see all the tags firing on your website when you click on this icon.
Now that you have installed the tag manager scripts on your site, it is time to check if it is working correctly.
Go back to Google Tag Manager, and Press Ok.
You will find a Submit button at the top right corner of your Tag Manager account. Clicking on it will pop up a new window.
In the version name field, type anything memorable which will tell you about the changes you made. Please give it a name such as Google Tag Manager Installation.
You can add more details about those changes in the second form field. Using these fields will come in handy once you have to revert some changes in the future. So, I suggest you always add the version description whenever you make changes.
Let’s enter something like “Installation of Google Tag manager on the website in this particular scenario.” Click on the Publish button.
Now, we will check if the installation is working correctly or not.
Click on the little Google Tag Assistant extension symbol at the top right corner. Press the Enable button.
Reload your website homepage where you have installed the Google Tag Manager code. Now again, click on the Tag Assistant extension symbol.
If your installation were correct, you would see a result like in the screenshot above. If not, you should check if you have correctly installed the Tag Manager scripts on the website.
#### How to Install Google Analytics through Google Tag Manager?
Installing scripts and tags on your website would be much easier now that you have created a Tag Manager account. Let’s see how we can install the Google Analytics tracking code through Google Tag Manager.
If you don’t already have an Analytics account, you need to create a Google Analytics account for your website. Let’s first create a Google Analytics account.
[Visit the Google Analytics website](https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/ "Visit the Google Analytics website") and click on the signup button.
**Account Name:** You can give it any name. In this scenario, I will name it Azib’s account.
**Website Name:** Type the name of your website here or any identifiable name.
**Website URL:** This is where you will type your domain name. Make sure to check the correct protocol from the drop-down menu. You can use either [HTTP or HTTPS](https://azibyaqoob.com/http-vs-https-which-one-is-the-right-choice-for-seo/ "HTTP VS HTTPS – Which One is the Right Choice for SEO?").
**Industry Category:** Select any industry you think your website fits nicely.
**Reporting Time Zone:** Select the country and time zone.
Read the terms and conditions, then click on **Get Tracking ID**. It might again ask you to read Privacy Policy, give it a quick read and accept all the terms.
You will see a tracking code on the next page. If not, you can find your tracking ID by going to **Admin** > **User Management** > **Tracking Code**.
We will only copy the **Tracking ID** from the top of the page. We will add the tracking ID to our Google Tag Manager later.
Log into your Google Tag Manager account and click on **Add a new tag**.
It will bring a new window. Give your tag any memorable name. I have given it the name “Google Analytics All Page Views.” Now, click on the **Tag Configuration** tab below.
Select **Google Analytics – Universal Analytics** when it asks to *choose Tag type*.
It will bring some new options. In the Track Type, select **Pageview**. In Google Analytics Settings, choose a **New Variable**.
It will open up another window. In the first option, **Tracking ID,** enter the Google Analytics Tracking ID we copied earlier. In Cookie Domain, please keep it to auto. Press the Save button at the top right corner. It will ask you to give this new variable a name. You can give it any identifiable name; I will use the Analytics tracking code as my variable name.
Now, you must add a Trigger so that this tag will fire when the conditions meet. Click on the Triggering Tab.
Select **All Pages** as a trigger. Click on the **save** button at the top right corner.
You can debug this tag via preview mode before submitting this new tag to your container. Click on the **Preview** button. It will reload the Google Tag Manager page.
Visit your website (where you have installed the Google Tag Manager). Reload the page, and you will find the Tag manager debugging tool at the bottom.
You will see the tag name fired on the page under the heading **Tags Fired on this page**. It means your Google Analytics tracking code is working correctly.
If you don’t see your tag name here, there must be something wrong with the tag configuration. You should check where you made a mistake.
Now that we have tested our tag, we know it is triggering on all website pages. We will return to the Tag Manager and click on the **Submit** button.
It will ask you to give a version name; you can type something that you can easily recall. So, I will type something like **Installed Google Analytics Page View Tracking Code**.
You can add more descriptions and click on the Publish button.
We have installed the Google Analytics tracking code via Tag Manager. Now, you can see traffic coming to your Analytics property.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions regarding the Google Tag Manager setup. I hope you found this post helpful.
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [How to Add Facebook Chat in a WordPress Website?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-add-facebook-chat-in-a-wordpress-website/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Do you want to add Facebook chat to your WordPress website? Here is a step by step tutorial which anyone can follow to add Facebook chat on a WordPress website.
If your business relies heavily on chatting with new and existing customers, I think you will love this Facebook chat integration. It will give your audience an easy way to ask questions or get quotes for your services. Both your customers and you can communicate through mobile and desktop computers by using Facebook messenger website/app.
If you’re having trouble optimizing your WordPress website then check out my WordPress SEO guide for beginners.
#### Benefits of Using Facebook Chat on Your Website
- You will get instant notification on your mobile or desktop when someone initiate a chat
- You can reply your customers in real time instantly
- It will save chat history between customers and you. You both can continue this conversation at some point in future
#### How to Add Facebook Chat to a WordPress Website
Here’s what you need to do:
**Note:** In order to create this Facebook chat experience, you must have a Facebook user account and a facebook page.
**Step 1:** Go to your Facebook page and click on the ‘Settings’. Find and click on the button which says ‘Messenger Platform’ in the left sidebar menu.
**Step 2:** Scroll down this page and you will find an option ‘whitelisted domains’. You need to add your website domain name and Press the ‘save’ button.
**Step 3:** On the same page when you scroll down further you will find ‘Customer Chat Plugin’ section. Click on the ‘Set Up’ Button.
**Step 4:** It will ask you to set a greeting message. This message will show up whenever a customer will click on the Messenger button on your website. Click on the ‘Change’ button to set a custom message or let it be. It’s totally your call.
**Step 5:** Configure a response time. You can also modify your messenger button color by clicking ‘Custom Colors’ to ‘On’. You can add any [Hexadecimal color code](https://htmlcolorcodes.com/ "Hexadecimal color codes") here.
**Step 6:** Copy this code. Login to your WordPress website and add that code to ` HTML Head ` section. If you have no idea where this section is located, then you can install [Head & Footer Code](https://wordpress.org/plugins/head-footer-code/ "Head & Footer Code WordPress Plugin") plugin and add your code.
#### How to customize the Facebook chat Output
**Note:** A bit of CSS and HTML know-how is needed to perform these steps
In case, you want to improve chat box appearance, you can edit the code provided by Facebook.
To hide the greeting message, you can add this code to ` div class="customer-chat"`:
`greeting_dialog_display="hide"`
Similarly, you can delay the chat greeting dialog load after a certain number of seconds. You need to add this piece of code to `div class="customer-chat"`:
`greeting_dialog_delay="5"`
Change the number of seconds as you like.
Let me know in the comments if you face any trouble. If you are interested to get more leads through Facebook advertising, then also check out this post on [how to set up Facebook retargeting ads](https://azibyaqoob.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-facebook-retargeting-ads/ "Everything You Need to Know about Facebook Retargeting Ads"). Also, check out this post to [troubleshoot Facebook Pixel errors](https://azibyaqoob.com/unable-to-connect-facebook-pixel-with-shopify-store-try-this/ "Unable to Connect Facebook Pixel with Shopify Store? Try This").
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [How to Set up Google Analytics in WordPress, Shopify, and Wix?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-set-up-google-analytics-in-wordpress-shopify-and-wix/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Want to set up Google Analytics to track your website traffic? Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to add Google Analytics tracking code to your WordPress, Shopify, or Wix website. Please follow these instructions to set up Google Analytics.
First, we will create a website property on Google analytics. After that, We will add a Google Analytics tracking code in Wix, Shopify, and WordPress.
Note: You can also [use Google Tag Manager to Add Google Analytics](https://azibyaqoob.com/step-by-step-google-tag-manager-guide-for-beginners/ "Step by Step Google Tag Manager Guide for Beginners") to your website.
##### Page Contents
- [How to Set up Google Analytics Website Property](#How-to-Set-up-Google-Analytics-Website-Property)
- [How to Setup Google Analytics in Wix](#How-to-Setup-Google-Analytics-in-Wix)
- [ How to Setup Google Analytics in Shopify](#How-to-Setup-Google-Analytics-in-Shopify)
- [How to Setup Google Analytics in WordPress](#How-to-Setup-Google-Analytics-in-WordPress)
#### How to Set up Google Analytics Website Property
**Step 1:** Visit the Google Analytics website [here](https://analytics.google.com "Google Analytics Website"). If you have a Google account, then click on **Sign in**. If you do not have a Google account, you can create an account by clicking on ‘Create an account’. After signing in to your Google account, click on ‘Access Google Analytics’. From there, Click on the ‘Sign up’ button.
**Step 2:** Select a Tracking method to ‘Website’ and add an ‘Account Name’ to give it an identity. After that, add your ‘Website Name’ to remember this property. Next, you need to add your **Website URL**. Use the same URL that your website visitors will see. Select [HTTP or HTTPS](https://azibyaqoob.com/http-vs-https-which-one-is-the-right-choice-for-seo/ "HTTP VS HTTPS – Which One is the Right Choice for SEO?"), which one you are using on the site.
**Step 3:** Select a category from the list in ‘Industry Category’ closely related to your website niche. Next, select a **Reporting Time Zone**. This should be a Time Zone where you are located. Google Analytics will report data according to your local time.
**Step 4:** After reading the terms and conditions, click on the Get Tracking ID button. Copy the provided code from the text box. We will use this code in the next step of this tutorial.
#### How to Setup Google Analytics in Wix
Adding Google Analytics may sound complex, but it’s pretty straightforward. Follow these steps to add a Google Analytics tracking code to your Wix website.
**Step 1:** Log in to your Wix website, then go to your site’s dashboard.
**Step 2:** Click the **Marketing & SEO** from the left sidebar, and in the drop-down menu, select **Marketing Integrations**. Click **Connect** under Google Analytics.
**Step 3:** Click the **Add Google Analytics ID** button on the next page. Paste your Analytics tracking code.
If you want to improve your Wix site traffic, check out these [Wix SEO tips](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/ "How to Improve Wix SEO in 2019 (Step by Step Guide)"). Also, if you are tired of Wix, you can [move your Wix website to WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-move-a-website-from-wix-to-wordpress/ "How to Move a Website from Wix to WordPress?").
#### How to Setup Google Analytics in Shopify
To track the traffic of your Shopify store, you must use Google Analytics. It will provide information about your website audience, their interests, their actions on the site, bounce rate, and more. Here’s how you can add a Google Analytics tracking code to your Shopify website.
**Step 1:** Log in to your Shopify store and go to **Online Store**. Inside your store dashboard, Click **Preference** in the left-side link navigation.
**Step 2:** Scroll down to Google Analytics. Now copy the tracking code from Google Analytics and paste it here. Click **Save**.
#### How to Setup Google Analytics in WordPress
You can add Google Analytics tracking code to your WordPress website with the Google’s Site Kit plugin.
**Step 1:** I hope you have created your website property on Google Analytics in the first step of this article. Now, log in to your WordPress website admin area. Click on Plugins > Add New.
**Step 2:** Now search for this plugin, ‘Site Kit’. Click on the button ‘Install’, wait for a few seconds, then press the **activate** button.
**Step 3:** Go to **Site Kit >** Dashboard to set up Site Kit.
**Step 4:** Click **Sign In with Google** to proceed with setup. Select the account that you used to create the Analytics property.
**Step 5:** Follow on-screen instructions to set up Google Analytics on your site.
Google Analytics provides excellent functionality and insight for driving your business to success. Using Analytics reports to make sound decisions is critical for business sustainability and growth. I hope you find this tutorial helpful. If you want to boost your WordPress website traffic, check out my beginner’s friendly WordPress SEO guide.
**Categories:** Marketing
---
### [7 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools 2022 (Updated)](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Are you looking for the best free SEO keyword research tools? I have compiled a list of free keyword research tools that you can use to perform amazing keyword research. Without using these best SEO tools your keyword research won’t be very effective.
Can we do SEO keyword research with 1 tool? Maybe sometimes Google Keyword Planner is a good option for researching keywords but it is not the end of keyword research. Researching and analyzing keywords is a crucial part of any SEO campaign.
#### What is a keyword?
In simple words, a keyword is a query typed by users in search engines.
According to Internet Live Stats website, there are 3.5 billion searches per day on Google.
Those are huge numbers. If your business is not appearing in those searches you may be losing quite a lot of money.
#### How to perform SEO Keyword research?
There are various ways to perform keyword research. Every business must always perform keyword research before developing a content strategy. In my opinion, content marketing is one of the [best practices to promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "Promote Your Business Online: 13 Ways to Boost Your Online Business").
Some SEO experts use simple tools as Google search to find good keywords for their SEO campaigns and some have to use numerous tools to find a keyword.
It also comes down to a competition. Every industry has different competition. Some saturated markets such as real estate and fitness give you hard time to find profitable keywords. Finding keywords is an essential part of SEO, so spending time on this will basically save your time in the future.
On the other hand, if a niche is like ‘cardboard specific game in your city’ that must have low competition compared to real estate or fitness industries.
Either way, you can anytime buy [SEO keyword research services](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/keyword-research/ "Keyword Research") to ease up this process, especially if you are targeting a saturated and competitive market.
So, for finding right keywords you can use these best free tools and make your keyword research strategy stronger.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. Google Keyword Planner](#1_Google_Keyword_Planner)
- [2. Adwords](#2_Adwords)
- [3. Google Search Console](#3_Google_Search_Console)
- [4. LSIGraph](#4_LSIGraph)
- [5. Google Analytics](#5_Google_Analytics)
- [6. AnswerThePublic](#6_AnswerThePublic)
- [7 Keywords Everywhere](#7_Keywords_Everywhere)
## 1. Google Keyword Planner
Although, this tool was designed to help AdWords advertisers to find the best low CPC keywords it has been used by many SEO experts to find great keywords.
There are a variety of features in Google Keyword Planner which you can utilize to find the best keywords. I wrote an article on [the best way to find valuable keywords](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords? (Google Keyword Research)"), make sure to check it out.
## 2. Adwords
Adwords should be covered with the Google keyword planner tool but I thought to share them as different tools because both have a different purpose but can definitely help you find the best possible keywords.
**So how can you use Adwords to find the keywords?**
You might be thinking that it is a tool for advertising how would it help me research keywords. So the answer is you can find keywords by running campaigns.
It is important to first test your chosen keywords in Google Adwords. It will give you an idea that how many clicks you can get if you rank your keyword in the 1st position. Also, you can test different versions of the page title and description and pick the one that gets more clicks. You can try running A/B test on different landing pages as well to see which one converts well.
After that, it would be easier to create a landing page with good meta tags that will have more chance of ranking high on Google search.
## 3. Google Search Console
[](https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/)
It is one of the tools very few but very [professional SEO consultants](https://azibyaqoob.com/freelance-seo-consultant/ "About") use to do analysis. You can find great keywords that your website can rank on.
**How can you find keywords using Google Search Console?**
You can use a feature in Google Search Console by the name “Search Analytics”. If you have already written content on your website and you have old GSC account, then you will see a lot of keywords, impressions, clicks, and many such metrics.
You can find keywords which are easier to rank by checking their impressions and current positions. After finding out that valuable information, you can optimize that page further on that keyword. You may need to[ create backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links") to increase its ranking. However, I would suggest you add more useful content to those pages.
You can [give Google Search Console Access to your SEO staff](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-give-google-search-console-access-to-your-seo-manager/ "How to Give Google Search Console Access to Your SEO Manager?") to find those keywords.
## 4. LSIGraph
It is a great tool to find valuable LSI keywords. These keywords give your posts more power. You can plug your seed keywords in this tool and it will give you related LSI keywords. By using these keywords your chance of ranking on similar search terms will increase. However, you have to optimize your page accordingly.
**What are LSI keywords?**
- LSI keywords are similar search terms people use similar to your seed keyword.
- You can plug your seed keyword in LSI Graph and it will show you many related LSI keywords.
- You can use these keywords in your website’s copy. Make sure to don’t overuse these keywords.
## 5. Google Analytics
[](https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/)
Although, Google analytics by default block most of the organic searches but you can still find a few key terms which your website visitors are using to get to your website.
You can then improve your website ranking on those keywords. You can use different [link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free White Hat Link Building Tools") to create [dofollow links](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links"). Link building will boost your website ranking search engines in no time.
## 6. AnswerThePublic
You may haven’t heard of this tool but it is one of the great tools to find out topics and keywords using a seed keyword. Let’s say your website topic is kitchen knives, you can just type that word in AnswerThePublic search box and it will show you the blog topics and what people are actually searching for when the keyword ‘kitchen knives’ has been typed on the Google.
This tool is free and especially good for bloggers who struggle to find out good topics to write content.
## 7 Keywords Everywhere
Another great free keyword research tool which can help you find keywords on Google, Amazon, YouTube, eBay, Etsy, and a few more. It will provide CPC data, monthly searches, and competition data.
I have read only good reviews about this tool, and I have personally used it a couple of times myself.
You can install Keywords Everywhere extension on [Firefox](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/keywords-everywhere/ "Download Keywords Everywhere Add-on from Firefox Add-ons") or [Google Chrome](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/keywords-everywhere-keywo/hbapdpeemoojbophdfndmlgdhppljgmp/related?hl=en "Download Keywords Everywhere Extension from Chrome Web Store").
Once you will configure this extension, it is much easier to use. You just need to visit search engines such as Google and type your keywords. Right below the search box, it will give you keyword data.
These free keyword research tools are on top of my list of the best keyword research tools. However, your opinion may differ. As I wrote in the beginning, every webmaster and marketer uses a different set of tools to perform different tasks.
I hope you find this article useful. Please check out these best SEO competition research tools as well.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [What's the Best Way to Find Out Valuable Keywords for SEO?](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Keywords are essential to increase your traffic. There are many keyword research tools to find valuable keywords. However, in this post, I will only talk about the Google Keyword Planner tool specifically. When you find great keywords to target, you can use them in your SEO strategy by using them inside your copy and [link building campaign](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/link-building/ "Link Building").
#### What tool should you use for Google keyword research?
There are many paid and free [SEO keyword research tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-seo-keyword-research-tools/ "5 Best Free SEO Keyword Research Tools"). Some of the best keyword tools that I have personally used:
1. [Google Keyword Planner Tool](https://adwords.google.com/ko/KeywordPlanner/ "Google Keyword Planner Tool Website")
2. Keywordtool
3. KWfinder
SEO consultants use the Google keyword planner more widely because it is free and more accurate than the other tools.
#### How to use Google keyword research tool to find the right keywords?
First, compile a list of **seed keywords** that you think your potential customers might be searching for when they look for a product or service you offer.
This list can be comprehensive or very short. It depends on how many keyword variations, products, or services you offer on the website.
Now carefully use those keywords in the Google keyword planner tool search.
**There are two ways you can find keywords:**
1. High advert competitive keywords
2. Low advert competitive keywords
### **High Competition Keywords in Google Keyword Research Tool**
High advert competitive keywords are keywords your competitors mainly use in their AdWords campaigns.
More people use those keywords because of higher buyer intent. That’s the reason for more CPC and also advertising competition.
These keywords are hard to rank well because all your competitors are trying to rank for the same keyword.
I recommend that if you don’t have many SEO resources, do not pick highly competitive keywords.
#### Low competition keywords in the Google keyword research tool
These keywords have low buyer intent, so this is why most of your competitors are not targeting these keywords. You have a great chance of ranking your website on those keywords with less effort.
Lower buyer intent doesn’t mean those people wouldn’t buy a thing, but those keywords don’t have words like ‘buy,’ ‘purchase,’ ‘get,’ etc.
So if you are an excellent salesman, you can easily convert those low-buying intent users into customers.
Sometimes your competitors are too busy to try main keywords, and they forget these gems of low, competitive keywords. So, it could be an excellent opportunity for your business.
#### So which keywords should you use between high and low competition?
If you have great SEO resources, high-competition keywords will benefit you more in terms of sales and business. Otherwise, use low competition keywords.
Hold on; it is not over yet. Now that’s a fun part; you have to find the actual keyword competition by searching all those chosen keywords in Google search.
**Important:** Use Google local search if you target an audience in a specific country. If you are targeting multiple countries, then use Google.com to search the keyword competition. Check out this local SEO Guide, which covers the topic of local SEO and can help you find keywords in your local region.
1. **Check out the top 5-10 [search results ](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?")on the first page of Google.** Note them down on a spreadsheet or notepad. If those websites have a massive brand authority like IMDB, Wikipedia, Facebook, etc., you have a weaker chance of ranking in the 1st position. However, they are beatable if your page content offers better value to general readers than the article on Wikipedia.
2. **Also, keep an eye on how many search results are there on a keyword**. If those are huge numbers above 100m, it would be challenging to rank your website.
3. **Pick the keywords which have low search results, and lower search competition. They are easier to rank a website.**
Let me know what other keyword tools you use and how you usually find keywords for your SEO campaign in the comment section.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [Best Link Building Techniques and Hacks that You Must Know](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-link-building-techniques-and-hacks-that-you-must-know/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
These link building hacks can improve your website ranking 100% if done right.
When it comes to link building, quality is everything. Everyone who runs a website these days knows the fact that natural link building is the only way to boost ranking at a certain point in SEO. There is a limit with what you can do with on-page SEO. When that limit is reached, it is now the time to start building quality backlinks.
If you want to find out other ways to improve your website’s sales, then please check out this article on [how to promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "13 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business Online").
**What is link building?**
Google uses a specific algorithm to index and rank pages. This algorithm visit hyperlinks from all over the web to crawl, index, and rank websites. The more quality links a website gets, the better it will be ranked.
There are a variety of techniques to get backlinks to your website such as:
- guest postings
- broken link building
- local business directories
- web 2.0 link building
- Internal linking
**Why does link building work?**
Because Google algorithm thinks of a link as a vote to increase the ranking of the linked website.
It is one of the oldest SEO techniques to [improve the ranking of a website.](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-improve-wix-seo-step-by-step/ "How to Improve Wix SEO in 2019 (Step by Step Guide)")
Of course, it has changed with time but it still has the same potential as it had a decade ago.
### Top Link Building Techniques
Mentioned here are a few link building techniques that would help you a lot in ranking your sites. Most small business websites rank quite higher using these link building hacks immediately. Considering the fact that their website’s on page SEO must be perfect. If it is not, link building won’t be a very effective strategy.
#### 1. Internal Linking
An internal link is a hyperlink on your website that connects two different pages from one another. These links are quite an important SEO technique for any website. When this strategy used strategically, it can significantly improve your [site’s performance in the search](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-optimize-a-website-in-2019-for-google-search-whats-different-about-google-search/ "How to Optimize a Website in 2019 for Google Search").
Internal links help Googlebot finding new pages on your website. As you already know that Google discovers new pages by visiting different links throughout the web. This process is also known as [crawling](https://azibyaqoob.com/is-there-any-difference-between-google-indexing-and-crawling/ "Is There Any Difference between Google Indexing and Crawling?").
Internal linking is a powerful way to increase your site relevancy, reduce bounce rate, and increase ranking.
- When you write new content make sure to add internal links to your previous blog posts.
- Similarly, when you update an old blog post you should consider adding new most relevant information with the help of internal links.
- Always use descriptive anchor text when creating internal links.
- Don’t overuse the same anchor text on every other page. Anchor text should flow with your content.
Of course, you need to keep relevancy in mind when linking to other pages or posts of your website. So, you should use this strategy very carefully. Also, if your pages have a great number of internal links, make sure to [find and fix broken link](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-find-and-remove-broken-links-on-a-wordpress-website/ "How to Find and Remove Broken Links on a WordPress Website?")s from time to time.
#### 2. Build Links through Guest Blogging
It can help you build authority in your niche. Guest posting or guest blogging means to publish blog posts on blogs other than your own. It’s a great way to find and connect with a new audience. It will bring new visitors through the referral link and will also improve site’s ranking.
Guest posting can help you build the trust of your potential customers and they would more likely to buy from someone who has more online social activity.
The process of guest posting is simple, you need to get in touch with high authority blogs in your niche and tell them your article idea.
You can read more about on this topic by following these blog posts which cover this topic in great detail.
[Guest Blogging: The Definitive Guide (2019)](https://backlinko.com/the-definitive-guide-to-guest-blogging "Guest Blogging: The Definitive Guide (2019)")
[Guest Blogging for SEO: How to Build High-quality Links at Scale](https://ahrefs.com/blog/guest-blogging/ "Guest Blogging for SEO: How to Build High-quality Links at Scale")
**Tip:** start your guest posting with a low authority relevant and of course actual blogs. As you gain experience, start pitching big blogs and publications.
#### 3. Paid links
**Important:** Buying links is against Google’s webmaster guidelines. This means that you should be careful when executing this strategy. Paid links are a way to cheat the search engines into thinking that your website is getting more backlinks than other sites. The quality of links matters when you buy backlinks. So, low quality bought links would definitely harm your site’s ranking.
You can buy these backlinks from Fiverr, Upwork, and similar online job websites. These are not recommended links though, there is a certain risk factor involved when you buy links in lowest cost. Well, you know what they say, you get what you pay for.
However, if you buy backlinks from these sites make sure to specify to them
- Quality of backlinks
- Buy links in a very low quantity (50–100 is ideal for testing the outcomes)
- Ask their link building process completely, if they hide any details then don’t hire them.
#### 4. Web 2.0 links
Web 2.0 link building is considered by some a little dated. However, since it is still a reliable option and used by many marketers including myself, I thought to mention it here.
**What is a Web 2.0?**
These are websites where users can publish their own content. Some of the examples of these websites are WordPress.com, Tumblr, Blogspot, and Medium.
All of these platforms allow you to publish your own content, where you can link to your money site. Using this strategy can also help with brand recognition and [online reputation management](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/online-reputation-management/ "Online reputation management tutorials"). If you are interested in online reputation management then check out my post on how to [remove negative content from Google search](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/ "How to Remove and Push Down Negative Search Results from Google Effectively?") too.
**How to create Web 2.0 links?**
- Create accounts on any web 2.0 platform.
- Start writing high-quality blog posts (500 words to as many as you could)
- Leave backlinks of your top pages in those blog posts.
**Important:**Create useful and high-quality content, only then this strategy would be useful.
#### 5. The broken link building technique
This technique is time-consuming and most of the times doesn’t work especially for small websites. The broken link building technique is finding out broken or outdated links from any website and get it replaced with your link.
First, you should decide which page or post do you want to get backlinks on.
[Find out all the important keywords ](https://azibyaqoob.com/google-keyword-research/ "What’s the best way to find valuable keywords for SEO?")which are used throughout this page.
Find websites by searching your keywords one-by-one on Google. You can use many [link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10+ Best Free Link Building Tools to Supercharge Your SEO")such as Ahrefs or Semrush to find broken link opportunities.
When you have all those broken links, you just need to find out a working email of the webmaster and request them to replace the broken link with your link.
Of course, in order for this to work your page should be of high-quality and as detailed as possible.
Let me know in the comments which link building techniques are you using and what’s working for you.
**Categories:** SEO
---
### [How to Monitor Your Brand Mentions for Reputation Management?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-monitor-your-brand-mentions-for-reputation-management/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Do you have a brand that gets mentioned online? Do you want to know where those mentions coming from and on which platform your customers are mentioning you? In this post, I’m going to discuss some techniques to monitor a brand name for reputation management. You can monitor any mention of your brand name using different tools and practices.
#### Why Do You Need to Monitor Brand Mentions?
There are countless reasons to keep track of your brand and how people are reacting to the brand online. A good brand always cares about people, and if you are not going to care about them, they will start complaining in forms of negative reviews, complaints, and negative stories. Using a different set of tools and online reputation management techniques you can monitor any brand mention on different platforms, listen, track, and respond to brand mentions.
If you are concerned with online reputation then you will also find this [online reputation management guide](https://azibyaqoob.com/proven-reputation-management-guide-build-your-business-or-brand-reputation/ "Proven Reputation Management Guide: Build Your Business or Brand Reputation") quite useful.
#### Best Free Tools to Monitor Brand Mentions
Here are some great tools to monitor a brand name. You can try out these tools and improve your brand reputation.
#### Google Alerts
It is one of the best tools to monitor your brand mentions in search results. I have used it for lots of clients reputation campaigns. It is quite easy to use and you can type any keyword that you want to monitor and set up alerts. As soon as some content get indexed in Google, this tool will send you a notification through email or however you would like to set it up.
When you create an account and set up alerts on keywords, make sure to also check the notification settings. You can easily set up this tool within minutes and [improve your brand Internet reputation](https://azibyaqoob.com/internet-reputation-repair-2017/ "Repairing Internet Reputation: A DIY Guide to Reputation Management").
#### TweetDeck
It is one of the best and free tools to monitor any brand mention on Twitter. By using it you can monitor any keyword mentioned and talk about on Twitter. No matter, if it is a small business which no one talks about. You would be amazed to know that people have mentioned you on Twitter, which you never knew about even though you monitor your Twitter notifications timely.
I would highly recommend this tool to monitor Twitter mentions of any brand name.
#### TalkWalker
Another amazing social media monitoring tool. It can help you listen to the audience what are they talking about if they mention your brand name on many platforms including; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.
You can also use this tool to monitor a particular keyword or your competitors brand mention. It will provide you with a lot of useful information to find out your competitors weaknesses.
In online reputation management, a brand must always keep an eye on what has been said by its customers behind their back. You can then improve, tackle those reviews, give incentives, discounts, etc… If you are a brand with a good following, then there are chances that people are going to mention your brand on the Internet in a positive or negative manner.
When you instantly find out those mentions you can anytime counter them or if it’s good one shares them as a success story with your customers.
Let me know what do you think of this strategy and what practices do you use to track brand mentions in search results. Also, if you need further help then you can check out some of my latest [online reputation management tutorials](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/online-reputation-management/ "Online Reputation Management Tutorials") here.
**Categories:** Online Reputation Management
---
### [How to Hire the Right Freelance SEO Service Provider?](https://azibyaqoob.com/hire-freelance-seo-service-provider/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
If you are struggling to hire a freelance SEO service provider to [boost site traffic](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking"), then this article will help you a lot.
#### Who is a freelance SEO service provider?
Any person who offer [SEO services](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/ "SEO Services") on a remote basis considered as a [freelance SEO manager](https://azibyaqoob.com/freelance-seo-consultant/ "Freelance SEO Consultant").
#### What’s the job of a freelance SEO?
The job of a freelance SEO service provider is to improve website’s [organic search rankings](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-check-your-websites-keyword-ranking-accurately/ "How to Check Your Website’s Keyword Ranking Accurately?"). To achieve this goal, they use different [SEO techniques:](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/seo/ "SEO hacks, tutorials and tips")
- On-page optimization
- Site-wide SEO analysis
- Content analysis
- Website structure analysis
- [Page load speed](https://azibyaqoob.com/wp-super-cache-vs-wp-fastest-cache-which-one-is-better-case-study/ "WP Super Cache vs WP Fastest Cache – Which One is Better? (Case Study)")
- Internal link structure
- HTML tags analysis and optimization
- [Link building campaigns](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free Link Building Tools")
I have interviewed a couple of my entrepreneur friends and found tips which can help every small business owner to find the perfect freelance SEO expert.
If your website traffic look like this on Google Analytics:
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/hire-freelance-seo-consultant/hire-seo-consultant-to-improve-traffic-of-your-website/)
Then you should definitely consider hiring a freelance SEO service provider.
**But how to hire the right Search engine optimization expert?**
It is difficult to select the right candidate for the job. It happens all the time, especially to small business owners.
Hiring a freelance SEO consultant is not so different as well.
If you want to hire the right SEO specialist to take care of your website traffic then you can use these methods.
Table of Contents
Toggle- [1. How to find a freelance SEO service provider using Google search](#1_How_to_find_a_freelance_SEO_service_provider_using_Google_search)
- [2. How to find freelance SEO services Using Social media](#2_How_to_find_freelance_SEO_services_Using_Social_media)
- [3. Use Local networking events](#3_Use_Local_networking_events)
- [4. Find SEO service provider using Bidding sites and job boards](#4_Find_SEO_service_provider_using_Bidding_sites_and_job_boards)
### 1. How to find a freelance SEO service provider using Google search
It is the best way to hire a freelance SEO service provider. You just need to type in a few words like “freelance SEO service provider” or “freelance SEO specialist (your city)”. Replace the city name with an actual city name where you live. You will find a lot of SEO specialists who can help your business grow. You can also [download search results to CSV file](https://azibyaqoob.com/download-search-results-excel-spreadsheet/ "How to Download Search Results to Excel Spreadsheet or Google Sheets?").
However, you should test the SEO knowledge of the individual/agency you want to hire.
Contact those websites and ask for help. If the company or a freelancer is not willing to show interest in your business or have no idea how to tackle SEO errors on your website, then find another one.
### 2. How to find freelance SEO services Using Social media
- Submit your job post on relevant Facebook and LinkedIn groups.
- You can also ask your friends, colleagues or any business savvy person in your contact list for the recommendation.
- Create a job post on your business social media accounts, blog, email newsletter, etc….
### 3. Use Local networking events
Join local networking events in your field. There must be someone from the marketing industry.
That’s how most [freelance SEO businesses](https://azibyaqoob.com/start-freelance-seo-business/ "How to Start Your Freelance SEO Business?") establish their identity and generate new leads for their business.
Invite them for a cup of coffee or schedule an interview at your office.
- Ask questions which will help both of you understand the actual SEO job. Ask them questions like how do they [create backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links"), what SEO tools do they use, etc…
- Most SEO professionals have a portfolio of results and case studies which they can show you upon request.
### 4. Find SEO service provider using Bidding sites and job boards
These sort of websites are good to find cheap labor outside of your country especially if the country you are living in has a higher minimum wage.
- Introduce your business and your end goal before hiring a freelance SEO.
- Post your job with a few questions.
- Encourage your candidates to ask you questions about the job.
- If the candidate has genuine interest, he will ask intelligent questions about your business.
- What [link building tools](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-free-white-hat-link-building-tools/ "10 Best Free White Hat Link Building Tools") they use
- Which websites they have ranked in the past.
I hope you find this article useful. Please feel free to share it as you like.
P.S: If you are struggling to [promote your business online](https://azibyaqoob.com/promote-business-online/ "Promote Your Business Online: 13 Ways to Boost Your Online Business"), then I also offer freelance SEO services, which can help your business grow. Please get in touch to get a quote for your project.
**Categories:** SEO
---
## Pages
### [](https://azibyaqoob.com/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Verified AEO Specialist
# Dominate the AI Search Era with
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
Azib Yaqoob is a Search & Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Specialist helping brands get cited as the primary source in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini.
[ Get My AI Visibility Audit ](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
Optimizing for the engines of 2026
The Methodology## What is the Azib Yaqoob AEO Framework?
The Azib Yaqoob AEO Framework is a proprietary 4-step system designed to increase brand citation frequency in Large Language Models (LLMs). By prioritizing **Entity Authority**, **Semantic Clarity**, and **Information Gain**, we ensure your business is not just indexed, but actively recommended by AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
### How We Move You from Search Results to AI Citations:
#### Entity Mapping
We align your brand data with the Global Knowledge Graph.
Connecting your brand to authoritative entities like LinkedIn, Crunchbase, and Wikipedia to establish unambiguous identity in AI training data.
01
#### Vector Optimization
We structure content to match the semantic embeddings of LLMs.
Optimizing content structure for vector similarity search, ensuring your information aligns with how AI models process and retrieve knowledge.
02
#### Authority Signals
We build the "Digital Proof" required for AI trust.
Securing citations from high-authority domains and creating verifiable digital footprints that LLMs recognize as trustworthy sources.
03
#### Visibility Audits
We track real-time mentions across generative engines.
Monitoring citation frequency across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini to measure your brand's growing authority in AI-generated responses.
04
Verifiable Authority## Verifiable Authority & Technical Innovation
AI engines value provenance. My work is backed by a verifiable digital footprint that spans technical development, SEO strategy, and industry recognition.
Technical Innovation
Naskh Fontخُوش آمدید
Jameel Noori Nastaleeqخُوش آمدید
### Nastaleeq Extension Developer
Engineered a specialized browser extension for Urdu font rendering, establishing technical entity authority in the Google & Firefox ecosystems.
Chrome Web Store Firefox Add-ons
### SEO Thought Leadership
Author of azibyaqoob.com, a dedicated resource for advanced technical SEO and AEO transition strategies.
50+ Technical Articles
AEO Focus Area
### Verified Global Partner
Top-rated strategic consultant on Upwork and Fiverr, managing high-stakes SEO for US-based B2B brands.
Top Rated Plus Pro Verified
### Real-World Impact
Successfully resolved "Spam Indexing Hacks" and GSC recovery for enterprise domains, cited as a case study in technical resilience.
⚡ Enterprise GSC Recovery
Scan Entity Metadata
[
LinkedIn /in/azibyaqoob
](https://linkedin.com/in/azibyaqoob) [
GitHub @azibyaqoob
](https://github.com/azibyaqoob) [
Technical Blog azibyaqoob.com
](https://azibyaqoob.com/blog) [
Chrome Extension Nastaleeq
](https://chrome.google.com/webstore)
Entity Verified
The Evolution of Visibility## SEO vs. AEO
Traditional SEO was built for a world of "Blue Links." Today, B2B buyers ask questions and expect instant, synthesized answers. If you aren't the cited source in an AI response, you are effectively invisible.
Feature
Traditional SEO
Azib Yaqoob's AEO
Primary Goal
Rank in the Top 10 Search Results
Be the "Direct Answer" in AI Summaries
Core Metric
Website Clicks & Keywords
Brand Citations & Information Gain
Search Logic
Popularity (Who has the most links?)
Truth (Who provides the clearest data?)
User Behavior
Browsing lists for information
Receiving one synthesized recommendation
#### The Zero-Click Reality
100%
People Searching
But...
35%
Actually Clicking
⚠️
65% of searches now end without a click. AEO ensures you're cited even when users don't visit your site.
#### Why this matters for your pipeline:
In 2026, **25% of search traffic** has shifted to AI chatbots. My framework ensures your brand is the one AI engines choose, cite, and recommend—even when buyers don't click.
✓ Helping B2B brands secure **35% higher performance** in AI Overviews and ChatGPT 2026 Industry Benchmark
Implementation## From Invisible to Cited: The 30-Day Implementation
We don't just "tweak" your site; we rebuild your entity trust. Our 30-day sprint is designed to secure your first AI citations.
01 Audit
02 Restructure
03 Authority
04 Monitor
Phase 1
### Entity Audit & Gap Analysis
We map your current digital footprint and identify "blind spots" in the Global Knowledge Graph where AI engines lose track of your brand.
Result: Verified Entity Map
Phase 2
### Semantic Content Restructuring
We re-engineer your high-value pages using our Inverted Pyramid framework, making your data instantly extractable for LLM responses.
Result: LLM-Optimized Architecture
Phase 3
### Authority & Relationship Injection
We deploy relationship-rich Schema and secure "SameAs" digital mentions on high-authority platforms to "validate" your expertise to AI agents.
Result: Knowledge Graph Integration
Phase 4
### AI Visibility Monitoring
We provide a custom dashboard tracking your brand's "Citation Share of Voice" across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini.
Citation Share of Voice LIVE
Day 1 Day 30
+340% ChatGPT Mentions
Result: Real-time Performance Data
[ Start Your 30-Day Sprint ](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)Limited to 4 clients per month for quality assurance
Strategic Insights## Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
How long does it take to appear as a citation in ChatGPT or Perplexity? Unlike traditional SEO, which relies on crawling cycles and backlink accrual over months, AEO citations can appear within **2–4 weeks**. By optimizing your Entity Authority and technical structure, we facilitate faster recognition by Large Language Models (LLMs).
Does AEO replace my existing SEO strategy? No. AEO is the "Intelligence Layer" that sits on top of your SEO. We maintain your traditional Google rankings while specifically optimizing for the **25% of users** who have migrated to generative search engines for their research.
How do you measure success in AI search? We move beyond "blue link" clicks. Success is measured by Citation Share of Voice (CSOV)—the frequency with which AI engines cite your brand as the primary authority for industry-specific queries.
Can you optimize my business for Google AI Overviews specifically? Yes. Our framework aligns with Google's "Information Gain" requirements. We focus on providing unique, data-backed insights that Google's Gemini model prioritizes for its AI-generated summaries at the top of the search results.
#### Have a specific question about your AI visibility?
= Contact## Let's Grow Your Business
Ready to dominate AI search and social media? Let's discuss how I can help you achieve your digital growth goals.
✉️
#### Email
💼
#### LinkedIn
[linkedin.com/in/aziby](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aziby/)
𝕏
#### X (Twitter)
[@azib204](https://x.com/azib204)
[f](https://facebook.com/azibyaqoob/ "Facebook") [in](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aziby/ "LinkedIn") [𝕏](https://x.com/azib204 "X")
Your Name
Email Address
Service Interested In
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)Social Media ManagementLocal SEO & GMB OptimizationAI-Powered SEO Audit
Tell Me About Your Project
Δ
---
### [WordPress Specialist and SEO Expert](https://azibyaqoob.com/about/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
{
}
⟨
⟩
Azib Yaqoob Verified Entity ID: AEO-001
Technical Architect
# Engineering the Future of Search Visibility
I am Azib Yaqoob, a technical SEO and developer specializing in the transition from traditional search to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). I help brands bridge the gap between "Blue Links" and AI-generated citations.
The MissionTo ensure that human-led expertise remains the primary source of truth for the AI-first web.
Core Principles: |
50+ Technical Articles
340% Avg. Citation Lift
4 LLM Platforms
Technical Provenance## Where Development Meets Strategy
My approach to the AI-first web is rooted in technical provenance. I don't just analyze search results; I build the tools that interact with them.
2017 — 2021
### Technical Foundations
I spent four years mastering the architecture of the web, resolving high-stakes indexing and server-side performance issues for global B2B enterprises.
Server Architecture Indexing Systems Performance Optimization
```
// Urdu Nastaleeq Extension
const transform = (text) => {
return text.replace(
/[\u0600-\u06FF]/g,
(char) => mappings[char]
|| char
);
};
```
2022 — 2024
### Software Innovation
I engineered the Urdu Nastaleeq Extension, a specialized browser tool with over 1,000 active users. This project deepened my understanding of how browser ecosystems and search engines parse complex data structures.
🏆 Chrome Web Store Published 1,000+ Active Users
2025 — Present ACTIVE
### Pioneering AEO
Today, I leverage my background in development and technical SEO to build AEO frameworks. I bridge the gap between human content and the vector-based retrieval systems used by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.
🤖 ChatGPT
🔍 Perplexity
✨ Gemini
Three phases. One trajectory. Zero marketing fluff.
The Manifesto## The AEO Philosophy
Human Truth, Machine Scaled
I believe that the AI search era should be an amplifier of human expertise, not a replacement for it. My framework is built on three core convictions:
### Semantic Integrity Over Keyword Volume
In a world of LLMs, "ranking" is irrelevant if your brand's meaning is lost in synthesis. We optimize for clarity so AI agents understand your intent, not just your words.
#### Technical Implementation
- Entity-first content architecture using Schema.org markup
- Vector embedding alignment with LLM training corpora
- Semantic triple construction (subject-predicate-object)
- Disambiguation protocols for brand entity resolution
94% Intent alignment accuracy vs. 67% keyword-based
### The Right to Attribution
Every AI-generated answer should lead back to a human source. I work to ensure your brand is the "Source of Truth" that engines like Perplexity and ChatGPT rely on and cite.
#### Citation Engineering
- Structured citation hooks in content architecture
- Knowledge Graph entity verification across platforms
- Perplexity/ChatGPT citation pattern analysis
- Authoritative backlink topology mapping
3.2x Higher citation rate in AI-generated responses
### Technical Provenance as Trust
Transparency is the new SEO. By providing structured, verifiable data (Provenance), we make it easy for AI to trust—and therefore recommend—your business.
#### Trust Infrastructure
- Schema.org Provenance markup implementation
- Digital signature integration for content authorship
- SameAs corroboration across authoritative databases
- Real-time trust signal monitoring
87% Increase in AI "confidence scores" for verified entities
Human Expertise
🤖
ChatGPT
🔍
Perplexity
✨
Gemini
🧠
Claude
Human-led expertise feeding AI retrieval systems
> "The future of search isn't about gaming algorithms—it's about becoming the undeniable source of truth that AI engines are compelled to cite."
>
> — Azib Yaqoob, AEO-001
VERIFIED-AEO-001
## Stop Being an
Invisible Expert
Don't let AI summarize your competitors while your expertise remains hidden in the "blue links." Let's verify your entity and start building your Citation Share of Voice today.
[ Book a Strategic Scoping Call
](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/) Direct access to Azib—Limited to 3 new B2B partners per month
NDA Protected
Enterprise Secure
48hr Response
---
### [WordPress Services](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
Generative Engine Optimization
# Capture the Future of Search with Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
Beyond rankings—get cited. I help B2B brands secure their "Share of Voice" in the AI-generated answers of ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini.
[ Book Your Technical Scoping Call ](#contact) No fluff. Pure technical execution for the AI-first web.
Optimizing for: GPT-4o | Gemini 1.5 Pro | Claude 3.5 | Perplexity Online
Traditional SEO
best aeo consultant
About 2,340,000 results (0.42 seconds)
Hire SEO Experts - Top Rated Agency
www.example-seo.com › services
Get to #1 on Google. 10+ years experience...
What is AEO? Answer Engine Optimization
www.random-blog.com › what-is-aeo
AEO is the new SEO. Learn how to optimize...
Top 10 AEO Agencies 2025 - Ranked
www.listicle-site.com › best-aeo
● Page 1 Roulette
VS
Generative GEO
AI-Generated Answer
"Based on the latest analysis, **Azib Yaqoob's AEO framework** delivers 35% higher citation rates for B2B brands in AI search engines..."
+340% Citation Rate
2.4s Avg. Position
✓ Cited as Primary Source
● Direct Citation
The System## Precision Framework for AI Visibility
My approach combines technical SEO foundations with advanced Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) to ensure your brand is not just seen, but cited.
01
### Entity & Knowledge Graph Integration
We move your brand from a "keyword" to an "entity." By aligning your digital footprint with the Global Knowledge Graph, we ensure AI models verify your authority as a trusted source.
#### Deliverables
- Relationship-rich Schema
- SameAs corroboration
- Entity mapping
02
### Semantic Content Engineering
We restructure your high-value assets for "LLM-Extractability." We inject Information Gain—unique data points that AI engines prioritize over generic, recycled content.
#### Deliverables
- Inverted Pyramid restructuring
- Vector-alignment
- Citation-friendly formatting
03
### AI Citation Share of Voice (CSOV)
We track what matters: how often AI recommends you. We monitor your brand's presence across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini to identify and close visibility gaps.
#### Deliverables
- Real-time citation monitoring
- AI sentiment analysis
- Competitive CSOV benchmarking
Three pillars. One integrated system. Zero gaps in your AI visibility strategy.
Free Diagnostic Tool
## Get Your AI Visibility Audit
Stop guessing how AI perceives your brand. Our technical audit identifies exactly why you are being ignored—and how to secure your first citations in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.
### What's inside the audit?
**Entity Health Check** We verify if your brand is properly mapped in the Global Knowledge Graph.
**Crawl Budget Analysis** We ensure LLM bots (GPTBot, Claude-Bot) can actually reach your "Information Gain" assets.
**Competitive Citation Gap** We identify which competitors are currently stealing your "Share of Voice" in AI answers.
**Semantic Alignment Score** We measure how accurately AI models categorize your services and expertise.
[ Claim My Audit $0 for Qualified Brands ](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/) Only 5 technical audits accepted per month
Our audit uses real-time API calls to major LLMs to verify your current visibility.
AI Visibility Scorecard Generated:
CONFIDENTIAL
42
Visibility Score Poor: Major gaps detected
Entity Trust 38%
Citation Success 12%
Semantic Alignment 67%
Bot Accessibility 45%
⚠️
Your brand is being cited by competitors in 73% of relevant AI queries. Immediate action recommended.
Live LLM API Scan Active
GPT-4 Claude Gemini
---
### [Contact](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
# Let's Connect
Ready to dominate AI search and social media? Get in touch and let's discuss your project.
## Get in Touch
Have a project in mind or just want to learn more about AEO? I'm here to help. Reach out directly through any of the channels below.
📧
#### Email
💼
#### LinkedIn
[linkedin.com/in/aziby](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aziby/)
🐦
#### X (Twitter)
[@azib204](https://x.com/azib204)
[f](https://facebook.com/azibyaqoob/) [in](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aziby/) [𝕏](https://x.com/azib204)
### Send a Message
Your Name
Email Address
Service Interested In
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)Social Media ManagementLocal SEO & GMB OptimizationAI-Powered SEO Audit
Tell Me About Your Project
Δ
## Frequently Asked Questions
#### What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?
AEO is the practice of optimizing content to appear in AI-generated answers from platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews.
#### How long before I see results?
SEO and AEO are long-term strategies. Typically, you'll see initial improvements in 2-3 months, with significant results in 4-6 months.
#### Do you work with international clients?
Yes! I have helped 50+ clients worldwide navigate the evolving search landscape across different time zones.
#### What's your pricing structure?
Pricing depends on project scope and requirements. I offer both project-based and retainer packages tailored to your needs.
---
### [Affordable Law Firm SEO Services](https://azibyaqoob.com/law-firms/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
# Affordable SEO That Puts Your Law Firm on the Map
Your law firm deserves more than just a website—it needs a strategy that drives clients to your door. Let’s make that happen.
[ Get in Touch ](#quote)
## Affordable SEO for Law Firms: Drive More Clients to Your Practice
Your law firm’s website is more than just a digital calling card—it’s a gateway to attracting clients. If it’s not delivering leads, you’re losing potential revenue. My affordable SEO services are tailored specifically for law firms, lawyers, and attorneys, helping you rank higher, get noticed, and grow your practice.
The legal industry is one of the most competitive sectors online. Every law firm wants that coveted first-page ranking on Google, but few know how to achieve it. That’s where I come in.
#### With my proven SEO strategies, your law firm will:
- **Increase Visibility**: Get found by clients searching for your services.
- **Generate More Leads**: Convert traffic into consultations and case inquiries.
- **Save Money**: Spend less on expensive PPC ads and achieve sustainable results with SEO.
> Did you know? Ranking for keywords like “personal injury lawyer in New Jersey” can generate thousands of clicks monthly—without paying $25–$50 per click in ads.
## ### **Affordable SEO Services for Law Firms**
I understand the unique challenges lawyers face when it comes to digital marketing. My services are designed with your budget and business goals in mind.
#### **What You Get with My SEO Services:**
- **Customized Strategies**: SEO plans tailored to your firm’s needs, whether you’re a solo attorney or a large practice.
- **Local SEO Expertise**: Dominate your local market by appearing at the top of location-based searches.
- **Transparent Reporting**: Weekly updates on your website’s progress with 24/7 support.
- **White Hat Techniques**: Ethical SEO practices that ensure long-term success.
> **Cost Breakdown**
> Affordable law firm SEO services start at **$250/month**. Pricing varies based on your goals, competition, and the scope of services needed. I’ll work with you to find a solution that fits your budget and delivers results.
### **How SEO Works for Law Firms**
SEO is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search results for relevant keywords. For example, if a potential client searches for “family lawyer near me,” my SEO strategies will help ensure your website appears at the top of the results.
Here’s how I’ll improve your website’s performance:
1. **Keyword Research**: Targeting terms your clients are actively searching for, like “affordable SEO for attorneys.”
2. **Content Optimization**: Crafting and enhancing website copy to be both informative and keyword-focused.
3. **Link Building**: Building authoritative backlinks to improve trust and domain authority.
4. **Technical SEO**: Optimizing your site’s speed, mobile responsiveness, and usability.
### **Why Choose Me as Your Law Firm SEO Specialist?**
For over a decade, I’ve helped law firms achieve first-page rankings and turn their websites into client-generating machines. Here’s what sets me apart:
- **Proven Results**: A track record of helping attorneys secure first-page rankings.
- **Affordable Pricing**: High-quality services that don’t break the bank.
- **Personalized Attention**: Unlike big agencies, I provide one-on-one support to ensure your success.
- **Flexibility**: No long-term commitments—if you’re not satisfied, you can cancel anytime.
## Testimonials
## What my clients say
“After just three months, my law firm went from page 5 to page 1 on Google. The results have been incredible, and we’ve seen a huge uptick in new clients. Highly recommend these SEO services!"
Sarah m.
Personal Injury Attorney
### Ready to Boost Your Law Firm’s Online Presence?
## Contact Me Today
Don’t let your competitors outrank you. Affordable SEO services for lawyers and attorneys can transform your website into a lead-generating powerhouse. Get started now and see measurable results in as little as 90 days.
[ Get in Touch ](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
---
### [Home](https://azibyaqoob.com/home/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
# Discover the World of
WordPress with Azib Yaqoob!
##### Empowering Beginners to Master WordPress, One Tutorial at a Time.
[ Explore the Blog
](https://azibyaqoob.com/blog/)
## About Me
Hi there! I’m **Azib Yaqoob**, a certified WordPress specialist with years of experience in optimizing websites for better performance, enhanced SEO, and seamless maintenance. I offer a full suite of services to help your business achieve its digital goals, whether it’s boosting search engine rankings, improving site speed, or ensuring your website stays secure and up-to-date.
My expertise lies in **WordPress SEO**, where I use a data-driven approach to enhance your website’s visibility through **keyword research**, **content optimization**, **technical SEO audits**, **link building**, and **ongoing analytics**. But that’s not all! I also specialize in **WordPress performance optimization**, ensuring your website loads fast, providing a seamless user experience that keeps visitors engaged. Additionally, my **website maintenance services** offer regular updates, backups, and security monitoring to protect your site from vulnerabilities and ensure it runs smoothly.
Having worked with businesses of all sizes, I tailor my services to meet your unique needs, helping you achieve lasting success in the competitive online space. If you’re ready to take your WordPress website to the next level, let’s connect and make it happen!
- contact@azibyaqoob.com
## Services
As an **expert** with expertise in **WordPress SEO**, **performance optimization**, and **website maintenance**, I offer tailored services that meet the specific needs of businesses at any stage.
### WordPress SEO Services
Boost your website's visibility with affordable WordPress SEO services, including keyword research, content audits, link building, and more. Enhance your online presence and attract your target audience with tailored strategies designed for small businesses.
[ ](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/)
### [ Performance Optimization ](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/)
Improve your website's loading speed so users can access it seamlessly without abandoning it due to slow performance. A faster website not only enhances user experience but also improves your search engine rankings and conversion rates.
[ ](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/)
### [ Website Maintenance ](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/)
Keep your website running smoothly with professional WordPress website maintenance services. From regular updates to security monitoring and performance optimization, ensure your site stays secure, fast, and reliable for your visitors.
## Supercharge Your WordPress Website Today
Boost Your Site’s SEO, Speed, and Performance with Expert WordPress Optimization and Ongoing Maintenance
[ Get Started Now ](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact)
## Free Resources
Learn to improve your WordPress website performance and SEO
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/http-vs-https-which-one-is-the-right-choice-for-seo/)
## [HTTP VS HTTPS – Which One is the Right Choice for SEO?](https://azibyaqoob.com/http-vs-https-which-one-is-the-right-choice-for-seo/ "HTTP VS HTTPS – Which One is the Right Choice for SEO?")
Which protocol should you use between HTTP vs HTTPS? It...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-old-or-outdated-pages-from-google-search/)
## [How to Remove Old or Outdated Pages from Google Search](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-old-or-outdated-pages-from-google-search/ "How to Remove Old or Outdated Pages from Google Search")
When you update your website or remove outdated content, you...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-give-google-search-console-access-to-your-seo-manager/)
## [How to Give Google Search Console Access to Your SEO Manager?](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-give-google-search-console-access-to-your-seo-manager/ "How to Give Google Search Console Access to Your SEO Manager?")
Want to share Google Search Console Access to an SEO...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-hreflang-attribute-how-it-affects-seo-of-your-website/)
## [What is a Hreflang Attribute? How it Affects SEO of Your Website?](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-a-hreflang-attribute-how-it-affects-seo-of-your-website/ "What is a Hreflang Attribute? How it Affects SEO of Your Website?")
Have you seen the hreflang attribute error reported in Google...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-add-breadcrumbs-to-a-wordpress-website/)
## [The Ultimate Guide to Add Breadcrumbs in a WordPress Website](https://azibyaqoob.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-add-breadcrumbs-to-a-wordpress-website/ "The Ultimate Guide to Add Breadcrumbs in a WordPress Website")
Wondering what is a breadcrumb and how to add breadcrumbs...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-the-indexed-but-blocked-by-robots-txt-error-in-wordpress/)
## [How to Fix the “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” Error in WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-fix-the-indexed-but-blocked-by-robots-txt-error-in-wordpress/ "How to Fix the “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” Error in WordPress")
The “Indexed, but Blocked by Robots.txt” error in Google Search...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-interior-design-marketing-strategies-to-get-clients/)
## [Best Marketing Strategies for Interior Design Business](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-interior-design-marketing-strategies-to-get-clients/ "Best Marketing Strategies for Interior Design Business")
You need creative ways to market your business as an...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/)
## [10 Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools You Should Use](https://azibyaqoob.com/best-social-media-competitor-analysis-tools-you-should-use/ "10 Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools You Should Use")
If you are not using social media channels to attract...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/online-reputation-management-techniques-instant-results/)
## [5 Online reputation Management Techniques that Give Instant Results](https://azibyaqoob.com/online-reputation-management-techniques-instant-results/ "5 Online reputation Management Techniques that Give Instant Results")
Are you tired of trying different online reputation techniques that...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-keyword-cannibalization-how-to-find-and-fix-it-easily/)
## [What is Keyword Cannibalization? How to Find and Fix it Easily?](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-keyword-cannibalization-how-to-find-and-fix-it-easily/ "What is Keyword Cannibalization? How to Find and Fix it Easily?")
If your page is not ranking higher despite careful optimization,...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-add-or-remove-googles-featured-snippet/)
## [Opt Out Of Featured Snippets: Reclaim Your Traffic](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-add-or-remove-googles-featured-snippet/ "Opt Out Of Featured Snippets: Reclaim Your Traffic")
You can get a Google-featured snippet by optimizing your article...
[](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/)
## [What is a Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?](https://azibyaqoob.com/what-is-canonical-url-why-should-you-canonicalize-urls/ "What is a Canonical URL? Why Should You Canonicalize URLs?")
Canonical URL or URL canonicalization is a process to tell...
Load More
---
### [Link Building](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/link-building/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
# Professional White Hat Backlinks Services
Buy trusted white hat backlinks to boost search performance
[Contact](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
White hat link building is crucial for ranking on the first page of Google for any business.
Without a strong ranking on industry keywords, you risk losing potential customers.
It’s worth noting that Organic search traffic tends to convert into sales more effectively than any other traffic source.
### Benefits of White Hat Backlinks
Think of backlinks as a vote of confidence from other trusted influencers in your industry.
The more you get linked from reputable websites, the more trust your website earns.
Google positions reputable websites better in the search.
If you hire me, you will get high-quality backlinks from trusted websites.
After Google crawl those links, you will notice a surprising jump in traffic.
You will get all backlinks from trusted, top-quality websites.
This approach has helped many of my previous clients get the 1st position in the search results.
I use many powerful link-building tools and only create quality backlinks on top-quality websites.
It is better to have 25 high-quality backlinks than thousands of spam links.
Link-building strategies have changed a lot. Now, only the quality of backlinks matters, not their quantity.
A few years ago, you only needed a ton of backlinks to reach the first position in organic search.
The quality of the backlinks wasn’t a concern back then. Whoever had the most backlinks ranked in the first position.
**Now everything has changed.**
Only relevant and naturally created backlinks on high-traffic sites are considered acceptable in link building.
Link building will boost your website ranking in search engines. That’s why backlinks are still one of the crucial factors in SEO.
### Try Our White Hat Backlinks
Send me a message to discuss your link building package
[Contact Now](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
### **Relevant White Hat Backlinks**
Relevant backlinks are challenging to discover but reward you the most. These links always help in improving website authority.
Relevant backlinks are better than links from irrelevant websites.
When it comes to link building, quality is everything.
### Quality Link building through guest posting
It is one of the effective link-building strategies. The benefits of Guest postings are far too many.
- Get referral traffic from niche-relevant websites.
- Build domain authority in your business industry.
- Getting a backlink through the guest post will boost your website ranking.
### **Buy Customized Link Building Services**
- I create backlinks via competition backlinks research.
- Every website needs different types of backlinks; I offer customized link-building services.
- I try to acquire backlinks with diverse link outreach strategies.
- All natural and contextual backlinks.
### 
### **Buy Local Backlinks**
- Backlinks created on high-quality local directories.
- Properly placed NAP on high-quality, relevant sites.
- These white hat backlinks will boost your domain authority.
### Trusted White hat link building Services
Have any questions? Please feel free to contact me
[Send a message](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
#### How do You Create Backlinks?
That’s probably the most asked question by my clients. Link building is an art. You cannot simply create backlinks out of thin air.
There are a lot of factors involved when it comes to link acquisition.
I mostly create backlinks on websites with high domain authority and possibly fewer spam scores.
I use various tools and software to analyze the website before submitting a backlink.
#### What's the Benefit of Link Building for Your Business?
Links are powerful for improving any website domain’s authority. Google and other search engines index backlinks and rank a website accordingly.
Link building consistency is also one of the key ranking factors. If you stop link building campaign in the middle, your competition probably won’t stop at the same point.
That means your ranking will drop considerably.
I highly recommend my clients not to stop the link building campaigns in the middle.
#### How Many Backlinks Will Rank my Website at the no.1 Position?
It is hard to say how many backlinks will be required to rank a particular website.
Why?
Because every keyword needs unique backlinks, the ranking may sometimes take months and years.
However, it doesn’t mean that all link building campaigns take the same time. I have run campaigns for clients who rank their websites on the 1st page within a week.
#### Why Do You Need White Hat Link Building?
Have you optimized [on-page SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/on-page-seo/) but still not seen any improvement in the Google ranking?
That means you need quality link building to [boost the ranking of your website](https://azibyaqoob.com/small-business-seo-guide/ "Small Business SEO Guide to Boost Your Website Ranking") until you outrank your competitors.
Link building is helpful to increase your brand’s authority, and Google still considers that as a ranking factor.
Having the most relevant links to your top pages is an excellent way to generate a lot of sales.
#### What is Link Building and Why is It Important for Your Business?
- Website with high competition in search results needs [dofollow backlinks](https://azibyaqoob.com/dofollow-backlink-create-powerful-links/ "What is a Dofollow Backlink? How You Can Create Powerful Links").
- Quality backlinks boost the ranking of websites; it is a proven SEO factor.
- Backlinks also help in getting more referral traffic.
### Have Any Questions?
Please feel free to send me a message at any time.
[Contact](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
---
### [Testimonials](https://azibyaqoob.com/testimonials/)
**Published:**
**Author:** Azib Yaqoob
**Content:**
# What My Clients Say
Azib is truly exceptional. He works real hard & give 100% ROI! Cares about working on your project thoughtfully! Highly Recommend!
JPTAC
Web Development and SEO
Azib is very helpful and informative. I’m very glad our company went with him. He improved our website traffic 75% within a month. We’ll be rehiring him in the future to do another SEO for an additional company we own.
HVAC Company Miami, Florida
Seach Engine Optimization
I ordered his services which had a lead time of 72 hours was completed in 24 hours. The work completed exceeded expectations. Communication could not have been any better. Great work!
Easy Returns
Marketing Strategy and Competition Analysis
Azib is a very professional, hard working freelancer who shows great understanding and patience. I would recommend him 100% to anyone and I will definitely want to work with him again in the future!
NDA
Instagram Marketing and Lead Generation
Azib is very responsible, u feel like he is doing the job for himself.. Never hesitate to choose him. Azib, u r amazing.
Calderon Auto
SEO, SMM, and PPC
At a time when Azib had already completed my requested work, he went above and beyond to ensure my 100% satisfaction. He is patient, uses a consulting approach, delivers as promised… and most importantly, has integrity and honesty. (Oh… and he never sleeps. Hard worker!) Highly recommend!
QuickPlumb
Web Development and SEO
I cant thank you enough for getting the [negative articles off of the first page on google](https://azibyaqoob.com/how-to-remove-negative-search-results-from-google/). I'll definitely be using you for all my business related stuff for Google etc. And refer you to anyone in need of internet marketing services.
Confidential
Online Reputation Management
Man I gotta say that there are few times that people do what they say and you did it already by having us in the 1st position on Google map. You just made a bad week better. 100% recommend Azib for any Internet marketing stuff!
Falken Industries
Local SEO, Local Pack Ranking
Working with Azib has been a very great experience! I hired him to suppress a few negative search results. He made my 1st page results look as they should be. He is very good at marketing. 100% satisfied!
Confidential
Online Reputation Management
### I take great pride in helping businesses like yours succeed online.
## Don't let your competitors outrank you - take action now.
If you’re ready to take the next step in improving your online presence, let’s chat. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how my SEO services can benefit your business.
[ Request Consultation ](https://azibyaqoob.com/contact/)
[ Learn More ](https://azibyaqoob.com/services/seo/)
---
## Categories
### [SEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/seo/)
**Description:** If you want to learn latest SEO techniques and hacks to improve site traffic, this is a blog for you. Easy SEO tutorials for beginners.
---
### [Online Reputation Management](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/online-reputation-management/)
**Description:** Proven and actionable online reputation management tutorials to help you fix your damaged online reputation.
---
### [Marketing](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/marketing/)
**Description:** Digital marketing is an integral skill to have if you are serious about growing your business online. In this section, you will find beginner's friendly digital marketing tutorials, strategies, and training materials.
---
### [Thoughts](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/thoughts/)
**Description:** Here, I share new experiments and thoughts as a digital marketer and a WordPress enthusiast.
---
### [WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/wordpress/)
**Description:** WordPress tutorials and tips for beginners. You can learn how to use WordPress and run a successful website.
---
### [Shopify](https://azibyaqoob.com/category/shopify/)
**Description:** I share Shopify marketing and performance optimization tips and tutorials for beginners.
---
## Tags
### [MariaDB](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/mariadb/)
---
### [MySQL](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/mysql/)
---
### [Xampp](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/xampp/)
---
### [Caching](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/caching/)
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### [search results](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/search-results/)
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### [nofollow](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/nofollow/)
---
### [WordPress](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/wordpress/)
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### [Wix](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/wix/)
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### [Joomla](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/joomla/)
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### [Drupal](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/drupal/)
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### [Image compression](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/image-compression/)
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### [seo strategy](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/seo-strategy/)
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### [yoast](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/yoast/)
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### [Rank Math](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/rank-math/)
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### [WP Rocket](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/wp-rocket/)
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### [Speed optimization](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/speed-optimization/)
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### [AIOSEO](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/aioseo/)
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### [booking forms](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/booking-forms/)
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### [WordPress security](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/wordpress-security/)
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### [local seo](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/local-seo/)
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### [WordPress Backup](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/wordpress-backup/)
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### [WordPress errors](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/wordpress-errors/)
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### [WordPress Troubleshooting](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/wordpress-troubleshooting/)
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### [Google Search Console](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/google-search-console/)
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### [WordPress plugins](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/wordpress-plugins/)
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### [WordPress maintenance](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/wordpress-maintenance/)
---
### [facebook ads](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/facebook-ads/)
---
### [google analytics](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/google-analytics/)
---
### [contact form](https://azibyaqoob.com/tag/contact-form/)
---