30 WordPress SEO tips to improve your rankings: Part 5 of 6
21. Includes structured data
You have probably heard the phrase “structured data” before and have even seen it in action. Basically, it is an additional code that helps search engines to better deliver data to their search engines. By implementing the structured data, you can make your search engine result more attractive. This can generate a higher CTR and more traffic for your website.
It is possible that your WordPress theme already has the structured data installed. To see if your site already has structured data, check it in this tool . If you do not have the structured data installed, you can use the Schema plugin . It is easy to configure and will automatically add structured data to your site.
22. Optimize for Google SERP
You’ve probably seen the boxes that appear at the top of Google’s search results. If not, they look like this:
This place is effectively in position zero, so you’ll get more traffic and a high number of clicks. But, if you are already positioned on the first page, getting this place will give you two listings in the results.
There is no proven and accurate way to obtain this position, but the following optimizations will increase the probability that you will obtain it:
Add structured data to your site
Answer the implicit question in the keyword at the beginning of your post
Format the answer in the form of a list
23. Optimize images for search engines
Using images throughout your content will create a higher quality reading experience. This will help users get involved with your site, which will give good indicators of site performance. But, in addition to adding images to your site, you can also optimize them to improve your SEO.
There are three components of proper image optimization:
The text of the title of the image
The text of the title of the image is not tracked by the search engines, but it can be a factor in the user experience. When a user passes the mouse over your image, a popup window will appear that has the text of the title of your image.
To change the text of the image title, go to the publication editor where you placed an image.
Scroll on the image and click on the pencil icon, which will show the option ‘ Edit ‘.
In the ‘ Advanced options ‘ screen , you can enter the title of your image.
The alternative text
The alternative text of your image will give Google an indicator of what your page is about. In the first image of your publication, you should change the alternative text to the target keyword of the publication. For other images, use keywords that are variations of your target keyword or describe the image.
To change the alternative text of your image, go to your visual editor and move the cursor over the image that you have inserted. Once again, click on the pencil icon that will open the ‘ Edit ‘ option . The pop-up box will show the details of your image. Find a field called ‘ Alternative Text ‘ and enter your target keyword or related keyword in that box.
The name of the file
The name of your image file can help you position your image in Google image search, which can generate additional traffic to your site.
Most of the default image file names are long and confusing, and they are not related to the subject of the publication. Before uploading an image to WordPress, you should consider the purpose of the image and the key phrase to which it is addressed. Then include that keyword and other descriptive phrases in your image file name.
Also, if you use several words in your file name, make sure to use a script between them, since Google will read these scripts as a space.
24. Apply No-Follow to affiliate links
Many websites use affiliate links to generate revenue. These links are used to track commissions when you recommend a product, service or course.
But, using too many of these links is frowned upon by Google. If you are using affiliate links, you can hide them, making sure they are no-follow using a plugin called Pretty Links.
Pretty Links is a very useful plugin that can help you get a unique URL, and that does not look like an affiliate for the link you’re using. As a benefit, this tool also has tracking, so you can see how many people are clicking on your links.
To install this plugin, go to Plugins> Add new and look for ” Pretty Links “.
Install and activate the plugin, then go to Pretty Links> Options in your left sidebar.
To make sure all your affiliate links are no-follow, be sure to check the ‘ Add nofollow to link ‘ box in the Link Defaults section.
You can create a new link by selecting the ‘ Add New Link ‘ option , insert your affiliate URL and then create a personalized one.
25. Add HTTPS to your site
HTTPS is officially a factor of web positioning , so the sites that do the update will have an advantage in positioning. It allows your browser to establish a secure connection to any website you are connected to and encrypts any information sent between the two.
To change your WordPress site to HTTPS, follow these steps:
Make sure your current host supports HTTPS and SSL.
Buy an SSL certificate or get one through Let’s Encrypt .
Install the SSL certificate on your host.
Check if SSL is working.
Redirect all your HTTP traffic and links to HTTPS.