It's well documented that SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is a marketing strategy that improves a website's visibility and ranking on search engines. But how do you track the success of your efforts? By crafting a regular SEO report.
A well-structured, informative SEO report not only highlights successes and keeps your team accountable to areas needing improvement, but makes sure that everyone, from clients to team members, understands the impact that SEO has on organic search traffic in the long run.
Here’s a guide to creating the perfect monthly SEO report.
Before diving into data and analytics, understand who the report is for. If it's for a client, focus on metrics that directly relate to their business goals. For internal teams, you might dive deeper into technical details.
Your report should always refer back to specific goals related to SEO. Whether it’s increasing organic traffic, improving keyword rankings, or enhancing domain authority, make sure these objectives are clear and measurable on a month to month basis.
Use tools like Google Analytics to provide data on organic traffic to the site in question. Be sure to highlight metrics such as:
These metrics offer insights into the quality and engagement of your SEO-driven traffic. For clients that may not understand the significance of the above metrics, make sure to include a blurb that explains their importance in layman's terms.
Provide an analysis of keyword rankings. Focus on:
This section helps in understanding how content and optimization strategies are performing.
Backlinks are a vital part of SEO. Report on:
This information helps in assessing the effectiveness of your link-building strategies.
Analyze the performance of new or updated website content. Include metrics like:
Understanding which content resonates with your audience can guide future content strategies. For more on why content is helpful to SEO, check out our blog post on the subject.
Include any technical SEO efforts undertaken during the month. This could be site speed improvements, mobile optimization, or crawl errors that have been fixed, as technical site health is crucial for SEO success.
If possible, provide a brief analysis of key competitors. This might include changes in their rankings, new content strategies, or backlink acquisitions. Knowing what competitors are doing can help in adjusting your strategies. Additionally, no one is more aware of new competition than your clients. If you’re wondering who your client is looking to as a competitor, just ask!
Use graphs, charts, and tables to make data more digestible, as visual representations can help convey complex information more effectively than text alone.
Remember, not everyone is an SEO expert. Use clear, jargon-free language and explain any technical terms used. An engaging and understandable report is more likely to be read and acted upon.
A well-crafted, strategic monthly SEO report demonstrates the value of your SEO efforts while guiding future strategies. By focusing on clear goals, relevant metrics, and action items for your team, your report can become an essential component of your SEO success.
Interested in how the team at Monte Verde Media can help aid your SEO efforts? Get in touch.
