Hi all,

A number of our pages have dropped out of search rankings.

It seems they are being marked as "Duplicate, submitted URL not selected as canonical"

However, the page Google is choosing as the canonical is totally different - different headings, titles, metadata, content on the page.

We are completely mystified as to why this is happening. If anyone can shed any light, it would be hugely appreciated!

Example URL is this one:
https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/IFA-financial-advisor-mortgage/london

Which Google seems to think is a duplicate of this: https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/solicitor/london

Absolutely agree on the branding push. There needs to be a long term strategy.

In terms of working out the business case for the blog and working out ROI:

If you have a link to your product on your blog and you track it. When it converts, there is a ROI! To work out the ROI, look at the number of visitors to the blog, then number of people who clicked the link, then number of people converted and what that is worth to you.

Let's say from 100 visitors, 2 clicked the link and 1 person converted to buy our product worth £10. From 100 visits you would get £10 which means each visitor to your website is worth 10p. If you can generate visitors for less than 10p each, then I would say there is a return on investment with your blog!

Hi Christy,

I do have some successes to share:

1. Blog. I now have the ability to upload content. It has been a great way to create depth in our keywords. A long way to go but a good start. We have also seen it as an added revenue stream as a result. Key is then to build on this!

Challenges:

1. We are growing and so is the competition in our industry. It is making the SEO efforts even less effective. 
2. Creating an overall picture of where we stand in terms of SEO as a business. Then finding effective solutions to take us further!!

In conclusion, in order for us to compete, I really need to make a case to argue for development resources so we can invest in our SEO, turning in to profits going forward.

Hi all,

I'm trying to breakdown some SEO 101 tips and start from scratch. Starting with Keywords!

I would like to audit our site for main keywords, grouping them in categories and subcategories. My questions are:

1. Is it possible to see where we rank on google AND search trends of visits to our site?
2. What is a good method or structure to document (excel?) 
3. What analysis can be made from finding the results of these keywords and how can I make use of this?

As a beginner your help is much appreciated!!

@NakulGoyal, thanks for this.

All your points are answered with a massive YES!

What suggestions do you have for a small project/tests/experiment for me to prove the worth of putting our resources towards this?

Thanks,
Eric

I do like this idea of making use of the highest performing pages. This is good because it leverages our best content and makes it even better!

Thanks for the suggestion and article too.

Thanks for the suggestion on Buffer. Seems like it utilizes all major social media in one go.

Hi Becky,

I feel you. I work in operations so I manage a lot of other things beyond the SEO and social media. In this case, I probably have an even less amount of time than you to implement these things!

A tip from me is to leverage other people's time. Have guest posts but make sure you share on all social media platforms.

I am struggling to come up with a strategy to build links for our content though. Do you have ideas/examples/blogs of how others have been successful in this area? Also, how to encourage social media shares in the public sphere. If ONE article goes viral, that is all it takes to make a huge following on the blog and twitter.

Anyway, I have so much to learn! Please share your successes with me too!

I recognise that content is king. Also, to be able to build links by connecting with websites that have a similar niche will be hugely beneficial. I will start making a plan for this.

In terms of metrics and measurements. To manage is to measure. What are some of the things I should be measuring, using the tools you have suggested? Do you have any articles or youtube videos that explain this?

The dev resource is indeed a permission issue. If there is a case for it, I can push for it to be done. In this case, measurements are the best forms of data to give to make a case! Cost vs value right.

This is a great practical suggestion that I will be putting forward!

With the ability to manage our site that comes with much more power to make a difference. Thank you.

Hi fellow Moz users!

I am managing SEO at our company. Perhaps some of you out there also have the problem of wanting to make SEO changes on your website but lack the developer resources to make significant changes?

What are some of the things I can do in my power (can't do any backend work) to make SEO better?

Currently, I have:

• Social media (including Moz local tips of business listings)
• Blog site
• Refining pictures
• Google analytics to see where we can improve
• Internal and external links

Please feel free to expand on the above but ideally it will be new things that I could get on with!

Many thanks,
Eric

Hi all,

I'm trying to breakdown some SEO 101 tips and start from scratch. Starting with Keywords!

I would like to audit our site for main keywords, grouping them in categories and subcategories. My questions are:

1. Is it possible to see where we rank on google AND search trends of visits to our site?
2. What is a good method or structure to document (excel?) 
3. What analysis can be made from finding the results of these keywords and how can I make use of this?

As a beginner your help is much appreciated!!

I have put the time in to review all our business listings and updated it individually.

Are there more advantages in using Moz Local besides the convenience? For those that use it, what else have you found to be beneficial?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks,
Eric

Thank you for clarifying this. We have a social media platform within which I am curating a content schedule for. Knowing how to make the best use of this is essential for SEO I think.

This is a great practical suggestion that I will be putting forward!

With the ability to manage our site that comes with much more power to make a difference. Thank you.

I recognise that content is king. Also, to be able to build links by connecting with websites that have a similar niche will be hugely beneficial. I will start making a plan for this.

In terms of metrics and measurements. To manage is to measure. What are some of the things I should be measuring, using the tools you have suggested? Do you have any articles or youtube videos that explain this?

The dev resource is indeed a permission issue. If there is a case for it, I can push for it to be done. In this case, measurements are the best forms of data to give to make a case! Cost vs value right.

Hi Becky,

I feel you. I work in operations so I manage a lot of other things beyond the SEO and social media. In this case, I probably have an even less amount of time than you to implement these things!

A tip from me is to leverage other people's time. Have guest posts but make sure you share on all social media platforms.

I am struggling to come up with a strategy to build links for our content though. Do you have ideas/examples/blogs of how others have been successful in this area? Also, how to encourage social media shares in the public sphere. If ONE article goes viral, that is all it takes to make a huge following on the blog and twitter.

Anyway, I have so much to learn! Please share your successes with me too!

Thanks for the suggestion on Buffer. Seems like it utilizes all major social media in one go.

I do like this idea of making use of the highest performing pages. This is good because it leverages our best content and makes it even better!

Thanks for the suggestion and article too.

@NakulGoyal, thanks for this.

All your points are answered with a massive YES!

What suggestions do you have for a small project/tests/experiment for me to prove the worth of putting our resources towards this?

Thanks,
Eric