SEO Tips for WordPress: Content Piece by an SEO Service Provider for Universities
Welcome to the world of SEO, tailored specifically for your university’s WordPress site. Search Engine Optimisation isn’t just for businesses; universities are just as much in the race to get noticed online. Look back a decade and you’ll see how academic institutions slowly started recognising the digital realm’s power. Fast forward to now, and it’s a key piece of the puzzle in attracting students and stakeholders. You might know that your ‘apply now’ button needs to be visible, but SEO is the engine behind getting prospects right there in the first place. For a deeper dive, explore this Universities SEO guide.
Universities, reasonably, want to improve their website search rankings to be the first port of call for potential students. With WordPress being a favoured choice due to its versatility, it’s time to think beyond just having a pretty-looking site. You want prospective students to find you. That needs an easy-to-navigate site and engaging content, but it also means perfecting some behind-the-scenes SEO strategies. Find small wins to improve your visibility. Let’s look at how you do this efficiently and effectively.
Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
Placements for traditional keywords are highly competitive, so own your niche by incorporating long-tail keywords. These are more specific phrases. For example, instead of focusing just on ‘university courses’, go for something like ‘creative writing masters programme in London’. Think about what potential students might actually type into Google. Getting specialised will usually see you with less competition and more relevant traffic.
Make Your Content Compelling
Quality content is a massive win in SEO, and universities are well-placed to produce it. Use your expertise to produce insightful blogs, articles, and guides relevant to students and staff alike. This not only attracts visitors but makes them stay longer, which can improve rankings. Remember, whether it’s about research breakthroughs or undergraduate tips, make it human. Numbers and names don’t tell stories—your people and projects do.
Optimise Your Website’s Loading Speed
In 2023, Google’s core update made website speed an even bigger deal than before. Nobody wants to hang around waiting for pages to load, so neither will search engines give your site much of a chance. Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights; it’s free and straightforward. Compress image sizes where possible, and consider whether you’ve got too many plugins slowing you down.
Leverage Internal Linking
Guide visitors through your site with internal links. We have hundreds of pages hidden in our universities’ websites. Use them to build pathways. Linking strategically will highlight specific content and allow Google to map out your site. It keeps visitors engaged and stays longer, which search engines love to see.
Create a Mobile-Friendly Experience
It’s 2024, everyone browses on their mobile; don’t get left behind. Make sure your WordPress theme is responsive, meaning it adjusts beautifully to any screen size. Google even moved to mobile-first indexing years ago, so don’t treat mobile just as an option. It should be a critical priority in your tech checklist.
Utilise Local SEO
If you haven’t already, dive into local SEO strategies. If someone is searching for a university course in their area, you want to be the first they see. Ensure you’ve claimed your Google My Business page and optimised it with your address, opening hours, and contact details. Regularly update it; images, reviews, anything to engage the locals.
Evaluate and Adapt Your Strategy
Your SEO strategy isn’t static. Use analytics tools to understand what’s working and what’s not. Adjust your keywords, revisit content quality, and fine-tune your link profile periodically. SEO requires patience, so track results but be ready to shift gears if needed.
With these steps, you’re not only making it easier for students to find your university, you’re also engaging them and addressing their needs. A well-optimised site could potentially determine whether you increase your enrolment targets or not. For customised assistance in elevating your site’s searchability, consider diving deeper into SEO management for Universities.
