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| Your Website Can Be Nectar to the Hummingbird! |
Google announced this week that their latest algorithm update, which they call "Hummingbird" was released about a month ago. According to Google, this update is intended to improve conversational search, making their search engine more human in it's ability to understand semantic language.
In essence, this means that the update is expected to return more useful search results by taking in the whole meaning of the user's search input, rather than focusing on a terms within the query. The update addresses the trend towards mobile search as well as voice. It is widely expected to improve the search experience for Google users. As with all Google algorithm updates, Hummingbird will see some collateral damage in many websites losing their search engine positions. Sites that have been intensively focused on keywords and keyphrases may see a quick descent to the bottom of page 8 while well written, thoughtful and engaging content should rise to the occasion.
How Can Your Website Attract the Hummingbird?
There are a number of things you can do to add some nectar to your website and make the Hummingbird happy, as follows:- Make your site's pages are shareable. This can be accomplished through the use of free tools that add dynamic links allowing visitors to share your content on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and others.
- Make your site's design responsive. This means that your website will automatically resize itself for optimal viewing based on the type of devise the visitor is using. This is best accomplished by switching to Wordpress or other content management system, and using a pre-designed responsive theme that you can customize.
- Keep adding fresh content to your website. There are a number of ways to do this, including blog posts, question and answer sections, running contests, polls, commenting on news related to your industry and more.
- Make sure that your site is error-free, and that your pages load lightning-fast. Google rewards sites that can perform at Hummingbird speed.
- Engage your users. Invite them to provide testimonials. Ask them for feedback. Get them to offer suggestions for improving what you offer. Empowered visitors are more likely to share on social media, and "word of mouth" advertising is still the gold standard.
- Connect to social media. In this day and age, all websites should have a presence on Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, Linked In, YouTube, Pinterest and others. This is very important. You can no longer ignore it.
- Make sure your website is using Google Analytics and Webmaster tools, at the very minimum. These free tools help you monitor how your website is performing, including gains you are making, as well as technical problems that you can fix. They can also help you identify opportunities that you can pursue.
- Get local. Make sure your website is listed on Google's local listings, as well as Yelp, Yellow Pages, and a host of other local business directories that offer both free and paid listings. You can find a list of 50 good ones here.
- Get visual. Visitor engagement rules the webs. Visitors like to see video and good quality photos, which are also highly prized by Google. Studies have shown that visitors are much more likely to share content that has an interesting photo or video included.
- DO NOT PANIC!!! Pour up a cup of chamomile tea and don't do anything until you are completely calm and rational.
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