Which Is More Important: On-page SEO or Off-page SEO?

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Search engine optimization (SEO) is a broad term that covers a lot of ground. For example, on-page SEO is factors such as keyword usage, alt tags, meta descriptions, and images that are present within the HTML code of your website’s pages. Off-page SEO is everything else: keywords you use to search for your business or services, anchor text used in Google Search algorithm bots’ queries, and link back strategies you employ across other online platforms. If you’ve spent as much time as we have researching the ins and outs of SEO — yes, even during our early days as digital marketers — then it’s safe to say that you understand its importance. After all, without an effective strategy in place to drive targeted traffic to your site , you cannot expect it to grow your business or expand your horizons. What You Need To Know About On-page vs Off-page SEO

On-page SEO is more important than off-page SEO.

We all know that on-page SEO is the backbone of any successful digital marketing strategy, but what you may not know is that off-page SEO is just as important as on-page SEO. If you’re not running a strategic off-page SEO campaign, you’re likely making some serious mistakes. Mistakes such as using the wrong keywords, using the wrong anchor text, using the wrong H1-H2 heading format, using the wrong alt tag, and so on can all have an effect on your Google Search results and ultimately, the perception of your business online. Off-page SEO is the last component of your SEO strategy and is just as important as on-page SEO. Your off-page SEO strategy should account for both on-page SEO and off-page SEO.

Off-page SEO is still very important

Let’s be honest, with all the research, development, and optimization that goes into one page of Google results, it’s no secret that off-page SEO is just as important as on-page SEO. Your off-page SEO success or failure is directly related to your on-page SEO success or failure. For example, do you have an error-free page? If not, you’re likely missing out on a lot of traffic. Your off-page SEO starts the moment you’ve got your header and footer content structure in place and is considered “active.” While on-page SEO is what makes or breaks your site, your off-page SEO is as important or more so. Your off-page SEO strategy includes everything you do on the rest of your site to optimize your links and make your content easily accessible. It includes your keywords used in your navigation, your alt tags, your meta descriptions, and almost certainly your internal linking structure.

On-page SEO is directly related to off-page SEO success

We’ve already discussed why you must include an off-page SEO strategy in your On-page SEO strategy, but does it mean that on-page SEO is the only thing that matters? Well, not exactly. Your off-page SEO success is directly related to your on-page SEO success. For example, if your off-page SEO strategy is working, but people can’t find your homepage, then your on-page SEO is out of whack. Your off-page SEO success is also directly related to the success of your on-page SEO strategy.

On-page SEO achievements are directly related to off-page SEO success

When you think about it, your off-page SEO success is directly related to your on-page SEO achievements. After all, your off-page SEO strategy is only as successful as the links and referrals you add to your site. Let’s say you put up a great off-page SEO strategy, but your on-page SEO strategy is quite poor. As a result, not only are your links and referrals going to waste, but your site’s overall authority is also being impacted. If you want to maximize your off-page SEO success, then you need to focus on your on-page SEO strategy. But at the same time, if you want to maximize your on-page SEO success, then you need to focus on your off-page SEO strategy too.

Off-page SEO is also important

Off-page SEO is just as important as on-page SEO. In fact, it’s probably even more important. For example, you may have spent months building out an off-page SEO strategy, but your on-page SEO still isn’t taking advantage of the many opportunities that exist. Your off-page SEO strategy should account for both on-page SEO and off-page SEO. If you’re not developing your off-page SEO strategy, then you’re probably relying on luck to get you where you want to go. Your off-page SEO strategy should account for both on-page SEO and off-page SEO.

Bottom line

With the right off-page SEO strategy, you can double or triple your on-page SEO efforts and still see Google rewarding you with more results. Furthermore, a poor off-page SEO strategy can have a significant knock-on effect on your on-page SEO efforts. That said, if you do everything you can on-page and off-page, you’ll be well on your way to an impressive search engine optimized site.