The WP SEO Show – Demystifying SEO for WordPress Websites

• 034 – Can you do SEO on a Budget?

  In this episode, Pete and Jeff discuss how to implement effective SEO strategies even with limited resources. They break down the essential elements of budget-friendly SEO and provide actionable advice for agencies and clients.Key Topics CoveredSite Speed OptimizationBest practices for plugin managementImplementing proper caching and image optimizationImportance of quality hostingBenefits of using WordPress block editorTips for balancing features vs performanceSite StructureSetting up proper permalinksCreating effective pillar and cluster pagesOrganizing content hierarchicallyBuilding strategic internal linkingAvoiding common structural mistakesPage StructureProper implementation of heading tags (H1-H6)Schema markup basicsXML sitemap setupCommon heading tag mistakes to avoidBudget SEO Strategy for ClientsCreating comprehensive service pagesConverting customer questions into contentBuilding effective internal linkingMaintaining regular content updatesUnderstanding the time vs money investmentTools MentionedWP Rocket (caching)SEOPress ProMeta SEO Inspector (Chrome extension)Headings Map (Firefox extension)Google Search ConsoleNeed help implementing these strategies? Contact us at hello@seohive.co

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• 033 – Managing Monthly SEO Clients

  In this episode, Pete and Jeff talk about the practicalities of running SEO retainers for your clients – the good, the bad, the ugly, and som tips from their own experiences. Key talking points include1. The Importance of Weekly Client ManagementMonthly retainers shouldn’t mean monthly attentionRegular monitoring helps catch issues earlyAllows for better tracking of algorithm updates across client portfolioBuilds stronger client relationships and trust2. Weekly Review Process Should Include:Rankings checkOrganic traffic analysisGoogle Search Console error monitoringTask progress updatesClient KPI trackingSales/conversion monitoring3. Time Management TipsDedicate specific days for client reviews (examples given: Mondays or Fridays)Can be done in 10-15 minutes per clientStart with top clients if overwhelmedSchedule reviews at least 48 hours before client meetings4. Communication Best PracticesShare highlights and wins immediatelyDon’t go more than two weeks without client contactProactively inform clients about algorithm updates or ranking changesGet regular feedback on sales/leads that might not show in analytics5. Benefits of Regular MonitoringEasier to spot trends across multiple clientsMore confident client conversationsBetter prepared for monthly reportingOpportunity for quick fixes and improvementsEarlier detection of potential issues6. Project Management ConsiderationsUse tools that your team will actually engage withFocus on implementation rather than perfect tool selectionConsider client preferences for communication platformsSet up regular task reminders for consistency

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• 032 – So much Drama In The WP World! How we're dealing with it.

  This episode delves into how the drama may reshape the WordPress ecosystem and its potential business implications for agencies and developers.Main talking points include:WP Drama Overview: Ongoing tensions between WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg (Automattic) and WP Engine, a major hosting company, have escalated.WordPress Plugin Repository Conflict: Automattic blocked WP Engine from the WordPress plugin repository, which raised concerns within the WordPress ecosystem.Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Takeover: Automattic allegedly "hijacked" the free version of ACF from the repository, though WP Engine still manages ACF Pro for paying customers.WP Engine's Response: WP Engine downplayed the situation and found a workaround to update plugins despite the block, using VPNs to bypass restrictions.Client Concerns: The drama has led to increased client uncertainty, with some questioning the security and viability of WP Engine, despite no immediate risks.Impact on Developers: The conflict has made some developers consider alternatives to WordPress and question whether WordPress remains the best solution for certain projects.Community Reaction: The drama has sparked discussions about the contributions to the WordPress community, with concerns over profiteering by WP Engine.Long-Term Effects: Uncertainty about the future relationship between WP Engine and Automattic, with potential long-term impacts on the WordPress ecosystem.Developer Anxiety: Some developers have lost contracts due to client concerns, reflecting the ripple effect of the conflict on business decisions.Alternative Solutions: A growing discussion around whether WordPress is the best fit for all projects, with mentions of alternative platforms like Squarespace or Shopify.Philosophical Questions: Broader debates on the nature of open source, contribution expectations, and the role of the community in the growth of WordPress.

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• 031 - Taking A Look At Your Client's CRO

  Main talking points include:Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Importance of optimizing websites to help users take desired actions (leads, sales, etc.).CRO and SEO Link: Driving traffic through SEO is ineffective if visitors can’t convert due to website issues.Common CRO Mistakes:Broken contact forms or inquiry forms.E-commerce checkout issues (not verifying if payments go through).Missing or unclear calls to action (CTAs).Long mobile pages with CTAs buried at the bottom, requiring excessive scrolling.Broken links, particularly in key areas like footers.Usability Checks:Regularly test websites, even on incognito browsers, to catch errors like broken images or caching problems.Look for broken forms, payment issues, or email issues that might hinder conversions.Proactivity: Regularly checking for issues even after a site goes live, especially for maintenance clients.Mobile Experience: Consider how the site is experienced on mobile devices, ensuring that key actions like CTAs are accessible early on the page.Analytics: Using tools like Google Analytics to identify high exit rates or bounce rates on key pages, which may point to usability or CRO issues.Value of Small Fixes: Fixing even small issues (like broken links in a footer) can result in significant improvements in traffic and conversions.Client Communication: Keeping clients informed about ongoing checks, testing forms, and being proactive builds trust and strengthens the relationship.Importance of Detail: Small details often overlooked, like unchecked form errors, can have large impacts on user experience and site success.

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• 030 - The Brand SERP Guy, Jason Barnard

  Main talking points include:In this episode, Pete and Jeff were super honoured to pick the brains of Branded SERP guru, Jason Barnard.In a conversation that covered a myriad of topics, the main talking points include:Importance of Managing Brand SERPsThe Role of Google's Knowledge GraphModern SEO and Entity ManagementThe Concept of EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)The KaliCube Process (Understandability, Credibility, Deliverability)Knowledge Panels as a KPIInfluence of AI on Branding and SEOMaintaining Consistency Across Digital FootprintsSchema Markup and Implicit SemanticsThe Value of Building AuthorityActionable Steps for Individuals and AgenciesConnect with JasonJason's Book: "The Fundamentals of Brand SERPs for Business" is available on AmazonJason's Website: https://jasonbarnard.com/Jason's Guides: As mentioned on the show, Jason has some extensive guides for managing your own Branded SERPs. – grab your copy here!

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