Part 7: Implementing an SEO Strategy During COVID-19

This is the last blog from our COVID-19 e-commerce series, and we are here to discuss SEO (search engine optimization) and how it may or may not alter during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depending on your business, your SEO strategy will need to alter in order to better adapt to the changing and challenging times. Perhaps you are asking yourself if having an SEO strategy is crucial at this point in time, and in this blog post, we will also discuss whether or not it is for you and your business.

In addition, we will be discussing general SEO strategies that should be implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, depending on the business you own and operate. Continue reading for tips and tricks regarding all things SEO during the COVID-19 crisis!

Should You Be Implementing an SEO Strategy?

Although data has shown that search traffic for both paid and organic is declining at the moment, that does not mean you should forgo all SEO strategies. SEO continues to play a pivotal role in sales, even as traffic trends show a decline. 

This is due to:

1. COVID-19 is trending and SEO remains a consistent practice for most businesses.
2. Many consumers are doing their best to support their community by seeking out local businesses.
3. Publishing evergreen content is crucial, no matter what is happening in the world. It is a staple of SEO and will have a positive impact on your business.
4. You will attract high-quality visitors by implementing an SEO strategy.
5. SEO gains are long-term and not short-term.
6. Search is going to be more common and ingrained in our lives after the pandemic. Start now and get ahead of the game!
7. SEO is FREE and you have all the time in the world.

Now that we have gone through the many reasons why you should be considering an SEO strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic, here are some of the strategies to keep in mind.

SEO Is Consistent

Having an active SEO strategy requires regular maintenance, even if that means you can only do the bare minimum. By having some maintenance take place, it will impact your business now and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we highly recommend that you do not ignore SEO during the COVID-19 crisis.

Treat your SEO strategy as if it is a garden. Plant the seeds to a successful crop season, and start today. Reap your rewards following the pandemic and you will not regret putting in a small amount of effort.

Create Long-Form Content

This goes hand-in-hand with our recent blog post about the importance of having an active blog during the COVID-19 pandemic. Creating long-form content will play a pivotal role in long-term success for your business. Many consumers are slowing down during this time, and therefore have more time to delve deeper into topics that they did not previously have time for.

Rather than simply producing social media content, having an active blog and producing long-form content will benefit you and will also provide consumers with something productive to do. Not only is this time of content more likely to be read right now, but it is also a staple for SEO success.

Related: Part 4: Having an Active Blog During COVID-19

Keep Local SEO In Mind

Now more than ever, consumers are doing their best to support local and small businesses within their community. Take advantage of this by implementing a local SEO strategy for your business.

Big brands and major websites will always stand out, but now is the chance for local and small businesses to take a stand. People are staying close to home and local businesses are being sought out regularly for products or services.

Many of these small and local businesses do not have time for long-form content, and a local SEO strategy will allow these businesses to reach consumers and gain business during the COVID-19 pandemic and perhaps following the pandemic.

Balance Your Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

Although we know the COVID-19 pandemic will end eventually, at this point in time we do not know when that will be. Regardless, the impact on all businesses will be long-term. Therefore, your SEO strategy should include both long-term and short-term tactics.

Short-Term Tactic Recommendations:

Publish content that is relative to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, our team at Eternity has decided to do a blog series that relates to the coronavirus, and how it is impacting business. In addition, update your listings and your website for local search terms.

Long-Term Tactic Recommendations:

Consider publishing content that will answer some of the questions your consumers may be asking. These questions could be relative to COVID-19 related questions or post-pandemic questions. Regardless, you should be finding answers to these questions and providing your consumers with what they are looking for. In addition, you should be continuing to evolve your traditional objectives that are not relative to the pandemic whatsoever.

Your short-term and long-term goals will vary depending on your business and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic