17 Proven SEO Tactics to Boost Your Website Ranking

Unlock the full potential of a website’s search engine ranking with battle-tested SEO tactics straight from industry experts. This article cuts through the noise to present clear, actionable strategies that can propel any site to the top. Discover expert-backed approaches to refine both on-page and off-page SEO elements for a competitive edge.

• Target Content Gaps for Niche Keywords
• Optimize Technical SEO for Better Rankings
• Use ABC Link Exchange for Backlinks
• Optimize Google Business Profile for Rankings
• Create Pillar Content with Internal Links
• Add Keywords to Meta Tags and Content
• Target Question-Based Keywords for Snippets
• Focus on Long-Tail Keywords for Niche
• Use Internal Links with Strategic Anchor Text
• Niche Down for Specific Industry SEO
• Optimize Old Blog Posts for Better Rankings
• Partner with Authority Blogs for Backlinks
• Create Evergreen Content Silos for Keywords
• Leverage AI Tools for Content Optimization
• Optimize Content for Search Intent
• Use Internal Linking from High-Authority Pages
• Leverage Reddit for Viral SEO Content

Target Content Gaps for Niche Keywords

The most effective SEO win I’ve had recently was targeting content gaps in the home renovation niche, specifically around popcorn ceiling removal. My client jumped from page 7 to position 3 for “popcorn ceiling removal” (12k monthly searches) and saw organic traffic spike from 200 to 2,100 monthly visits.

Let me break down how we did it. Back in early 2023, I was digging through Google Search Console data for my client’s home renovation website when I noticed something interesting. Their site was getting random clicks from people searching about popcorn ceiling removal, even though they had no dedicated content on the topic.

Instead of chasing overcrowded keywords like “kitchen remodel cost” where we’d be fighting HomeAdvisor and Houzz, we went all-in on this untapped opportunity. We created a comprehensive 4,500-word guide that covered everything—from asbestos testing to DIY removal techniques to cost breakdowns and safety protocols.

The results were better than we expected. Within 4 months, we grabbed that #2 position for our main target keyword, and we also snagged featured snippets for a whole cluster of related terms like “popcorn ceiling removal cost” and “how to remove popcorn ceiling without water.”

But here’s what really matters: the revenue that came from this. The content directly led to a 140% increase in lead generation forms for their professional popcorn removal services. Sometimes the best SEO wins come from spotting these smaller, overlooked opportunities where user intent and your expertise perfectly align, rather than battling it out for the obvious high-competition terms.

Samy Thuillier, Top-Rated SEO Consultant, samythuillier.com

Optimize Technical SEO for Better Rankings

In my experience, technical SEO optimizations delivered the most impactful results for improving our website rankings. We started by focusing on site speed, reducing load times by nearly 2.5 seconds by optimizing image sizes, minifying CSS, and enabling server-side caching. This alone increased our overall organic traffic by 20% within two months. 

For me personally, the biggest win was addressing broken internal links and improving URL structures. Fixing 32 broken links and reformatting long, clunky URLs into concise, keyword-focused ones helped us climb from position 18 to position 3 for keywords like “local digital marketing agency services.” These technical adjustments made the site easier to navigate for users while also signaling higher quality to search engines.

Matthew Goulart, Founder, Ignite Digital

Use ABC Link Exchange for Backlinks

One of the most effective SEO strategies we implemented was the ABC link exchange for a client in the project management SaaS industry. This approach was especially beneficial as the client was working with a limited budget. ABC link exchange is an advanced off-page SEO technique where three websites collaborate in a triangular structure to create natural backlink profiles. Instead of direct exchanges (AB), Website A links to Website B, Website B links to Website C, and Website C links back to Website A.

Using this strategy, we secured 45 high-quality backlinks from websites with an average DR of 65 at a remarkably low cost—around $30 per link. The campaign focused on keywords like “project management software for small businesses,” which saw rankings jump from position 18 to position 5 in just three months. Secondary keywords such as “collaboration tools for small teams” improved from position 30 to position 12, and “top SaaS project management platforms” moved from position 25 to the top 10.

The results were impressive:

• 110% increase in organic traffic.
• 75% boost in demo sign-ups.
• Overall domain rating (DR) improved by 8 points (from 40 to 65).

This cost-effective strategy not only maximized the client’s budget but also delivered outstanding results, solidifying their presence in the competitive project management SaaS space.

Zain Bin Zameer, Senior SEO Specialist, The frank Agency

Optimize Google Business Profile for Rankings

For boosting rankings and building major trust with Google, I’d highly recommend a Google Business Profile.

These profiles are free and verification doesn’t take long so the ROI with your time vs ranking potential is huge!

Our website went from 7th to 2nd for our main keyword after optimizing our Google Business Profile and gaining 3 great reviews, 5-star reviews are key for ranking locally. (No new content or backlinks were built during this time)

An optimized profile with regular 5-star reviews will be your secret weapon for dominating local search results!

Dean haggart, Head SEO, Smart SEO Cornwall

Create Pillar Content with Internal Links

One SEO strategy that significantly boosted a website’s ranking was creating pillar content paired with a strong internal linking strategy.

I was working on a website in the travel niche that wasn’t ranking well for competitive keywords like “U.S. weekend getaways.” After analyzing search intent and keyword opportunities, we decided to create an in-depth, evergreen guide titled, “The Ultimate Guide to U.S. Weekend Getaways.” The article covered everything from top destinations to budget-friendly tips, addressing common questions people searched for.

To amplify its impact, we treated it as a “pillar page” and linked to it from several related blog posts, such as “Top Seaside Towns in the United States” and “Best Romantic Escapes in the Cotswolds.” Each of these supporting articles included internal links back to the main guide, using variations of the target keyword as anchor text.

Within three months, the ranking for “U.S. weekend getaways” jumped from page three to the top five search results. Organic traffic to the site increased by over 120%, and the guide became a primary driver of inquiries for local travel packages. This strategy worked because it positioned the site as an authority while improving navigation and user experience, making it a win for both visitors and search engines.

Peter Wootton, SEO Consultant, The SEO Consultant Agency

Add Keywords to Meta Tags and Content

One of the simplest yet most effective SEO tips that made a noticeable difference for my website was adding the targeted keywords in the Meta Title, Meta Description, H1 tag, and the first paragraph of the content. This single tweak drastically improved my rankings because it made it clear to search engines what the page was about, while also catching the attention of users browsing through search results.

Here’s how it worked: I optimized a blog post for the keyword “best baby strollers in 2024” by ensuring this exact phrase appeared:

In the Meta Title, I used: “Best Baby Strollers in 2024 – Top Picks for Every Budget.”

In the Meta Description, I included: “Looking for the best baby strollers in 2024? Discover our top picks designed for comfort, safety, and style.”

The H1 tag echoed: “Best Baby Strollers in 2024.”

In the first paragraph, I wrote: “Choosing the best baby strollers in 2024 can feel overwhelming, but this guide makes it simple by highlighting the top options for every budget.”

The result? The blog post moved from the third page of Google to the top 5 results within three weeks. The organic traffic to that page increased by over 250%, and it brought in more qualified visitors who were genuinely interested in the topic.

Why does this tip work so well? Search engines, especially Google, rely on these key areas (Meta Title, Meta Description, H1, and the opening paragraph) to understand the context of a page. Including the target keyword in these spots provides a strong relevance signal, which can improve your rankings significantly when paired with quality content.

It’s important not to overdo it. Stuffing keywords can harm your rankings, so I made sure the usage felt natural and flowed well with the content. To test the results, I also analyzed performance using Google Search Console, which showed an increase in click-through rate (CTR) for that specific keyword.

For business owners or bloggers looking for quick wins, this tip is a game-changer. Start by reviewing your current pages. If your targeted keywords are missing in these spots, update them strategically. Track your rankings over the next few weeks, and you’re likely to see an improvement. Just make sure the content delivers value so users stay on the page after clicking—because rankings mean little without engagement.

Ankit Prajapati, Owner, Consultant-Ankit

Target Question-Based Keywords for Snippets

One of the most effective SEO strategies I implemented was optimizing for featured snippets by targeting question-based keywords in the fitness niche. The primary keyword we focused on was “how to create a workout plan,” which had a high search volume but also strong competition. To improve our chances of ranking, we researched related questions using tools like AnswerThePublic and Google’s “People Also Ask” section.

We crafted a detailed blog post titled “Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Workout Plan That Works for You,” structured with clear headings, bullet points, and concise answers to common questions. Additionally, we included FAQs at the end of the post and embedded schema markup to help search engines understand the content better.

Within two months, this strategy boosted our ranking from the middle of the second page to securing the featured snippet for “how to create a workout plan” and several related queries. This placement led to a 40% increase in organic traffic to the page and a noticeable rise in engagement metrics, such as time on page and click-through rates.

The surprising element was how effectively the snippet format drove visibility, even above competitors with higher domain authority. The lesson learned was that optimizing for user intent and presenting information in a format designed to answer questions quickly can yield significant SEO gains.

Darryl Stevens, CEO, Digitech Web Design

Focus on Long-Tail Keywords for Niche

One effective SEO strategy that significantly boosted our website’s ranking was optimizing for long-tail keywords related to our niche. We conducted in-depth keyword research to identify specific phrases with moderate search volume but low competition. For example, instead of targeting the broad term “web development,” we focused on keywords like “Laravel queue system implementation” and “Google Tag Manager for Shopify checkout.”

We then created detailed, value-driven blog posts around these topics, ensuring they were well-structured, included actionable insights, and followed on-page SEO best practices such as using proper headings, internal links, and meta descriptions. Additionally, we incorporated multimedia elements like images and videos to enhance engagement.

Within three months, our rankings for these long-tail keywords jumped from page 5-6 to the top 3 positions on Google. This not only increased organic traffic by over 150% but also brought in a more qualified audience, directly impacting lead generation and conversions.

Focusing on niche-specific keywords allowed us to stand out in a competitive industry and build authority in our domain, a strategy we continue to refine and leverage.

Vishal Shah, Sr. Technical Consultant, WPWeb Infotech

Use Internal Links with Strategic Anchor Text

One of the most easy and simple, yet effective SEO strategies I’ve implemented is adding internal links with strategic use of anchor text. For example, an eCommerce site I wanted to rank for “orchid leis” but had multiple pages competing for this keyword, causing keyword cannibalization. I strategically built internal links across my site pointing to the page I wanted to rank, using “orchid leis” as the anchor text. Within two weeks, this page began moving from the bottom of the second page to the top three of the first page. This simple yet overlooked tactic worked because it clearly signaled to Google which page was the most relevant for the keyword.

Ann Bertholf, Chief Strategist, In-Touch Marketing

Niche Down for Specific Industry SEO

We decided to niche down and service just plumbers for our local SEO business. So, right back when we made this decision, our first action was to write an article about SEO for plumbers, which now brings in more than half of our organic SEO traffic. Furthermore, we use that article as a tool—we send it to prospects more or less saying: “Here is how YOU can win local SEO efforts in your area—if you don’t have the time or inclination, we’ll take care of that for you.” We’ll be following this for other niches this year as well. Most SEO agencies focus on more broad terms, so we feel that the plumbing example has been a good piece of evidence for us here.

Corey Hinde, Marketing Director, Good Oil Digital Marketing

Optimize Old Blog Posts for Better Rankings

One effective SEO strategy that worked wonders for me was optimizing old blog posts. I updated the content with fresh stats, improved readability, and added a few targeted long-tail keywords. For example, on a blog about “best project management tools,” I included phrases like “affordable project management tools for small teams.”

After a few weeks, the post jumped from page 3 to page 1 on Google for those keywords, and organic traffic increased by 40%. It’s simple—work with what you already have and make it more relevant.

Adnan Jiwani, Assistant Manager Digital Marketing, Ivacy VPN

Partner with Authority Blogs for Backlinks

Content partnerships with top authority industry blogs was one of the best SEO methods for ranking our site. We teamed up with niche blogs to write jointly about affiliate and referral program benefits, which are long-tail keywords such as “how to use best tools for referral” and “how to start an influencer program.” This trick took one of our cornerstone articles from position 18 to position 4 on Google in just 4 months. I think what was important was having content that was practical and answered the kind of questions our audience was asking. These relationships also produced valuable backlinks which made our website look more credible to Google.

Anders Bill, Cofounder/CPO, Superfiliate

Create Evergreen Content Silos for Keywords

One of the most effective SEO strategies I’ve implemented for clients across various industries is creating evergreen content silos focused on commercial keywords. Unlike informational content, which primarily educates, commercial content targets users further along the buyer journey—those actively searching for products or services. Structuring content into topic-specific silos ensures search engines view the website as a comprehensive authority on those commercial intents.

These silos are meticulously organized around high-value keywords, with cornerstone pages targeting broader terms supported by interlinked subpages addressing related queries, features, and comparisons. This structure not only improves user navigation but also helps search engines understand the hierarchy and relevance of the content.

The results are consistently impactful. Clients see stronger rankings across entire topic clusters, increased organic traffic from highly qualified users, and a measurable boost in conversion rates. By focusing on evergreen, commercial-intent silos, businesses can dominate competitive search spaces while building a scalable foundation for long-term SEO success.

Blake Smith, Founder & SEO Consultant, Blake Smith Consulting

Leverage AI Tools for Content Optimization

One highly effective SEO strategy that significantly boosted our website’s ranking was leveraging AI-driven content optimization tools. By utilizing tools like BrightEdge and Frase, we were able to analyze user intent and identify content gaps. This approach allowed us to focus on trending topics and create highly relevant content that directly addressed user questions. We integrated targeted keywords, optimized page structure for readability, and ensured our content aligned with searcher intent.

As a result, we experienced a 25% increase in organic traffic within just three months. The content optimization not only improved keyword relevance but also enhanced key metrics like click-through rates and dwell time, which are important for ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). This strategy showed the power of AI in refining content and improving its visibility, ultimately contributing to stronger performance in search engine rankings.

For those looking to implement a similar strategy, focusing on quality, relevant content that answers user queries—combined with AI tools to optimize and refine it—can lead to substantial SEO gains and improved website performance.

Himanshi Singh, Digital Marketing Expert, BigOhTech

Optimize Content for Search Intent

One effective SEO strategy is optimizing content for search intent. By analyzing user intent behind high-traffic keywords, I created comprehensive, relevant articles addressing those needs. For example, targeting “best digital marketing strategies,” I developed detailed, actionable guides. This alignment with user intent improved engagement metrics, signaling quality to search engines. As a result, rankings for targeted keywords climbed significantly, securing top spots in SERPs. This approach highlights how delivering value-driven content strengthens authority and visibility.

Brenton Thomas, Founder, Twibi

Use Internal Linking from High-Authority Pages

An effective SEO strategy that significantly boosted our website’s ranking was leveraging internal linking from high-authority pages to less prominent ones. By strategically linking our high-traffic, well-established pages to those targeting niche keywords like “Salesforce mobile app development,” we observed a notable improvement in rankings within a few months.

For instance, we had a blog post ranking well for a broader keyword, “Salesforce app development,” which consistently attracted substantial organic traffic. We added contextual internal links from this high-authority page to a lesser-known page optimized for “Salesforce mobile app development.” These links were accompanied by relevant anchor texts and placed naturally within the content to enhance user experience.

The results were impressive:

Our targeted page for “Salesforce mobile app development” moved from position 25 (third page) to position 6 (first page) on Google SERPs within three months.

The organic traffic to this page increased by over 150%, contributing to a 40% overall growth in organic traffic for the “Salesforce” category of our website.

This approach not only improved rankings but also helped build a stronger topical authority for Salesforce-related services on our website. In addition, combining this strategy with on-page optimizations—such as improving content depth, using structured data, and enhancing page load speed—amplified the results.

The key takeaway is that strategic internal linking can significantly enhance the discoverability and ranking of less prominent pages, especially when tied to niche keywords with moderate competition. It’s a scalable and impactful SEO tactic that fosters both user engagement and improved search engine visibility.

Kapil Goutam, Founder, Nlineaxis IT Solutions Private Limited

Leverage Reddit for Viral SEO Content

An effective SEO strategy that has significantly boosted our website’s ranking is by leveraging Reddit. It’s no question that Reddit is an undervalued tool in the marketer’s stack. With the backdoor agreement that Reddit has penned with Google, tons of Reddit posts and comments are ranking organically. If you’re able to create a naturally viral piece of content for Reddit, I highly suggest leveraging this to grow your SEO. One way to do this is by placing your specific keyword in the title of the Reddit post, and after a week or so that the post has been live, edit the post to include a URL to your website. It will boost your DR almost overnight.

Matt Zothner, Founder and CEO, Currents