Advice, SEO
Supercharging Your University SEO Strategy: Insights and Recommendations
Our previous blog post delved into the importance of optimizing school websites to reach a broader audience. While we covered various strategies, there’s one powerful approach that often goes unnoticed: search engine optimization (SEO). The State of SEO in Higher Education The UPCEA/Search Influence 2023 research sheds light on the perceptions and comprehension of SEO among institutional and marketing leaders. Surprisingly, many of these leaders acknowledge the importance of SEO but admit that their units lack a well-defined strategy. While 84% of marketing departments view SEO as a core component of their strategy, half of them still need an established plan in place. The question arises: why the disconnect? Perhaps SEO seems too complex, and digital advertising offers a simpler alternative with clear returns. Decision-makers may not fully grasp the ROI of SEO. However, the reality is that investing in SEO can yield substantial benefits. Moving from page 5 to page 1 in search engine rankings can translate into hundreds of additional website visits and thousands of dollars in revenue. Reaching new adult learners demands precision, planning, and improved prospect and student interfaces. These savvy learners rely on various sources of information and are influenced by learning path outcomes. Capturing their attention and engagement necessitates a well-executed content strategy that encompasses comprehensive SEO optimization. Effective implementation involves strategically integrating relevant keywords, developing engaging content, and cultivating valuable backlinks. Strategy & Tools Universities have a unique advantage in the SEO arena, as their websites are highly trusted and respected sources of information. The .edu still holds power. Nevertheless, the situation is further complicated by challenges related to CMS platforms used by universities for website management. The most commonly used platforms include Drupal (31%), Cascade (17%), WordPress (15%), and Omni (6%), among others. It is crucial for these institutions to understand that there is no silver bullet solution for SEO success. However, when it comes to optimization for Drupal and WordPress, there are several tools available that can help enhance the performance and visibility of your website. Here are some popular options for each platform: For Drupal: For WordPress:
The best part? SEO optimization doesn’t have to break the bank.
These are just a few examples of the SEO optimization tools available for Drupal and WordPress. If you’re looking to take your website’s SEO strategy to the next level and reach your target audience effectively, it’s time to have a chat with KWALL.