Chapter 6: How to Track and Measure SEO Results
Welcome to the world of SEO metrics, the calculations used to measure the success of your search engine optimization efforts. While website traffic and rankings might be the first things that come to mind, effective SEO analysis goes far beyond these basic figures.
Below, we’ll equip you with the knowledge and insights to navigate the diverse landscape of SEO metrics. We'll explore key performance indicators (KPIs) that matter most, from organic traffic and bounce rate to backlink profile and conversion rate.
By understanding these metrics and their interconnectedness, you'll gain the ability to evaluate your SEO performance accurately, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to optimize your website for long-term SEO success. But, before we dive into how to track and measure SEO results, let's first discuss the key metrics that matter, which include the following:
Organic traffic. The number of visitors who find your website through a search engine.
Keyword rankings. The position of your website in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords.
Click-Through Rate (CTR). The percentage of people who click on your website after seeing it in the search results.
Bounce rate. The percentage of visitors who leave your website after only viewing one page.
Time on page or time on site. The average amount of time visitors spend on your website.
Conversion rate. The percentage of visitors who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a contact form.
Backlinks. The number of links from other websites pointing to your site.