In this guide, Muhammad Waqas, the founder of AKW Brains and GOT SEO Academy, walks us through a complete SEO plan for 2025. With extensive experience managing successful SEO campaigns and expertise recognized by industry giants like SEMrush and Ahrefs, Waqas shares actionable steps that previously would have cost thousands when done by a professional.
Step-by-Step SEO Planning Process
1. Keyword Research and Analysis
- Download Existing Keyword Profile:
- Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to extract your current keyword data. Focus on exporting your entire keyword database—even if it contains 100,000 keywords.
- Paste this data into Google Sheets for easy manipulation.
| Keyword Profile |
|---|
| Export data |
| Analyze position |
| Prepare for filtering |
- Conduct a Keyword Gap Analysis:
- Identify competitors with well-established keyword profiles.
- Use the keyword gap report to spot opportunities where competitors rank for keywords you do not.
2. Filter and Prioritize Keywords
- Relevance Assessment:
- Filter keywords based on how relevant they are to your business model. For instance, if you sell SEO training or software, focus only on keywords pertinent to that niche.
- Application of Conditional Formatting:
- Implement conditional formatting in your sheets to highlight critical keywords easily.
- Identify Critical Keywords:
- What to focus on:
- Eliminate any keywords ranking at position one.
- Prioritize keywords that can drive revenue.
- What to focus on:
| Keywords to Prioritize |
|---|
| SEO training |
| SEO tools |
| SEO agency software |
3. Creating Supportive Content
- Find Supporting Keywords:
- Identify keywords that support your primary keywords but may not drive direct revenue. Use these to inform topic clusters surrounding your commercial keywords.
- Identify Intent Mismatches:
- Establish dedicated pages for poorly performing existing content that does not resonate with the keywords’ intent.
4. Data-Driven Approach in Selection
- Use search volume, keyword difficulty, and cost-per-click (CPC) to prioritize your keyword list.
- Analyze where your existing positioning (2-15) can be improved.
- Evaluate:
- Position: Focus on those ranking between 2-15.
- Search Volume: Keywords with a high search volume and realistic competition.
- Keyword Difficulty: Aim for keywords with less than 50 as a measure of competitiveness.
5. Running a Ranking Diagnosis
- Utilize a ranking diagnosis checklist to identify weaknesses in high-ranking pages. Ask:
- Are you leveraging backlinks appropriately?
- How is your current domain authority?
| Page Performance Checklist |
|---|
| Backlink Authority |
| Content Quality |
| Time since publication |
6. Content Creation from Scratch
- Use rankability’s content optimizer and NLP tools to draft quality content:
- Run the keyword through the tool, generate a basic outline, and then manually enhance it for higher originality and engagement.
- Develop quality engaging elements:
- Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and embedded graphics to improve reader engagement.
7. Site Audit and Refactoring
- Use tools like Screaming Frog to analyze site structure:
- Identify and handle 404 errors.
- Assess internal linking structures and make recommendations for improved navigation.
| Site Audit Focus Areas |
|---|
| 404 Errors |
| Crawl Depth |
| Thin Content |
Outro: Attaining SEO Success
By following these systematic steps, SEO professionals can empower themselves to significantly enhance their SEO strategies without incurring the hefty fees of industry consultants. The ultimate goal is to identify what works, gather crucial insights, and pivot strategies to maintain competitiveness in an ever-evolving landscape.
In Summary:
- Launch with an in-depth Keyword Research and Gap Analysis.
- Rigorously Filter and Prioritize keywords based on relevance.
- Formulate Content Strategies that support service offerings.
- Implement a Data-Driven approach to keyword selection.
- Conduct a thorough Ranking Diagnosis of existing content.
- Build Quality Content while paying special attention to structure.
- Stay proactive in Site Audits to optimize performance continuously.
Special Notes:
- Regularly revisit and refine your SEO strategy as trends change and new algorithms are implemented.
- By engaging in effective keyword strategies, supported by robust content creation and continuous monitoring, any business can strengthen its online presence.
Waqas’s approach is enlightening and straightforward, making it not just a guide but a roadmap for achieving SEO excellence in 2025. By taking the time to engage thoughtfully in these strategies, you’ll set yourself up for sustained success in a competitive digital landscape. Happy optimizing!