Case Study : SEO Cork

In this article we will breakdown the exact SEO strategy implemented by this Cork SEO Company to move an Irish moving company to the top of the Google rankings and book €‎1000s worth of jobs.

Keep reading to find out how you can follow our process to replicate these results for your business and turn your website into a passive lead generating machine  

Keyword Research

The goal of our keyword research was to identify commercial and high volume keywords with low competition – the key ingredients to consistently attract customers seeking moving services in Cork. To achieve this, we harnessed the incredible capabilities of the renowned analytical tool Semrush, a favorite among SEO professionals.

Why were we looking for high volume, commercial keywords with low difficulty?

The reason we were looking for keywords that matched these parameters is simple. By targeting keywords that meet these criteria, we ensured:

In carrying out our research we found many search terms and keywords that we believed we could rank for on the first page of Google.

Now armed with our handpicked set of target keywords, we stand prepared to take the next decisive step in our journey

Competitor Analysis

Conducting a comprehensive competitor analysis serves as our compass, revealing the path to success by understanding our competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. Through this research, we gain valuable insights, enabling us to chart a winning strategy that directs our efforts toward surpassing competitor websites and claiming the top spot in our domain.

We evaluate three key factors:

1. Technical Evaluation
2. Content Evaluation
3. Backlink Profile

Technical Evaluation

This involves analysing the competitor websites speed, code structure and responsiveness.

We discovered that many of our competitors had very slow websites, likely built using page building software. Additionally, a significant number of them failed to optimize their HTML structure properly to rank for the commercial keywords we targeted. Some of the websites were responsive to different screen sizes but they were very slow on mobile devices.

Content Evaluation

Our content evaluation involved analyzing how much information the competitors displayed on their website. This allowed us to gauge the level of detail and service information required to make our website more informative than our competition’s.

We also examined the quality and volume of images and infographics used on the most successful websites to determine the necessary resources we would need to allocate to this vital aspect of our website.

Backlink Profile

A backlink profile represents the entire collection of backlinks pointing to a website. Backlinks serve as an authority signal for Google. We analyze both the quantity and quality of our competitors’ backlinks. Surprisingly, most of the websites on the front page for our main target keyword had a limited number of backlinks.

Now, let’s explore why Google’s algorithm scrutinizes a website’s backlink profile:

The reason lies in the fact that backlinks signify the website’s credibility and reliability. Websites with a strong backlink profile are considered reputable sources, deserving of higher search result rankings. For instance, if your website receives a mention in a prestigious publication like Forbes, it would signal to Google that you are an expert in your field, enhancing your search engine visibility.

Technical SEO

• We built the website without the use of page builders, this allowed us to correctly structure the HTML code, optimising it for Googles web crawlers. This also allowed the website to load incredibly fast, load times are a key metric that Google track in their search algorithm. Our web design methods ensure top of the range page speed
  “Moreover, hand-coding allows developers to optimize the website for specific devices and screen sizes, reducing the amount of data that needs to be downloaded, which further reduces loading times. This optimization also ensures that the website is responsive and looks good on any device, which is important for user experience.”
  We also ensured the website had Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), a protocol that secures communication and data transfer between a user’s web browser and a website. Google generally do not place websites near the top of the search results without having HTTPS certificate.
  We carefully included our main keyword our H1 tags and sprinkled other keywords we were targetted in our homepage. This is important because it gives Google’s web crawlers important information and context about your website and massively increases your chances of ranking for commercial keywords.
  Including the correct keywords in the website’s metadata is also important to allow Google to know the context of specific pages on your website. It ensures your different service pages will show in relevant searches.

Content

Content reigns as the paramount factor in SEO, provided that all technical SEO aspects have been diligently addressed.

In crafting the content for this website, we made sure to incorporate the following elements:

• High-Quality Images: We carefully selected captivating images, ensuring they resonated with the website’s aesthetic appeal and enhanced the overall user experience.
• Comprehensive Service Information: Our dedication to detail led us to provide in-depth information on all services offered, presented through unique and dedicated pages. This approach aimed to enrich user engagement while highlighting the company’s expertise in each service domain.

• Informative Articles and Backlinks: We crafted engaging and informative articles, strategically reaching out to relevant blogs in the home services domain. By securing high-quality backlinks from these authoritative sources, we bolstered the website’s credibility and authority, earning favor with Google’s ranking algorithms.
• Streamlined User Experience: To optimize user engagement and interaction, we embedded clear instructions and compelling Calls-to-Action (CTAs) throughout the website. Simplifying the process for customers to request quotes resulted in a reduced bounce rate, a critical metric that Google considers when evaluating website rankings.

Results

In a matter of mere weeks, we accomplished an astonishing feat – securing a first-page ranking on Google, a rarity in the world of SEO. Traditionally considered a long-term endeavor with results visible in 6-12 months, our exceptional strategy defied expectations. Within six months of the launch, we triumphantly claimed the top spot on both Google and Bing, leading to an impressive influx of 20+ job requests every month and generating €1000s worth of business for the Cork moving company.

With our illustrious website perched at number 1 on Google, the moving company can now enjoy the luxury of sitting back and reaping the rewards. The website operates as a seamless customer magnet, consistently attracting a stream of valuable clients.