Driving Factors That Determine Your Organic Traffic

Over 90% of online engagement begins using one of the major search engines like Google. In other words, users are navigating to the web and typing in a want or a need, then allowing the results to guide their search from there.

That means that now, more than ever, you need to stand out in a sea of online content using a digital marketing strategy that promotes driving organic traffic and retaining those users.

An optimized website is the key to demonstrating relevancy and authority, leading to higher engagement.

But first, let’s define organic traffic. These are the visitors who find your site through a search engine, as opposed to paid advertisements, referrals from other users, or typing your webpage directly into their browser.

To use an example, if you Google “ice cream shop near me,” and click on the first link to your local dessert spot, you’ve arrived at the site organically.

What affects organic traffic?

Now that we’ve clarified organic traffic, understanding some basic principles of user psychology and search engine optimization (SEO) is the next step in developing a successful digital marketing strategy. So, we’ll explain four key factors that can affect your organic traffic.

1. Keywords

The simplest way to understand keywords in relation to organic traffic is to think “what will people search for?” But while it sounds easy, choosing the most impactful keywords takes analytics and practice. Luckily, there are free online resources that can help you view these important analytics related to keyword usage such as keyword difficulty (KD) and search volume (SV).

Keyword difficulty is basically the competition for that keyword or phrase. In other words, a high keyword difficulty means it would be very hard to rank on page one of search results because of the competition. So, it’s a good idea to mix up levels of KD in your content to give yourself the best chance to both compete and stand out.

Search volume is another important metric. It’s quite literally the amount of times that a keyword or phrase is searched within a time period. Obviously, a word that’s rarely searched is not important to focus on in your content, whereas a word or blurb that receives thousands of queries would be a good starting point.

2. Backlinks

Backlinks are a difficult but important component of SEO and your overall digital marketing strategy. They’re simply links that take you from one website to another. Backlinks are important because the more times your site is linked on another page, the more the search engine will boost your content to the top.

The hard part? You can’t control what other people link to or from their own website(s). So, it’s important you focus on optimizing your overall strategy to make your content so enticing to others they want to link to it in some way.

3. Quality Content

Getting your content in front of people does no good if it’s not tempting to engage with. You want to make sure you’re creating quality content whether it’s a blog, video, informational article, social media post, graphic, or otherwise. Incorporating all of these contributes to your website’s overall relevancy. And the better the content, the more likely users are to actually share it, which then leads to even more organic traffic.

It’s important to be unique. It’s great to find other web content that inspires you, but then it’s vital to put your own spin on it to separate yourself from the competition. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself invisible to organic traffic. Plus, people get bored easily with the same old stuff!

4. Technical Quality

It doesn’t matter how wonderful the meat of your content is if users can’t easily access it. That’s why technical issues can kill a digital strategy before it gets off the ground. Sites that won’t load, consistently give error messages, or are difficult to navigate will annoy users, causing them to leave your website quickly.

Being mobile friendly is also a key component in attracting organic traffic. In today’s digital age, people report spending more time online using their phones than they do laptops, tablets, or desktop computers. In other words, a site that is not mobile-optimized is all but sure to fail.

Why is an effective digital marketing strategy important?

The way people are consuming information has changed. How often do you stop to watch a commercial or read newspaper ads? Instead, we’re getting our information from countless online outlets. Online shopping is through the roof to the point brick and mortar stores are closing.

As the prominent saying these days goes, content is king. And the primary purpose of said content is to drive organic traffic to your website(s), social media page(s), etc. which is only made possible with an effective digital marketing strategy that incorporates the principles above.

Effective Digital Marketing with the Best SEO Services

The markets are saturated and as we’ve mentioned, its not only important to stand out, its vital. An effective digital marketing strategy is a huge step in that path to success. Not only will you attract users but are more likely to convert them to return users and potential transactions, such as a sale or newsletter sign-up.

But managing this strategy is a full time job that many business owners simply don’t have the time to run effectively. That’s where we come in. Web Fox Marketing in Livonia is a premier web design and digital marketing agency that has been helping local businesses grow their online presence so they are able to “get found”. Our expert team is ready to take the stress of digital marketing off of your hands so you can sit back and watch your online presence thrive! Call for a Free SEO audit and consultation today!

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How AI Changes the Game for Organic SEO Traffic

Technology is constantly in a state of evolution. Once you get familiar with the latest tech, it evolves into something new to learn and adapt to your lifestyle. Mobile phones were a huge leap from cordless phones, but then smartphones came along, and the whole world changed. The internet and search engines have changed everything about the consumer experience.

Now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is evolving the search engine optimization (SEO) that companies have used for years to stay on top of their market.

Just like any other time change comes your way, there are good and bad effects you may experience.

What are the Negative Ways AI Impacts Organic SEO traffic?

One common use of AI is generating content. Search engines rank websites based on experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness which are found in good, original, and creative content. Because AI is computer-generated, it lacks some of these components, which leads to a lower ranking for SEO.

AI-generated content can have unnecessary repetition, outdated information, or an unemotional tone that readers can’t relate to. The computer-driven content lacks the empathetic touch and original phrases that a human can write and that search engines look for, as well as being able to fact-check.

It can produce a blog about caring for cocker spaniels, but it can’t contain the heart-warming anecdotes and first-hand knowledge that a blog written by a veterinarian does.

As more and more content is poured onto the internet, quality is more important than ever if you want a high SEO ranking. AI is not about quality, but about speed, which means that although you might have lots of pages on your website, you still may not rank high because the AI-generated content doesn’t meet the high standards the search engines are looking for.

What are Positive Ways?

If you want lots of information for your readers to dive into, then AI-generated content can help. In a short amount of time, articles about any topic can be generated and uploaded to a website or social media. AI is quick, for sure.

AI is also very accessible. There are a variety of companies that offer some type of AI service to make online content creation easy, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Of course, they all have the gold package, but most have some sort of free version, at least as an introductory offer.

What are Some Tips to Adapt AI in SEO?

One good way to adapt AI to your SEO is to use it for brainstorming ideas. It can help generate lists that you can spin your ideas off. Goodbye, writer’s block!

Another good use of AI is for building outlines. If you have a longer report to compose, or a complex issue to present, AI can generate a quick framework. Just remember to fact-check your information and then add lots of original content to appeal to the search engine’s algorithm.

Keywords are critical for strong SEO, and AI can help you in your keyword search. Before you compose a blog, you can use AI to find relevant words that your audience is searching for.
AI can also provide tools for making writing easier, such as checking grammar or spelling. Truly, where would we be without spellcheck?

If you have data to work with, AI can help. It can help organize, analyze, and present your data in a matter of minutes. Data is great to include in your quest for high-ranking SEO because it demonstrates your authority in your subject and offers quality content.

Overall Influence

AI is not the enemy of SEO if it is used correctly. It can either pull down your ranking, like when it is used as the primary content creator, or it can be a useful tool, such as helping with keyword searches.

Digital Marketing Solutions to Grow Your Business

If you are struggling with content and looking to improve your web properties and rankings, consider the services of a digital marketing professional. Their in-depth knowledge and experience in online marketing will help you grow your brand and online presence.

Web Fox Marketing in Livonia has been building high converting websites that are responsive ready with proper search engine optimization and customized to our client’s brand and business. A high converting website supported by valuable content marketing and social media strategies is your best advantage in today’s digital landscape.

It’s time to “get found” and grow your presence so that your business ranks! Speak to a web design and SEO expert today, Free!

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SEO is for Images Too… Not Just Words

Scroll, pause, click. That’s the new rhythm of online behavior.

The behavior pattern of how individuals consume content has changed drastically from the initial dotcom era to today’s reels and shorts. Given the ever-evolving world of Search and SEO, visuals in content aren’t just accessories, they’re a necessity.

Although text enriched in keywords and longtails are still an important element in your page’s search ranking, search engines like Google and Bing have adapted to this shift as they prioritize media-rich content in rankings as well.

For instance, today Google’s algorithm reached higher levels of intelligence. Now, it has the ability to incorporate visual search, AI-powered image recognition, and even page experience into its ranking factors to ensure users are receiving the most relevant search options in the click on a button—quite literally.

So, if your SEO strategy still treats images as decorative extras, it’s time for a serious update.

Here’s why.

Why You Want to Use Images Efficiently

Yes, images make your content look more appealing. However because they’re now such an integrated part of your search ranking, you’ll want to do it right too. Let’s look at the four benefits to efficiently incorporating media into your SEO strategy.

1. It enhances user engagement

Today’s search strategy has evolved into: How much relevant information can you provide a user, as quickly as possible, while maintaining them on your website for as long as possible, in order for them to take the action you want them to.

While written text is still just as important for users to skim and understand the context of your content, images now allow you to make your content more digestible and relatable. Because readers all read at a different grade level, it’s more challenging to target multiple users while writing content.

Images on the other hand, can be processed in milliseconds. A well-placed image can keep a visitor on your page longer, reducing bounce rates and signaling to search engines that your content is valuable

2. It increases visibility in image search

Google Images accounts for a significant portion of search traffic.

While the first page is loaded with information upon the initial search, optimized images can also appear in top search results and drive additional organic traffic to your site.

As Google and other search engines continue to learn and adapt to user behavior and experience, Google continuously adapted its products and launched Google Lens and visual search tools to allow users to search with images just as they do with words. Just a quick image upload and voila, image search results are at your fingers.

3. If done correctly, your page load times increase

We all know page speed is a crucial factor when it comes to ranking. Those that aren’t too familiar with SEO and website optimization may upload images and other media to enhance their website’s aesthetics. However, if the images and media aren’t formatted correctly, it can do more harm than good.

Unoptimized images are often the biggest culprits of slow load times which impacts the user’s experience. If a page takes longer than 2 seconds to load, the owner of the page risks losing the user by nearly 50%. Yes, two seconds is all it takes.

So when adding images to your site, do it correctly and efficiently. Compress images and use next-gen formats like WebP to ensure your site loads quickly while still delivering high-quality visuals.

4. Images provide better accessibility & metadata Value

We can physically see images. We see the colors, emotions on faces, landscaping, formatting, and so forth.

Search engines, on the other hand, see images differently. They use metadata—such as alt text, file names, and structured data—to understand the content. Because it relies on metadata, it needs to be optimized to help Google categorize and rank your images appropriately, improving visibility in search results.

This ties into another crucial aspect of SEO: accessibility.

Because of our shift into the digital era, ensuring information is accessible to all users regardless of their ability or disability is critical in today’s society.

In the world of images in SEO, this means ensuring alt text is added and relevant to the images. While this helps screen readers describe images to visually impaired users, it also helps search engines understand the context of the image—meaning, descriptive alt text with relevant keywords and no stuffing will help search engines like Google know if the image has a German Shepard with a black harness walking side by side with its owner and if that is useful for a user searching for Dog Harnesses.

As the users rely on the image for quick visual processing, search engines rely on alt text and file names to understand an image’s content.

SEO Has Adapted to a Visual-First Search Era

Search is evolving beyond keywords and text-based ranking. Google’s Multimodal AI (MUM) and advancements in visual search mean that images now play a critical role in discoverability. Users aren’t searching with just words anymore—they’re snapping photos, scanning products, and relying on visual content to make decisions.

For brands and businesses, this means SEO is no longer just about what you say—it’s about what you show. When you optimize your images, you improve rankings, increase engagement, and future-proof your site against the growing dominance of visual search.

The takeaway? If your SEO strategy doesn’t prioritize images, you’re missing out on a huge piece of the search landscape. Optimize your visuals and your content won’t just be seen, it’ll be found.

Grow your Online Presence with Livonia’s Best Digital Marketing Services

There are many layers in SEO and most people don’t know where to begin. Get in touch with Web Fox Marketing in Livonia for a Free website and SEO audit so you know where your business stands and what you need to do to bolster your web properties. We’ll build an effective and unique marketing campaign to advance both your brand and business.

Tower above your competitors with effective SEO. Speak to an expert today, Free!

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Getting Ahead of SEO Trends in 2025

SEO is integral to any successful business’s marketing plans and is more critical for driving growth than ever. Changing consumer behavior and advances in communications technology have created powerful trends in SEO. How effectively your business adapts will significantly impact its ability to remain relevant and visible online. These trends are heavily influenced by the rise of AI and user-centric strategies, showing significant success.

Come with us as we highlight important SEO trends changing SEO in 2025.

Getting Ahead of SEO Trends in 2025

Keywords and backlinks have long formed the cornerstone of the technical side of SEO, but they’re not enough on their own. Today’s algorithm is more advanced than ever and can consider a site’s trustworthiness and relevance. Further, it can evaluate how friendly a user experience the site offers and include this in its ranking decisions. Ensuring your successful marketing efforts means adapting your SEO strategy to account for these changes.

Key SEO Trends for 2025

● AI-Driven Search and Personalization: AI is transforming how search engines deliver results. It prioritizes user preferences. It analyzes their behavior to better understand their intent and provides results specific to these factors. Understanding your customer base and tailoring your content to their search habits is essential.

● User Experience (UX) as a Ranking Factor: This point is important enough to reiterate that search engines can now analyze the user experience. Mobile responsiveness, smooth loading times, and efficient navigation create a UX focus.

● Voice and Visual Search Elements: Search habits are changing due to the growing availability of voice recognition software and tools like Google Lens. Conversational keywords and elements that leverage image searches are becoming increasingly important. Current SEO trends emphasize image-based elements such as alt-text, search-friendly filenames, and more.

● E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness): Spiders evaluate every aspect of this scale and may also be flagged for human review. This four-point scale evaluates whether your content and services are reliable and authoritative. Certain industries are evaluated with stricter guidelines than others.

● Short-Form Content for Zero-Click Searches: Many search engines integrate AI responses into their search results. This integration means you’re competing for visitors with zero-click searches. You can drive visibility by providing concise and actionable content, raising the likelihood of its inclusion in these generated results.

Integrating these trends into your SEO marketing strategy is essential if you want your business to stay relevant and maintain an effective online presence. Using a one-size-fits-all SEO approach will hinder your business. Online marketing has become a dynamic process to improve user experiences, embrace new technology, and build visitor trust. Embracing these trends will ensure your site remains visible and drives your company’s long-term success.

Take Control of Your SEO By Calling the Experts

Keeping up with constantly changing marketing trends is a practice that will keep you constantly on your toes. How people use the internet, find information, and select service providers constantly evolves in response to changing technology. For many business owners, the best results come from relying on SEO experts who make a career out of staying ahead of the game.

At Web Fox Marketing in Livonia, we provide optimized SEO services that deliver results. Don’t take a chance on managing your SEO habits yourself; you risk wasting countless hours without getting meaningful results. Reach out to our website and digital marketing agency for customized web design and digital marketing strategies that will increase your online presence and grow your business. Speak to an expert about getting found online today, Free!

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How Do Topic Clusters Improve SEO?

Competition for high placement on search engines can be tough. You need every edge you can get to rank on that first page and get organic traffic. You may have a life coaching, photo retouching, or resume-building business that needs people to find and order your service online.

You know about SEO and the importance of keywords,

but you need a better way to organize all of the great information you’re offering and attract clients and utilizing topic clusters is your best option.

So, what are topic clusters? Topic clusters are a way of organizing website pages in a clean, easy-to-navigate format focused on a singular subject matter. It begins with a pillar page that introduces the topic and offers general information as well as links to subpages that dive into the details of the subject.

The clustered subpages link back to the pillar page so that your readers can easily find their way back to the main topic.

Why are Topic Clusters Important for SEO?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) uses keywords to facilitate searches, but as the intelligence of search engines changes, so does the methodology. Now, search engines take into account the relationship of pages with relevant keywords connecting. When you link pages that have related content, search engines recognize that and your authority on that topic increases. This, along with quality content, boosts your SEO ranking.

Another great reason to use topic clusters for SEO is because they help increase the time people spend on your website. You give them more relevant information in a format that is easy to use which creates a positive user experience. Increasing dwell time on your site shows search engines that your content is connecting with your readers and helps you climb the SEO ladder.

What Are a Few Tips to Choose a Topic Cluster to Create?

As your industry evolves, so should your blogs and articles. You can choose topics that explore and highlight new trends within your service or product. This gives your clients a reason to come back to your website and generates great content to attract potential customers. It shows visitors to your site that you’re an expert in your field and it keeps you competitive within your market.

You can also choose a storytelling cluster where your pillar page introduces a topic and then links to several subpages that include an in-depth story of a singular client sharing success with a specific element of the topic. In this format, you choose a topic that you’ve had lots of success with that potential customers can relate to.

Another effective way to choose a topic is to focus on key services your company offers and how they help your clients. For example, if you are a lawn care business, one cluster can have a pillar page about mulch and subpages explaining what it is, how to use it, different types, key benefits, and so on.

Related Questions

What Should be Included in a Pillar Page?

A pillar page should introduce the topic and outline the subpages. You can include at least a paragraph for each subtopic with a link to the corresponding page. The pillar page is where your readers view what you’re covering on this topic and provides the links to the specific information they are looking for. It shows your readers they’ve come to the right place but leaves the details for the subpages to cover.

How Many Pages Should a Topic Cluster Have?

Your subpages should cover every question your clients may ask about your topic. That may only be five pages or it could be 35 pages. The important thing is to stay on topic so that links to the pillar page make sense and search engines reward your quality content and groupings with higher rankings.

The Best Web Development and Digital Marketing Services Near You

Connect with us at Web Fox Marketing in Livonia for properly built and optimized websites and powerful digital marketing services that produce results. We have been helping local Michigan businesses establish their online presence, improve rankings and convert website visitors into clients for years.

Our web design services are top-rated as we build from scratch with best in industry trends making websites optimized and mobile responsive laying the foundation to show up in search. Speak with an expert today, Free!

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Is it Time to Redesign Your Website?

Your website is like your hairstyle – it’s one of the first things people notice about you. And it’s crucial to your online business strategy. You know how dated it makes a person look who has had the same haircut for 30 years. It’s even more true for websites, because what is possible online advances so often.

The older your website design is, the more it falls out of touch with how you can best interact with your audience.

If it’s been a while since your website went to the salon, maybe it’s time for a makeover.

What are some important reasons why you should update your website?

You want people to find you, and once they do, you want them to stay on your website until they purchase or sign up for a service. Having fresh, interactive, SEO-friendly content and design is the only way to ensure these steps occur.

Updating your web design isn’t changing your logo, slogan, or other key aspects of your brand identity. Just like getting a new hairstyle doesn’t make you a whole different person, getting a new web design doesn’t change your company but makes you look better.

What are the Benefits of Redesigning?

When you redesign your website, you can utilize the most current technology for reaching and interacting with your readers. What is possible now isn’t the same as three or four years ago, and your competition knows it. They may be attracting your clients because they are using features that make buying products easier and faster. Your services are better, but you might be losing customers because the buying experience on your website is slow and outdated.

Besides using technology that keeps you ahead of the competition, a website redesign gives you the benefit of offering a new reason for clients to come to your site. You can post on social media to pique interest and drive traffic to your new design. You can talk about it in your newsletter and feature parts of it for your subscribers.

Your redesign shows your audience that you care about their online experience and that staying up-to-date is important for your company.

Another benefit is the opportunity to upgrade your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. During the redesign process, you can get your copy on board with the best keywords and other SEO best practices to give your website the best possibility to capture organic searches.

How do You Know it’s Time for a Redo?

One important aspect of business is staying up with the times. If you have visited other websites and noticed features that you enjoy but don’t have on your site, it’s time for a redo. The websites don’t necessarily have to be your competitors but might be ones that impress you with their look and user experience. Take notes! And then plan for a redesign.

A redesign is a great idea when you have a shift in focus for your company. New offers, services, or business goals call for an updated online presence. That way, you can attract new clients and give old ones a reason to visit your site again because they can check out your new product on your updated site. Good marketing!

How Often Should You Do It?

You don’t have to visit the web designer every six to eight weeks, as you might a hair stylist, but it is a good idea to update your site every three years. If you wait longer than that, you are missing out on all the benefits of redesign and falling behind the times. Of course, you can always redo your site before three years if you have features or strategies you want to incorporate sooner.

In Sum

If you want to maintain an attractive online presence, then it’s important to keep your website looking great and easy for your clients to find and navigate. It may be time to book an appointment in your web designer’s chair.

Turn to the Best in Web Design and Digital Marketing Services

At Web Fox Marketing in Livonia, our web designers custom build websites from scratch using the latest programming techniques so that they are responsive ready, optimized for efficiency, look great and offer a satisfying and engaging user experience. All our websites also include proper search engine optimization so that coupled with an effective digital marketing strategy, your site will show up on the local search results page.

If you are looking to grow your online presence, increase sales, and attract more leads, then a new website and a powerful online marketing strategy should be a priority! Call and speak with an expert about your vision today, Free!

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Dominating Local SEO to Boost your Business

If you want to hire a local landscaping company to help with a house you’re trying to sell, you probably jump on your laptop or phone to find someone. You type in landscaping near me, or the name of your city, and check out the websites and reviews of the handful on top. Then you call to set up an appointment, and the company has a great chance of gaining your business because local SEO was successful.

What does local SEO mean?

Local SEO, or local Search Engine Optimization, enables people looking for your product or service in a specific area to find you online.

You search every time you type in “near me”, the name of a city, or use a map app when looking for anything.

If you search for landscapers without specifying a city or typing in near me, you’ll get companies nationwide. And as nice as it is to see landscaping in Texas, it doesn’t do you any good if you need service for a home in North Carolina.

What are Some Key Strategies?

Key strategies for successful local SEO are researching and using relevant keywords on your website and any published content. Including the name of your city, state, or area that you know customers use to find local businesses is important in your headline formats and throughout your copy so search engines locate you according to place.

Another effective strategy is linking to other local websites and asking them to backlink to yours. This builds your credibility with search engines and increases your local presence. It’s a great way to show that you’re connected with your community, plus it helps out other businesses because it gives their websites a boost every time you link to them.

What is a Google Business Profile?

You can have the best local keywords and still not appear on searches if you don’t have a Google Business Profile. It is a free service by Google that you can sign up for that gives potential customers a way to find you through Google Search and Maps.

Your GBP contains all of your pertinent information and then some. It lists your name, address, phone numbers, photos, and reviews. Your customers have the opportunity to post questions that you can immediately respond to, and you can stay in touch with your audience by announcing specials and updates.

So, a GBP is great for your business in two ways. It is how customers find you when searching online, as well as how you build relationships with your current base through posts and updates. Plus, it’s free, and who doesn’t love free tools for business?

How Can a Digital Marketing Agency Help?

A digital marketing agency can help with every aspect of local SEO. It supplies content that contains the right keywords and researches what competitors are doing to keep you on the right track. An agency understands how search engines work and feeds them the right fuel to increase your momentum.

Just as important, a digital marketing agency takes care of your GBP. You can have confidence that when a future client types in “bakeries in Pittsburgh”, your cupcake shop is on the list. People looking for a sweet treat also see photos, reviews, hours of operation, and, of course, your address. An agency keeps your content fresh and your clients engaged.

Overall

If you want people in your area to find you, local SEO is critical. A digital marketing agency creates the best content for local searches and sets up an engaging and informative GBP. It’s the best way to “find great clients near me”.

Rise Above the Online Competition

If you want your business to “be seen” online, the digital marketing experts at Web Fox Marketing in Livonia can help. We provide effective digital marketing strategies including local SEO services that will grow targeted web traffic and generate new opportunities. If it’s time for you to tower over your competitors, we’d love to have the opportunity to help. Call and speak with a digital marketing expert anytime, Free!

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