OPTASY: Drupal Web Development Agency Toronto
(416) 243-2431Drupal SupportRequest A QuoteQuote

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
    • Design
    • Web Development
      • Drupal
      • WordPress
      • Magento
      • Laravel
      • Shopify
      • Sharepoint
      • Contentful
      • Gatsby
      • Next.js
      • Node.js
      • React
      • AngularJS
    • Mobile & App
      • IOS
      • Android
      • Augmented Reality
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Virtual Reality
    • Maintenance & Support
      • Drupal Maintenance
      • Wordpress Maintenance
    • Staff Augmentation
  • Portfolio
    • Web
    • Mobile
    • Ar
  • About
    • Who we are
    • Values
    • Events
    • Awards
    • News
    • Careers
    • Partners
      • Acquia
      • Google
      • Pantheon
      • Shopify
      • Wordpress
  • Blog
    • Drupal
    • Drupal 8
    • HTML
    • CSS
    • Javascript
    • PHP
    • Microsoft
    • Web Design
    • Design
    • Tips
    • News
  • Contact
(416) 243-2431 Drupal Support Request A QuoteQuote

In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic - OPTASY would like to offer DRUPAL website support for any Healthcare, Government, Education and Non-Profit Organization(s) with critical crisis communication websites or organizations directly providing relief. Stay Safe and Stay Well.

The Top 8 SEO Resolutions You Should Make This Year
Tips

The Top 8 SEO Resolutions You Should Make This Year

by Adrian Ababei on Jan 04 2017
Deep in budget plans and marketing strategy drafts these days?
 
We so know the feeling and we're in the right position (since we're pretty much in the same situation ourselves, as well, here, at our Toronto web design company) to empathize with you!
 
But we'd like to go beyond (just) empathy! We'd like to help you in your online marketing efforts specific to this time of year!

 
In this respect, we've put together a list of 8 SEO resolutions that you should make and keep this year. Take them as some truly efficient little "adjustments", for they won't “shake” the foundation of your business plan, nor will they ruin your budget.
 
You should see our suggested SEO commitments, that you should make and stick to in 2017, rather as some mindsets that you should start adopting, as a marketer, or as different angles that you should start approaching SEO this year.

 

1. Create Mobile-First Experiences 

 
“Mobile-first” and “experience” will be some truly influencing words/trends in 2017!
 
The online marketing arena has given us enough clues in 2016 that we're about to enter a new mobile-focused era, clues ranging from Google's Accelerated Mobile Pages to Facebook's Instant Articles, to Apple's News. 
 
Now if we are to relate the first one of these 3 major clues, the AMP, to your SEO success in 2017 we should say that:
 
  1. The little green lightning signaling AMP pages to searchers will attract visitors to your website

     
  2. AMP is assumed, in the online marketers' community, to be a raking factor (a “supposition” that you should keep a close eye on till it turns itself into a fact)
 
As for the second powerful word of 2017's digital landscape, “experience”, expect it to influence marketers' approaches to SEO this year.
 
How come? Well, it won't be a matter of “pleasing” search engines anymore. SEO will become a matter of “pleasing” your visitors landing on your site from their mobile devices first.
 
The higher ranking on search engines will come too, if you play your “crafting the best mobile experiences” card right!
 
How do you ensure a good experience to your mobile users?
 
  1. You improve your web page's load time on mobile devices

     
  2. You make your users' journeys on your website intuitive, accessible and convenient, designed for them, consumers of mobile experiences, rather than just adapted, subsequently, for mobile.

 

2. Optimize Your Site For Your Visitors First

 
… and you'll be automatically optimizing it for search engines, too!
 
If in 2016 you've started to “shyly” adopt the “customer-first” type of thinking, as an online marketer, and to slowly leave the search engines-oriented type of thinking behind, in 2017 you should turn it into a must-adopt mindset.
 
Don't think exclusively about the algorithms and about winning search engine' favors when you optimize your website for mobile: do it with the “image” of your visitors in mind!
 
How intuitive are their journeys on your website? Are they enjoying the best mobile experience during their visit on your site?
 
Remember that Google turned user experience into a ranking factor for mobile, so don't be too surprised if it will do the same for desktop sites, too, in 2017.
 
Meanwhile, be prepared! Get to know your audience and to constantly improve their experience on your website.
 
Here are just a few strong reasons why better user experiences will grant your a better search engine ranking:

 
  • the more engaged with your brand your visitors are, the more chances you have for them to convert your inbound traffic

     
  • the more pages they'll visit on your site and the more they'll linger on your site, the more chances you have to get a better ranking

     
  • happy customers (happy with your site's load time, with how logical and intuitive their whole journey on your website is) translate into a lower bouncing rate and implicitly into a higher conversion rate and also in higher chances to win Google's attention (in a good way)

     
  • the better experiences you'll craft for your visitors, the more likely they are to “spread the news” about your brand 
 
SEO= Optimized User Experiences in 2017!

 

3. Write Longer-Form Content

 
In 2017 you either go with the flow, which is the rise of the long-form content, or, well, the flow leaves you behind!
 
Deal with the fact that readers have gradually got sick of the same short-form and rather superficially written content.
 
They've started to look for content which should provide them more added value . This calls for more time invested in research and for more resources of time (again) in crafting and in elaborating longer-form, richer (more detailed) pieces of content.
 
Here are some benefits that high quality, long-form content will bring you:
 
  • you'll get to make a winning difference, to set yourself apart from competition
  • you'll build trust (which is gold in your relation with your potential customers)
  • the two above benefits will automatically grant you more conversions

     

4. Audit, Audit, Then Audit Some More

 
“Laziness” is one of the main reasons why SEO campaigns fail or grow less and less efficient in time.
 
Therefore, a “must” resolution to add to your list of resolutions for 2017 is to regularly audit your marketing campaigns. Make a pledge!
 
Proactively auditing will help you fix issues even before they get to turn into problems.

 

5. Perfect Your Video Editing Skills

 
In 2017 it's no longer a matter of “should I go for video content?”, it's a matter of “how can I create better video content?”
 
Adding video content is no longer an innovative trend, it's turned into a common practice for the “actors” of the digital world. Just start counting all the major platforms (Facebook here included) which have started to use live videos for complying with their users' demand for such type of content.
 
Now the question that arises is: how do you perfect your video content?
 
Let us give you a few tips and tricks:
 
  • go for more creative, even surprising ideas

     
  • insert helpful information, practical advice for your users

     
  • always keep in mind the entertainment factor 

     
  • consider collaborating with charismatic hosts

     
  • invest in better production resources

     

6. Embrace the Voice Search Trend 

 
Users have quickly embraced the trend of looking something up online just by uttering the right search terms and it's certain that in 2017 they'll grow to like voice search even more.
 
So, how will you adapt your optimization efforts for complying with this ever growing demand from the part of your customers?
 
Just take some time to think about that, to actually visualize your customers performing their voice searches and you'll find the answers to how you can perfect their experiences on your site from this perspective, too.
 
Consider the fact that voice searches rely on longer search words!

 

7. Start Using Rich Snippets

 
Rich Snippets and rich answers will grow more and more frequent this year. So, you'd better learn to deal with it, to get on top of this SEO trend.
 
It's all about easing Google's work (and thus ensuring your higher ranking): micro-formatting makes it easy for the search engine to go through the whole content structure on your website. 

 

8. Make a Habit of Constantly Analyzing Your SEO Efforts

 
Are you already measuring and analyzing your SEO efforts, on a regular basis? Then you should consider doing it even more frequently in 2017!
 
Still, that's not enough: you should aim for “efficiently” tracking and analyzing your data. You don't just need to gather more and more data, but to actually handle it better. 
 
How? Ask the right questions, examine the key sections of your campaign so that you gain truly accurate and helpful insights, rather than speculations.
 
Don't guess your future SEO initiatives, but determine them based on the efficiently analyzed data that you dispose of.
 
Everything can be measured! Remember? So, commit to measuring your efforts more frequently and more efficiently this year!
 
 
And this was the last (but definitely not the least) resolution that we advise you to make and to keep in 2017 if one of your main goals this year is to be an (even) better online marketer.
 
Now your turn! How does your own list of SEO resolutions look like? Which are the key commitments that you've inserted there?
 

Share the article

Development

We do Web development

Go to our Web development page!

Visit page!

Do you want a website

or app developed?

 

Get a Free Quote

and let's make it work!

Get a Quote

Recommended Stories

Tips
Website Security Best Practices

Website Security Best Practices

  Website security is an important consideration for any business or organization with an online presence. With the ever-increasing threats posed by cybercriminals, it is essential to ensure that your website is secure and protected from malicious attacks. Implementing best practices in website security can help protect your website from hackers, malware, and other malicious activities and security issues. This article will discuss some of the best practices for website security and how you can stay away from cybercriminals and improve your security posture.    "Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and it boils down to this: in cybersecurity, the more systems we secure, the more secure we all are." - Jeh Johnson Overview of Cybersecurity in 2023 The cybersecurity landscape heads towards a privacy-first approach to information security in 2023. Also, aligning regulations globally will allow businesses to gain more security and data protection.  There are growing voices that give their positive vote to passwordless authentication, which will presumably eliminate the risk of password breaches and amplify organizational security.  However, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices will likely increase security risks for organizations and expose more security vulnerabilities.  So how can websites cope and become more agile and accessible in this uncertain cyber landscape?   Best Website Security Practices in 2023 At the moment, the best website security practices involve a combination of proactive measures and reactive responses. Proactive measures include implementing strong authentication methods, encrypting data, and regularly patching software. Reactive responses include monitoring suspicious activity and responding quickly to identified security threats or security breaches. Strong Authentication Multi-factor authentication is one of the most important best practices for website security. It involves using two or more factors to verify a user’s identity, such as strong login credentials, and a biometric factor like a fingerprint or facial recognition. This ensures that only authorized users can access the website and its data, protecting it from unauthorized access. Additionally, strong authentication can help protect against phishing attacks, which are attempts to gain access to sensitive information by posing as a legitimate website. Encryption Encrypting data is another significant best practice for website security. Encryption scrambles data so that it can only be read by the intended recipient, making it more difficult for hackers to access sensitive information. It also helps protect against man-in-the-middle attacks, which occur when a hacker intercepts data as it is being transmitted between two parties. Software Patching Software updates are another important best practice for website security. Regularly patching software helps protect against vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. It also ensures that the latest security features are in place, making it more difficult for attackers to access sensitive information. Monitoring and Response Reactive responses like monitoring suspicious activities or responding quickly to identified threats are two valuable tools for website security. Monitoring for suspicious activity can help identify potential threats before they become a problem. Responding quickly to identified threats can help minimize the damage caused by malicious code. Conclusion Keeping websites secure in 2023 involves a combination of proactive measures and reactive responses. These best practices are just some measures you can take to protect your digital assets. If you want to go more in-depth and opt for complex ways to secure your website, don't hesitate to contact Optasy.    Photo credit: Pixabay.... Read more
Raluca Olariu / Jan 25'2023
DrupalTips
Top Drupal Debugging Techniques

Top Drupal Debugging Techniques

  Debugging is an essential part of developing any website, and Drupal is no exception. Debugging in Drupal can be a complex process due to the complexity of the system and its many components. However, with the right techniques, it is possible to identify and resolve issues quickly. In this article, we will discuss some of the top debugging techniques for Drupal that can help you troubleshoot your website more efficiently. We will cover topics such as using the Devel module, using Xdebug, and other helpful tips and tricks. With these techniques in hand, you'll be able to recognize and repair any problems on your Drupal site quickly.     Using the Devel Module for Debugging The Devel module is a powerful tool for debugging Drupal websites. It provides a suite of tools to help you quickly identify and resolve issues. The Devel module includes features such as the ability to view database queries, generate dummy content, and debug PHP code. It also has an API that allows developers to create custom debugging tools. Using the Devel module can be helpful when trying to identify the source of an issue. It can also be used to generate dummy content for testing purposes.     Utilizing Xdebug for Troubleshooting Xdebug is a powerful debugging tool that can be used to troubleshoot issues on Drupal websites. It provides detailed information about the code execution, including stack traces and variable values. This can help developers quickly identify the source of an issue and resolve it more efficiently. Xdebug also has features such as breakpoints, which allow developers to pause the execution of code at certain points to inspect the application's state. This can be helpful when trying to identify and fix complex issues.     Leveraging Drupal's Logging System Drupal's logging system is a powerful tool for debugging websites. It provides detailed information about the events that occur on the website, including errors and warnings. This can be helpful when trying to identify the source of an issue. The logging system also allows developers to set up custom log levels, which can be used to filter out unnecessary information and focus on specific types of events. This can help developers quickly identify and resolve issues.   Using the Drupal Console for Debugging The Drupal Console is a command-line interface that can be used to debug Drupal websites. It provides commands for inspecting the database, generating dummy content, and running tests. This can be helpful when trying to identify and fix issues quickly. The Drupal Console also has an API that allows developers to create custom commands for debugging purposes.   Have You Completed Your Drupal 10 Migration? The release of Drupal 10 marks a major milestone for the platform, and it is important to ensure that your website is up-to-date with the latest version. Migrating to Drupal 10 can be a complex process, but it is essential for ensuring that your website remains secure and performs optimally. When migrating to Drupal 10, it is important to test the website thoroughly and use debugging techniques to identify and resolve any issues. The Devel module, Xdebug, and Drupal's logging system can all be used to troubleshoot any problems that may arise during the migration process. Don't forget to ensure that all of the modules and themes used on the website are compatible with Drupal 10. It is recommended to use the Update Status module to check for any available updates and apply them before migrating to Drupal 10. Additionally, it is a good idea to create a backup of your website before beginning the migration process in case something goes wrong. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your website is properly migrated and running smoothly on Drupal 10.     Conclusion Debugging in Drupal can be a complex process, but with the right techniques, it is possible to debug your website faster and easier. If you need more advice on your next web development project or on your Drupal 10 migration, our team of experts is here to help you. Contact us for more details.   Photo credit: Unpslash.... Read more
Raluca Olariu / Jan 16'2023
DrupalTips
Troubleshoot Your Website in 8 Easy Steps

Troubleshoot Your Website in 8 Easy Steps

  Having a website that runs smoothly is essential for any business. Unfortunately, website issues can arise from time to time and can be difficult to troubleshoot. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to identify and resolve common website problems. In this article, we'll discuss eight easy steps you can take to troubleshoot your website quickly and efficiently. With these tips, you'll be able to get your website back up and running in no time. 1. Check Your Server Status. The first step in troubleshooting your website is to check the status of your server. If your server is down or experiencing issues, it could be the cause of any problems you're having with your website. You can check the status of your server by accessing the control panel for your hosting provider. This will give you an overview of any issues that may be affecting your server and allow you to take the necessary steps to resolve them. 2. Review Your Website Logs. After checking your server status, your next step is to review your website logs. Logs are a great way to identify any errors or issues that may be occurring on your website. Reviewing the log files lets you pinpoint the exact source of the problem and take steps to resolve it quickly. Logs can also provide valuable insights into how visitors interact with your website, which can help you optimize your website for better performance. 3. Test Your Website Performance. The third step in troubleshooting your website is to test its performance. This can be done by using a tool such as Google PageSpeed Insights or WebPageTest. These tools will analyze your website and provide you with detailed information about its loading speed, page size, and other performance metrics. This will allow you to identify any areas of improvement that could help improve the overall performance of your website. 4. Inspect Your Code for Errors. If you've tested your website performance, your next step is to inspect your code for errors. This can be done by using a tool such as Firebug or Chrome DevTools. These tools will allow you to view your website's HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code and identify any errors that may be causing issues. Once you have identified the errors, you can take steps to fix them and ensure that your website is running smoothly. 5. Check for Broken Links. The fifth step in troubleshooting your website is to check for broken links. Broken links can cause a variety of issues, such as slow loading times and poor user experience. Various tools can help you identify any broken links on your website, such as Screaming Frog or Xenu Link Sleuth. Once you have identified the broken links, you can take steps to fix them and ensure that your website is running smoothly on all platforms, including mobile devices. 6. Ensure You Have the Latest Updates Installed. Ensuring that you have the latest updates installed is imperative if you want a highly performant website. Outdated software can cause a variety of issues, such as security vulnerabilities and compatibility problems. It's important to keep your website up-to-date with the latest versions of any software or plugins you may be using. You can check for updates by accessing the control panel for your hosting provider or by using a tool such as WP Updates Notifier. 7. Analyze Traffic Patterns to Identify Issues. You should also analyze traffic patterns to identify any issues that may be causing your website to perform poorly. Analyzing traffic patterns can help you identify any areas of your website that may be causing problems, such as slow loading times or high bounce rates. You can use tools such as Google Analytics or Hotjar to track and analyze user behavior on your website. This will allow you to identify any potential issues and take steps to resolve them. 8. Monitor Your Website Regularly. Finally, remember to monitor your website regularly, as it will allow you to identify any potential issues before they become serious problems. You can use tools such as Uptime Robot or Pingdom to monitor your website's uptime and performance. In this way, you can ensure that your website is running smoothly and that any potential issues are identified quickly so that they can be addressed promptly.   Drupal 10 for High Website Performance Drupal 10, launched last month, is the latest version of one of the most powerful content management systems that can help you achieve high website performance. Drupal 10 offers a range of features designed to improve the speed and efficiency of your website, such as caching, minification, and optimization.  Among the best features we can find: Symfony 6 compatibility. Site owners and module developers will benefit from as much Symfony 6 compatibility as possible, and Symfony 4 deprecations in Drupal 9 for Symfony 5 will be resolved. Supported solutions for rebuilding jQuery UI functionality by using either vanilla JavaScript or frameworks like React. jQuery UI components used by Drupal core will be removed. Best practices for deprecating modules. Users will be able to use a proper mechanism for naming, versioning, deprecating wrappers, etc. A 'lifecycle' - property can be used in info.yml files for themes and modules. Better decoupled developer and site builder experiences, especially for menu and URL handling. Introduction of CKEditor 5 with better authoring experience and more modern editing (replacing CKEditor 4). PHP 8.1 compatibility for Drupal 9 and Drupal 10. Theme Starterkit tools for bespoke theme creation. You can learn more about how Drupal 10 can take your website to the next level in this article. Drupal 10 Migration If you're considering migrating to Drupal 10, we can help. Optasy's team of highly skilled developers can help you migrate your website to Drupal 10 quickly and efficiently. We can also provide ongoing support and maintenance for your website, ensuring it runs smoothly and optimally. Contact us today to learn more about our Drupal 10 migration services.   Photo credit: Pixabay.... Read more
Raluca Olariu / Jan 11'2023

Browse cities

×

Toronto

WordPress Development Services in Toronto
iOS App Development Services in Toronto
Drupal Development Services in Toronto
Magento Development Services in Toronto
Laravel Development Services in Toronto

Montreal

WordPress Development Services in Montreal
iOS App Development Services in Montreal
Laravel Development Services in Montreal
Drupal Development Services in Montreal
Magento Development Services in Montreal

Vancouver

Magento Development Services in Vancouver
iOS App Development Services in Vancouver
Drupal Development Services in Vancouver
WordPress Development Services in Vancouver
Laravel Development Services in Vancouver

New York

WordPress Development Services in New York
Laravel Development Services in New York
iOS App Development Services in New York
Drupal Development Services in New York
Magento Development Services in New York

Need a new Project?

Dare us to shape and boost your idea(s)!

Start a Project

(416) 243-2431

Contact

(416) 243-2431

contact@optasy.com

Toronto Downtown

First Canadian Place,
100 King St. W. Suite 5700, Toronto

Toronto West

2275 Upper Middle
Rd. E, Suite 101
Toronto

New York

1177 Avenue of the
Americas, 5th Floor,
New York

Newsletter

Get the latest OPTASY news, tips and how-to’s on the go, right in your inbox!
OPTASY
clutch
Pantheon Premier Partner
  • Drupal 8
  • Services
  • Contact Us
  • Partners

  • Drupal
  • Google
  • Magento
  • Shopify
  • Wordpress
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Drupal
  • Cities
  • Support

© 2023 All Rights Reserved. Built with Drupal