How to Rank in 2018: The SEO Checklist

[HTMLBasicTutor]

For those who like a checklist when doing SEO for a site here is Rand Fishkin's list for 2018:

It's hard enough as it is to explain to non-SEOs how to rank a webpage. In an increasingly complicated field, to do well you've got to have a good handle on a wide variety of detailed subjects. This edition of Whiteboard Friday covers a nine-point checklist of the major items you've got to cross off to rank in the new year — and maybe get some hints on how to explain it to others, too...

How to Rank in 2018: The SEO Checklist - Whiteboard Friday

[Ord Allenbea]

https is not required for rankings... Not all sites need secure connections. Matter fact most sites don't!

[IanRenton]

https is not required but it still is a signal for ranking (although it's a very weak signal).

[Ord Allenbea]

It's a signal for ecom (and similar) sites and not regular sites that have no need to store data, personal information or credit card info.

Trust me when I say Google does not have just 1 algo... They have different ones and the algo applied to a site will be different based on what that site has or offers. This is exactly why websites, blogs and forums are ranked differently (yes a blog is not a website no matter how much someone tries to convince you it is - Google knows the difference).

Originally Posted by IanRenton

https is not required but it still is a signal for ranking (although it's a very weak signal).

[evejones]

Originally Posted by Ord Allenbea

https is not required for rankings... Not all sites need secure connections. Matter fact most sites don't!

https sites are recommended more by google than http ones and hence you can consider it as important factor for SEO

[Ord Allenbea]

That's not 100% correct. They are recommended for sites that collect data and store it - always have been recommended, it's nothing new.

Originally Posted by evejones

https sites are recommended more by google than http ones and hence you can consider it as important factor for SEO

[mrb1129]

Originally Posted by Ord Allenbea

https is not required for rankings... Not all sites need secure connections. Matter fact most sites don't!

If a site doesn't do any kind of money related transaction of sort. Then its completely unnecessary to add https.

[Ord Allenbea]

Exactly but like with most stuff once Google says something many take it the wrong way and spread the myth like wildfire...

This is why it's so easy to outrank all these fools that follow myths..

Originally Posted by mrb1129

If a site doesn't do any kind of money related transaction of sort. Then its completely unnecessary to add https.

[jcr266]

No matter what having https shows people site is secure. So any site that uses personal info should use it and i think it does help site in results.

Even credit report sites listed use it and some are free. So it applies to more than money transactions.

I think you should use it and not worry if it helps seo of site if your site needs to use any personal information.

[Nas]

Originally Posted by evejones

https sites are recommended more by google than http ones and hence you can consider it as important factor for SEO

The secure site is required for the dynamic sites who stores the personal and sensitive information of users like credit card details.
if the webpages of a site are static, site owner won't spend money for SSL certification.

[janjane]

I started using https for my websites when I noticed an error in google webmasters that indicated I am collecting non secured passwords on chrome, I still see no ranking signals by moving from http to https.

[mrb1129]

Originally Posted by manju23

i started using https for my website

Yeah good for you.

[LMD]

Originally Posted by janjane

I still see no ranking signals by moving from http to https.

That's what at least some people who thought it's a great step for SEO have come clean and have been saying. Granted, most who have done this won't say anything because of the cost and effort in converting.

[mrb1129]

Originally Posted by LMD

That's what at least some people who thought it's a great step for SEO have come clean and have been saying. Granted, most who have done this won't say anything because of the cost and effort in converting.

From what I see it as a security thing that only sites who do money transactions need.

[Ord Allenbea]

And you probably won't see any... If your site does not collect personal data then there is no need for an SSL Cert. It's a waste of money and not to mention many will never be able to access your site fully due to the security on their browsers.

Originally Posted by janjane

I started using https for my websites when I noticed an error in google webmasters that indicated I am collecting non secured passwords on chrome, I still see no ranking signals by moving from http to https.

[infosteve]

Originally Posted by evejones

https sites are recommended more by google than http ones and hence you can consider it as important factor for SEO

It could be an extra benefit in ranking but still without https sites are raking at SERP.

[LMD]

Originally Posted by mrb1129

From what I see it as a security thing that only sites who do money transactions need.

I have a design client, that no matter what I told him about SSL and how, for his purposes it was a waste of money and time, still wanted the SSL for SEO purposes. A few months later I asked him how it was going with the SSL/SEO and he muttered something like "not bad". Which really means, little to no change.

[LMD]

Originally Posted by mrb1129

From what I see it as a security thing that only sites who do money transactions need.

I should really read what I type. Regarding that design client of mine that wanted SSL? The site was strictly informational, and he wanted it specifically for SEO only.

[Ord Allenbea]

Isn't is wonderful, the age we live in! People can get online be fake as hell, give out all kinds of bad advice, sell you crap tools you don't need - and the masses will just eat it up!

Be proven in your skill and be able to backup what you claim, and people ignore it!

Go Figure...

Originally Posted by LMD

I should really read what I type. Regarding that design client of mine that wanted SSL? The site was strictly informational, and he wanted it specifically for SEO only.

Save

[LMD]

Originally Posted by Ord Allenbea

Isn't is wonderful, the age we live in! People can get online be fake as hell, give out all kinds of bad advice, sell you crap tools you don't need - and the masses will just eat it up!

Be proven in your skill and be able to backup what you claim, and people ignore it!

Go Figure...

I think he read something a ways back when everyone's SEO guru was spouting advantage "this" and advantage "that", and rankings "this" and "that" etc.

I tried to dissuade my client, but I couldn't get thru. C'est la vie. :shrug: