• SEO

First-party data essentials for affiliates: Part 2

profile_sharon-mcfarlane-1

By Sharon McFarlane,

managing director at Digital Footprints

In the first part of the series, we discussed the pivotal role of first-party data in SEO. After the foundations are in place for data collection, it’s all about how you use it. Here, we run through some actionable advice for you to take on board when refining SEO for affiliate sites.

Optimising on-page SEO using insights

As an example, you can add dynamic content that adjusts in real time based on user behaviour and interactions from their previous visits or location. This enhanced level of personalisation will make landing pages and article recommendations more specific and help you adhere to the best SEO practices. 

You can also use third-party software such as Ahrefs to understand the broader search intent. Then, you can audit and modify your content accordingly, which means revisiting meta titles, headers and content structure based on search terms and questions users frequently ask on site. 

For instance, if the first-party data shows a user is searching for “beginner betting tips”, then you can create a betting guide with appropriate search terms. This will not only boost your conversion rates to operators if you have affiliate links integrated naturally within the text but also improve your overall SEO. 

Leveraging A/B testing and analytics

There is always room for improvement when it comes to SEO, which is why A/B testing is essential. Start testing with first-data segments such as headlines, calls to action and keyword placements to see what resonates most with your audience. Identify user segments based on metrics such as page visits, time spent and search terms, as outlined in part 1 of this series.

Once this is done, start tracking SEO KPIs such as click-through rates, organic traffic and engagement using first-party data analytics to continue optimising your content

Don’t be dragged down by complacency. If your affiliate site is ranking well, don’t just sit back and relax and wait for first-time deposits to roll in
Sharon McFarlane, managing director at Digital Footprints

Best practices and tips 

Affiliates tend to churn out a lot of content, which is great as long as it is of good quality. 

We recommend a quality-over-quantity approach. When creating any copy, make sure it is informative and relevant to your target audience. Check out who is ranking in the top position for your targeted keywords – what can you do better? Use this as the base for your content. 

Don’t be dragged down by complacency. If your affiliate site is ranking well, don’t just sit back and relax and wait for first-time deposits to roll in. You should always look for potential gaps to fill in using first-party analytics. SEO can be seasonal, user behaviours can change, and let’s not forget the volatile Google updates. A proactive SEO strategy is always the best one. 

As discussed, first-party data has many benefits to SEO – all of which should be capitalised on by affiliates. Audience insights and tailored keyword strategies will give you a competitive advantage for brand building in this crowded market.

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