When you’re trying to make your business more visible online, search engine optimization(SEO),  is an invaluable tool. Knowing how to implement on-page and off-page SEO tactics can increase your Search Engine Results Pages (SERP) rankings and is a surefire way to drive traffic to your website.

However, before you dive in, it’s essential to create a comprehensive strategy that aligns with your enterprise’s goals. To do this, you must understand the differences between on-page and off-page SEO.

Definition of On-Page and Off-Page SEO

The major difference between on-page and off-page is where they’re applied. On-page relates to your website. This includes changes to HMTL, page titles, header tags, copy and meta descriptions. Off-page describes practices such as influencer marketing, social media marketing and link building that take place on other websites and platforms. Though both on-page and off-page SEO require content creation, they are designed to accomplish different goals and therefore must be approached with those strategies and goals these SEO goals in mind.

SEO Strategies

Each type of SEO has a specific function within your larger campaign, and therefore requires different research. 

On-page is very focused on identifying keywords that correspond to the SERPs on which you want your page to excel. Since off-page is going to have a home off-site, you need to research the best places to reach your audience Off-page SEO is going to be fueled by backlink research, social media, and influencer mentions, so it is important to put in the research to reach your desired audience.

SEO Goals

Publishing off-page material may seem counter-productive at first, but this content actually plays a crucial role in building consumer trust. Well-made content such as blogs, videos and podcasts can position you as a trustworthy authority.

On-page material is a little more straightforward. Your website is an extension of your company, so you want visitors to have a good impression. This includes simple navigation, relevant content, being easy to understand and having pleasing visuals.

Results of SEO

Off-page content typically yields quicker results than on-page content. For example, a blog may become popular and reposted hundreds or thousands of times, spreading your message across the internet. You may see a site traffic increase in response to that post going viral.

In contrast, on-page changes take a while to impact SERP rankings, as search engines have to index the pages before the rankings are reevaluated.

Which SEO Should We Focus On?

If you’re just starting to build your online presence, you should definitely establish a solid on-page strategy first. While off-page content is a great tool to grow your audience, it should first and foremost be used to support your website.

Both on-page and off-page SEO are amazing tools that can increase web traffic. Although strategies may vary by business, these two practices work best when used together.