Do More with Less: The Pareto Principle in SEO

The biggest mistake made by search marketers everywhere is accomplishing tasks blindly. They search for the best keywords; scrutinize data from analytics and keyword tools, sort this and that — but do it all without a solid strategy. As a result, they just do menial and repetitive tasks, exhausting resources without seeing any profitable results. The best search marketers are those who are able to focus on the “vital few” to generate massive results. In other words, they use the Pareto Principle.

The 80-20 Rule in SEO

The Pareto Principle operates on the idea that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. Although in application, the exact proportion varies, the core assumption is majority of results are due to an interestingly small input or effort. The search marketers’ job is to identify that vital few and leverage it. Experts from white label SEO providers like SEOResellerProgram.com explain that the 80-20 rule reminds marketers to step back in any given situation and determine what to do more of and what to do less of to ensure positive returns. Consider the dilemma mentioned above. You have a long list of keywords with so many attributes, including bounce rates, keyword revenue, monthly volume, etc. The challenge is to choose correctly. Using the Pareto Principle, you can filter your list easier; find 20% of keywords that deliver the most impact your client. Remember, 20% of your niche keywords drive 80% of the site’s traffic. The same principle applies in content. Eighty percent of leads are from 20% of the content assets. Concentrate on this little portion that drives sales or engagement, considering optimizing copies, calls-to-action, etc.

A Guiding Principle

The Pareto Principle basically helps you determine which metrics or tasks you should focus on. For example, 20% of clients contribute to 80% of your profits; the implication is you should be more strategic in terms of segmentation to improve your services. Additionally, 20% of landing pages grab the attention of 80% of users. Landing pages compel users to take action, contributing to more conversions, which is why it’s important to keep an eye on important aspects like user experience and on-page SEO, which includes keywords and internal links when optimizing landing pages. Use the Pareto Principle to evaluate SEO metrics and efforts. Be strategic. Great search marketers do more with less.