Project 5 - Website Build

In this project, you will delve deeper into the realm of product search engine optimization (SEO) to boost sales. To familiarize yourself with SEO fundamentals, consult the Product SEO theory available on D2L, which covers essential techniques and best practices.

Background

Product SEO differs significantly from content SEO in terms of its objectives and strategies. While content SEO focuses on enhancing the visibility of articles or blog posts, product SEO aims to optimize the online presence of products and their categories to improve sales. One useful tool to achieve this is Yoast, an exceptional WordPress plugin that helps keep your products updated and optimized for search engines.

In Project 3, you created various products and product categories for your online store. For this assignment, you will revisit these products and categories to optimize them further using the knowledge you have gained about product SEO.

Additionally, you will compose a brief paper discussing the role of Google Analytics in the context of your website. In this paper, you will explore the insights provided by Google Analytics, such as site traffic, user behavior, and other relevant data, and how it can contribute to the optimization and success of your website. Your analysis should emphasize the unique features of Google Analytics that pertain specifically to your site.

Project Requirements

This project consists of two components: initially, you will enhance the SEO of all your products; subsequently, you will install, configure, and utilize Google Analytics to analyze and report on your website’s performance.

Part 1 – Product SEO

1. Similar to Project 4, address all the red and orange issues, ensuring they all turn green.

2. Optimize each product category until they are marked as “green.”

Part 2 – Google Analytics

Compose a one-page report on the practical application of Google Analytics for your website. Ensure that the Google Analytics plugin is connected to your site and that you are monitoring the site’s traffic. Share your website with friends and family to generate data for analysis. This paper should not be theoretical; instead, consider it as research-based recommendations you would present to your supervisor based on the insights derived from Google Analytics data.

Step-by-Step Method for Completing Part 1:

1. Review Product SEO theory: Familiarize yourself with product SEO best practices by reviewing the materials provided in D2L.

2. Access your website’s backend: Log in to your website’s admin dashboard, where you can manage your products and their respective SEO settings.

3. Install Yoast SEO plugin (if not already installed): Navigate to the “Plugins” section in your WordPress dashboard, search for “Yoast SEO,” install, and activate the plugin.

4. List all products: Go to the “Products” section in your WordPress dashboard and compile a list of all the products you created in Project 3.

5. Evaluate current SEO status: For each product, identify any red or orange issues in the Yoast SEO plugin’s analysis.

6. Optimize product titles: Make sure your product titles are concise, relevant, and include essential keywords related to the product.

7. Optimize product descriptions: Write unique, informative, and engaging product descriptions that incorporate relevant keywords without overstuffing.

8. Add proper tags and categories: Assign appropriate tags and categories to each product to enhance organization and discoverability.

9. Optimize images: Ensure all product images have descriptive file names and alt tags. Compress the images to reduce load times without compromising on quality.

10. Optimize meta descriptions: Create compelling meta descriptions for each product, including relevant keywords and a brief summary of the product’s key features.

11. Improve URL structure: Check that each product’s URL is concise, readable, and contains relevant keywords.

12. Address remaining issues: Tackle any other red or orange issues identified by the Yoast SEO plugin and work on them until they turn green.

13. Monitor progress: Periodically review the Yoast SEO analysis to ensure that your optimizations have been effective and that all issues are resolved.

14. Optimize product categories: Follow a similar optimization process for each product category, addressing any red or orange issues and ensuring they are marked as “green.”

15. Save changes: After completing the optimization process, save your changes and double-check your work to ensure that all the requirements have been met.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Completing Part 2:

1. Review Google Analytics basics: Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of Google Analytics, its features, and how it can be used to analyze website performance.

2. Create a Google Analytics account (if you don’t have one): Visit the Google Analytics website and sign up for a free account using your Google credentials.

3. Set up a new property: In your Google Analytics account, create a new property for your website, following the prompts to provide the required information.

4. Obtain the tracking code: Once your property is created, you will receive a unique tracking code (also known as the Tracking ID) that you need to add to your website.

5. Install Google Analytics plugin: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the “Plugins” section, search for “Google Analytics,” and install the most suitable plugin for your needs (e.g., “Site Kit by Google” or “Google Analytics Dashboard for WP”). Activate the plugin once installed.

6. Configure the plugin: Follow the setup instructions for the installed plugin, connecting it to your Google Analytics account using the tracking code obtained earlier.

7. Generate website traffic: Share your website with friends and family to gather sufficient data for analysis. Allow some time for data to accumulate before proceeding with the next step.

8. Access Google Analytics data: Log in to your Google Analytics account and navigate to the property associated with your website. Explore the various reports and data available, focusing on aspects that pertain to your website.

9. Identify key insights: Look for patterns, trends, and areas for improvement in the data, such as user demographics, popular pages, bounce rates, and conversion rates.

10. Formulate recommendations: Based on your analysis, develop practical suggestions to improve your website’s performance, user experience, and SEO.

11. Write the one-page report: Organize your findings and recommendations into a concise, well-structured report. Ensure that your report is grounded in the actual data from your Google Analytics account and not theoretical concepts.

12. Include supporting materials: Add any relevant screenshots, data visualizations, or other supplementary materials that showcase your Google Analytics insights and support your recommendations.

13. Review and edit: Proofread your report for clarity, coherence, and accuracy, making any necessary revisions.

14. Save and submit: Save your completed report in the specified format and submit it along with any supporting materials, following the provided submission guidelines.

Turning In Your Project

To turn in your work, please submit your website URL and the admin username and password you just created for the instructor via GeorgiaView Assignment 5. Be sure to upload your report as a PDF to GeorgiaView also.

MAKE SURE YOU REVIEW THE RUBRIC BEFORE SUBMITTING. BE SURE YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL THE TASKS IN THE RUBRIC!!!