Let’s consider the example of developing author pages for a blog. At first glance, this may seem simple, but it involves multiple components and collaboration between teams:
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Page Design (UX): The user experience team designs the layout, ensuring it is intuitive and in line with the overall aesthetic of the site.
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Page coding (developer): Developers transform the design into a functional web page.
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Define content elements: The author’s name, education, bio, headshot, image, social media links, and how the articles will be displayed must be taken into consideration.
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Integration points: Decide where the author page links from and how it links to the rest of the site.
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Structured data: Implementing a structured author data model to improve SEO and visibility.
Once you have all of the above, gather information about your authors. Their biographies should highlight their expertise on the topic, improving the page’s credibility.
The UX and development teams need to align on the final look of the page, including the placement of the bio module both within articles and on the author pages themselves.
The PRD should articulate the expected impact of the author’s pages, weighing the effort and impact against other potential initiatives. It should also outline when and how other stakeholders can contribute, promoting a collaborative environment.
6. MVP development
Minimum viable product (MVP) development is a strategic approach that allows you to test new features on a smaller scale before full implementation. This method reduces the risk of failure by validating concepts with minimal resources. For example, if you’re thinking about introducing an internal linking feature, start by applying it to a single domain or category of pages. This limitation preserves resources and ensures that your initiative doesn’t sideline other valuable projects.
Let’s look at another example. You assume that a certain type of structured data will benefit your pages. Implementing the structured data type on a select group of pages provides the assurance of moving forward with confidence rather than making widespread changes based on assumptions.
When creating specific page types, such as subcategories, to improve topic authority and user navigation, start with the lowest-performing categories. This targeted approach enables adjustments based on tangible results, facilitating stakeholder consensus for broader application.
Ultimately, MVPs allow you to demonstrate the effectiveness of new features or strategies, making it easier to justify their expansion on your site. This iterative process ensures continuous improvement and aligns with efficient resource allocation and strategic planning.
7. Feedback loops and iterative processes
Turning good into great isn’t just a challenge for product teams; it’s something that you, as an SEO, should also strive for. Let’s say you’ve implemented structured data that displays your company’s prices and reviews directly in the SERP. Why not take it a step further?
Consider encouraging more reviews, adding product availability, or appearing in merchant listing experiences.