Overview
This article helps you enhance your Access Volcanic website's SEO beyond foundation tasks. You'll learn strategies that boost search visibility, attract qualified traffic, and strengthen your authority in recruitment markets.
📌 Note: Complete the Getting Started with SEO guide before implementing these strategies.
Why next-level SEO matters
Moving beyond basic SEO helps you compete more effectively in search results. The benefits include:
Targeting specific keywords your ideal candidates search for
Creating comprehensive location coverage for local SEO dominance
Fixing technical issues that harm user experience and rankings
Building internal site connections that guide both users and search engines effectively
📌 Note: These strategies build on foundation SEO tasks and typically show results within 8-16 weeks of implementation.
Your SEO improvement roadmap
Here's what you'll accomplish with these strategies:
On-page SEO
🤓Tip: This means optimising within your site e.g. your content and structure
Off-page SEO
🤓Tip: This means optimising outside your site including building your website's reputation.
Try these SEO improvements
📌 Note: Click on the sections below to explore each strategy in detail.
On-page SEO: Within your website
Keyword research and targeting
Keyword research and targeting
Getting keywords right is one of the most effective ways to improve your website's visibility. Access Volcanic provides powerful tools to target both job-specific terms and geographical areas.
What are SEO Keywords and Locations
Strategy | Purpose | Benefit |
Target specific job titles | Rank for popular search terms like "Admin Assistant jobs" | |
Target geographical areas | Capture local searches like "jobs in Manchester" | |
Combine both automatically | Create pages like "Admin-Assistant-jobs-in-Manchester" |
How to implement keyword targeting
Research your target keywords using tools like Google Trends and Google Keyword Planner
Set up SEO Keywords for your most popular job types
Configure SEO Locations for your key geographical markets
Monitor performance through Google Search Console
Expand based on results by adding new keywords and locations monthly
📌 Note: See our SEO Tools guide for detailed setup instructions.
🤓 Tip: Start with 5-10 keywords covering your most recruited roles, then expand based on performance data.
Fix broken links
Fix broken links
Broken links damage user experience and search rankings. Regular detection and fixing maintains website health and SEO performance.
Why fixing broken links matters
Broken links create several problems for your website:
Send negative signals to search engines affecting rankings
Frustrate users trying to access information
Reduce overall site authority and trustworthiness
Harm crawling efficiency for search engine indexing
How to find and fix broken links
Run SEO Console scan to identify broken links across your website
Use browser extensions like Check My Links for real-time detection
Prioritise fixes starting with high-traffic pages first
Apply appropriate solutions based on link type and location
Re-scan after fixes to verify resolution
Common approaches to fixing links
Once you've identified broken links through scanning, use these systematic approaches to resolve them:
Content updates: Edit links directly in pages, forms, or navigation menus
Permalink correction: Use full URLs to prevent future link breaks
Redirects setup: Handle moved content permanently with proper redirects
Cache refresh: Wait 2 hours after fixes, then re-scan to verify resolution
📌 Note: Some social media links (LinkedIn, Instagram) may show as broken but actually work - these are false positives from crawler restrictions.
Internal linking strategy
Internal linking strategy
Internal linking connects your website's pages through hyperlinks, helping visitors navigate easily while signaling to search engines which pages are most important.
Why internal linking matters
A clear internal linking structure improves SEO by spreading link equity across your site, guiding search engines through your content, and helping priority pages rank higher. It also creates a better user experience by making it easier for candidates and clients to find related content.
Key components of internal linking
Build connections using these three Access Volcanic features:
Permalinks - URL structures that form the foundation of all internal links
Hyperlinks - Contextual links that connect related content and distribute SEO value
Navigations - Strategic website menus that establish your site's hierarchy
How to implement internal linking
1. Understand permalinks structure
Your permalinks (page URLs) consist of three key parts:
Domain - Where your website lives (e.g., https://www.domain.com)
Path - The category or section (e.g., /jobs)
Slug - The specific page name (e.g., /finance-jobs)
Together, these form the full permalink (e.g., https://www.domain.com/jobs/finance-jobs). Keep them short, simple, and keyword-rich for both users and search engines.
📌 Note: Some permalinks are reserved by the platform and can't be reused. This includes core platform pages (like /jobs) and certain locations (like /london).
2. Add strategic hyperlinks
You can add hyperlinks in Edit Mode or via the Admin Area CMS. These connect content within your site or link to external sources.
For internal pages, you don't need the full domain - just use the permalink (e.g., /jobs).
⚠️Important: You'll need to include the full URL path (e.g., /jobs/finance-jobs) for hyperlinks to internal pages. Otherwise this will lead to broken links.
🤓 Tip: Learn more about adding hyperlinks via Edit Mode and Admin Area CMS from our guides.
3. Create effective navigations
Navigations are the menus at the top, side, or bottom of your website. They're not automatic - you'll need to create a page first, then add it to your navigation menu through the Admin Area CMS.
Strong navigations improve usability, ensure important content is easy to find, and support multi-language websites.
🤓 Tip: Learn more about creating and managing navigation menus in our Navigation menus guide.
Internal linking best practices
Apply these guidelines to build effective connections between your pages:
Link strategically: Connect related content naturally within context
Use descriptive text: Write Finance jobs in Manchester instead of click here
Maintain quality focus: Include 3-5 relevant links per page maximum
Check regularly: Remove broken or outdated internal links
📌 Note: See our Edit Mode and Admin Area CMS guides for link management instructions.
Redirects
Redirects
Redirects preserve SEO value when moving or removing content by automatically sending users and search engines to new locations.
Why redirects matter
Proper redirects provide essential protection for your SEO investment:
Maintain search rankings after URL changes
Prevent 404 errors for moved or renamed content
Preserve external link value and authority
Guide users seamlessly to relevant replacement pages
When to use redirects
Implement redirects in these common scenarios:
Renaming pages or changing permalink structures
Restructuring website hierarchy or navigation
Removing outdated content permanently
Consolidating similar or duplicate pages
📌 Note: Learn redirect setup procedures in our Redirects guide.
Topic clusters
Topic clusters
Topic clusters organise content around central themes, establishing expertise and improving rankings for related keywords through strategic content organisation.
How topic clusters work
Topic clusters create organised content networks that search engines recognise as authoritative:
Pillar page: Comprehensive topic overview covering broad themes
Cluster content: Detailed subtopic pages addressing specific questions
Internal links: Strategic connections from clusters back to pillar pages
URL hierarchy: Organised site structure supporting content relationships
How to implement topic clusters
Choose your pillar topics - Select 2-3 broad recruitment themes like Candidate Experience
Audit existing content - Group current pages or plan new content for each pillar
Create cluster content - Develop detailed pages addressing specific subtopics
Link clusters to pillar - Ensure every cluster page links back to its pillar
Structure URLs logically - Organise like /candidate-experience/interview-process/
Monitor and refine - Regular updates and content expansion
📌Note: See HubSpot's Topic Clusters guide for detailed implementation methodology.
Off-page SEO: Outside your website
Build quality backlinks
Build quality backlinks
Backlinks from other websites act as votes of confidence, helping search engines determine your content's trustworthiness and authority.
Why backlinks matter for recruitment
Quality backlinks provide significant SEO advantages:
Strong ranking signals to search engines
Authority transfer from established, trusted websites
Referral traffic from relevant industry sources
Enhanced industry credibility and recognition
How to build quality backlinks
Identify opportunities in industry directories and associations
Create valuable content that others naturally want to reference
Build relationships with clients and partners for mutual linking
Contribute expertise through guest posting on industry blogs
Monitor progress using backlink analysis tools
Quality opportunities for recruiters
Focus your efforts on these high-value backlink sources:
Industry directories and recruitment associations
Client and partner websites willing to link back
Niche job boards like Consultants500 that allow backlinks
Professional publications and industry blogs
🤓Tip: Quality over quantity - few authoritative links from relevant sources outperform many low-value links.
📌Note: See Moz's Backlinks guide for detailed link-building strategies.
Local SEO Optimisation
Local SEO Optimisation
Local SEO helps recruitment businesses appear in location-based searches, connecting you with nearby candidates and clients actively searching for services.
Why local SEO matters
Local search optimisation provides targeted benefits:
Capture near me and location-specific search traffic
Connect with local candidates and clients effectively
Compete successfully in geographical markets
Build local business authority and recognition
How to optimise for local search
Set up Google Business Profile: Claim and verify your listing with accurate business details
Maintain NAP consistency: Maintain identical Name, Address, Phone across all platforms
Encourage and manage reviews: Encourage client feedback and respond professionally
Create local content: Share regional insights and market trends regularly
Optimise for mobile: Ensure fast, user-friendly mobile experience
📌Note: See Google's Business Profile guide and HubSpot's Local SEO guide for setup instructions.
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis reveals what other recruitment agencies do well online and identifies opportunities for strategic improvement.
Why analyse competitors
Understanding your competition provides valuable strategic insights:
Discover untapped keyword opportunities
Identify potential backlink sources for outreach
Find content gaps you can fill effectively
Benchmark technical performance against industry standards
Learn from successful SEO strategies without copying
How to conduct competitor analysis
Identify your competitors by searching for your main keywords
Analyse their keyword strategies using free research tools
Review their backlink profiles to find potential link sources
Evaluate their content quality and identify improvement opportunities
Benchmark their performance using speed and usability tools
Document insights and create action plans based on findings
📌Note: See HubSpot's Competitor Analysis guide for systematic methodology.
Social Media integration
Social Media integration
Social media integration ensures your content appears professional when shared on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter through Open Graph optimisation.
Why optimise social sharing
Professional social media presentation provides several advantages:
Control preview appearance when links are shared
Maintain consistent branding across social platforms
Increase click-through rates from social media traffic
Prevent random text or images appearing in previews
📌 Note: Learn how to set up Open Graph images in your SEO Settings on our SEO Tools guide.
🤓 Tip: Think of Open Graph as your "shop window" on social media - it ensures professional, branded link previews every time.
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these frequent SEO pitfalls that can harm your website's performance:
Over-optimisation: Forcing too many keywords or links unnaturally into content
Mobile neglect: Ignoring mobile-first indexing requirements and user experience
Inconsistent linking: Using different URL formats across your website
Analytics ignorance: Not measuring and adjusting based on performance data
Set-and-forget approach: SEO requires ongoing maintenance and regular updates
⚠️ Important: SEO support and guidance
Access Volcanic provides tools and basic guidance to help you improve your website's SEO, but we are not SEO specialists or consultants.
For personalised SEO advice we recommend consulting with qualified SEO professionals who can provide expert guidance tailored to your specific business needs.
Next steps
Once you've implemented these strategies, consider exploring these advanced opportunities such as improving accessibility and analysing site traffic for SEO
🔮 Coming soon: Watch out for our Advanced SEO Strategies guide for expert-level techniques.
🤓Want to get most out of Access Volcanic for your SEO?
Take the SEO & Attraction assessment to find out whether you're using Access Volcanic to its full potential for attracting candidates.
Regular assessment helps ensure you're maximising your investment in Access Volcanic and staying competitive in attracting
FAQs
Q1: How many SEO Keywords should I create initially?
Answer: Start with 5-10 keywords covering your most popular job types, then expand based on performance data. Quality optimisation for fewer keywords typically delivers better results than poor optimisation across many keywords.
Q2: What's the ideal radius for SEO Locations?
Answer: Most agencies use 10-50 miles depending on market size. Urban areas work well with smaller radius (10-25 miles), while rural areas benefit from larger coverage (30-50 miles). Test and adjust based on your job distribution patterns.
Q3: When should I use redirects instead of fixing broken links?
Answer: Use redirects when you've permanently moved, renamed, or restructured content. Use direct link fixes when the original page still exists but contains incorrect links to other pages.
Q4: How do I create effective topic clusters?
Answer: Start with 2-3 broad pillar topics relevant to your recruitment focus (like "Candidate Experience" or "Employer Branding"). Create detailed supporting content for each pillar, ensure all cluster pages link back to the pillar page, and use structured URLs following your site hierarchy.
Q5: What's the difference between building backlinks and internal linking?
Answer: Backlinks are links from external websites to yours that build authority and trust with search engines. Internal links connect pages within your own website to distribute SEO value and guide user navigation.
Q6: How do I identify quality backlink opportunities?
Answer: Focus on industry directories, recruitment associations, client websites, and niche job boards that allow backlinks. Prioritise relevant, authoritative sites over high quantities of low-quality links.
Q7: Why is NAP consistency important for local SEO?
Answer: Consistent Name, Address, and Phone details across all platforms (website, social media, directories) help search engines verify your business legitimacy and improve local search rankings. Inconsistencies confuse search engines and harm visibility.
Q8: How do I set up Open Graph for social media sharing?
Answer: Navigate to SEO Settings > Open Graph tab, upload a branded image (1200 x 630 pixels), save changes, and test with LinkedIn Post Inspector to ensure proper display.
Q9: What should I look for in competitor analysis?
Answer: Focus on keywords they rank for that you don't, their backlink sources you could target, content gaps you could fill effectively, and technical performance areas where you can outperform them.
Q10: How often should I review and update my SEO strategy?
Answer: Conduct monthly SEO Console scans and Search Console reviews, quarterly competitor analysis and keyword performance assessment, and annual comprehensive strategy reviews with content audits.
Q11: Can Access Volcanic provide SEO strategy advice?
Answer: Access Volcanic provides tools and guidance for using our SEO features, but we're not SEO consultants. For personalised SEO strategy, technical SEO beyond our platform tools, or specialist optimisation advice, we recommend consulting qualified SEO professionals.
Q12: What SEO support does Access Volcanic offer?
Answer: Our support team can help with using Access Volcanic's SEO tools, technical platform issues, and understanding how our features work. For SEO strategy development and specialist optimisation advice, consider working with certified SEO consultants or digital marketing agencies. for in competitor analysis?
Q13: What's the difference between on-page and off-page SEO?
Answer: On-page SEO means optimising your website content, titles, and structure to help search engines understand your pages and improve user experience. Off-page SEO means building your website's reputation and authority through activities outside your site, primarily by earning backlinks from other reputable websites. On-page SEO helps search engines understand what your content is about, while off-page SEO demonstrates your site's credibility and trustworthiness.
Q14: Can Access Volcanic help me with SEO optimisation?
Answer: Yes, Access Volcanic and our Support Team can help you use the platform's built-in SEO tools and features for on-page optimisation. This includes guidance on configuring meta titles, descriptions, structured data, SEO console usage, and other technical SEO settings within your website. However, content creation and strategy development remain client-side responsibilities.
Q15: Does Access Volcanic provide off-page SEO services?
Answer: No, Access Volcanic does not provide content writing, keyword research, or SEO strategy development services. We focus on helping you use the platform's SEO tools effectively. Content creation, topic planning, and strategic SEO decisions should be handled by your team or through third-party SEO consultancy if additional expertise is needed.