Overview
In 2024, Dark Horse Financial partnered with me to transform their digital presence and improve lead generation through a comprehensive SEO and web development strategy. The project focused on optimizing the website, refining keyword targeting, and leveraging new optimization methods such as Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and AI Optimization (AIO).
Objectives
- Increase organic visibility and keyword rankings
- Improve user experience (UI/UX) and website performance
- Enhance lead capture via form submissions and inquiries
- Build topical authority with structured content maps and backlinks
- Leverage AEO and AIO for future-proof search visibility
- Streamline workflows with automation and Google Suite integration
Strategy & Implementation
1. Website Revamp (UI/UX Fixes)
- Redesigned site structure for intuitive navigation and improved accessibility
- Enhanced mobile responsiveness and load speed performance
- Updated visuals to align with brand trust and credibility
2. SEO, AEO, and AIO Optimization
- Keyword Targeting: Identified and ranked for high-value, service-specific keywords.
- Topical Maps: Created structured content clusters that improved topical authority.
- Schema Implementation: Deployed structured data for rich results and better indexing.
- Backlinks: Acquired high-quality backlinks to build authority.
- AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): Optimized for voice search and featured snippets to capture direct-answer queries.
- AIO (AI Optimization): Enhanced content formatting and semantic relevance to perform well in AI-driven search engines.
3. Automation & Integrations
- Google Suite Integration: Connected Analytics, Search Console, and Data Studio for full-funnel insights.
- Automation: Implemented automated alerts for form submissions and scheduled performance reporting.
4. Lead Generation Improvements
- Simplified inquiry forms for higher conversion.
- Integrated form-tracking to measure lead flow accurately.
Results
- Total Users Increased by 210.8% (YoY)
- Sessions Increased by 193.6% (YoY)
- Click-Through Rate (CTR) Increased by 72.9%
- Significant growth in keyword rankings and topical authority
- Improved engagement metrics, including time on page and session duration
- Substantial increase in form submissions and inquiries
Conclusion
By combining SEO best practices with AEO and AIO, Dark Horse Financial achieved sustainable, future-proof growth. The integration of technical improvements, content strategies, automation, and user-focused design resulted in a 210.8% increase in total users and a measurable surge in leads. This case study shows how a holistic, forward-thinking approach can drive exponential growth in a competitive financial services market.
