RebelWebinar #8 |?Fundamentals of the Web

Craig Kanalley
Wed, 24 Sep 2025 20:58:19 +0000
Webinar, Website growth, Website traffic

The RebelMouse team walked through fundamentals of a good website in 2025 and beyond. We talked about what works and what to prioritize as the web continues to evolve.

? The Changing Web

The web continues to evolve, but the fundamentals of good websites remain constant.

Success today still depends on discoverability, simplification, and user experience, even in the AI era.

RebelMouse operates globally across 32 countries, serving over 773 million users and 4 billion page views in 2024.

?? RebelMouse Platform Strengths

Lightning-fast performance, even for content-heavy sites.

Structured by default — clean markup, semantic tagging.

Optimized for AI and search — metadata, schema, and layout built-in.

Designed for engagement and conversion — prioritizing long-term audience growth.

? The AI Shift in Search

Google is “reimagining search” — AI Mode may become the default search experience.

Publishers must adapt by focusing on site quality, structure, and trust signals.

AI-driven ranking volatility reinforces the importance of consistent technical excellence.

? Core Web Vitals

Critical metrics for measuring site performance and user experience: LCP, INP, CLS.

INP has replaced FID — stay current with Google updates.

RebelMouse’s RPM (Rebel Performance Monitoring) tracks CWVs 24/7 and auto-creates tickets when issues appear.

Maintain “green” scores on PageSpeed Insights (90+ recommended).

? Structured Data

Enables rich results and better crawler understanding.

Use schema.org markup for elements like breadcrumbs, reviews, products, media, and authors.

RebelMouse automatically structures content via “Particles” for improved SEO.

Proper Author Structured Data can boost credibility and traffic.

? The “Pass, Shoot, Score” Framework

PASS

Cite experts when you’re not the authority.

Build trust and authority through authenticity.

Develop partnerships for backlinks and visibility.

Collaborate—even with former “competitors”—to create win-wins.

SHOOT

Focus on your strengths and expertise.

Refine taxonomy, navigation, and mobile UX.

Avoid keyword stuffing — write naturally and contextually.

Ensure authors are credited with bios, social links, and structured data.

SCORE

In a “zero-click” era, prioritize direct audience relationships (emails, newsletters), engagement metrics over pageviews, and diverse monetization: sponsorships, paywalls, micropayments

Experiment with new content formats (videos, podcasts, interactive tools).

Build sustainable revenue models and loyal communities.

? Key Takeaways

Performance first: Optimize speed, stability, and CWVs.

Structured content: Implement schema and author data.

Authentic expertise: Create credible, valuable content.

Diversify reach: Grow partnerships, test new content formats, and secure direct audience access.

Return to fundamentals: Pass when others lead, shoot when you’re strong, and score by mastering performance and UX.