In creating a strong online presence for your business, there are important SEO mistakes to avoid.
A quote from Google to its users:
“You want the answer, not billions of webpages, so Google ranking systems sort through the hundreds of billions of webpages in our Search index to give you useful and relevant results in a fraction of a second.
These ranking systems are made up of a series of algorithms that analyze what it is you are looking for and what information to return to you. And as we’ve evolved Search to make it more useful, we’ve refined our algorithms to assess your searches and the results in finer detail to make our services work better for you.” – Google
Search. Browse. Look it up. Google it.
However you define it, we all do it. Every single day. Actually, we do it 3.5 billion times a day to be exact. Google search has become the first step in almost anything we do to achieve new or old information on the web. Your business’s website is part of that information and keeping it at the top of the class in search optimization is a critical component to its success.
But how does a business compete in search results in this ever growing digital marketplace?
The answer is Search Engine Optimization, or SEO for short.
Did you know..
- There are over 3.5 billion Google searches per day
- 92% of internet users have a search engine as their homepage
- 80% of consumers who did a local search visited a store within 5 miles
- Old blogs that are vamped with SEO can increase organic traffic by as much as 111%
93% of customers do not navigate past the first page of their Google search results, leaving the other results lost in the dark.
SEO implementation is essential for any web property to thrive, but there are many ways that you can do SEO incorrectly. Keep reading to learn the top SEO mistakes to avoid in 2019 for your business.
Here are the top SEO mistakes to avoid in 2019:
1) Picking the Wrong Keyword or Keyword Overstuffing
Keywords are the words and phrases in your online content that make it achievable for people to connect with your site through search engines. A well-optimized website aims to relate to its searchers using keywords in a smart and effective way. Here are three major no-no’s when it comes to keyword configuration.
Using the Wrong Keyword
Your keywords should match those of your target audience. If you design and sell antique high-end claw foot bath tubs, using “affordable modern bathtub designs” are not keywords for your demographic even if those words and phrases have high search volume.
Keyword Stuffing
Taking a keyword and filling up a webpage with it over and over will not only get you penalized, but it makes for poorly read content.
2) Bad Content Quality or Low Readability
Your website’s content is the substance that represents your business to the customer. It has to be original, thorough, and most importantly, valuable. There are two very common mistakes in SEO content management.
Scraped content
This is content that has been pulled from another resource and used as your own. It is plagiarism and Google does not abide by it. Being lazy and cutting corners in the content creation game will only hurt your business in the end.
Thin Content
This is content that has brought zero value to its readers. Some examples are auto-generated pages, doorway pages, and duplicate pages. Basically, filler that makes the appearance of a robust site but in truth has nothing to say at all.
Low Readability
Readability is how well a reader can understand your text. It depends on both the content and the layout. Your website should be well-understood by your target audience.
3) Low Website Health Score
The maintenance and health of your website plays a giant role in SEO success. It needs constant attention and check-ups to compete with current technologies and practices in the digital workspace.
What’s your website’s health score? Your site may need a checkup. We put together an SEO and Google-friendly tool kit to make sure your website is healthy. Download the toolkit here.
4) No Web Authority
Users trust authority. They want to know the business they are seeking out will not be one that scams or abuses their time or money. Customer reviews, external links, and certifications/awards are the three most crucial aspects to web authority.
How to Improve Your Web Authority:
Online Reviews & Customer Testimonials
88% of online consumers say they trust reviews just as much as a personal recommendation. Moreover, 72% of those users say a positive review will liken their trust in a business even further. Having a “review my business” link on your website is a great place to gain your customer’s feedback and experiencer to share with others.
External Links
Having external pages pointing back to your site is a huge trust plus. References from other sites that find high value in your content builds up your brand authority and trustworthiness among consumers.
Badges/Certificates/Awards
Nothing says “we know what we are doing” better than an outside accolade. There are so many places to be awarded in the web business world. Certifications like Google Academy can showcase your company’s and its employee’s knowledge and skill sets. And there are so many reputable brands that you can align yourself with. Badges from Google Partner or the Better Business Bureau show extraordinary trust and authority.
We can help improve your search rankings
SEO success is tricky and there are plenty of SEO mistakes to avoid. There are many factors in search optimization, and Google continuously modifies and updates the algorithms in which sites are ranked. Hiring an experienced and skilled team for your SEO will save you headaches, time, and will garner you further reach with potential customers seeking to find your business.
Atlanta SEO Company
Is your business at the top of Google’s search results? Let us get you there.
Every business is unique, but all businesses share a common appetite to rank first on Google’s homepage and rank above their competitors. Searched Marketing develops and expands the footprint of your brand, while delivering steadfast and long-lasting results. Hundreds of Atlanta local businesses, as well as businesses at the nationwide and international level, depend on Searched Marketing as their trusted digital marketing partner for all their SEO needs.
When it comes to having a successful business, things do not just happen. Solutions must be built. At Searched Marketing, we build successful solutions, including SEO solutions for your business
Searched Marketing is an Atlanta web design and development company that provides web design services since 2004. We specialize in custom website development and provide all services for SEO-friendly websites, including website design, custom website development, and online marketing campaigns. This include responsive design, website redesign, WordPress maintenance, and more. As a top web design company in Atlanta, our team of experienced digital marketing and web strategists are dedicated to creating unique digital experiences through strategy, design, and development.
Call us today at (404) 334-5686 to discuss your search marketing and website maintenance needs!