Ten Standard SEO Mistakes You Can Avoid
In last decade, search engine optimization has become a vital focus of many online companies, and for good reason. Establishing top search engine rankings has become one of their top priorities, as they know that without proper online ‘visibility’ their business will suffer. The competition is fierce and the only way to survive is to stand out.
Their intentions are honorable, but may not always deliver optimal results. Why? In many cases, it is simply case of inexperience, as well as using an SEO strategy that is lacking, or an approach that is loaded with mistakes. Trial and error is not an option if you want to succeed.
It is quite common to make SEO mistakes when trying to be noticed on the web. Fortunately, these blunders can easily be avoided. Carefully review the following list so you can correct any errors in your strategy.
1. Poor titles
To be able to assess your web site, search engines spiders have to evaluate your page titles. They not only review your titles, they also check if the page content matches the title. The better your title tag and page data fit, the higher your rankings will be. Search engines are firm on this matter and do not tolerate any trickery. Every page title and content has to be original, otherwise your site will be ranked as “supplemental.”
In addition, pay attention to the way you organize your titles. Put your top identified keywords in the title according to the rule of ‘leftward and keyword stemming’. In other words, the closer the keyword is placed to the left of the sentence the more important it will be. ‘Stemming’ is a system in which keywords are implemented in different ways using prefix, suffix and using plurals: e.g. the additional keywords for the word “search” can be “searches,” “searcher,” “searched,” “searching,” and “searchable.”
2. Complicated URLs
If your URL components are unintelligible and not search engine friendly, your web site will not be dynamic and you will be in trouble. To be acceptable, URLs should be short, logical, conventional, and self-correcting. Type them in lower case and use plain language. Absolutely, do not use technical jargon, weird abbreviations, symbols or codes. They only confuse the search engines. Keep it simple, to the point, and do not forget to include your main keywords.
3. Plagiarized or duplicate content
Your SEO success will depend greatly on your page content. Keep your text fresh and unique, and generously add new articles. Never duplicate and certainly do NOT plagiarize. If the search engines find out, your rankings will suffer greatly.
Not everyone is a gifted writer, and if you feel inadequate in producing extraordinary articles, blogs, press releases and other well-written, keyword-rich content, it may be best to hire a professional writer who is also familiar with SEO tactics. Your text has to be friendly and at a level your audience will understand. Pieces that are too intellectual or complicated may turn some of your readers away.
Once you have your page titles, descriptions, Meta keywords, and web site content perfected, Google may consider switching you back from the supplemental to the main index.
4. Flawed internal page links
Internal page links are a wonderful way for your users to move around your site. It saves them the grueling task of scrolling down long pages, or searching your site for specific information. Do not disappoint your fans by creating internal links to content that is irrelevant to the target pages, or links that are not working properly. Test all your links frequently, because if you do not, you will be losing sales. Customers who cannot view the merchandize they are interested in will not buy!
A quick reminder: while you are creating your links, do not forget to fill out the title tag for each link properly!
5. Lack of off-page links
Links are an off page SEO concept. They are as important as any on-page search engine optimization procedure. The more links you have to your web site, the more interest search engines will show. They will be even more impressed if the web sites that are linking to yours have a high PageRank.
Indeed, optimizing your own site with great keywords, titles, tags and content is a good start, but not enough for an effective Search Engine Optimization strategy. You also need incoming links that are placed on high ranking web sites. Although this task seems simple, in practice, effectively selling your pages is not always easy. To speed up the link exchange process, you can opt to pay for text advertising. You can also seek out directories with company names that will swap links, post your articles with links on forums, or approach forthcoming webmasters that accept links. Just make sure that the sites you approach are not blacklisted by Google or other key search engines.
6. Wrong anchor text for incoming links
As you know by now, it is vital to your SEO strategy to have incoming links. Of course, you cannot just put a link on someone else’s web site. Your link will have to be incorporated into high quality content. The text should be well composed and full of keywords relevant to your business. For example, writing about ‘mouse traps’ will not help you in any way, if you are selling ‘power tools!’
When requesting back links, use professional, common sense, and only approach high ranking web sites that are in the same industry as you. Remember, the right incoming links from appropriate sites not only help you improve your site’s search engine rankings, but will also bring in additional traffic.
7. Dead links
With the help of some external tools and frequent testing you can avoid dead links. All your links should be live and going straight to their target pages, or page sections. Verify that your page markup, html, or xhtml are valid. Internet users do not like404 error pages. If you do have a broken link, set up a re-direct to a page explaining the problem, and when your users can expect a solution.
Use as many tools as you can, as it is better to prevent broken links than to miss out on incredible sales opportunities!
8. Bad keyword selection
It is a very common mistake among beginners to SEO to use the wrong keywords. They often believe they know the right keyword selection for their business when, in fact, they are dead wrong. Although some keywords are typical for a specific industry, others are less effective.
In reality, top keywords are not based on speculation, but merely on the searches consumers conduct online to find the products, services and information they are looking for. Consequently, you will need those strong keywords to ensure that your pages are fully optimized.
The best way to find the correct keywords for your business is by using tools like Google Adwords, Overture, KeywordSpy, and WordTracker. Some services are free, while you will have to pay a fee for others. You will also have to localize your target market and figure out which products and services are most in demand.
9. Unethical spamming and stuffing
People who overload their web pages with keywords in their Meta tags and content are ‘keyword stuffing.’ It is unethical, and the search engines detest it. If you want to improve your status, attract the search engines’ attention by focusing your pages on a specific group of keywords, which you have identified during your keyword research. Find a niche market and incorporate it into your site. The broader your range, the more web users you find you.
10. Slowing down
SEO is like maintaining your lawn. If you stop mowing your grass, do not water it regularly, nor fertilize it often enough, and let the weeds grow wild, your land will suffer. Search engine optimization is not much different, and like your lawn requires constant maintenance and attention. Your web site will require constant refinement, unique content, validation, testing and corrections. It is a never- ending job, especially if you are keen on high search engine rankings.
Never think that because you reached your ranking goals you can now relax. Think again! You will have to continue working hard to maintain your position, as the competition is fierce and many others will be striving for your spot. The moment you slow down will be the moment your rankings will start to slide down again. Prevent this from happening by being alert and proactive. Stay informed about the changes search engines announce (e.g. Google Caffeine) and always stay ahead of the curve!
Although encompassing some of the most common mistake publishers make, this list is, of course, incomplete. Rankings can also be greatly affected if the site uses Java Script for menus and navigation (without a sitemap), only uses Flash without HTML alternatives, has nothing but images in the header, or over-optimizes their pages. Yes, the content has to be keyword rich for the search engines, but still needs to make sense to the people who read them. Just image how you would feel if you were reading a sentence that keeps repeating the same words over and over. Guess what? You would click away, and so would the audience reading that rubbish if it was posted on your site! So be smart, use keywords, but keep your text flowing and your content enjoyable.
Category: SEO Tips
