Search engine optimization (SEO) has seen a lot of change throughout its history. User behaviors have evolved and the search engines’ ability to provide quality content has greatly improved.
But there are some misconceptions about SEO that business owners still have. These misconceptions may be getting in the way of the results that an effective SEO strategy can provide your business. The following are 5 common misconceptions that you need to recognize so that you can leverage SEO for continued growth and online success.
1. SEO is a “set it and forget it” solution.
Optimizing your website and its content is an ongoing process. Many business owners believe that including target keywords in site tags, descriptions, URLs, and headlines is all they need to improve search engine rankings. Many expect to get significant results immediately. Although this may have been possible in the past, today’s businesses now realize that SEO is a long-term game.
SEO now must include content marketing strategies, relationship building, and social media to generate greater visibility for your brand.
2. Google is the only search engine.
Google has become synonymous with search. But it’s not the only search engine in town. Others like Bing and Yahoo still hold large percentages of the search market, and they must be considered when developing and implementing an SEO strategy. In addition, the algorithms used by search engines can vary. One search engine may place more weight on ranking factors that may not be emphasized by another. This means that your business has potentially untapped opportunities with search engines other than Google.
3. All you need are the right keywords.
Keywords are still relevant to search engine optimization. But they’re just one of many factors that are required to generate greater visibility and higher rankings in the results pages. Other factors such as responsive design, social media shares, and link profile also contribute to the success of your SEO campaigns.
Semantic search technology allows search engines to understand the intent of users who search online. This makes your site’s context just as important to its rankings as the specific keywords you use.
4. Guest Blogging Doesn’t Help SEO Rankings
The misconceptions around guest blogging arose after Matt Cutts, head of Google’s Webspam team, stated that it offered no value for businesses looking to achieve higher rankings. But guest blogging is still an important way for your business to build relationships with industry leaders and provide value to new audiences. Also, guest blogging can drive increased traffic to your site’s pages and improve your inbound link profile.
5. Content marketing has eliminated the need for SEO
Content marketing is the leading marketing strategy for today’s online businesses. By providing unique, relevant, and useful content, your business builds credibility and establishes itself as an industry leader. It provides value for individuals who are likely to be interested in the products or services you offer. This creates top-of-mind awareness among users who may want to buy your products and services in the future. But high-quality content isn’t enough to succeed in today’s marketplace. Search engine optimization tools and strategies must work alongside your content to ensure that it reaches the right audience.
These 5 misconceptions about SEO can limit the results that many businesses obtain from their marketing. If you’re struggling to achieve the rankings you need to succeed, let us know what obstacles you’re facing in the comments below. We can provide you with the information you need to get a clear understanding of what you need to get real results from your SEO efforts and establish lasting success for your business.
