According to Moz, search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search engine results. In the broadest sense, SEO is based on how well your website ranks in online search results, and also entails the practice of how to generate traffic centered on these results. Any business that desires to build a large online presence must have an effective SEO strategy. Though, many businesses perceive SEO to be a difficult task to master. In actuality, this is quite the contrary.
Building great SEO habits usually depends on how well you can bounce back from traditional trial and error methods, so experimentation is vital to understanding how to develop a viable SEO strategy for your business. Nonetheless, there are a few errors you should watch out for if you desire to improve your online ranking and visibility. Take a look at these three crucial SEO errors to gain a general understanding of what not to do in the field of SEO.
1.) Not Focusing on Relevant Content
Your content marketing efforts should always be intertwined with your SEO goals. After all, if you produce relevant and meaningful content, Google will pair it with similar search inquiries made by web users. However, many individuals fail to realize the difference between simple, well-written content and relevant content. To create relevant content, simply try to understand what web users are looking for in your niche. Afterwards, generate specific content ideas that answer a question with relevant information.
2.) Using Incorrect Inbound Links
Using keywords in anchor text is an effective SEO strategy to properly link your content and give web crawlers an easy opportunity to index your website. Though, it’s no secret that many websites contain incorrect inbound links that can impede their overall website ranking. Numerous websites employ the use of frivolous inbound links that make it difficult for web crawlers to navigate through their website. One common example of an incorrect inbound link is “learn more” or “click here”.
These inbound links are useless because they don’t point to a specific direction on your website. Instead, try using an inbound link that contains a keyword, such as “click here to schedule a free consultation with a Brooklyn personal injury lawyer today!” Not only does this inbound link contain a keyword in its anchor text, it provides web crawlers (and even website visitors) with a sense of direction to aid their navigation.
3.) Ignoring Local Searches
According to BrightLocal, 96% of PC owners conduct local searches. In addition, their report also indicates that 64% of local customers use directories and search engines to find local businesses and that 78% of mobile local searches result in an eventual offline purchase. There is no denying the fact that local searches are vital aspects of SEO for local businesses.
To take advantage of local searches in your area, localize your content with keywords such as “near me” to give Google an indication that you are trying to reach local prospective customers. Also, create content based on local topics to generate a mutual interest within your online community.
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