Technology Networking & Internet

Top 20 Common Misconceptions About Search Engine Optimization (Part 1)

As a freelance copywriter who specialises in writing and copy optimising websites, I find there's still a lot of myth, mystery and misunderstanding when it comes to the whole business of search engine optimization.

In no particular order, here are the twenty misconceptions which I've found to be most common. Ten are in this article and the other ten will be in part 2.

'If we get more sites to link to us our rankings must improve.'

Not necessarily. Relevant, high quality links are what you need (they can also be good sources of targeted traffic). A lot of irrelevant links suddenly added can actually be counter-productive.

'My web designers will know all about SEO.'

In many cases, no they won't. The good ones will know about making a site search friendly by using the right programmes, layout, sitemap and so on, but friendly isn't the same as optimized. Some don't even know how to write the tags.

'We're paying a company to promote our keywords.'

If you're paying an SEO company, they should be promoting your whole site, not just your keywords. When I hear this, it usually means that they're paying a company simply to run an AdWords or other paid search campaign. It's neither optimizing their site, nor is it cost-effective.

'My site has been optimized. Now I just have to sit back and wait for all the visitors to roll in.'

Search engine optimization is an ongoing business. It's true that once you have the content optimised, you're well on your way, but you need to think of little ways of giving your website a helping hand. For instance, there are easy ways of generating relevant links on an ongoing basis. And having a blog or news section for your site is a great way of regularly adding content.

'We've been guaranteed a number one listing on Google.'

No-one can guarantee a number one listing. If only. The Google algorithm is a closely guarded secret, and is constantly changing. Some SEO companies are good. Others aren't. Some charge a fortune for very little. Others give you more for a lot less. None of them can guarantee great results. If someone 'guarantees' a number one listing, it's likely to be for a lengthy, obscure search term that's almost never searched for.

'X has promised great rankings for 100.'

Beware SEO companies which promise the earth. Beware even more those which promise it for next to no outlay. Either they have no idea what they're talking about, or they'll use methods which count against you in the long run, or your rankings will be for those obscure, unsearched-for terms.

'Hurrah! We've done it - we're ranked number one!'

Congratulations - but for what term? Is it one that's going to be regularly searched for? What about all the other related keywords? And are you going to sit around and wait for a competitor to knock you off your perch or are you going to take steps to stay there?

'We expect quick results.'

Actually, it may take a while just to get indexed at all. You can also expect to see your ranking go up and down dramatically for a while until you 'settle' at an approximate level. Google in particular, is notorious for taking a long time to make its mind up. And, of course, rankings will always vary a certain amount over time.

'We'll purchase software that will optimize our site.'

DIY SEO software can be OK as far as it goes, but it won't do it all for you. At the end of the day, it's all about the thought, time and effort put in, not the technology.

'High keyword density is essential.'

Some SEO companies and individuals still think it's important to repeat keywords over and over. They go on about these magic keyword densities of 3%, 4%, 6% or even 10%. Nonsense. Not only does it not work nowadays (if it ever really did), it makes for horrible, stilted copy and puts off visitors. Repetition of keywords is fine, but only in such a way that it still reads well to people.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading - and don't forget to loOK at Part 2.
SHARE
RELATED POSTS on "Technology"
Use the Right SEO Service to Handle Negative Publicity
Use the Right SEO Service to Handle Negative Publicity
Dartboard
Dartboard
How to Feed Your FeedBurner Feed to Twitter
How to Feed Your FeedBurner Feed to Twitter
SEO Tips on How to Have Lower Bounce Rate
SEO Tips on How to Have Lower Bounce Rate
.Mobi - The Birth Of A Mobile Internet Revolution?
.Mobi - The Birth Of A Mobile Internet Revolution?
How to Autosend Emails in Gmail
How to Autosend Emails in Gmail
Tumblr HTML Font Guide
Tumblr HTML Font Guide
Elements In Rugby - Updated
Elements In Rugby - Updated
Discover The Value Of Directory Submissions For Your Business At A Great Price
Discover The Value Of Directory Submissions For Your Business At A Great Price
Used Car Auctions
Used Car Auctions
Masking an IP
Masking an IP
How seo article writing increase your rankings on Google
How seo article writing increase your rankings on Google
Features To Look In While Hiring Mass Email Service
Features To Look In While Hiring Mass Email Service
Internet Marketing Advertising: Attracting Success
Internet Marketing Advertising: Attracting Success
Local Hotels in Karachi. Bruges Hotels Are Your Convenient Way to Wake Up on the Doorstep of Wonderf
Local Hotels in Karachi. Bruges Hotels Are Your Convenient Way to Wake Up on the Doorstep of Wonderf
3 Ways To Lose Money With Affiliate Marketing On The Internet
3 Ways To Lose Money With Affiliate Marketing On The Internet
How to Use Japanese Kanji With Windows Vista
How to Use Japanese Kanji With Windows Vista
How to Check Domain Trust Status
How to Check Domain Trust Status
Anon Proxy - What is the Best Anon Proxy
Anon Proxy - What is the Best Anon Proxy
How to Use a Different Dynamic DNS Provider in Windows Home Server
How to Use a Different Dynamic DNS Provider in Windows Home Server

Leave Your Reply

*