Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an important part of any marketing strategy. You know that your content needs to include certain keywords and phrases, but what else does it need to rank high among search engines? Here, we’ll take a look at SEO practices that are commonly sought after and the expectations that are aligned with them. Like many aspects of the industry, there’s often a difference between SEO expectations and reality.
Expectation: SEO results can change overnight.
Many professionals believe that once they’ve sent their content out into the universe, the search engines will grab onto it and immediately place their brand on the first page of search results.
Reality: It takes time to see results from SEO.
The truth is, there are a lot of variables that play roles in optimization. Most of the time, you’ll start to see results somewhere between four and 12 months. However, because of the complexities that go into SEO, there simply isn’t a definitive answer. What’s important to know is that it’s not going to happen overnight.
Expectation: I only need on-site SEO to generate traffic.
Creating well-made webpages is important, but you can’t rely solely on your static pages to get the search engines to notice you. You want to ensure your pages are being seen and that your content is valuable enough to be included on other sites.
Reality: Backlinks, blogs, and citations prove your website is trustworthy to Google.
Your SEO strategy should be well-rounded and include content that adds value to your readers and the search engines. This will be a win-win for all parties involved. Guest posting is a great way to increase your SEO because it spreads your content across new platforms and audiences. Simply put, you write an article for someone’s website, and they publish it, making your content a guest post. This strategy is a great opportunity to not only get your name in different locations on the internet but to establish a trustworthy website.
Expectation: High traffic means more sales.
Yes, you need traffic to get sales. However, it’s not about the number of people visiting your site but the quality of the lead. Even if you have multiple users viewing your content, it may not provide the sales results you think it will.
Reality: An increase in web traffic leads to more web users but doesn’t guarantee conversions.
What’s important is offering content that makes visitors convert into customers. Your goal is to catch the user’s attention and make them want to stick around to find out more about your brand. Provide audio and video content that allows users to interact with your site. Even speeding up your page and having a clean design will make it easier for your site visitors to engage with your brand.
Expectation: Once I complete SEO efforts, Google will automatically handle everything, and it’ll run on autopilot.
While it would be nice if Google would handle everything once you’re finished optimizing your website and content, the truth is that you’re never actually finished.
Reality: SEO is a marathon that’s continuously changing.
SEO is an ongoing part of a successful marketing strategy that’s ever-changing and evolving. It’s imperative to keep producing relevant content and that you monitor your website’s traffic and keywords. That way, you can make adjustments if certain words and phrases aren’t doing the job you expected them to do.
When it comes to SEO best practices for success, it’s vital to understand that Search Engine Optimization is an investment that takes time, patience, and dedication if you truly want to achieve results. With these SEO secrets, you’ll be better equipped to get Google to notice you.
If you want to learn more about website SEO strategies, our team at Zero Gravity Marketing is here to help. We have a group of gurus who thrive on the idea of creating successful SEO strategies. Reach out to us today!