If your business is hoping to gain ground with search engines in 2019, you will need to build a strategy based on facts not myth. There are far too many myths about search engines floating around the internet and it is hurting a business' ability to create a digital presence.
Here are five common myths that you need to ignore.
At some point, people got the idea that they need to overload their homepage with content. What you should be doing is making sure your homepage only has relevant content designed to compel visitors to click through to other pages.
Your homepage should contain your company's value proposition and a clear assessment of services/products and something engaging like a short video. Keep it compelling and concise if you want search engines to index your homepage.
Google and other search engines are all about returning the best and most relevant websites to their users. This is why they gauge user experience (UX) as part of their grading system.
Now that you know UX is imperative, improve yours by doing focusing on:
You probably need less pages. Your website should be pared down to only include the most important things you want your customers and potential customers to know. Think about your website like your home and get rid of the clutter. The last thing a visitor wants is a website that feels like it was designed by a hoarder.
A clean homepage, pages dedicated to products and/or services and a contact us form are givens. Beyond that, be honest about what pages best serve your visitors and have a realistic shot at being indexed and ranked by Google.
You might be too close to your website to properly evaluate what pages need to get cut. Try our free website audit to learn where your website could use a fine-tuning.
This myth probably hurt a lot of businesses in 2018 and that's a shame. Local SEO matters. You need to optimize your website so that it can be returned in searches that are neighbourhood specific.
Local SEO allows you to connect with people who are looking for your business when they are looking for it. Restaurants and medical clinics need to adopt a local SEO strategy immediately.
This one is just plain mean. People think that once you've made a mistake in the eyes of Google, that you are in their bad books forever. Yes, Google penalizes websites that aren't optimized or tries to manipulate the rules but if you correct the problem then you still stand a good chance of being indexed and ranked.
Google doesn't hold a grudge as long as you show effort.
Start the year off right by letting Awkward Media help you create a SEO strategy that will produce results. Drop us a line or call 647 849 1082 to tell us about your business and to better understand how we can help it grow digitally.
