There are so many search engine optimization myths out there affecting the way you approach your site’s SEO. SEO can be complicated and time-consuming. So, it is important to know which efforts are worthwhile and which are worthless. To help you out, we have debunked 5 of the top SEO myths out there.
Myth #1: You must rank #1 or your SEO efforts are futile.
If you are one of those companies that believe ranking #1 is the only marker of a successful SEO campaign, think again. While the ultimate goal for each company is to rank #1 for their respective keywords, it should not be your only goal. Improvement in keyword rankings over time and greater levels of site traffic are both great indicators of a successful SEO campaign. Making it to the first page of Google is a huge goal for a lot of companies, so don’t just focus on that #1 ranking.
Myth #2: SEO and SEM are not related
SEM, or search engine marketing, is the concept of paying to increase your rankings on search engines. We are not talking about black hat tactics, but rather white hat tactics like Google AdWords. Since SEO is the idea of organically ranking and SEM is the process of paying to rank, many believe they are unrelated. However, they actually work together to increase your online presence. Once implementing major SEO tactics, it can be several months before your site begins to rank. A great way to supplement this is to advertise on Google AdWords until your site begins ranking organically. This will ensure that you always have an optimal web presence, paid or unpaid.
Myth #3: SEO is a one-and-done thing
This is one of the worst assumptions you can make in regard to SEO. SEO is not a one-and-done activity; it is an ongoing process that requires constant review and updating. Some companies believe that they can spend a couple months creating and implementing their SEO strategy and then they will be good to go for the next several years. Search engines, like Google, are constantly updating their search algorithms which determine site rankings. You may rank on the first page one day and on the 3rd page a week later if Google releases an update. Thus, you need to be aware of these changes and continually review your strategy for best results.
Myth #4: All SEO companies are the same
All SEO companies claim they will improve your search ranking. Some will even “guarantee” they will make your site come up #1 in Google. However, their motivations, tactics, and ethics are very different. Some cheaper SEO companies (but not all) are motivated by fast money. Often times when this is the case, they will use black hat tactics to help your site rank. These tactics are unethical and can result in very bad rankings if the search engines discover it. Of course, expensive companies may use black hat tactics as well. It is important to research an SEO company that is focused on helping you in an honest and ethical way. Trustworthy SEO companies will focus on increasing your web presence while keeping you on Google’s good side.
Myth #5: SEO is dead
The myth that SEO is dead, or dying, has been around for years now. Understandably, SEO is a lot of work and people would like to believe that it isn’t actually worth their time. However, this is far from the truth, at least for now. Search engines want to provide users with the best search results. White hat SEO involves following the search engine’s rules and providing the best content. Thus, as long as your SEO tactics are ethical and as long as Google cannot read minds, SEO will still be relevant.
As you can tell, SEO is still a big part of your overall digital marketing strategy. Because of this, it is important to know if what you’ve been hearing is true. If you need any assistance with your SEO strategy, please contact Informatics Inc.
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