Top 5 Search Engine Optimization Mistakes
1 - Choosing the wrong SEO firm
There is no shortage of companies that claim they can optimize web sites for high search engine rankings. Some so-called SEO companies "guarantee" ranking results or use unethical techniques that end up hurting a web site's rankings. Hiring the wrong company can be very costly.
If you are new to search engine optimization, it can be difficult to tell which SEO firm can truly deliver the result your business deserves. Before you make your decision, we highly recommend that you:
- ask for ranking samples of the websites optimized by the SEO company
- see if you can find the SEO company at search engines, especially Google
- check if you can find the SEO company's client websites at search engines
- request references and talk with the SEO firm's clients
2 - Relying on your web designer for search engine optimization
Many business owners assume that their web designers are also SEO experts. Asking a web designer to optimize a web site is no different from asking a dentist to perform a heart surgery. The majority of web designers know little about search engine optimization. Web designers are trained to build web sites that look professional to human visitors, whereas search engine optimizers are skilled at making web sites "look professional" to search engines. If you understand the value and importance of search engine optimization, talk to an SEO professional, not a web designer.
3 - Treating search engine optimization separate from web design
Many business owners regard SEO as a separate process done after the web site is built. Such a mistake can be very costly. Search engine optimization works best only when a web site is built to be search engine friendly. Search engines read web sites differently from human visitors. Two web sites can look identical to visitors, but totally different to search engines. If a web site is not built to be readable by search engines, it needs to partially or completely rebuilt. Such a rebuild can easily double the cost of your web design.
4 - Targeting the wrong keywords
Some business owners and web designers often guess the keywords used by potential customers, without conducting a thorough keyword research. Keywords used by web searchers can be quite different. A keyword research will uncover the keywords used and the relative importance of each keyword.
5 - Ignoring the visitor-to-customer conversion
Some business owner focus on getting traffic, without putting much effort into turning the visitors into customers. We all have walked into a new store without buying anything. The same is true for web visitors. In order to convert a visitor into a customer, your web site needs to be convincing about your products and services, offering strong incentives, and giving visitors an easy pleasant experience.
When Terry says he's the best you believe him. He knows the business from every angle and has a reason behind every recommendation. I trust his judgment and guidance with my business. - Janie Peterson, Video Production Minneapolis