• Work
  • Blog

Don’t Fall for These 6 SEO Mistakes

March 5, 2013SheilaBusiness Tips, Marketing21 Comments

Small businesses, beware.

A longtime client of mine recently told me that he had signed up with a SEO marketing company (you know, the ones who constantly fill your spam folder).

He said he was paying $350 a month and that they guaranteed his site will rank number one on Google within a few months. I quickly told him he was probably being scammed and that there is no way to guarantee search rank, especially in such a short timeframe.

Then of course he asked me, then what does improve ranking? Good question.

Many of you, like my client, have probably already struggled with this thing called SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

What is it? How does one acquire the elusive high ranking on sites such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing? Although I’m no SEO expert, much of what it entails is a mixture of basic knowledge, common sense, time, and effort.

You can put your wallet away as I explain the top SEO mistakes you need to stop falling for, and what to do instead.

 

SEO is just a mixture of basic knowledge, common sense, time, and effort. Click To Tweet

 

Mistake #1: Hiring any SEO company that solicits you and/or makes outrageous guarantees

While there are some legit companies that deal specifically with improving ranking, they are not the ones who feel the need to send you a dozen emails promising the world. Instead, they will be quick to tell you that results won’t be seen for 6-12 months. Or longer. And that search engine optimization is just a small part of a larger, more holistic marketing approach.

So beware of any kind of “spammy” solicitation with lofty promises.

The reason you should avoid these type of companies is because, one, most of the stuff you can do for free on your own (which I will explain in a minute), and two, they can ultimately hurt your ranking.

 

Mistake #2: Buying hundreds or thousands of backlinks

One of the ways that Google ranks your website is by how many other (relevant) sites link back to it.

For example, if you sell shoes, how many other shoe related websites link to your own.

Unfortunately, there are now ways to actually purchase or rent hundreds of these backlinks, mostly through Mistake #1. The problem is, these links are usually not relevant and are already blacklisted as spam or poor quality. And that can get you in trouble. JC Penney was recently caught doing just that, and got penalized by search engines.

 

Mistake #3: Inserting keywords into every nook and cranny of your website

Google’s search engine uses highly advanced algorithms, which are mathematical equations that nobody has been able to crack. And they are constantly being updated and changed by the world’s smartest MIT grads.

So any kind of trick or technique that might have worked yesterday won’t work tomorrow. This includes, for example, the overuse of keywords and meta tags stuffed throughout your site in the hopes of improving ranking. While this worked back in 1996, Google has since figured out when the use of keywords becomes spam. So use them wisely, like in your headings and page titles.

 

Use keywords wisely, like in your headings and page titles. Click To Tweet

 

Otherwise, the more of these mistakes you make, the more likely it is that Google will mark your whole website as spam. Then your site could potentially be blacklisted—removed indefinitely from its listing.

 

Mistake #4: Writing content for search engines, not readers

Google and other search engines are now so smart, they can tell when you’re doing the above. Ironically, when you write content for your readers, it naturally helps your ranking. Why? Because your readers are more likely to stay on your page, and to come back to your website. Which improves ranking and relevance.

 

Mistake #5: Not having original content

Another problem with hiring somebody else to take care of your SEO is, you don’t know where their content is coming from. Is it original, or did they copy and paste from another website? Did they get it from a blog post mill? Or outsource it from India?

If it’s not original, that means it’s duplicate content. And search engines loath duplicate content, because it screams spam. So write your own content or make sure the person you hired is.

 

Mistake #6: Having no content

Notice a trend? I keep using the word content. What is that? Well, you’re reading it. The most basic form of content is in the form of articles and blogs. Video and podcasts are good content too, as long as they’re transcribed. Search engines love content. It’s what keeps readers engaged and increases the relevancy and value of your site. I tell clients this it the number one thing they can do to increase their ranking. Remember the adage, “content is king“?

 

Repeat after me: Content is King. Content is King. Click To Tweet

 

I know, I know, it takes time and effort. But it’s worth it, and it’s necessary. Your visitors expect it now.

If your website only has an “about me” and a “contact us” page, they’ll stay for all of 20 seconds. You need to give them a reason to stay a while, put their feet up, and keep coming back. Posting even just once or twice a month is enough to make this happen, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

 

Avoiding these mistakes works, because I did it

Not so long ago I went from being on page 5 of Google to the #2 spot. How did this happen? It wasn’t overnight, I can tell you that.

It happened by writing blog posts, like this one, and leaving comments on other design blogs linking back to my site, and included keywords in my page titles. And then I just stopped worrying about it.

One day, out of curiosity, I did a search for “graphic designer Scottsdale,” and sure enough, there I was! On the coveted first page of Google*.

The moral of the story? If I can do SEO, then anyone can.

*This was when I was operating under the name Sheila Patterson Design. I’m sure since rebranding and moving I’ll have to work my way back up again.

 

Your turn

What other mistakes would you recommend avoiding? Have you fallen for any of these recently? What SEO tips have you found helpful in increasing your own rankings?

 

Sheila

Sheila

Sheila Patterson is the owner and Creative Director behind Apex Creative. GCU professor by day, brand identity expert by night, she loves all things related to design. When she's not creating amazing logos and websites, you can find Sheila tormenting her husband and two feline furbabies, catching the latest Game of Thrones episode, or reading a good book. Naps are nice too.
: backlinks, content, Google, ranking, search engine optimization, SEO, spam, visitor, website

Related Posts

How to Get Traffic to your New Website

August 14, 2014Sheila

The Disastrous Results of Using Cheap Web Design

January 13, 2014Sheila

7 Signs That You Need to Redesign Your Website

September 8, 2015Sheila

21 Comments. Leave new

Sean Caudill
March 6, 2013 8:31 am

Great article! You are right, most of the SEO stuff, designers can do themselves! I have never used a 3rd party SEO company for that reason. Content is king…

sheila
March 6, 2013 5:48 pm

Thanks for reading, Sean! You are right, and the one thing my favorite teacher always beat into our heads was, content is king!

David Kelliher
March 6, 2013 1:06 pm

Excellent, common-sense tips! I know many clients who throw good money after bad on these SEO scammers who promise the world, yet never deliver much.

Thanks for proving that my instincts were correct: There really aren’t any “tricks”, it’s about good, relevant content.

sheila
March 6, 2013 5:50 pm

Thanks for your comments, David! Yes, people are always amazed that there’s very little magic involved in good SEO; it’s mostly about content and time.

John Patterson
March 7, 2013 12:40 pm

Another great article 🙂 I like how you mention that even small businesses can do enough to rank high in SEO without having to resort to paying for it. I better start writing some articles!

sheila
March 7, 2013 1:16 pm

Thanks for stopping by! Yes, SEO practices are something that every small business can start doing today. Congratulations, you’re already doing something by leaving your link and interacting with other websites 🙂 Good start!

Grace Oris
March 10, 2013 7:59 pm

It’s hard work to keep the content coming, but like most things with the best results, hard work is the way to go. The scammy SEO companies may be offering a magic pill but results would most likely backfire. Thanks for this post Sheila.

sheila
March 11, 2013 10:28 pm

Hey Grace, good to see you again! Yes, creating original (consistent) content is tough, but in the end it’s worth it. How do you come up with new content? Is it hard for you to post regularly too?

Grace Oris
March 12, 2013 1:35 am

Yup, very hard haha! But I’m sure it’s going to get easier the more consistent I am at it 🙂 There’s a lot of topics one can cover, it’s putting a new twist and your voice on it is what makes it challenging.

Kevin Monell
March 12, 2013 10:47 am

Right on, well said. Sharing on Facebook now.

Thanks,

sheila
March 12, 2013 1:39 pm

Thanks for reading and sharing, I appreciate it! Hope you found these tips useful 🙂

David A Sokolik
April 4, 2013 9:51 pm

Good content, I especially liked the point made about writing for content, not search engines. So very important in quality communication.

Derek Kimball
May 20, 2013 4:55 pm

Some great points Sheila. I must receive at least 2 emails a week from seo companies promising me top rank (most likely using the techniques you mentioned).

What kills me is that when I type in “seo + the location they are contacting me from”, none of these companies even rank well themselves.

You’re right, simply writing good content and having an understanding of proper keyword usage will help with page rank better than anything. Look at what it did for folks like David Airey and Jacob Cass (neither are seo experts, yet they both managed to achieve massive followings through their blog writings).

One thing that is concerning me lately however is how Google seems to be rewarding certain sites that are not writing quality content, but rather keyword stuffed blog posts with no read appeal what so ever.

For example there is a company who I’ve never even seen on the top page of Google when I typed in “Nashville graphic design”, yet in just weeks they were able to somehow take the #1 spot (at least last I checked) in Google for that search term. It’s crazy to me, because the strategy they are using is writing self promo articles with those keywords stuffed in every paragraph and blog article title they create. No read appeal what so ever. Just writing for seo and not the reader.

I’m no seo expert but I know enough to have held the top 1 or 2 spots in a popular city for nearly a year now (until these keyword stuffing sites came along). Is anyone else experiencing something similar as of recent?

sheila
May 20, 2013 5:42 pm

Hi Derek, thanks for commenting!

Me too, I’m ALWAYS getting spam from those companies. I think they prey on the fact that not many people are familiar/comfortable with SEO, it’s like a mysterious magical force that they’re scared to learn, even though it’s relatively straightforward 😉

(dude, David Airey and Jacob Cass are like my design idols LOL)

I personally haven’t noticed Google doing what you’re describing, and if they are, I would venture to guess that they’ll fix it soon enough. Their algorithms are constantly changing and learning to recognize content that appeals to humans, not keyword stuffing. Those companies that are doing that will pay soon enough 🙂

Derek Kimball
May 21, 2013 8:09 pm

Yeah I’m not sure what the deal is with the latest algorithms but I sure hope they change em soon. Have a good one 🙂

Artur Alexandre Pinto
August 23, 2013 12:17 pm

Great articale.
For me it is important to be on the top searches for my site. But I’m not really in to paying for that to happen… Therefore I make my SEO mayself and have been sucefull in it. I don’t worry about that too much, even if I know it is important.
You tips have been what i have considered for myself as some major landmarks. common sence is always the best and the most important is not to be penalised for trying to be on top too much. Nowdays what it seems is that search engines are giving a much powerfull weight to the lincks via FB and other social media then anything else… Maybe it is for the best but there is also spam being made true those networks…

I want to be on page one of Google. Right now for cheap. Oh, and for little work. | RGF Web Designer
February 25, 2014 8:37 am

[…] Don’t Fall for These 6 SEO Mistakes […]

Seth Rogen
February 27, 2014 2:08 am

Wow! Thank you! I needed to write on the same topic for my blog. Can I take information from your post for write ups to be posted on my blog?

Sheila Patterson
March 4, 2014 5:56 pm

Hi Seth, thanks for reading! Yeah sure, but it would be great if you linked back to me 🙂

Katelyn
August 6, 2016 2:24 am

Thank you for sharing!! I’m a print designer of about 10 years, and am currently new to web design & all other details pertaining to it. So, my own website is new and I’m trying to figure out this whole SEO thing for it. I was actually researching ideas for my own blog (trying to create more content for Google, actually) and found this one during my search. Perfect advice! Numbers 3-6 were most relevant for me. Thanks again!!

Sheila
August 6, 2016 11:30 pm

Thanks for reading! Glad you found it helpful 🙂

Recent Posts

  • The Real Reason Why Your Emails for Design Jobs Are Ignored
  • How a Mobile-Friendly Website Keeps You in Business
  • Smart Brands Use These—and Why you Should Too
  • What Star Wars: The Force Awakens Got Wrong
  • 25 Ways to Tell if You’re a Graphic Designer

Popular Posts

How Long Does it Take to Design a Logo?

14 Proven Ways to Find Clients

10 Reasons Why a Logo Should Never Cost Less Than $200

Good, Fast, Cheap: Yes, You Can Only Pick Two.

Don't Fall for These 6 SEO Mistakes

How to Snag Quality Clients

The Importance of Color in Logo Design

Categories

  • Branding
  • Business Tips
  • Case Studies
  • Freelancing
  • Geeky Stuff
  • Graphic Design
  • Logo Design
  • Marketing
  • Random
  • UX
  • Web Design
  • WordPress

Tags

audience bad logos blog brand branding business business goals cheap design client clients college color competition custom customers design economy education experience freelance freelancing Google graphic design history identity investment logo Logo Design marketing money niche process professional project red flags SEO simple skills social media unique value versatile website websites work

© 2016 Apex Creative. All rights reserved.