You might think you already know about search engine optimization. Well, think again. Some of the things you know are simply misguided notions. What are these SEO myths? Here they are …
1. Search engine optimization can be performed just by anyone.
Just like golf can be performed by just anyone. But if you do not know the rules and don’t have the tools … just how successful will you be?
2. SEO is only for those websites who sell products online.
Optimization is important for EVERYONE who wants their website to have a better chance of being on the first page or two of Google, Yahoo and/or Bing on certain terms. If you want to be seen by more people, optimization is important.
3. SEO companies can give their clients a guaranteed top ranking position.
I can guarantee that anyone who guarantees top rank is either lying to you or selling you paid placement (SEM).
4. SEO gives an overnight result. You can optimize a website today and expect it rank high tomorrow.
Everything really good is worth waiting for … expect results to take 3 months for longtail keyterms and much longer for highly competitive terms. There are so many variables … are your competitor sites optimized? How many pages have those terms (competition)? Are you trying to rank on “generic” or short-tail terms like: real estate, home inspections, or adult porn site?
5. Build more links irregardless of the quality.
Oh yeah. Its nice to have links, but they need to be relevant links. You should also look to have links to sites with higher page rank (cuz it pulls you up) vs sites with lower rank (cuz they pull you down).
6. It is fine to copy content from other websites and paste it on your own website.
I have only one thing to say, “Copyright Law”. Okay. Two things … search engines do not like duplicate content and will always index the content that’s oldest and de-index the subsequent copies.
7. There is no need for you to write unique content for your website since you can just syndicate articles from directories.
See above. And, just from a common sense standpoint, people are interested in NEW stuff, not re-hashed BS.
8. There is no need for further work after you have optimized your website.
Well … if you have no competitors or don’t care about wasting the money you spent on your original optimization … go ahead and don’t do anything else. Just don’t expect your successes to continue to be successful. Just like any professional who really wants to stay at the top of his/her game; you MUST keep working at it.
9. Search engine ranking is all that matters.
No. No. No. The user experience is THE most important aspect of your website. A website with a great user experience will be successful even if it isn’t optimized.
10. There is no need for a website to be submitted to web directories.
Think of it this way … you’re a runner at the 2010 Olympics; the gun kabooms … and you wait till you finish eating your energy bar before you start running.
11. A website doesn’t need updated content.
This is true. I love going to a website and seeing the same stuff month after month after month. NOT!
12. The search engines won’t know if you use black hat SEO techniques.
Um. Hello? What reality are you from?
13. Do it yourself SEO is better than hiring SEO professionals – can be true if you are an expert yourself.
You are an expert in what you do/sell/manufacture; you are NOT an expert in Search Engine Optimization. Does a doctor perform surgery on himself?
14. Web design doesn’t need to be optimized.
This, too, is true. If you do not care to be found on the search engines or do not care to reach a wide audience … you do not need optimization.
15. The navigability of the website has no effect on its search engine ranking.
The programs search engines use to discover and index your site (aka add it to their databases) are just like people … they get bored easily and are lazy. If your navigation is confusing or complex or too deep they give up. You’ll loose indexing on whole sections of your site if the layers are too deep.
16. Site visitors already know how to browse a website so don’t worry about usability.
Yeah. Sure. Let’s build a car and don’t worry about safety. Let’s build a house but not include plumbing.
17. Flash is the best way to present your message.
Flash = death.
18. You can write anything that you want in your website content.
This is absolutely true. Freedom of speech baby! Of course, if you are in business and want clients/customers, want great SERPs (search engine results pages), and want visitors to keep coming back … you gotta add new stuff … regularly, consistently, thoughtfully.
19. There is no need for you to add keywords on the website content.
You MUST always be aware of your key terms and add them to your new content or you will lose your rank over time.
20. Adding more large-file images on the website makes the site more appealing.
Firstly, the user experience must be optimized. Large image files, videos, embedded music … all make pages load too slowly. If a page takes too long to load users will leave. Period.
Bonus Myth:
Why still optimize a website when it can still be indexed by the search engines no matter what?
Getting indexed is NOT the same as being ranked. Need I say More?
If you disagree with any of these myths, want to add more, or simply want to know more about optimization call Transmutation Sciences today at 9781-207-6038!
Great info. I think I need to hire someone to do my SEO right!
Most definitely! I know just the right company!
The weekly calls I get from SEO companies claiming to get to me to the top of my rankings while telling me what terrible shape my site is in has tainted my view of professionals.
I didn’t realize that there really were professionals, because I’ve only spoken to really aggressive sales people.
How do we know if a company is legitimate and approximately how much does the service cost?
Great question Kimberley!
Firstly, we have to discover if they provide “optimization” or “marketing.” So, ask them, “Do you guarantee me top position on Google?” If they say “Yes” they are SELLING you a PAID position. If they say “No” then ask them “Are you optimizing my site for ‘organic search results’?” If they say “Yes” you are closer to finding the right company. If they say “No” ask question 1 again.
Secondly, You can ask these questions:
“Do you implement geo-tagging?”
“Do you optimize code as well as content?”
“How many terms will you optimize my site for? and do I get to decide what those terms are?”
They should answer “Yes”"Yes” and “Depends on whether you want a short tail strategy or a long tail strategy but either way, yes you will have the opportunity to decide which key terms we will optimize for.”
Unfortunately, the answer to you question about cost is not as easily answered. There are no standards in the industry. What you should do is investigate RESULTS from previous clients. If they have a good success rate, clients are happy, etc. then pay what they are asking.
Generally speaking the cost of optimization depends on the scope of the job. Here are the factors I consider when developing a quote:
1. The industry the client is in (some industries are VERY competitive)
2. The size of the site – are we talking 10 pages or 150? AND how many NEW pages will have to be created to meet our goals.
3. Are we going for a shorttail strategy? (a highly focused list of well-researched key terms) or a longtail strategy? (a very broad list of well-researched key terms)
4. Are we going to optimize the code as well as content?
5. How much of the content can/will the client be able to generate?
I don’t hard sell. I will always be honest about your website; sometimes brutally so. I don’t JUST optimize. Like a “Wholistic” doctor, I look at the complete picture of your website – industry, target market, design, usability, functionality, keyterms, social media opportunities, etc.
My primary motivation is “How can I help your business grow?” … and sometimes, optimization is NOT the answer.
Thanks so much – you’ve given me a lot to think about, Aaron!
Hi Aaron – clear, concise, funny, and true. Who could ask for more? Cheers ~Norma