SEO NO! Mistakes Newbies Make trying to get their website to rank on Google
And How to Avoid Them.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a crucial part of digital marketing. It involves the process of optimizing your website so that it ranks higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).
In this article, Elwyn discusses the top SEO mistakes newbies make and how to avoid them. These mistakes are based on my own experiences, so hopefully this will prevent you from needing to do all of the legwork.
Mistake 1: Blaming Your Website Platform - FYI, It’s probably not Squarespace or Wix!
One common mistake newbies make is that they pass on the blame to their website builder platform for their inability to rank high on Google. They believe that specific website platforms, such as Squarespace or Wix, are not SEO-friendly, and that WordPress with almost ‘magical’ SEO plugins is the only way to go. While it's true that some platforms may offer slight differences in terms of page load speed and information, it's not the most important factor. In 99.9% of cases, the platform you choose will not make a significant difference in your SEO efforts.
The key to SEO success is building a website that is user-friendly and provides valuable content that engages and attracts visitors. This means that you need to focus on creating a website that is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and one that is optimized for search engines. You can do this on any platform, whether Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress. So, yes, it is probably you!
Mistake 2: Looking for Shortcuts
SEO is a long-term game that requires consistency, patience, and hard work. Unfortunately, many newbies are looking for shortcuts and quick fixes to get their websites to rank high on Google for desired keywords. They may buy backlinks from shady sources or deploy black hat SEO tactics that can hurt their website in the long run.
The reality is unless you are extremely lucky, there are no shortcuts to organic SEO success. You need to build a solid foundation for your website and focus on creating high-quality content that engages and attracts visitors. You must also invest time in keyword research, link building, and other SEO strategies to help you rank high on Google.
“Don’t get sucked in by shortcuts; put your shoulder to the flywheel and keep pushing ahead. It could take months, even years to get your Squarespace website to rank on Google (for competitive SEO), but it will be worth it!”
Mistake 3: Failing at the Flywheel
The Flywheel concept by Jim Collins is a powerful model for building momentum and driving success in any business. It's about incremental progress, where each small gain leads to the next, creating a virtuous cycle that propels the organization forward. The Flywheel is a visual representation of the interlocking components that drive the business, such as the customer experience, product development, and operational efficiency. It's a holistic approach that encourages organizations to focus on long-term goals and to develop the discipline and patience necessary to achieve them.
Our own SEO Flywheel outlined above follows a similar principle of incremental progress to achieve organic rankings on Google. Like Jim Collins' Flywheel, our SEO Flywheel identifies a series of interconnected components that need to work together to build momentum and achieve success. For instance, we start by setting a goal of getting our website to rank on Google's organic listings. From there, we identify our target audience, create a compelling message, and build a high-quality website optimized for search engines. Then, we focus on developing high-quality content and building a community around our brand. Each small gain leads to the next, and eventually, we build up enough momentum to achieve our goal of ranking on Google. It's a long-term approach that requires patience and persistence, but the rewards are well worth it.
In our model, it's a cycle that starts with identifying your audience, building a megaphone for your business, engaging and responding to customers, and completing the sale. The first rotation of the flywheel is slow, but as you build momentum over time, your processes improve, and you start to see a synergy between your website selling and your service offering.
The PixelHaze Digital Marketing Flywheel
Newbies often fail at the flywheel because they don't think of their website as an integral part of their business. They may create a website and leave it as is, without updating it regularly, or they may fail to optimize it for the search engines. To avoid this mistake, you need to focus on creating a website that is part of your overall business strategy. You need to identify your audience, create content that engages and attracts them, and optimize your website for search engines.
Mistake 4: Chasing Trends
Another mistake that newbies make is chasing trends. They may create a blog or a YouTube channel and try to position themselves as experts in their field. While this is a great strategy, it can also backfire if you lack the discipline to stick with it. Chasing trends can also lead to burnout, especially if you're doing it yourself.
To avoid this mistake, you must focus on creating a sustainable content strategy. This means creating relevant content for your audience, adding new content regularly, and optimizing it for search engines. You also need to identify your limitations in-house and determine if you have the resources to sustain a content strategy over the long term.
And now for the bonus tip: Google Local Listings
If you're targeting an audience in your local region, one important aspect to consider is Google local listings. This refers to the map pointer that you may see on a Google search results page when you search for a local business or service. For example, searching for "construction company in mid-Wales," you may see a map listing nearby construction companies.
To take advantage of Google local listings, it's important to have a Google My Business profile. You can create one by applying through your Google account and verifying your location by entering a code sent by Google. Once your account is verified, you can optimize it by adding your business information, such as your address, phone number, and website. You can also add photos and videos, and manage your reviews and ratings.
Google local listings can be a powerful tool for getting more visibility in your local area. It can also help you attract more customers searching for your services in your area. By encouraging satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, you can improve your reputation and increase your chances of getting more business.
To make the most of your Google local listings, it's essential to keep your information up-to-date and respond to reviews and messages from customers. By doing so, you can build a solid online presence that helps you get more customers but also helps you stand out from your competitors.
