Are you looking to get more sales?
If you’re like most companies, that answer is a resounding YES.
Many companies turn to SEO, also known as Search Engine Optimization as a cost-effective long term strategy to grow their business.
You may have considered SEO as well.
However, there are many pitfalls that you need to be aware of before pursuing an SEO strategy.
If you don’t do this right, you will waste a lot of valuable time and money.
Here are the most common SEO mistakes that you may be making:
You don’t know the sources of your website traffic
If you don’t know where you are, how can you figure out where you are going?
You need to understand what keywords people are using to find you in the search engines and which keywords are actually converting to sales.
You need to have an effective analytics program in place. The best free tools to start with are Google Analytics and Google Search Console (formerly known as Google Webmaster Tools). Both programs are free.
If you don’t understand the analytics reports, ask me. I can help you figure it out!
You fail to think long term
In SEO, there is always some scheme or technique that works in the short run.
However, the vast majority of the time, these techniques will get you into trouble with Google and destroy your rankings. It’s best to avoid them.
You don’t understand buyer intent and the buyer’s journey
Hubspot Inbound Methodology
When people are searching in Google or Bing, they have a certain intent.
You need to understand who your prospect is and where they are in the buying process.
People search differently as they get closer to making a purchase decision.
This is where a Hubspot Certified Inbound Marketing expert like me can come in very handy!
You get seduced by high traffic keywords
Google Adwords Keyword Planner
In the Google Adwords Keyword Planner, you can discover what keywords people are using to search for things on Google.
You need to keep in mind that more searches doesn’t necessarily translate to more buyers.
Some searches are from people who have no intent of making a purchase.
Some keywords have a lot of competition and will be extremely difficult to rank for.
You need an understanding of which keywords lead to sales and which will just waste your time.
By working with an online marketing consultant, you can figure out what long tail keywords can bring in the most sales with the least amount of effort.
You think SEO is the same thing as online marketing
A good search engine ranking means nothing if your website isn’t producing sales.
There are many ways to drive sales from your website. Some of these methods include: conversion optimization, social media, paid traffic and email newsletters.
By working with an online marketing expert, you can determine which methods will work best for you.
You try to DIY everything or hire too cheaply
Like everything else in life, you get what you pay for.
You may be saving on labor, but it will distract you from actually running your business properly. If you aren’t an internet marketing company yourself, it’s best to leave these things to the professionals, so you can concentrate on what you do best.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things that you need to be aware of before pursuing an SEO strategy for your business.
By avoiding the mistakes listed above, you can achieve great results with your online marketing.