We were all beginners to the world of SEO at one point in our lives and if you are feeling overwhelmed and not sure of the steps you are taking to better your website then you have definitely come to the right place. Today, we are going to discuss a few of the most common mistakes new website owners make when trying to get more website traffic, attention and increase their Search Engine Optimization.
Doing Something Unoriginal
If something has been done before, do not simply jump into creating a site right away. Instead of stealing someone else’s idea, find a way to make it your own. Maybe you can find a niche that is more specific so you can get more traffic to your site. In order to get more true visitors that are going to stick around for the long term, it’s a good idea to select a topic that is going to bring in only interested members.
Do Not Stuff Keywords
While keywords are important, as they help Search Engines and visitors find what they are looking for; you do not need to place them everywhere. Your content should be easy to read and have a flow to it. If all you’re doing is saying “home improvement” (if that is your keyword) every few sentences, the quality of your content is greatly reduced. Search Engines as well as readers pick up when you are trying too hard.
Rushing Through Content
If you want your website to be successful, then you must put the time in. Do not bust out as many articles as fast as you can or you are going to lose quality along the way. Both quantity and quality are important, so make sure you put emphasis on both. Come up with some sort of posting schedule if you need to which allows you time to brainstorm ideas and get new content out to your viewers regularly. This way, they have something to look forward to and a reason to check back.
Not Promoting Enough
Promoting your website is very important. You could have the most amazing content but if no one knows it’s there; you aren’t going to get very far. Social Networking Sites are a great place to start. If you are not using sites such as Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest already; begin today. Who doesn’t love a little free promotion?
Do not forget to check in with sites such as Digg and Delicious on a regular basis as well. Promotion never hurt anybody. Whenever you have a new update to your site or a new article has been posted, be sure to mention it on the sites listed above. The more quality links you have going to your site, the better.
Getting Low Quality Back Links
One thing to keep in mind is that you do not want to constantly link to your website. Many people think that the more links you have going to your website, the higher your Search Engine Optimization will be but this is not always the case.
You want your links to be authentic so do not have your friends go to various websites and spam them because all this is going to do is hurt your raking and potentially your reputation. If you play your cards right, people are naturally going to share your website with others and your links will appear on their own. A bit of self-linking here and there is fine but do not overdo it and link from sites that are related to yours and worth linking to.
Putting Too Much Emphasis on Search Engines
While being aware of Search Engines, how they work and what they look for is important, it should not be the only thing you are thinking about. In order to get people to visit your website; you need to think like a human, not a computer. Don’t get caught up in all the rules of Search Engines, because they can change out of the blue. At the end of the day, good content is what is going to get you furthest.
Not Being Present
Having a website is great but if you are not present, then problems can occur. Make sure to check up on your website daily and get rid of any spam. Also, if you have a blog or forum on your site, it is always a good idea to post there. If you go long periods of time without showing your face, this can hurt your reputation.
You want to stand out and come across as a real person to those who are on your website. Find a way to connect on a personal level with your visitors because when they think of you as someone just like them, they are bound to come back time and time again. Having a photo of yourself on your contact page is always a good idea.
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