Search engine optimization, or SEO, is one of the most integral marketing strategies today. Not only does it impact the way in which websites are ranked but it can be implemented into virtually every element of one’s marketing plan. Social media, website development, and content creation are among the most prevalent examples, so if your advertising is even tangentially tied to digital media, it would be wise to work alongside a Long Island SEO agency. However, as you take a deep dive into the topic on your own, you should know that not all information you find is accurate. With this in mind, here are the top SEO myths, debunked.
“Content doesn’t matter in SEO.” Various factors contribute to a robust SEO strategy. These include, but aren’t limited to, backlink profiles and on-site optimization, both of which are topics all their own. It’s been said that content doesn’t play a role in how websites rank in search engine results, but as you may imagine, this is entirely false. Search engines place more weight on sites that produce content on a regular basis. To be more specific, they highlight sites that emphasize quality, as low-effort content is less likely to generate results. Simply put, solid content matters.
“The more links you generate, the better.” As mentioned earlier, a backlink profile contributes to one’s SEO strategy. This doesn’t necessarily mean that not all links are built the same, which is why more isn’t always better. Ideally, you’ll want to create and acquire links on platforms with high page and domain authorities, as these are the ones that search engines place the most trust in. The higher that one’s page and domain authority are, the more weight their links will have. Link building is recommended, but to say that more links are automatically more beneficial is among the top SEO myths that can be touted.
“Keyword research isn’t necessary.” You may think that focusing on one or even a few key terms will help build your SEO, but this isn’t the case. In fact, it’s integral that you, or an SEO specialist that you partner with, conduct keyword research. This serves different purposes. First, it helps you determine the terms that receive the most search volume. Second, it will allow you to see which terms relate to your business best. Ideally, you’ll want to keep the scope of your keywords broad, especially if your company offers several products or services. Keyword research and SEO work in tandem.
“Website security doesn’t have an impact on SEO.” On the contrary, it’s one of the most underrated SEO measures that can be taken. When you click on your website, make note of the full URL. If it begins with the “https” protocol, an SSL certificate has already been installed; if it begins with “http,” you need an SSL certificate. For context, an SSL certificate is an electronic document that authenticates a website, providing it with an encrypted connection. This is most ideal for businesses that specialize in ecommerce and boast on-site user portals, but since websites rank safer websites higher, it’s integral to SEO as well. Speak to a reputable social media marketing company to learn more about installing an SSL certificate on your business site.
“I don’t have to concern myself with on-site work.” Generally speaking, your company website is an extension of the company itself. In other words, on-site work should take priority, especially given its role in search engine optimization. For example, you may not think to go through your website and give each page a unique title or meta description tag. What this does, however, is provide context to what a page offers, meaning that search engines can better understand their content and deliver relevant results. To ignore on-site optimization would be playing into commonly repeated top SEO myths.
“SEO is a short-term effort.” When discussing the top SEO myths, this may be the most important. Anyone that’s familiar with search engine optimization will attest to the notion that it’s far from a short-term effort. Rather, it’s a measure that requires extensive effort, whether it’s in regard to content creation, on-site optimization, or any other endeavor one may associate with SEO. Don’t be surprised if it takes several months or even a full calendar year for measurable results to be seen. However, if you stick with it, you’ll be happy to know that your efforts will be worthwhile.
About fishbat: fishbat is a full-service New York SEO, social media, and marketing agency that takes a holistic business approach to their clients’ digital marketing programs. The fishbat team understands the importance of business principles just as well as the nuances of the latest digital technologies. fishbat offers every digital marketing service available from digital marketing research and planning to brand development to website and asset creation through social media management and search engine optimization programs – all custom calibrated for both B2B and B2C businesses.
