In this post you will learn 5 SEO Mistakes to avoid.
Welcome to BL Marketing, your destination for exceptional web and brand design solutions in Central Alberta, Canada. As a passionate web and brand designer, and marketing specialist; I've navigated the intricate world of online visibility and digital marketing for 10 years. Throughout my journey in this industry, I've grown to really understand and adapt to the transformative impact of effective SEO strategies on businesses, driving them towards unprecedented success in the digital world.
So now that I've given you a quick intro, lets get to the good stuff.
First off you might be wondering "What is SEO anyways!?" SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and to put that into simpler terms, it is the art and science of making your website more visible to people searching products, services, or information on search engines like Google.
Picture this: you recently created a DIY website for your small business or maybe you had a site designed but a SEO strategy wasn't put into place. (NO Judgement there, as a fellow small business owner and solopreneur, I too try to literally do everything myself). So now you are left with this stunning storefront in the middle of a deserted street that nobody can find. That is where SEO comes into play - it's the key that unlocks the door to your virtual storefront, ensuring that when someone searches for something related to your business, your website appears in the search results. Basically, SEO is a roadmap that guides search engines like google to understand what your website is about, making it easier for potential customers to discover you.
Now that we've got a basic understanding of what SEO does, I want to share with you 5 common SEO mistakes that can hinder your website's ranking potential. In this article I'll share with you how to avoid these Slip-Ups, and learn how to rectify them to propel your business towards search engine success.
Mistake #1: Ignoring Mobile Optimization
In today's mobile-centric era, neglecting mobile optimization is a cardinal sin. With studies showing that smartphones and tablets, account for approximately 60-70% of total web traffic. A non-responsive or poorly optimized site can cost you valuable visitors and rankings.
How to Properly Optimize for Mobile:
Embrace responsive web design to ensure your website adapts seamlessly across all different device sizes.
Prioritize mobile-friendly layouts, legible fonts, and intuitive navigation for an optimal user experience.
Mistake #2: Neglecting Meta Tags
Meta tags play a pivotal role in how search engines perceive and rank your content. Ignoring or mismanaging meta tags can diminish your website's visibility in search results.
How to Properly Optimize Meta Tags:
Craft unique, descriptive title tags and meta descriptions for each web page, incorporating relevant keywords.
Ensure meta tags accurately represent the page content to entice users and search engine crawlers.
Say you are a Hair Stylist with a new salon and you need to write some meta tags for your new websites services page. See my example below for a poorly written meta tag vs a well written meta tag.
Side Note: I added the code in there but don't worry if you have no code experience many website platforms like WIX have SEO resources built right into their site so you don't have to worry about inputting any code, you simply follow their steps and can input your meta tag without the code. Which would look just like this: Transform Your Look with Expert Hair Services at [Salon Name]. Discover Top-notch Haircuts, Styling, Coloring, and Treatments. Visit Us for Personalized Services by Experienced Stylists. Book Your Appointment Today!
Mistake #3: Forgetting Image Optimization
Images can enhance user engagement, but neglecting their optimization can hamper website performance. Large, unoptimized images can slow down page loading times and impact user experience.
How to Properly Optimize Images:
Compress images without compromising quality to reduce file size and improve loading speed. I use tinypng.com to easily compress my website photos, I never upload any photo to my website until it has been optimized.
Use descriptive alt text and filenames to aid search engines in understanding image content, benefiting both SEO and accessibility.
You know when you upload an image from your camera and sometimes the file name is just IMG_22271, make sure you change this file name so that it is descriptive and relates to what you do and that it's relevant to your targeted keywords. The file name should help users understand what the image is without opening it.
Here I'll even give you an example of a great file name for my own photo below as well as a few descriptive alt text examples.
File Name: brand-website-designer-typing-laptop.jpg
For the alt tags, they should accurately describe the image. Here are a few alt tag suggestions for my photo.
Alt Tag 1: "Brand and website designer working on laptop"
Alt Tag 2: "Designer typing on laptop for brand and website creation"
Alt Tag 3: "Professional working on brand and website design"
Mistake #4: Ignoring Analytics and Data
Overlooking analytics deprives you of valuable insights crucial for refining your website's performance. Failing to track and analyze user behavior can impede your SEO strategy's effectiveness.
There are several excellent tools online to help you track your websites analytics but a couple of my favorites are
Google Analytics
Google Search Console (GSC)
SEMrush
Mistake #5: Neglecting Page Speed
Page speed significantly impacts user experience and search rankings. Slow-loading pages frustrate users and prompt them to abandon your site, adversely affecting SEO.
How to Make Your Website Faster Even if you have no code experience:
Use images with smaller file sizes
Limit plugins and scripts:
Choose a good hosting provider: Opt for a reliable hosting service that ensures fast loading times for your website.
Remove unnecessary elements: like old plugins, widgets, or outdated content.
Use caching plugins: Install plugins that create cached versions of your website's pages, making them load faster for returning visitors.
These steps can help improve your website's speed without delving into technical aspects like coding or Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). Implementing these changes can enhance user experience and positively impact your site's SEO performance.
Congrats!! You've just learned what the most common SEO mistakes are and how to not make the same mistakes yourself. Implement these Effective Website Optimization Tips today and get your business showing up on search engines.
I take immense pride in offering tailored web and brand design solutions that elevate businesses to new heights. Being based in Central Alberta, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities that local businesses encounter when striving to carve their niche in the digital landscape. My expertise lies not only in creating visually stunning websites but also in ensuring they are optimized for search engines, driving organic traffic and fostering growth for my clients.
Why I'm Sharing this Insight:
Through this blog post, my aim was to empower small business owners, like you, with practical insights into the world of SEO. I know firsthand how essential it is for businesses to maximize their online presence, especially in today's competitive market. By avoiding these common SEO slip-ups, you can significantly enhance your website's performance and attract more potential clients.
If you're seeking comprehensive design solutions that merge creativity with strategic SEO, BL Marketing is here to partner with you on your journey to grow your business and create online digital success.
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