Are you finding yourself spending more time than necessary doing SEO, without seeing the results? If you’re struggling to get the desired outcome of higher search rankings, you may have just been wasting your time. Here are six common time wasters of SEO that prevent people from getting the most out of their efforts:
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Focusing on Rankings – Too often people are stuck focusing on search engine rank as the only measure of success. While rankings are certainly important, they also only tell part of the story. Instead of only chasing higher positions, research your competition to understand what strategies actually bring in the desired results.
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Not Prioritizing Content – Content is king when it comes to SEO, and the articles you produce should be considered the foundation of your efforts. If you’re not putting a priority on content creation, chances are you’re not maximizing its potential effects on your SEO strategy.
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Keyword Stuffing – Plastering every article or page with multiple long-tail and short-tail key phrases can actually hurt your rankings by undermining trust with search engines. It’s better to focus on writing valuable and informative content, and naturally incorporate key phrases where appropriate to maximize effectiveness.
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Ignoring Mobile Optimization – In the current mobile-first world, it’s crucial to ensure your website is optimized for mobile accessibility. Google has made changes to its rankings over the past few years that puts mobile-friendly websites at the top of the list, so you could be missing out on a valuable opportunity by not adjusting your site accordingly.
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Not Following Guidelines – Always be sure to keep up with regular updates to search engine algorithm guidelines to ensure you remain in compliance and can maximize potential visibility.
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Forgetting to Monitor Results – How can you see which of your efforts are paying off and which are missing the mark? It’s essential to regularly track and monitor your search engine performance to ensure you’re making the most of your time and efforts.
SEO can yield great results if you’re strategic about your approach. Be sure to avoid these common time-wasters to ensure you’re primed for success.