Search Engine Optimization – A Moving Target

Friday, 21 September 2012 08:26

Hoyt

ou’ve probably received email spam and unsolicited phone calls from individuals selling Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services. SEO is critical to the success of any website, as it is the driving force for your website to receive better rankings in the search engines. We’ve compiled a list of things that you should know about SEO:

One-shot SEO services do not work in the long run. Many companies will offer to sell you Search Engine Optimization services for a one-time fee of $100 to $1,000. Many times, these guys have good intentions, but many are there just to collect your money. The one-shot SEO providers will take your website, add/remove some code, and sometimes even create backlinks (which are links from other websites to your website.) You might experience a short boost in the rankings for a few keywords with this approach. But, if you don’t continue to address your SEO, your competitors who are regularly addressing SEO will outpace you in the search results.

Like a woman’s work, SEO is never, ever done. SEO requires regular care and feeding, just as any pet (or zoo animal!) To win the search engine results game, you’re going to need monthly activity on your website to make your website appear more relevant. There are numerous online directories and social spaces that your business needs to claim and interact with. What’s worse is that more and more of these Internet properties are being created by Internet businesses. Do you need a presence on every single one? No. But you must stay abreast of the current state of the Internet in order to win this game.

Black-hat and dishonest SEO techniques WILL hurt you. Google’s relevancy algorithm is complex and changing regularly. Some of the most recent updates to Google’s algorithms will actually penalize your relevancy score if you’ve engaged in not-so-honest SEO activities. Our best advice to you is to stay away from under-handed techniques designed to put you on the front page of Google’s results. Our best advice follows below…

The most important part of your SEO strategy is the production of original relevant content. Google says the single most important thing you can do is to provide regularly updated relevant content, especially on your home page. This has been known for a long time, but many businesses struggle with the creation of content due to its time-consuming nature – and not all of us are writers! However, if you want to compete in the highly competitive online market, your website needs to be regularly updated with new articles about your products and services – while adhering to a well-thought-out keyword strategy. If you’re providing Google with new, relevant, and engaging content that your readers find value in, you’re website is going to rise to the top of the search engines. It’s really that simple.

Jackpot’s Royal Flush Solution addresses all of the SEO needs a small- or medium-sized business requires, as well as the creation of engaging original content. To learn more about our services, please contact us.