Search engine optimization is an important aspect of any marketing campaign. It’s your opportunity to get your website in front of potential customers looking for the product or service you offer. However, if you’re not careful, it can be a costly mistake that leads to a lower ranking on search engines and lost business. In this article, we will discuss five common SEO risks you should avoid.
Writing Too Many Guest Posts
One of the most common SEO mistakes with link building is writing too many guest posts. When you publish a blog post on another website, it’s an opportunity for readers to see your content and connect with you via social media or follow your site in return.
Too many spammy links can hurt your ranking in search engine results because these sites are considered low quality.
If you’re thinking about what types of websites would be good opportunities for guest posts, here are some types that will help instead of hurt:
- Sites related to businesses similar to yours
- A publication where there is already mutual respect between authors and editors
- Guest blogging platforms like Medium or LinkedIn Pulse
Buying Backlinks
Another common SEO mistake is buying backlinks. Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your site and are considered an important factor in search engine ranking.
When you buy backlinks, you’re essentially paying for a higher ranking on search engines. This can be tempting, especially if you’re trying to compete with larger businesses, but it’s not a sustainable strategy in the long run.
Not only can Google detect when someone has purchased links, but they will also penalize your website for doing so. So instead of wasting your money on this tactic, focus on creating valuable content that people will want to share organically.
Using Keyword Stuffing
Keyword stuffing is when you load your site with keywords in an attempt to rank higher. Not only will this tactic not work in the long run, but it’s also against Google’s Terms of Service and can cause a penalty if they detect that you’re doing it on purpose.
Instead of focusing on trying to rank for certain keywords, focus on creating content around topics that are relevant to potential customers who might be looking for your product or service.
Choosing Keywords That Are Too Competitive
Another common mistake is choosing keywords that are too competitive. If your website isn’t ranking at the top for these terms, it’ll be difficult to get traffic from search engines.
Instead, focus on long-tail keywords that have lower competition but still receive a good amount of traffic. This will help you rank higher without having to compete with larger businesses.
Investing in “Cheap” SEO Services
When it comes to SEO, the quality of your service is just as important as quantity. Unfortunately, there are a lot of companies out there who only want to take advantage of business owners by offering “cheap” services that aren’t actually valuable or sustainable in the long run.
Instead, focus on finding an experienced company with good references. This way, you have peace of mind knowing you’re investing in a reliable and effective SEO strategy.
Ready to Get Started?
If you want to avoid these SEO risks, partnering with a reliable SEO company is key. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
