Many business owners come to me in this state. Feeling overwhelmed, confused, and like they are on the hamster wheel. Or in my case, an air balloon in a pool of water (yes, that is me).
SEO can be a difficult area to get your head around, and navigate through when it comes to implementing it for your business. It’s also rarely the quickest way to get to the top of search engine results. For this reason, you need to understand what’s involved and how it should be implemented, correctly.
SEO is more of a marathon than a sprint. If you are expecting to see a change the day after you have started a campaign, you will be disappointed.
Understanding what it is, and what it isn’t
As a business owner looking to really understand what SEO is, you also need to know what it isn’t. This removes some of the unrealistic expectations and allows you to focus on the things that need to be implemented.
Search Engine Optimisation is the organic process of getting your pages visible online, through the process of three main areas:
- Onsite SEO
- Offsite SEO
- Technical SEO
It is not paid ads, where by you can bid on keywords and show up in the top paid spots in search results. SEO is not dead. It has just evolved over time, as search engines like Google get smarter, search is becoming more personalised. This is why having valuable content on your site is a must.
It takes time
Dependant on your budget, you may need to also be realistic about time frames. SEO done well is also done quite manually.
There are no quick fixes – and if you are being told there is, run for the hills. The days of showing up on page 1 position 1 in a matter of just days or weeks are over. Using black hat tactics is a waste of time and resources. The goal is to ensure you have long term visibility so that no matter what algorithm updates happen, you can rest assured that you won’t disappear into oblivion.
Get yourself a plan and strategy
If you truly want to navigate the world of SEO you need a plan and a strategy to execute it. Where most business fail is when they do a little bit here and there, without any consistency. This simply won’t do you any favours and you will begin to think SEO doesn’t work.
The best way to begin is with an audit. See where things are at, so that you know where you need to go. Every aspect of your plan should be targeted and aiming for a particular goal or outcome. This way you can also measure your success when looking at your results and data. You can also decide which components are not working as effectively as others, and update your plan accordingly.
Consistency & being fluid
If you decide to take on SEO for your business, ensure you stay consistent with the following: audit, plan, strategy and implementation. You must also be fluid and adapt to the changes of the digital marketing world. Nothing is set in stone, so always have an alternate option just in case your direction changes.
Looking for some extra help to get you started with your SEO campaign? Get in touch today! Send an email or call 0433 603 522.