With the release of Google Hummingbird, their latest search engine algorithm, it is extremely important to look at SEO from a high-level, strategic standpoint to ensure that your company’s SEO is headed in the right direction. Here are six common SEO mistakes and ways to avoid them:
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Duplicate content
This is most common in the form of duplicate homepages. It confuses the search engine. Websites may also have duplicate URLs. For example, there might be two URLs- one using a combination of upper and lower case letters and the other using only lower case letters. It is crucial to keep your URL consistent so as to not confuse search bots. Another factor that throws off the search engine is that different pages on your site may have very similar content. This will make it hard for the search bots to determine which page to direct people to. There is no need to be redundant.
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Poor content
Hummingbird is focused on finding pages with relevant and useful content. It is no longer just about the number of keywords that you “stuff” into your page. Come up with a content marketing campaign to ensure that your site is offering up the best content in your area of expertise.
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Poor site structure
By flattening your site structure, meaning that the homepage is never more than three clicks away, you will enhance your SEO.
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Not mobile-friendly
Google has made it clear that in order to improve your rankings, you must have a mobile site design for multiple screens. More and more people are searching the internet from their smartphones and you don’t want to be left behind.
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Unreasonable SEO expectations
Your Google rankings aren’t going to go up overnight. It is important that you focus on great content, and the tips above to ensure that your website is the best site that it can possibly be. Over time, it will get the recognition that it deserves.
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Hiring the wrong SEO consultant
Make sure that your SEO adviser knows what they are doing and lays out a structured plan.
For online marketing, including results-driven SEO, and all other full-service integrated marketing, please contact Sagefrog Marketing Group.
