Top 5 Myths about Search Engine Optimization

As a web designer for Aspire Technology Solutions, I have a lot of great conversations with clients and other web designers about Search Engine Optimization. Search Engine Optimization (Also known as simply SEO) is the process of preparing and promoting a website on the web so that it appears higher in search engine results.
As I am explaining to customers what they can expect from basic SEO work, I find myself going head to head with some surprisingly common myths about Search Engine Optimization.
Today I sat down and whimsically put together a list of the Top 5 Myths about Search Engine Optimization for your reading enjoyment.

1. All it takes are a few keywords.
Keywords are of course the foundation of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) but on their own, they do little to nothing when it comes to improving the placement of a website in search engine results. Think about it, there are millions of websites out there, all competing with similar or exact same keywords and many websites use keyword stuffing (Placing hundreds if not more keywords within their website code that have nothing to do with the content of the website) and so most search engines now pay little attention to keywords on their own and instead focus on other more accurate criteria.

2. There is a secret way to get your website to the top of search engine results.
Strangely enough, I hear this rather often. I always want to say, “If it were possible, everyone would be doing it.” There is no magic easy button that will shoot your website to the top of all search engine results. Some SEO companies will advertise that they have this ability and charge top dollar for their services which may involve keyword stuffing, link spamming, and other unscrupulous SEO techniques that are likely to cause your website to be black listed and removed from most search engine results altogether. Simply put, no. Improving website visibility is a marathon, not a sprint.

3. Search engine optimization is a one time job.
Proper SEO work is an ongoing project. Requirements for good standing in search engine results change more frequently than most realize. Building links and promoting a website is quite similar to social networking and handing out your business card. You can’t hand out 20 cards at one time and expect those cards to circulate your business to all potential clients; you have to keep working at it. The same goes for SEO.

4. A website will instantly increase a business’ visibility and profit.
Just as building website visibility in search engine results is an ongoing project, so is utilizing your website to increase your business’ profit and availability to a larger demographic. As soon as your website has been created and properly represents your business online, it is important to make it known to those around you that it exists. Your website address should be on business cards, brochures, advertisements, email signatures, social networking sites, and any other place you plan on having visible to many people at once. This, coupled with quality SEO is essential to employing your website as a way to drive customers to your business.

5. Paid web advertisements are the only way to increase a website’s visibility.
It’s true that paid advertisements can be a great way to drive traffic to your website. Google is a great example of a search engine that not only accepts paid advertisements, but also applies keywords (of your selection) to your advertisement so it appears in search results that are relevant to what your website is about. Planning online advertising into your budget is a great idea as your options are many and flexible.

In conclusion, Search Engine Optimization is an extensive and ongoing project that, when done right, reaps many benefits from improved visibility to a customer’s trust in your business and many things in between. It’s important for every website owner to have patience and be willing to pitch in a bit of their own time to promoting their website whether it be through email signatures and Twitter updates or making sure that the website address is always visible on business cards. Stick to your guns and it will happen!

Do I really need a website?

One question many business owners ask themselves is: Should I have a website?

Often when I or one of my colleagues brings up having a website in a group discussion, a surprisingly large amount of people proudly claim that their business does not have a website, has never had a website, and has never needed a website.

In fact, I often hear from small to medium business owners, “I don’t have time for the internet, I never use it. A website is useless to me.”

You may prefer the phonebook over Google search, but you may be surprised by how many potential clients are out surfing the web, searching for services and products that you may be able to offer.

Did you know?

80% Of Americans spend as much time online as they do watching television.

Here are some even more interesting statistics:

Half of all small businesses with 10 or fewer employees do not have websites.

7 out of 10 single person owned businesses do not have websites.

The next question many business owners ask is:  What can a website do for me?

As more and more people take to the internet, searching for anything from restaurant menus to IT consulting businesses, a website is an essential online landmark for your company. In fact, having a website is as essential today as having business cards or a telephone number.

It doesn’t take much.A professional web presence for your business doesn’t have to cost thousands or even hundreds of dollars, nor does it need to be flashy and full of bright and colorful images. You may be surprised at how affordable, fast, and easy designing a website that tailors to your business’ needs really is.