Search engine optimization (SEO) can be the gamechanger for a website or it can spell doom. While adopting the right SEO practices can help improve your web rankings and traffic and build authority, a slight mistake can lead to grave consequences. Treading on the wrong side of SEO best practices can not only hamper your website’s traffic, they could also lead to penalties such as ‘shadow ban’. If you aren’t an SEO expert, it is advisable to invest in professional SEO services. To help keep your SEO initiatives on the right track, in this article, we share some common SEO mistakes to avoid at all costs. Read on.
Not having a clearly laid-out SEO strategy
No road can take you there if you don’t know where you are going. Similarly, without a clear objective, you can’t assess whether your SEO efforts are going the right way. It is always recommended that you have a clear SEO plan, comprising a phase-wise breakdown of the overall SEO strategy, along with clear and measurable goals. While you can’t predict when your site would reach the desired number of visitors, keeping the basics in place is a prerequisite to reaching your goals.
Creating generic or ambiguously-targeted content
If your website’s content is similar to all other competing sites out there, what are your chances of overperforming them? We believe you know the answer. In this regard, it is worth noting that many types of information have to be presented in a predefined syntax, and there isn’t much you can do to change that. That said, there are always new ways to present the same information, which can make your website stand out from others. Take the time to understand different target groups, and create targeted content to meet their specific needs.
Creating low quality backlinks
Backlinks are the backbone of any effective SEO strategy. That, however, doesn’t mean you should be indulging in black hat practices such as buying links in bulk. That’s because doing so is bound to do more harm than good, and could even lead to the website getting blacklisted by Google, after which it won’t appear in search results. Instead of taking the short road, focus on consistency. Generate high-quality backlinks from relevant websites with high authority. There are numerous professional tools that help you plan your backlink strategy.
Not adopting a mobile-first approach
It’s common knowledge, today, that an increasingly major part of the web population accesses the internet through their mobile devices. In such a backdrop, if you continue sticking to the traditional, desktop-first web experience, chances are high that you’d be missing out on a major chunk of the web traffic. To put things into perspective, according to Statista, in 2021, about 54% of the total web traffic was from mobile devices. It is, therefore, extremely important to focus on delivering a seamless experience to mobile users by adopting a mobile-first approach.
The final word
We hope the bits we have shared in this article proves helpful in your SEO efforts. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that SEO best practices are constantly evolving, which might make it challenging for you to keep up with the changes while focusing on your own business. That’s why it’s always advisable to bring in an SEO expert that can do the heavy lifting for you and produce tangible results. An expert such as ROI Mantra, a team of seasoned marketing professionals with proven expertise in the digital space. To learn more about our SEO services in Delhi, NCR, simply call +91-84480-78585 or email info@roimantra.com. You may also fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.