SEO Mistakes to Avoid: Common Pitfalls That Can Harm Your Rankings

 

Online visibility has become imperative for enterprises, and many businesses in Pittsburgh are using SEO to climb atop SERPs. However, what if we tell you that you have been doing SEO all wrong? Although SEO is a well-known technique to maximize outreach and get the most out of digital marketing efforts, most businesses miss search engine opportunities due to common SEO mistakes. You can avoid these mistakes by working with a professional SEO company in Pittsburgh, but in case you are wondering what these mistakes are here, here’s a list. Read on to spot the common SEO blunders now!

 

#1 Keyword stuffing

Keyword stuffing means using excessive keywords on a webpage to manipulate its ranking in search results. This technique used to work in the early days of SEO, but now Google hates it. Now, Google's algorithm penalizes websites that engage in keyword stuffing. Instead of using keywords in every other sentence, focus on creating high-quality content relevant to your target audience. Also, work with a professional firm for local SEO in Pittsburgh to find out what keywords are ranking best, so that you can get the most out of your SEO efforts. 

 

#2 Poor quality content

Content runs the show in SEO. However, some businesses create poor-quality content just for the sake of improving their ranking. Search engines prioritize user experience and if you create mediocre content just for stuffing keywords, your rankings are going to fall through the floor. Google's algorithm is designed to identify and rank high-quality content that provides value to users. To avoid this mistake, create unique, informative, and engaging content your audience can relate to. Also, conduct a free SEO site audit with a reputed agency for SEO in Pittsburgh, PA to find out how your content is doing. 

 

#3 Ignoring On-Page SEO

On-page SEO refers to optimizing individual web pages to improve their ranking on SERPs. It involves optimizing title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and other on-page elements. Ignoring on-page SEO can harm your site ranking. Ensure your website's on-page elements are optimized for search engines if you want to get results with on-page SEO.

 

#4 Neglecting Mobile Optimization

Mobile optimization is critical in today's smartphone-driven era. More than half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, so neglecting mobile optimization can harm your website's ranking. Google also favors websites with a mobile-friendly algorithm. Therefore, ensure that your website is optimized for mobile devices with professional SEO agencies.

 

#5 Ignoring Local and Technical SEO

Would you spend more than a minute on a webpage if it takes forever to load? Well, you wouldn’t, and so won’t your website visitors. Google loves enriching user experiences. Thus, if your website buffers and is slow, bounce rates will surely increase. Optimize your page with technical SEO and use tools like Google's PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix page speed issues. Also, if you are a brick-and-mortar business, optimize your page for local search by including your business address, phone number, and other relevant information. Use long-tail keywords in the content and work with SEO experts to rank higher on GMB listings. 

 

The bottom line

If you want to get more leads and sales for your business, you have to do so much more than avoid these errors. For instance, for brands that want global outreach, collaborating with a national SEO agency is crucial. Find out what’s right for your business, schedule an appointment with SEO consultants, and find a package that works in favour of your business. 

Understanding Google’s Algorithm Update and their Impact on SEO

 

User demands are evolving, and so are how they browse. Gone are the days when browsing means surfing the web relentlessly for hours for discovering something as simple as business history. Now, internet users want everything at their fingertips, which is why businesses are working with search engine optimization consultants to climb to the top of search engines.

 

When we talk about SEO, Google can’t be left behind. It is one of the most complex and sophisticated search engines known for its dynamic algorithm updates. Every year, the search engine giant rolls out updates to make user experiences better. These updates affect how websites rank on SERPs, which is why it’s crucial to keep up with them with professional SEO experts in Pittsburgh. 

 

Wondering what are these algorithm updates and how they impact your traffic? Well, here’s a list of Google’s most debated Algorithm updates as an explainer! 

 

#1 Panda Update

In 2011, Google rolled out its Panda update, aimed at improving the quality of search results. This update targets low-quality websites having thin, duplicate, or irrelevant content. Websites hit by this update experienced significant drops in their search engine rankings. To avoid being penalized by Panda, website owners should focus on creating high-quality, original content that provides value to their audience.

 

#2 Penguin Update

The Penguin update was introduced in 2012. It focuses on penalizing websites that use spammy link-building tactics to manipulate search engine rankings. Websites that engage in keyword stuffing, link buying, and other black hat SEO practices are more likely to be penalized by this update. To avoid being affected by Penguin, website owners should focus on building high-quality, relevant links from reputable sources.

 

#3 Hummingbird Update

Google's Hummingbird update was released in 2013. It brought significant changes to how search queries are processed because this update introduced the concept of semantic search, which aims to understand the intent behind a user's search query. It compelled website owners to focus on creating content using natural language for searchers.

 

#4 Mobile-Friendly Update

In 2015, Google rolled out its Mobile-Friendly update, which aimed at improving the user experience for mobile users. This update prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search engine rankings, and websites that are not mobile-friendly may experience drops in their rankings. Website owners should ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices to avoid being penalized by this update.

 

#5 RankBrain

RankBrain, introduced in 2015, is an AI-based algorithm that uses machine learning to process search queries. This algorithm aims to better understand the intent behind a user's search query and provide more relevant search results. Website owners should focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that satisfies user intent to rank well in search results.

 

Conclusion

Do you think Google rolled out any updates after RankBrain? Stay tuned for more interesting updates and ensure to work with local search engine optimization services or national SEO services to stay ahead of the curve with your SEO efforts. While these updates can be daunting, a B2C or B2B SEO agency can help you to adopt a strategy that can aid you stay-up-to-date according to the industry standards.