There are many SEO myths and
misconceptions because many result proven methods are not
supported by fact since search engines privatize their search
engine algorithmic code. Also, many think that it takes
some special magic when in factuality it is usually strategy
which helps a website rank well. Here I will dispell some
of the SEO myths that exist today.
SEO is all I need (SEO Myth) False. SEO is an important online marketing method.
It is imperative you incorporate search engine ranking and
traffic into your web business using SEO tactics, but SEO is not
an end to all. You should never settle for only one source
of traffic or revenue stream, you should always diversify and
explore multiple resources, this includes other Internet
marketing strategies such as: email marketing, graphic
advertising, etc. This also
includes traditional marketing
strategies such as: print advertising, word of mouth, etc.
SEO is unethical and illegal
(SEO Myth)
False. SEO is not unethical
-- people are! SEO is not illegal -- but some unethical
people use illegal practices in conjunction with SEO, such as copyright infringement.
The vast majority of SEO professionals are legitimate, ethical,
and White Hat, though the mere practice of Black Hat SEO is an
unethical practice -- but many tend to stay far from Black Hat
practices and strictly adhere to the search engine's webmaster
guidelines.
SEO is easy to learn and
understand (SEO Myth)
False. SEO is not easy to learn and understand, many who
believe they understand SEO don't realize they don't know
anything at all, this includes posing SEO professionals. It is
highly likely that someone with a fair interest in SEO and basic
understanding of the Internet will catch on to SEO much quickly.
The fact is SEO is not just placing links on the web or adding
keywords to your pages, it is much more complicated than that --
it is an organized execution of a strategic plan. Once you
have a core understanding on the basic fundamentals of SEO then
the road of learning and understanding more in-depth techniques
is much easier.
I already rank high for a
particular keyword on Google so I don't need any SEO (SEO Myth)
False. You should never
settle and be content. Having all your eggs in one basket
can have a negative effect on your web business. It is
important to diversify your SEO efforts. You should always
attempt to rank for multiple keywords (sometimes thousands).
You should always attempt to rank high on all major search
engines and not just one. By diversifying your SEO
campaign portfolio you create multiple traffic and revenue
streams in the case if something happens to your primary traffic
and revenue stream you have secondary, tertiary, and so on
streams -- this way your websites will never be highly affected by the inconsistencies of
search engines and the web. Also, you increase your
website acquisition value by having multiple income streams.
SEO professionals can guarantee
organic search ranking placement or listing (SEO Myth)
False. No one can guarantee
such a thing. Search engines are designed to be
uninfluenced by anything outside the search
engine quality guidelines, therefore a strict guarantee is
impossible. SEO can provide a
confidence rating. A
confidence rating is simply a vote of confidence that the SEO
can increase web ranking results for your web pages. This vote of confidence is normally
measured by the SEO past experience and history. Another
thing an SEO professional can do is provide you with an SEO guarantee program. A SEO guarantee program is a
contractual SEO service which says the SEO professional will
charge you a retainer fee to start the project and a progressive
fee which is payable on a agreed upon schedule and contingent on the fact the SEO provides the
contractual SEO services such as providing top 10 ranking for a
fixed number of keyword phrases in a certain amount of time and
maintaining this ranking for the contractual duration. If
the SEO fail to perform any of the contractual SEO services then
the SEO forfeits payment and the client will not pay the SEO for
their efforts. Only the retainer fee is rendered at the
start of the project. If the SEO meets the requirements
then the client is obligated to make payment to the SEO
according to the contractual payment schedule. This is the
only form of guarantee which actually works when it pertains to
SEO.
You have to pay thousands of
dollars for quality SEO (SEO Myth)
False. Good, quality SEO
will come at a fair rate, sometimes this is within the
thousands, but it mostly depends on your needs, your niche, the
size of your site, the project tasks, duration of project, etc.
If you have a rather small website <20 or less pages then it is
likely you can find quality SEO in the hundreds. On the
other hand, if you have a rather large website (20+ pages) and
you require a lengthy campaign then in most cases you can expect
rates in the thousands. A individual will need to research
to find the best suitable SEO professional for the job.
