Don't Let Google Make You Crazy

If you’re a player in the digital space, you understand how important it is to `;.get the attention of Google and encourage the algorithm to drive people to your website. But constantly obsessing about Google and rushing to action with every change can make you a little crazy, so -Barb Davids suggests small business owners take a different approach. Be patient and steady in your approach.

She has also created a simple framework - here SWEET SEO plan to help her clients do just that. She suggests:

• Select a target keyword: Identify what people are searching for and align your content accordingly.
• Work on a blog post: Create or update blog content to address the target keyword directly and provide clear, useful answers.
• Enhance with summaries: Optimize meta titles and descriptions to attract clicks from search results.
• Establish trust: Add elements like bios, contact pages, and testimonials to build credibility.
• Tell the world: Distribute and promote your content consistently to maintain visibility.

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Don't be Afraid

Bear Newman joined me for a conversation about taking the fear out of SEO. Here are a few key takeaways that I believe will help you tackle your SEO fears:

Get It Out There: Bear hit the nail on the head when he said, “Done is better than perfect.” If you’re launching a new website, focus on getting it live. Remember, unlike a printed brochure, you can always tweak and improve your site later. The digital world allows for agility—embrace it!

Keep Content Fresh: I loved Bear’s point about how Google looks favorably on websites that regularly update their content. It’s like inviting Google over for dinner—if you serve the same dish every time, they might lose interest. Fresh blogs, updated pages, and engaging content signal to Google that you’re active and providing value.

Track Your Progress: Make sure you have tracking tools in place, like Google Analytics (yes, it’s now GA4, but I’ll probably always call it Google Analytics too!). These tools are essential for understanding where your traffic is coming from and whether your changes are making a difference. It’s like having a map on your marketing journey—you wouldn’t set out without one, right?

Understand Bounce Rates: We had a fun moment discussing bounce rates—high rates can feel like a slap in the face, but they also provide insight. If visitors are leaving quickly, it’s a cue to rethink your content and layout. You want visitors to feel like they’ve stumbled into a cozy café where they want to linger over a cup of coffee, not a fast-food drive-thru!

Define Your Call to Action: Finally, we talked about the importance of a clear call to action on your site. What do you want visitors to do? Call you? Fill out a form? Think of it like guiding a friend through a new city; you want to point them in the right direction to ensure they have the best experience possible.

Bear’s insights are not just theoretical; they’re actionable steps that can help you elevate your SEO strategy. So, if you’re ready to conquer the SEO beast and boost your online presence, take these lessons to heart. You can do this!

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Remember Google is Only a Machine

Google is an Algorithm, Not a Human: Kyle Roof reminded us that many people mistakenly believe Google reads web pages like humans do. In reality, it operates on algorithms that analyze content in a mathematical way. This means your writing needs to satisfy not just human readers but also the nuances of the algorithm.

Keywords Are Key: When crafting content, it’s crucial to place your target keywords strategically. Kyle emphasized the importance of including these keywords in key areas: the title tag, H1 heading, paragraph text, and URL. However, if you have an existing page doing well, avoid changing the URL as it can confuse Google.

Learn from Competitors: To improve your SEO game, Kyle suggested looking at what competitors are ranking for and emulating their successful content structures. But here’s the catch: don’t just copy—create your own unique take. Outlining your content and addressing common questions, like those found in the “People Also Ask” section on Google, can help you stand out while still meeting SEO standards.

Quality Over Quantity: It’s not enough to just create more content. Kyle pointed out that Google rewards pages that provide substantial value and depth. Focus on producing long-form content that answers questions your target audience is asking. Use the questions from Google to guide your content and ensure you’re providing valuable insights.

Internal Linking is Powerful: Kyle shared a clever strategy for boosting your SEO without chasing backlinks. If you encounter relevant questions that don’t fit into your main content, create separate pages for them. This can enhance your site’s authority and drive traffic back to your main pages, making it a win-win for your SEO efforts.

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