If there is one thing that every Search Engine Optimization (SEO) expert knows is that just because it worked in the past, doesn’t mean it will work in the future. With Google’s algorithm constantly evolving, it is necessary to consistently optimize your business’s website to keep it relevant. And just like Google’s algorithm, the techniques you will use will need to change based on the current trends. As 2021 approaches, the theories start to circulate about what the latest and greatest trends will be which can make it hard to determine what is fact or fiction. To make it easier, we have compiled a list of major SEO mistakes to avoid in 2021.
Slow Page Speed
It is common knowledge that if your website takes too long to load, users will get frustrated and most likely navigate away. But, that’s not the only reason why it’s crucial for your business’s website to load quickly. Google has added page speed to the list of factors that are taken into account when determining SEO ranking. There are several tactics that can be used to help speed up your site. These techniques include optimizing the images and design elements on your site, fixing any page redirects, and trimming down any unnecessary code. Speeding up your business’s website will not only improve your overall SEO ranking, but it will also help increase your website traffic and encourage users to engage.
Duplicate Content
Duplicate Content occurs when there is similar or identical content on multiple pages of your business’s website. Your site will not necessarily be penalized if it contains duplicate content, but it can lower your SEO ranking. Google’s goal is to show the most relevant results related to a user’s search. And when multiple webpages show duplicate content, Google will only choose to show the result they deem most relevant. To avoid your website from decreasing it’s SEO ranking, ensure each page of your site has unique content that your target audience will find valuable.
Content Stuffed With Keywords
Stuffing keywords into your website content is one of the old tricks in the SEO book. That being said, it is common knowledge that it is no longer a useful tactic. In fact, keyword stuffing can cause your site to decrease its overall ranking. The keywords that are flagged by search engines are usually long-tail keywords that repeat a little too often on a web page. So instead of trying to cram as many keywords as possible into your content, you should write content that is geared towards your readers and what they will find valuable. When creating website content it is important to remember that you are writing content for both search engines and website visitors. Finding a balance between incorporating keywords for search engines and writing content that your users will find valuable is key.
Backlinks - Quality over Quantity
Despite popular belief when it comes to backlinks, quantity is not better than quality. In the past, the number of backlinks was more important for SEO ranking, but that is no longer the case. Nowadays, link building should instead focus on the authority the link provides. Of course, when it comes to your business’s website you would only want the most notable and influential links to be associated with your website. In short, having only a handful of links that add to the validity of your site is more beneficial than having a long list of links that don’t add much value. When creating a backlinking strategy for your business website focus on finding the most relevant sites to link back to your site to improve your overall SEO ranking.
More Pages Means More Traffic
Logically, if your business website has tons of web pages, your website will receive tons of traffic, right? Wrong. On the contrary, having too many pages that lack quality content can actually bring down the SEO ranking of your website. When building your business’s website, you should plan out the pages of your site via a sitemap. This will allow you to focus on creating pages with high-quality content instead of creating thousands of pages.
Bounce Rate Influences Ranking
It has always been assumed that if your business’s website has a high bounce rate, your SEO ranking will suffer. While having a low bounce rate is obviously preferable, it does not necessarily mean your SEO ranking will be higher. Utilizing site elements that will capture your audiences’ attention and encourage them to engage is the most effective way to decrease the bounce rate for your business’s website.
Not Optimizing for Mobile
With 2021 right around the corner, it seems almost crazy that some businesses have websites that are not optimized for mobile devices. Your business is no doubt missing out on potential leads and sales if it does not display well on all screen sizes. In the past, it was a common practice to create multiple versions of your website for different device screen sizes. Now, it is more easy and efficient to create a website that is designed responsively. Responsive design allows you to design only one version of your business’s website and the design will rearrange itself in response to the screen size that is detected. Responsive design is one way to ensure your website looks its best on all devices possible.
Conclusion
Though SEO tactics and design trends may change frequently, as long as your business’s website provides high-quality content and a good user experience your website will be received well by your target audience. Working with an experienced digital marketing and SEO agency ,such as TechArk Solutions located in Norfolk VA, is one way to ensure your website performance will always be improving. Whether your business’s website design needs updated or if your SEO strategy needs assistance, TechArk’s team of experts can help you reimagine your online presence.
