May 27, 2009
3 Common SEO Myths Debunked
Unfortunately, many people who don’t know any better have fallen for the tricks of internet marketers who sell the “secrets” of SEO for $79.95 plus shipping. As much as these SEO snake oil salesmen would love to have everyone believe that SEO requires secret knowledge, the truth is that there is nothing mystical or secretive about SEO at all. Effective SEO techniques are clearly defined and readily reproduced around the web. The key to SEO success is giving up on finding overnight solutions to your SEO problems and separating fact from myth. Here are some of the most common myths about SEO, debunked.
SEO Myth #1 - In order to optimize a website, you must use a complicated scientific method.
There is a science to SEO but it is not as complicated as you think. The scientific method in SEO is simple and straightforward. The main gist of the scientific method in SEO is to determine the needs of the client, develop methods to meet those needs, test out those methods, repeat the tests, and then report the results. It’s a good idea to apply this scientific method on every SEO campaign if possible in order to get the best results.
SEO Myth #2 - You have to achieve certain prerequisites on authority prior to being able to rank on the first page of any search engine.
While it’s certain that big companies have it easier when it comes to ranking on the first page, it doesn’t mean that the little guys have no hope. Big companies tend to rank highly because they are in demand and more people expect to see them in the search results. However, that doesn’t mean that a new, small business cannot rank higher than a big, established company in the same niche. The search engines place more emphasis on relevancy than brand so if a small business’ site is more relevant to a particular search term, it could rank number one, even over a big brand competitor. This tends to happen mostly with long tail search terms. It can happen with generic search terms as well but it is rare.
SEO Myth #3 – You must use a secret formula to analyze and optimize websites.
SEO formulas are far from being secrets. While they can be complicated, they are not mystical or impossible for a layman to understand. The analysis of both on-page and off-page SEO factors is actually quite scientific. SEO methodologies are based on readily quantifiable factors and specific rules. As the search engine algorithms change, so do the methodologies.
With time, effort, and research, anyone could learn the formulas that even the best SEOs use. However, it’s not necessary to lock yourself up in a room for the next five years to learn and understand the formulas of the best SEOs. There are several tools and applications that allow webmasters to apply basic optimization techniques to their sites. Nevertheless, such tools are never a replacement for the skill and experience of a qualified SEO professional.
When you buy SEO services, you’re not buying magic. If anyone is trying to sell you SEO services or secrets with a shady “Dear Friend” sales letter, you should probably take off running in the other direction. Myths about SEO abound so if you want to start off on the right foot, quit searching for overnight solutions, educate yourself, and find out what SEO is and what it isn’t.
SEO Myth #1 - In order to optimize a website, you must use a complicated scientific method.
There is a science to SEO but it is not as complicated as you think. The scientific method in SEO is simple and straightforward. The main gist of the scientific method in SEO is to determine the needs of the client, develop methods to meet those needs, test out those methods, repeat the tests, and then report the results. It’s a good idea to apply this scientific method on every SEO campaign if possible in order to get the best results.
SEO Myth #2 - You have to achieve certain prerequisites on authority prior to being able to rank on the first page of any search engine.
While it’s certain that big companies have it easier when it comes to ranking on the first page, it doesn’t mean that the little guys have no hope. Big companies tend to rank highly because they are in demand and more people expect to see them in the search results. However, that doesn’t mean that a new, small business cannot rank higher than a big, established company in the same niche. The search engines place more emphasis on relevancy than brand so if a small business’ site is more relevant to a particular search term, it could rank number one, even over a big brand competitor. This tends to happen mostly with long tail search terms. It can happen with generic search terms as well but it is rare.
SEO Myth #3 – You must use a secret formula to analyze and optimize websites.
SEO formulas are far from being secrets. While they can be complicated, they are not mystical or impossible for a layman to understand. The analysis of both on-page and off-page SEO factors is actually quite scientific. SEO methodologies are based on readily quantifiable factors and specific rules. As the search engine algorithms change, so do the methodologies.
With time, effort, and research, anyone could learn the formulas that even the best SEOs use. However, it’s not necessary to lock yourself up in a room for the next five years to learn and understand the formulas of the best SEOs. There are several tools and applications that allow webmasters to apply basic optimization techniques to their sites. Nevertheless, such tools are never a replacement for the skill and experience of a qualified SEO professional.
When you buy SEO services, you’re not buying magic. If anyone is trying to sell you SEO services or secrets with a shady “Dear Friend” sales letter, you should probably take off running in the other direction. Myths about SEO abound so if you want to start off on the right foot, quit searching for overnight solutions, educate yourself, and find out what SEO is and what it isn’t.
