SEO or search engine optimization has emerged as more of an art and needs to be nurtured to obtain the maximum benefits. A small error can lead to catastrophic situations where you could instantly lose the ranking that you worked so hard to achieve.
With changes in circumstances and situations, the algorithms for search engines keep changing in order to keep up with the times. Hence, it is important to remain updated with the latest trends that emerge in SEO and ensure optimization.
So much so, it is more important to remember the mistakes you need to avoid, rather than the practices that you need to follow, as avoiding mistakes will automatically take care of the many issues associated with SEO.
It has been proved beyond doubt that links are the lifeline for any SEO to reap benefits.
However, it is very important to remember that avoiding any and every link coming your way.
Selecting random links is an absolute waste of time and works in an adverse manner, rather than enhancing your site capabilities. Links that do not bear much or any relevance to your site can cause more harm than good and will certainly hinder the site from becoming popular. The links that you choose should always lead to sites that have a record of accomplishment and be reputable. Questionable sites often lead to spam or scam which you can do without.
Secondly, the most important thing you need to avoid is to do with keywords. Keywords are certainly part of successful SEO, however you need to avoid using keywords that do not bear any relevance to the content and your site. At the same time, if you fail to use any keyword at all, that should turn out to be a major blunder on your part. Again, using too many keywords, defeats the very purpose for which keywords exist. Ensure that the density of the keywords used remains within a 4 to 5% range. It is important to avoid using keywords that do not relate to the targeted market.
The third important mistake that needs to be avoided is regarding the title tag. Either by oversight or by sheer negligence you could commit the major mistake of leaving the title tag blank. Title tags are the very essence of the webpage as they consist of the relevant phrases and keywords. In the absence of title tags, very few people with bother to give your site a second look.
The fourth point to be remembered as far as SEO mistakes are concerned is to do with non-usage of text related content. Search engines are known for the spiders that crawl the web and zero in on text. Hence, a site that lacks content will be useless. It is not enough to have a fantastic design with plenty of images and visuals, including animation, with no text.
Similarly, the next mistake you need to avoid is to do with spider blots, which are incapable of recognizing either graphics or Flash. Creating a Flash only website is a major mistake that should be avoided. However, in case you need to use Flash, ensure that it has a HTML version.
The sixth mistake that is commonly committed is the usage of techniques that are frowned upon by the SEO community in general. One common mistake most sites commit is the indiscriminate use of keywords, which hinders rather than enhancing your sites progress. This mistake could well brand your site as spam.
The next mistake that you need to focus on is to remember not to fall for clever copy that promises impossible things through SEO consultancy services. Several such companies advertise online about the services they offer for optimizing your site. Keep away from such scammers and focus on genuine professional companies that have a record of accomplishment.
The eighth on the list is the common mistake most site owners commit of expecting instant results. SEO is a gradual process that needs to be built up slowly and steadily. There are no short cuts and there is no way for any site to become a success overnight. Once you start looking for short cuts, you will automatically resort to unethical practices, which you can do without.
The next important thing to avoid is to remember that SEO is not touch and go, conversely, it is a continuous process that keeps getting modified and improved as it evolves. New techniques that emerge are constantly added; hence one should not forget to maintain the website to current standards. Constant attention is what keeps SEO going strong.
The last point to keep in mind is to do with the much talked about unethical practice that is called Black Hat SEO. Ranking of your site is certainly important as that is what can make or break the future of a website, however resorting to unethical practices to gain ranking can lead to permanent damage that could lead you to Google Sandbox, hence avoid this at all costs.
