You may feel that you have wiped the slate clean and that it will now be possible to push on and to produce results. Although such optimism is rather nice, however, it can also be misleading.
When it comes to the world of online business, success can only be achieved if you’re willing to plan and then to implement your chosen strategy correctly. This is undoubtedly true in the case of SEO.
Following the latest trends
It can sometimes seem like new SEO trends appear on an almost weekly basis. Even at this early stage of the year, we can be sure that we’ll be hearing plenty about Google algorithm changes, penalties being applied and new tricks that will help to produce amazing results.Although it’s certainly true that the wider landscape is constantly changing, an enormous amount can be expected to stay the same. While many will be diverted and will spend too much time considering the requirements of the search engines, those who are on the road to success will be far too busy concentrating on what really matters.
In this context, it seems reasonable to question how you can discover what does really matter. The answer can undoubtedly be found by thinking about your customers and the prospective clients who may also be available to you. If you’re able to meet their needs, then there can be absolutely no doubt that you will find that you’re on the right path.
Choosing the right SEO approach
You will probably discover that there are temptations along the way. You may feel, for example, that taking a few shortcuts here and there will produce the rewards that you desire. To a certain extent, the steady approach to SEO that others suggest may seem rather dull by comparison.Sometimes, however, the reality is that the slow and steady approach is what pays dividends. By providing good quality, insightful content on your own site, for instance, you’ll find that you attract visitors, improved search engine rankings and incoming links.
If you look at the pattern that has become established over the course of the past few years, then it becomes clear that attempts to alter search engine positioning through various forms of automated manipulation have led to problems. Most penalties can be attributed to such approaches.
When you look at rankings for your own target keywords, you may be frustrated to see that some businesses are dominating by using methods that are not viewed as being particularly ethical. From your own perspective, the key here is to think about long-term, sustainable goals.
Although sites may be able to benefit in the short-term, it’s worth remembering that your aim should be to establish a strategy that will work for years to come. You’ll need to maintain that focus, in order to ensure a successful 2013. During the course of the year, there will be search engine algorithm changes and you may even lose some ground. That’s part of the excitement of the SEO process.
Keith BarrettAbout the Guest Author:
As a senior consultant with Search-South.com, Keith Barrett has a considerable level of SEO experience. He regularly writes for the company blog and also produces articles for leading industry publications.