SEO Not Working? Here’s what to do!
As a digital marketing agency specialising in search engine optimisation (SEO), one of the most common questions we get asked is “Why is my SEO not working!?”
It’s a frustrating scenario that many business owners find themselves in. You might have employed an agency, or maybe you’ve had a go at it yourself. Yet the expected surge in business is … just not there.
Before you hit the panic button, let’s delve into the reasons behind why you may not be getting the results you hoped for, and look at potential solutions.
HOW have you concluded your SEO is not working?
First you need to identify how you’ve decided that your SEO is not working. Are you judging it by the number of keywords your site is ranking for? The volume of clicks? The number of calls, bookings, and sales? Or something else like Domain Authority (which doesn’t really matter anyway!)?
Before implementing any SEO strategy, it’s crucial to set some very clear and measurable goals and targets for yourself. And remember, baby steps. Because SEO is a long game!
Patience is a Virtue
Instant gratification might work in some aspects of life, but SEO isn’t one of them. Particularly if your site is new, it’s crucial to understand that SEO takes time. In fact, it can take up six to twelve months to start seeing results – and that’s with an SEO expert!
Search engines need to index your content, assess its relevance, and establish your site’s credibility. It’s like planting a seed and waiting for it to grow into a sturdy tree. Stay patient, stay consistent, and the results will come.
SEO Not Working? Check these!
Site Speed and Functionality: In the digital world, a slow website will lose you potential customers. The slowest site we’ve ever come across took 30 seconds to load!
Users demand speed, and search engines recognise that. If your site takes ages to load, visitors will bounce before they even see your content. Aim for a loading time of under 3 seconds to ensure a seamless user experience.
Your issue could also be something fairly simple and straight forward to fix, such as your website builder accidentally leaving “no index” ticked in the back-end settings of your site.
Misguided Metrics: A common misconception is gauging the effectiveness of SEO solely through the number of keywords your site ranks for. While keyword ranking is important, it’s actually not the best indicator of success.
Instead of fixating on keyword counts, focus on the quality of traffic you’re attracting and whether it’s converting into meaningful actions. Traffic from relevant, high-intent keywords holds more value than a high number of unrelated keywords.
Oh, and those keywords should preferably be showing up on the “front page” of search engine results, and not buried at #83 – because hardly anybody bothers to look any further than the first ten listings!
You’ve Optimised with the Wrong Keywords: Your audience won’t be able to find you if your content doesn’t match their search queries. Keyword research is essential to to uncover terms that your target audience is actually using – and then you need to make sure those keywords are strategically placed throughout your content.
The Curse of Thin Content: Content is king, and thin content is its sworn enemy. If your site lacks substantial, informative, and engaging content, search engines will struggle to comprehend and rank it. Invest time in crafting well-researched, value-packed content that caters to your audience’s needs. Not only does this help with SEO, but it also establishes your brand as an authority in your niche.
Boost Authority with Backlinks: Think of backlinks as digital endorsements that vouch for your site’s credibility. If your website lacks backlinks from authoritative or relevant sites, search engines might not view your content as trustworthy. Cultivate relationships within your industry and focus on building a backlink profile that reflects your site’s authority.
Conversion Conundrum: So, you’ve managed to drive traffic, but the conversions are still missing? You’re not alone! This could be due to a disjointed buyer journey. Evaluate your website’s user experience, from landing page to checkout.
For example – Is the navigation intuitive? Are calls to action clear and strategically placed? Perhaps you’re selling a high-end product with a big price tag, but your images and packaging are letting you down? Address these issues to bridge the gap between traffic and transactions.
There really is a solution for every SEO woe, and understanding the potential core issues is a great first step.
That’s one of the reasons we offer a free SEO Checkup and complimentary Zoom session with one of our SEO consultants. We can show you how your site is currently performing in search engine results, and give you some pointers on how it could be improved.
If you want your website to generate quality leads 24/7, take the first step by booking your free consult today!