A “household name” in marketing sphere, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) revolves around search engines, which most of the time means Google, to increase traffic from organic search engine results, hence (hopefully) boost conversions and sales.
However, popularity doesn’t mean quality. In fact, many SEO myths still lurk around to cloud the judgment of its users, e.g. marketers, and its “beneficiaries”, e.g. company decision makers. It’s time to have a reality check to truly understand and leverage the power of SEO.
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Do you know that the marketing practice called Search Engine Optimization has been around for about 20 years? And just like wine, its value comes with age.A “household name” in marketing sphere, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) revolves around search engines, which most of the time means Google, to increase traffic from organic search engine results, hence (hopefully) boost conversions and sales.
However, popularity doesn’t mean quality. In fact, many SEO myths still lurk around to cloud the judgment of its users, e.g. marketers, and its “beneficiaries”, e.g. company decision makers. It’s time to have a reality check to truly understand and leverage the power of SEO.
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Do you know that the marketing practice called Search Engine Optimization has been around for about 20 years? And just like wine, its value comes with age.Search Engine Optimization has claimed many headlines and appeared in numerous digital marketing guidebooks. The resulting overhype has fueled both naysayers and advocates, leading to a constant battle over SEO’s uses and benefits. Let’s go over the history of SEO to get the big picture before addressing prevalent SEO rumors.
Search Engine Optimization has claimed many headlines and appeared in numerous digital marketing guidebooks. The resulting overhype has fueled both naysayers and advocates, leading to a constant battle over SEO’s uses and benefits. Let’s go over the history of SEO to get the big picture before addressing prevalent SEO rumors.
In March, 2021, Google launched mobile-first indexing, which “predominantly uses the mobile version of the content for indexing and ranking”.
SEO has come a long way with exciting turns and twists. It deserves to be understood properly and treated fairly. And as technology evolves, SEO optimization awaits to unleash more potential to bring unprecedented results to respectable brands and businesses.
SEO has come a long way with exciting turns and twists. It deserves to be understood properly and treated fairly. And as technology evolves, SEO optimization awaits to unleash more potential to bring unprecedented results to respectable brands and businesses.
It’s time to sweep away the illusion made by SEO common myths, leaving a clear view of the future for company decision makers. First, we’ll take care of the most common misunderstandings - usually empty promises from unreliable SEO providers to tempt companies into sub-optimal investment and unrealistic expectations.
This assertive claim is usually followed by one (or more) reason listed below.
It’s time to sweep away the illusion made by SEO common myths, leaving a clear view of the future for company decision makers. First, we’ll take care of the most common misunderstandings - usually empty promises from unreliable SEO providers to tempt companies into sub-optimal investment and unrealistic expectations.
This assertive claim is usually followed by one (or more) reason listed below.
Remember, your target should also be your audience, not only Google. Trying to “trick” the search engine to appear all shiny on the 1st place while ignoring user experience will do you more harm than good.
SEO is not a silver bullet in marketing, let alone the whole business. It is nevertheless a hidden gem waiting to be polished on your crown when you approach the throne in the digital world.
Generally followed by a variant of “You only need to…”, this promise sways you into thinking that you can invest minimal and reap maximal; or at least if it doesn’t work, you don’t have much to lose. To many souls’ dismay, the truth begs to differ.
SEO is not a silver bullet in marketing, let alone the whole business. It is nevertheless a hidden gem waiting to be polished on your crown when you approach the throne in the digital world.
Generally followed by a variant of “You only need to…”, this promise sways you into thinking that you can invest minimal and reap maximal; or at least if it doesn’t work, you don’t have much to lose. To many souls’ dismay, the truth begs to differ.
According to Hubspot, half of marketers report positive effects of link building after 1-3 months of implementation.
So, SEO is not easy, but it doesn’t need to be so tough. Equip yourself with the fundamentals and best practices, and consider looking for help from a legitimate agency who truly knows your local market and audience.
Before going any further, let’s clarify one fact: SEO is NOT dead, it is changing.
But why is there such a claim? The naysayers of SEO present 3 purportedly sound reasons:
The statistics don’t lie, but they can surely mislead. This is hardly the end of SEO. There are brands which adapted their SEO approach and reaped great results, as in a success story on ThinkwithGoogle. Their CTR and conversions increased, while average CPC decreased. The secret is they “see search as a direct dialogue with the customer”, not a tool to manipulate the audience’s behaviors anymore.
Also, using SEO doesn’t make your company any less honorable, but more convenient for customers to look for the right solutions. Just stay alert when your agency promises quick and big gains when doing SEO. If it sounds too good to be true, most of the time it is.
And remember, as long as search engines exist, SEO remains relevant.
So, SEO is not easy, but it doesn’t need to be so tough. Equip yourself with the fundamentals and best practices, and consider looking for help from a legitimate agency who truly knows your local market and audience.
Before going any further, let’s clarify one fact: SEO is NOT dead, it is changing.
But why is there such a claim? The naysayers of SEO present 3 purportedly sound reasons:
The statistics don’t lie, but they can surely mislead. This is hardly the end of SEO. There are brands which adapted their SEO approach and reaped great results, as in a success story on ThinkwithGoogle. Their CTR and conversions increased, while average CPC decreased. The secret is they “see search as a direct dialogue with the customer”, not a tool to manipulate the audience’s behaviors anymore.
Also, using SEO doesn’t make your company any less honorable, but more convenient for customers to look for the right solutions. Just stay alert when your agency promises quick and big gains when doing SEO. If it sounds too good to be true, most of the time it is.
And remember, as long as search engines exist, SEO remains relevant.
As of March, 2021, Google accounted for more than 70% of desktop search and nearly 90% of mobile search, followed by Baidu (12.6% for desktop, 7.5% for mobile) and Bing (12.1% for desktop, 1.1% for mobile).
Many consider SEO to be a tradeoff between the needs of the audience and those of search engine algorithms. Marketers need to create content which is (a) compelling and relevant to the audience, and (b) able to satisfy the highest possible number of ranking factors of Google.
However, this doesn’t need to be an either-or situation. As Google makes changes to serve their users better, companies that choose to move in the same direction won’t lose their opportunity at getting the right customers online.
Many consider SEO to be a tradeoff between the needs of the audience and those of search engine algorithms. Marketers need to create content which is (a) compelling and relevant to the audience, and (b) able to satisfy the highest possible number of ranking factors of Google.
However, this doesn’t need to be an either-or situation. As Google makes changes to serve their users better, companies that choose to move in the same direction won’t lose their opportunity at getting the right customers online.
No matter which SEO practices you implement, there are 3 elements to keep in mind for long-term success:
No matter which SEO practices you implement, there are 3 elements to keep in mind for long-term success:
Do you know that Google and other search engines have included the value of video content in SEO when updating their algorithms? It’s your opportunity to create both appealing and SEO-optimized video content to tempt regular guests on social media channels.
Remember, marketing success on social media means cultural relevance. You need to really understand your local market to leverage this popular yet fickle channel.
Remember, marketing success on social media means cultural relevance. You need to really understand your local market to leverage this popular yet fickle channel.
Having a comprehensive digital marketing strategy in which SEO optimization, both on-page and off-page, takes an important role will increase your odds. It’s no longer the time for a hero to single-handedly take down the giant. The winners know how to best combine their tools and adapt to evolve with the market.
Having existed longer than most businesses, Search Engine Optimization has its ups and downs as a digital marketing tool. With virtually no entry barriers, SEO is a practice that anyone can take a look at, have a try and make a comment about its value. Consequently, for a long time, SEO purposes are misinterpreted, SEO benefits are undermined, and SEO results are condemned as no longer worthy of the investment.
It’s time to ward off the negative vibe (and wishful thinking) and take SEO for its true worth. In the digital world, your audience should be the center of your attention, and SEO practices that serve your audience will prove to be the most successful. Coupled with the right content, design and communication channel strategies, your company will surely gain the edge in this constant chaotic online war and head directly to your rightful place.
If you have changed your opinions about how to do SEO and would like a transformation, or you want to do it right at the get-go, don’t hesitate to contact On Digitals. With proven track records, we provide insightful consultancy and services tailored to your unique needs and objectives, especially if you’re looking to expand your business to Vietnam.
Having a comprehensive digital marketing strategy in which SEO optimization, both on-page and off-page, takes an important role will increase your odds. It’s no longer the time for a hero to single-handedly take down the giant. The winners know how to best combine their tools and adapt to evolve with the market.
Having existed longer than most businesses, Search Engine Optimization has its ups and downs as a digital marketing tool. With virtually no entry barriers, SEO is a practice that anyone can take a look at, have a try and make a comment about its value. Consequently, for a long time, SEO purposes are misinterpreted, SEO benefits are undermined, and SEO results are condemned as no longer worthy of the investment.
It’s time to ward off the negative vibe (and wishful thinking) and take SEO for its true worth. In the digital world, your audience should be the center of your attention, and SEO practices that serve your audience will prove to be the most successful. Coupled with the right content, design and communication channel strategies, your company will surely gain the edge in this constant chaotic online war and head directly to your rightful place.
If you have changed your opinions about how to do SEO and would like a transformation, or you want to do it right at the get-go, don’t hesitate to contact On Digitals. With proven track records, we provide insightful consultancy and services tailored to your unique needs and objectives, especially if you’re looking to expand your business to Vietnam.
