This is a guest post by Suzzane Edwards. If you wish to write one, kindly check our guidelines to write a guest post.
Writing for the Internet is different from traditional print writing. The online writing industry is governed by a set of rules and strategies that eventually determine the amount of readership a website or a web article gets.
Search Engine Optimization or simply SEO is a vital factor to the success of an online writer. Similarly, SEO sets the rules and strategies in generating web traffic and winning loyal readers and followers.
However, most writers are still clueless when it comes to SEO strategies and some still commit major SEO blunders which do more harm than good. In order to help online writers, listed below are eight of the most common SEO blunders that should be avoided.
1. Lack of keyword/niche market research
Research is very important when it comes to writing for the Internet (for profit/publicity.) A good online writer knows the importance of knowing what readers want and how they use search engines particularly Google to get what they want.
ALSO READ: 5 Geographic Keyword Research Tips for Better Google Ranking
2. Focusing too much on a webpage’s design
Focusing too much on a webpage’s design is simply barking at the wrong tree. Believe it or not, the beauty (or lack of it) of a website is irrelevant when it comes to search engine algorithms. It’s all about the value your website and its content can provide.
3. Using a non SEO-friendly domain name
Using a weird or a non user-friendly domain name is just suicide. An effective domain name is one that is short, catchy yet describes the business or niche it represents.
4. Keyword stuffing
Keyword stuffing is already outdated and is now considered as spam by search engines. The recent Google Panda Update phased out websites primarily content websites or content farms that practiced excessive and sometimes spammy keyword stuffing techniques. Is your site affected by Google Panda, check out Praveen’s 7 ways to recover from Google Panda Effect.
Most SEO experts estimate proper keyword density to be around 2-4 percent. A keyword density of more than 5 percent is quite risky given the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the Internet.
5. Publishing low quality and duplicate content
Publishing low quality and duplicate content can hurt your website’s rankings. Search engine rewards websites that publish fresh, timely and original content – may it be articles, videos or podcast interviews.
Online articles should be at least 400-500 words in length and must be free from any grammar mistakes.
6. Failure to record relevant statistics
Failure to record relevant statistics primarily a website’s rankings, the number of unique visitors, conversion rates and bounce rates can lead to a website’s complete failure. Record-keeping should be a primary concern of every webmaster and online writer.
7. Not utilizing the power of social media
Failure to utilize the unique power and advantages of social media can be costly for online writers. The proper and effective use of social media might ultimately spell the difference between success and failure.
Social media platforms like the networking sites Facebook and MySpace, the micro-blogging platform Twitter, the video-sharing site YouTube and other promotion platforms such as StumbleUpon and Digg can generate a huge amount of traffic for webmasters and online writers.
ALSO READ: How To Build Your Business Fast Using Twitter & Digg
Article directories like Ezine and Build My Rank also help to generate traffic for a particular website or article.
8. Lack of consistency
Search engines love and reward websites that constantly updates their content. Constant activity and productivity are two of the major factors that will determine your website’s success.
About the Author:
Suzzane Edwards is a financial advisor and currently works as a consultant for small businesses. When she’s not writing for Cash for Gold, she could be found blogging about simple tips on how people could take advantage of the internet’s numerous business opportunities.