It seems the more people write about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) the more misconceptions and confusion there is surrounding the subject. This was highlighted in August as multiple respected SEO blogs and marketers chimed in with posts looking to dispel some of the most common SEO myths, clarify how to use social media properly, and explain what’s actually going on with the most recent Google update. As always, the heavy lifting is already done and the posts below offer your condensed guide to what was being written about this past month in the world of SEO and social media marketing.
In an attempt to clarify some of the confusion surrounding SEO, Neil Patel of Quicksprout published a post dispelling 7 Lies About SEO You Probably Still Believe. Read through his article to find out why you might be building your content strategy and link profile based on faulty information.
Speaking of link profiles, Search Engine Watch took a look at Google’s most recent Penguin update and the impact it’s had (and will continue to have) on websites with a spammy link profile. What will the next update have in store? Read the article, The Penguin 3.0 Rollout Will Bring Tears to Your Eyes.
On the social media side of things, Samantha Collier offered up 13 tips to help you avoid looking stupid on social media. Some of the suggestions are pretty basic, but that really just makes it all the more important not to break any of these rules.
In terms of the ongoing effectiveness of your marketing efforts, diagnosing problems early is a key to remaining consistent month after month. Search Engine Land’s article 21 Metrics for Monitoring SEO Health should give you plenty of items to track on a monthly or semi-monthly basis if you want to avoid any alarming dips in your site’s performance.
When it comes to converting content into clients it’s easier said than done. However, you can find some solid advice in Larry Bodine’s article on How to Convert Blog Posts into Leads and New Clients.
Similarly, if you’re concerned about the performance of your site’s content, you might want to take a look at the recent Content Audit Tutorial from Moz. It’s an extremely thorough post, and if you have time to work through some of the suggestions there’s a good chance you’ll find a few things you can improve, tweak, or remove from your site in order to create a better user experience.
Lastly, another article all about content offers a look at The Future of Content and SEO. Search Engine Land’s article offers some advice on optimizing your content, transitioning to mobile, and how to keep up with rapidly changing SEO trends.
Looking back at the list above it’s pretty clear August was a busy month for search marketing—or at least the people who blog about it—and there are plenty of items you can address if you’re serious about boosting (or even simply maintaining) your online presence. Tackling all of them is a daunting task, but even skimming through the articles and prioritizing a couple things to work on in the coming month should give you a leg up on about ninety percent of your competitors.
About the Author: Jason Arango is the Director of Marketing for GJEL Accident Attorneys. He’s been involved in online marketing since 2007, and has worked with companies such as Village Voice Media and Clear Channel Communications.