Do What Google Says! Use SEO

The future of SEO continues to be a hot topic amid the online community. Some believe the demise of SEO is upon us while others believe SEO is here to stay. In case you have concerns about the future of SEO and whether you should hire a SEO expert, read the following below or click here for a fun infographic that belays any worries.

Google speaks - you and I listen

Given that Google promotes the use of SEOs, it isn't logical to think the use of an SEO expert is no longer important.

Google specifically advises, "If you're thinking about hiring an SEO, the earlier the better. A great time to hire is when you're considering a site redesign, or planning to launch a new site."

As Google explains, you benefit in hiring a webmaster with SEO skills, specifically Technical SEO skills, so you receive the following services:

• Review of your site content or structure
• Technical advice on website development: for example, hosting, redirects, error pages, use of JavaScript
• Content development
• Management of online business development campaigns
• Keyword research
• SEO training
• Expertise in specific markets and geographies.

At Matter Solutions, we'd love to be your SEO experts.  We are well versed with guidelines from Google and other search engines. Inexperienced SEO specialists and even those with the best of intentions might accidentally cause more harm than good. Penalties can be a real pain, even if they arise from ignorance, i.e. intentional or not.  The surest way to avoid these pitfalls is to listen to Google's advice (with the right pinch of salt) and hire a SEO expert.

The evolution of SEO - white hat vs. black hat

High page rankings is suppose to be based on relevant content - most times that is true.  Unfortunately, there is a practice of "black hat" SEO that skews page rankings in favour of less deserved websites.  Black hat techniques includes keyword stuffing and link schemes.  These "webspam" techniques attempt to find loopholes or short cuts through Google and other search engines to quickly place a website above other more relevant sites.

The good news is that this black hat SEO is on the demise.  Google released Panda on 24 April 2012 with the goal of helping searchers find sites that provide a great user experience and rewarding the efforts of the "good guys" who make great sites for users using white hat practices.

White hat practices involves the creation of great content that is relevant, interesting, and engaging.  The goal is to help create content and to make sites faster, improving the experience for both users and search engines.  A good practice also means good marketing - be creative in making a site compelling.  You want a great site creating greater awareness of that site on the web, which translate into more people linking to or visiting the site.

Alternative to SEO - inbound marketing

SEO is not the only venue to increased traffic for your website.  At Matter Solutions, we also offer inbound marketing, a more comprehensive approach than traditional advertising.  While traditional advertising focuses on "buying attention," inbound marketing advertises by earning the attention of customers through content, think - blogs, podcasts, video, eBooks, newsletters, whitepapers, SEO and social media marketing.

Inbound marketing, which often includes SEO, is a great tool for businesses that deal with high dollar values, long research cycles and knowledge-based products.  Of course, inbound marketing is a great tool for larger businesses as well.  Whether your business is on a budget or you are ready for a complete investment into marketing, we have the right Inbound Marketing package for you.

Contact us today or phone on (07) 3117 2300 for more information.