As we approach the end of 2022, many business owners are wondering if they can finally let up on their SEO efforts. After all, they’ve been working hard at it for years, and they’re starting to see results. So why keep up the pace?
Here’s why: even though you may be seeing some success from your SEO efforts, there’s still a lot of room for improvement. If you take your foot off the gas pedal now, you’ll likely never achieve the level of success that you could reach by maintaining a consistent SEO strategy.
So what does that mean for business owners? We sat down with SEO expert Clint L. Sanchez with BlakSheep Creative to get his thoughts on the matter.
Here’s what he had to say:
1. The SEO landscape is constantly changing, so you can’t afford to stop working on your strategy
“The landscape of SEO is constantly evolving, so staying on top of the trends and making sure your website is updated accordingly can help you stay ahead of the competition. It’s important to keep up with the latest algorithms, best practices, and strategies to ensure your site is optimized for maximum visibility and success.”
Sanchez suggests that business owners stay informed and keep up with the changes in SEO to ensure that their website remains relevant and visible.
“Ever since the Helpful Content Update, it is more important than ever to make sure you’re creating helpful content that users are actually looking for.”
2. There’s still a lot of room for improvement, no matter how well your business is doing
“Never, ever throw in the towel and stop improving,” Sanchez says. “No matter how well your business is doing, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to SEO. Always strive to get better results.”
Sanchez recommends that businesses focus more on long-term strategies rather than short-term tactics, as this will ensure a stronger foundation for the future.
He also suggests that companies take a more holistic approach to their SEO efforts, focusing on everything from content creation and technical optimization to link building and user experience.
No matter how successful your business may be at the moment, don’t let up on your SEO efforts. With the right strategies in place, you can continue to improve and maximize your success.
3. If you take your foot off the gas pedal now, you’ll likely never achieve the level of success that you could reach by maintaining a consistent SEO strategy.
“I like to say that, in SEO, you’ve never really arrived,” Sanchez says. “No matter how great your results are, there’s always something you can do to improve them. Taking a break from SEO will only cause your ranking and visibility to suffer in the long run.”
Sanchez suggests that business owners focus on the basics: create quality content that is relevant and helpful to users, optimize it for search engines, and build links to increase visibility.
This isn’t something that business owners can do overnight—it takes time, effort, and consistency.
4. The best way to stay ahead of the competition is to keep up with the latest trends and changes in SEO
“You don’t see a race car driver round the last corner, see the checkered flag, and put it in neutral,” Sanchez says. “The same goes for SEO—you can’t ease off the gas when you’re approaching that finish line. You have to keep your foot down and never stop pushing yourself.”
“Correction, the finish line may be a bad term to use because the race to the top of search engine rankings is never over,” Sanchez clarifies. “What you should do instead is to constantly keep up with the latest trends and changes in SEO, so that you can stay ahead of your competition. This will help ensure that your website remains visible and relevant.”
5. Invest in tools and services that can help you optimize your website for search engine rankings
“Your website won’t be successful in the long run if you don’t invest in tools and services that can help you optimize it for search engine rankings,” Sanchez says. “These tools can provide valuable insights into your website performance, keyword research, competitor analysis, and more. Investing in quality SEO tools is an essential part of any successful SEO strategy.”
Sanchez also recommends that businesses hire professional SEO experts to help them with their optimization efforts. A professional can provide valuable advice on the best strategies and tactics to use for your website, as well as monitor and report on the performance of your website over time.
6. Monitor your analytics to see which strategies are working and which aren’t
“This is my biggest pet peeve. We see so-called SEO experts who work on a website and never look at how it’s performing,” Sanchez says. “SEO without data is really just guesswork. You need to be able to track your progress and measure the effectiveness of your strategies so you know what’s working and what isn’t.”
Sanchez recommends that businesses take advantage of analytics tools such as Google Analytics or Google Search Console to understand their website traffic and performance. This will help them identify areas that need improvement and opportunities to capitalize on.
“There are some excellent paid platforms like Ahrefs and SEMRush that can help you track your progress and gain valuable insights,” Sanchez adds, “Investing in these tools can be incredibly useful for long-term success.”
7. Stay on top of any algorithm updates from Google and other search engines
“Ahh, algorithm updates – the bane of many SEO experts’ existences,” Sanchez says. “It’s important to stay on top of any algorithm updates from Google and other search engines so that you can set yourself up for success.”
Sanchez recommends regularly checking the official blog posts from search engine companies for news about algorithm updates and changes. He also suggests utilizing online tools that track algorithm updates, such as Mozcast or RankRanger.
“You don’t have to make drastic changes right away when an update rolls out, but it’s important to be aware of the new requirements so you can adjust your strategy accordingly,” Sanchez says.
“Taking a proactive approach is key to staying ahead of the curve and achieving success with your SEO efforts.”
8. Regularly review and revise your content to make sure it’s up-to-date and relevant
“If your content isn’t up-to-date and relevant, your website won’t be successful,” Sanchez says. “It’s important to regularly review and revise your content to make sure it’s still relevant to your target audience. This can include updating outdated information, adding new content, or removing old content that no longer applies.”
Sanchez recommends utilizing tools like Google Trends, Google Keyword Planner, and BuzzSumo to help you identify trending and relevant content. He also suggests using an SEO audit tool like Screaming Frog or Moz’s On-Page Grader to ensure your website content is optimized for search engine rankings.
“By regularly monitoring and revising your content, you can ensure that your website is always up-to-date and optimized for search engine success,” Sanchez says.
9. Keep creating quality content that can help boost organic traffic
“People have had the whole ‘content is king’ mantra drilled into their heads for years, and it’s still true,” Sanchez says. “Creating quality content is essential to driving organic traffic to your website.”
Sanchez recommends taking the time to research topics that are relevant to your target audience and creating content that offers valuable insights. He also suggests focusing on subjects with high search volumes, as this can help you get more eyes on your content.
“Creating quality content not only helps boost organic traffic, but it also establishes you as a thought leader in your industry,” Sanchez says. “It’s important to put in the effort to make sure your content is valuable, engaging, and optimized for search engine success.”
10. Don’t forget to build relationships with influencers in your field, as they can significantly impact your visibility online.
“Ever since TikTok skyrocketed to fame in 2020, influencer marketing has become even more important for businesses,” Sanchez says. “Building relationships with key influencers in your field can significantly impact your visibility online.”
Sanchez recommends reaching out to relevant influencers and offering to collaborate on content or provide them with resources that could be helpful for their followers. He also suggests engaging with their content by commenting on posts or offering helpful advice.
“Engaging with influencers can help establish trust and build relationships that could be beneficial in the long run,” Sanchez says. “Don’t forget to make it a part of your overall SEO strategy.”
At the end of the day, maintaining a successful SEO strategy isn’t easy. But with a bit of hard work, dedication, and knowledge of the latest trends, you can ensure your website is always optimized for search engine success.
By staying on top of algorithm updates, regularly revising content, creating quality content, and engaging with influencers in your field, you can set yourself up for long-term success.
With the right strategy, your SEO efforts can pay off significantly and give you the boost you need to stay ahead of your competition. So don’t hesitate—to start making those changes today!
By following these ten tips, you’ll be well on your way to achieving success with your SEO strategy. By staying focused, dedicated, and up-to-date on the latest trends, you can ensure that your website is always optimized for search engine success. Good luck!
If you’re looking for a professional SEO agency to help create an effective SEO strategy for your business, consider reaching out to BlakSheep Creative.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry and a team of dedicated experts, BSC has the knowledge and expertise to help you succeed with your SEO efforts. Visit their SEO services page to learn more about how they can help. Thank you for reading!
