seo services | Dynamic Marketing

May 01 2017

Debunking 5 most Common SEO Myths

The world of SEO is riddled with myths and misconceptions. Despite there being a lot of information, organizations persist with rumors and lose out on the benefits of SEO services. While some companies believe that SEO is expensive, some go to the extent of believing they don’t need it. Organizations also fall for the instant benefits PPC and AdWords offer and overlook the much more valuable long-term benefits. Here is debunking 5 most common SEO myths.

1. Links should be earned, and not built

This myth was born after the punishing of certain sites that were into link-building by Google’s Penguin update. This led to widespread belief that earning links by creating rich content on sites, instead of building them, was the way to go. This was only half the truth, as the sites banned had been indulging in unethical link-building. The truth is that link-building is as relevant as ever. Use online resources to determine what kind of content is being shared by your users.

2. Keywords are no longer important

Nothing could be further from the truth. Even though cramming keywords into content is still not advisable, they are still a fundamental element of search engine optimization. Discuss the possibility of using keyword variations, surrounding content, and themes with your SEO consultant. In addition, your aim should be to place keywords naturally in the following sections on each page:

• Page title
• Meta description
• Page content
• H1 header
• H2 headers
• Alt text for images

As always, make sure that the content on your site has a smooth flow and is grammatically correct.

3. SEO needs to be done only once

Hiring an SEO consultant on permanent basis allows you to keep adapting to updates and algorithms. A few reasons why companies need to keep up with their SEO link degradation, rivals’ persistent efforts to outdo you, and outdated content. Barring very few businesses with niche audiences, almost every organization needs round-the-year checks. Another matter for concern is the misconception that SEO can be automated.

4. AdWords helps improve organic search

This is another age-old myth that should be debunked now. The paid ads at the top of search results and Google AdWords are totally different from organic search results. Google doesn’t use AdWords listings data for its organic algorithm. However, AdWords is extremely advantageous when used with great SEO, since it can boost overall exposure by giving companies ads and organic results. The cost investment for AdWords, too, is greater when compared to SEO services.

5. Images and videos don’t count

Actually, images and videos help your site in two ways. First, they help to create a better user experience, since photos, infographics, illustrations, and images that make content easy to consume. The other benefit is an increased relevance with respect to keywords. Have your SEO consultant optimize your images using alt text, and it will open up an entirely new channel for traffic. This helps to rank well in the image search results. The final step is to review image optimization by auditing it on a platform like WooRank.

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Apr 25 2017

Tips for Improving Your Local Visibility Online

Search engines are constantly taking out new updates and websites are increasingly vying with each other to achieve local visibility. Optimizing your site for actual visitors and not just search engines is necessary. That is the reason why more businesses are using SEO services.

The reason is that half of all local searches on mobile convert within a day. Singapore ranked #1 worldwide in LTE speeds in 2016, which means more users are using their phones to check reviews of products online. Here are some tips on improving local visibility online.

Claim online company profiles

While improving local visibility, a lot of businesses miss the chance of capitalizing on online company profiles. This begins with securing one’s Google My Business Page, and updating it regularly. Optimizing the page will require updating it to mention the current location, contact details, and other relevant information. Also claim local listings on Bing Local, Yahoo Local, among other popular directories. Do not forget industry specific directories.

Invest in search engine optimization

Hiring SEO services or even a good SEO consultant can do the job for you. Perform research using local area specific, long tail keywords. Include keywords in page titles and include the name of the area in landing pages. It is also important to get a domain name with the local area name and ask your SEO consultant to optimize local directories. It is also worth spending time on creating quality content.

Focus on building quality links

Building quality links, not just random ones, is important. Linking to and from major websites is also good for SEO and the credibility of your company. You can even consider hosting/sponsoring local events and sharing event page links on your site. However, be warned against spammy links, and remember that ranking must be done naturally. Websites with good search engine optimization often get Wikipedia links, which is highly desirable. This is why hiring a good SEO services company is highly important.

Improve your social media profiles

Links from social media are equally important to boost local visibility, so create an effective social media strategy. However, trying to be active on every platform can backfire, so identify those that are conducive to your industry. Keep posting updates and messages to your target audience regularly. Another point is to engage customers, and interact with them on a regular basis.

Respond to reviews

Eight out of 10 customers trust online reviews when it comes to making a purchase. You want more and more of your satisfied clients to write positive reviews. Talk with these clients and encourage them to highlight the aspects of your products/service they liked the most. Inform your customers about different review sites as well. It is important to respond to both negative and positive reviews, as this reflects on your professionalism and commitment to improve.

Make your website mobile-friendly

Singapore is ranked first in Southeast Asia in both Smartphone penetration and mobile internet subscriptions. Websites that aren’t mobile phone friendly are at a disadvantage, since most searches are made using handheld devices these days. After hiring an SEO consultant, the most important businesses should ideally make is making their site navigable on mobiles.

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Feb 13 2017

Things to Consider when Hiring an SEO Consultant

Businesses often get taken in when their SEO consultant claims to create more back-links, or simply offers cheaper services. The truth is that good search engine optimization requires actual efforts, which cannot come cheap. While most consultants will assert that they can take your business to the top of the rankings, there are actual ways to know whether they can. Here is a detailed list of things you should consider when hiring an SEO consultant.

What types of SEO consultancy do you need?

Broadly, there are 3 kinds of SEO services. While individual SEO consultants are freelancers, SEO agencies have teams of experts that can be hired by businesses. The third category is in-house SEO teams, which can be hired for large businesses, but which can also be unaffordable at times. Based on what kind of consultancy you need out of the first two categories, there are some things to consider before hiring.

Their current and past clients

You conduct research on everything or everyone you buy or hire. The same goes for SEO services. Look for reviews, case studies, testimonials, and any remarkable past/present clients. Another important question to ask is about clients they’ve had their longest associations with.

Their strategy for improving your search engine rankings

Brush aside any SEO consultants that are reluctant to share their strategies beforehand. Not only this, consultants should be able to offer realistic estimations of how long it would take for their promised results to be achieved. Invite technical reviews of your company website and initial proposals. Finally, ask them whether they provide off-page optimization, in addition to on-page optimization.

Their adherence to Google’s webmaster guidelines

Google releases about 500 updates in its algorithm, on a yearly basis, and it is only to provide better searches. Sites that violate rules are penalized by Google, via its Panda and Penguin algorithms. Shady SEO firms can undo all the good work done to your site just for short-term results.

Their transparency with changes made to the site

SEO will require making several changes to the web page coding of a business. It will be important for you, as well, to know about the kind of changes made to your web page. Ask prospective SEO consultants whether they will add new title tags or modify the current ones, or whether they will offer additional copywriting.

Their payment terms

It is crucial to know when and how much exactly you will need to pay. Surveys have found that 7 out of 10 SEO consultants charge you on individual projects. Retainers will charge on a monthly basis. Ask how frequently the payments will have to be made.

What after the contract is over?

This is an important question from the point of view of security. Most SEO services would want to sign a contract for a certain period of time. It would take time for them to make changes and for these changes to work. Know in advance what stands to happen, should your company run into a financial crisis and cannot afford their services. You could also want to terminate the contract because of unsatisfactory work.

To read our previous article, please click here.

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Oct 25 2016

Why You should Avoid Cheap SEO Services

why_not_cheap_seo_services

If you are tempted to hire cheap SEO services, you are not alone! Hundreds of SMBs in Singapore are penny-wise and pound-foolish. If that sounds rude to you, then I’m sorry, but that’s the reality today.

First, let’s understand what cheap SEO is. Well, it depends on your budget and financial capabilities. For instance, if your company is earning millions of dollars, then $10,000 for an SEO consultant may seem quite cheap for you. However, even $1000 per month for SEO would seem whopping, when you have a shoe-string budget.

While the term ‘cheap’ means different things to different people, there is one universal truth. Quality SEO does not come cheap. Here are some major reasons why you should avoid hiring cheap SEO services.

Cheap SEO could be counterproductive in the long run

White hat SEO takes a little time, but the results you get would be lasting. On the contrary, cheap SEO may get you quick results, but at the cost of your brand reputation. Be wary of digital marketing companies that give you assurance of quick results at surprisingly low price. Chances are that they are using black hat SEO techniques – which in the long run may end up getting your company blacklisted by Google. Once your website gets blacklisted, you’ll lose your existing customers, and it would take a lot of time and money to recover from the penalty. You may need to hire another more experienced SEO consultant. Even then, there is no surety of a complete recovery.

Cheap SEO does not add value

Cheap SEO lacks originality, customization, and innovation. This type of SEO services does not add value to your marketing campaigns. They offer one-size-fits-all solutions and never take the time and effort to tailor their services to fit your target customers. Often, a cheap SEO company would be terrible in commutation, because they are always busy trapping new customers. They care less about existing customers and more about potential customers. They spend more on front-end sales, and less on improving service quality.

Lack of money holds them back from taking the necessary steps

A cheap SEO company, even with the best of intentions, cannot deliver great results – because they do not have the money to spend on quality content and back links. They can only use some time-consuming SEO techniques, such as, keyword research, webpage optimization, and very limited technical optimization.

Without enough budget, you cannot create quality content, spend time on quality link building – neither can you afford to place your links on high ranked sites. As a result, you may not see enough improvement in your page ranking for a long time. Or, they will take the wrong route for quick results – which would eventually get your website penalized.

Experience matters

It is always a good idea to get SEO done by a team of experts. If you hire a digital marketing company for cheap SEO, do not even expect quality services from experienced professionals. They will hire entry-level staff to compensate for the discount they offer. Eventually, the services would not help in the long run.
The bottom line here is; do not choose an SEO company only on the basis of cost. Do a thorough background check before hiring.

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Oct 06 2016