When you’re using a Joomla web host, your SEO strategy is crucial for seeing your website reach the top of a list of search engine results. But creating a strong SEO strategy isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you can make mistakes that are hurting your company’s success without even realizing it.
If you’re using Joomla hosting, here are eight of the biggest mistakes you could be making and what you can do to avoid them:
- You’re not creating valuable backlinks
Backlinks are used to show that people find the information that you’re sharing worth reading. With each backlink that your website has, it’s like a stamp of approval from that company. The more stamps – or backlinks – that you receive, the more trusted your website will appear.
But the number of backlinks that you have is not everything. Unless they are coming from quality pages, it can actually hurt your reputation. Consider the network of backlinks your website has to the business connections your company has made. If you don’t have strong business connections, your business won’t grow. Your website isn’t any different. If you’re stuck with few backlinks and a bad reputation, you can’t expect to get far.
- You’re not using local keywords
If you’re a small business operating on a local level, you can’t go without using local keywords. For businesses that only provide services to a small area or may only have one store front, you need to make a connection between what you can provide and the area that you serve. This is best done through the use of local keywords.
Local keywords allow your name to appear in a “near me” search. This means that when a potential customer searches for your services in your area, your name will appear. Even if you have a few store fronts or can reach a number of different areas, you’ll want to use local keywords for all the areas that you serve.
- You’re providing duplicate content
With any website, you want each page to appear differently. If you’re trying to save time by using the same content on more than one page, it could be hurting your SEO strategy.
When Google recognizes that there is more than one page on your website that are exactly the same, the search engine assumes that there is a mistake or that you are trying to over pack your keywords. Google will penalize this behavior.
- You’re duplicating your meta tags
Just as duplicating web content can hurt your SEO strategy, duplicating your meta tags can cause problems as well. When you have the same meta tag on two consecutive pages, Google will recognize this as a problem.
Do your best to make changes to your meta tags from page to page, even if they are just minor tweaks. This will prevent Google from blocking your pages for having the same information.
- Your content is considered “thin.”
When we talk about “thin” content, we’re talking about information that doesn’t have a lot of substance. On a website, this can mean either pages that do not have a lot of text on them or a website with a number of pages that don’t really need to be there. Thin content is very basic, doesn’t get into much depth, and doesn’t really contribute much to the readers.
To contribute to your SEO strategy, you want to make sure that each piece of text has a purpose and each page on your website has enough text to make it interesting and enlightening. If Google sees that you are just filling your text with useless information or you’re adding unnecessary pages, it could hurt you. Rather than looking for more and more places to stuff your keywords, create content that is compelling, worth reading, and incorporates your keywords.
- You’re not organizing your content
When you create your website, you may not spend much time thinking about the pathway of pages on your site. While you may not think it is important, it can actually hurt your SEO strategy if you don’t properly organize your content.
Think of the hierarchy of how your webpages should be and how the content is laid out. Make use of different size headings to give Google a clear pathway of the most important pieces of each document and allow for easier reading and skimming in your visitors.
- You’re not targeting long tail keywords
Many times, those creating an SEO strategy will only use short tail keywords in the content they create. While short tail keywords can be necessary, the competition associated with just one or two word keywords can be incredibly high. It can be very difficult to appear in the search results with these kinds of keywords.
Instead, you’ll want to really focus in on long tail keywords that fit the description of the products or services that you provide. With less competition and a better focus, you have a higher chance of making strong connections and more sales with these keywords.
- You’re not asking for professional help
Unless you really understand the benefits that a SEO strategy can bring, you may not realize just how necessary it is. Far too many people assume they can create an awesome SEO strategy without help from a professional.
If you’re struggling to get an SEO strategy that works for you, ask for professional help. While it may cost money, you’re losing money by not appearing at the top of a search result. With the right team, you’ll quickly see the return on your investment.
Don’t keep making the same mistakes when it comes to your SEO strategy. You are only hurting your business’s success. If you’re making any of these eight mistakes, you’ll want to change them as soon as possible.