We all want our stores to rank better and that’s why we focus on SEO’s in the first place. Google never lets you know exactly how they rank; however, they do from time to time provide guidance on best practices and announce changes to how they organize search results. The latest appears to be a set of carefully designed rules targeted strictly at those who over optimize their web sites (including online stores) and try to “game” the system.
We believe that SEO is about letting search engines know as much about your store as possible. However, clarity of insight isn’t the same as inflating your website with content and keywords that are designed only for search engines and does nothing for an actual visitor to your store. Since Zuhah stores are unique in that they can mix media content with ecommerce, we want to make sure that you are especially aware of how Google’s future direction can impact your store.
Keyword Variants and Large Amount of Similar Pages
Avoid creating pages where the sole purpose is to make your site seem bigger. For instance, creating a blog on plates, and then simply replacing every word “plates” with “dishes”, then submitting them as a separate pages. Create authentic blogs and pages with unique content that are designed for the best customer experience instead.
Backlinks from Shady Sources
Be especially aware and question the quality of your links from these sources:
- Article Marketing Sites: These sites, whom for a while were ranked highly, are not appearing as much these days due to previous adjustments by Google. Now, they could serve to hurt your Google rankings.
- Comment Spam: Enough said. Have you ever seen, when you’re reading an intense political discussion, and then all of a sudden, “BUY SHOES!”. Most of these are created by automated bots that go out and find comment pages to fill out.
- Link Lists and Link Wheels: Be especially aware of those business offers that submit your links to 1000′s of sites that you don’t know.
- Link Networks and Link Exchange: Sites who’s only purpose is to gather links or by offering to put your link in exchange to put someone else’s on your site.
Questionable Links on Your Own Site
Create links on your site that help user navigate by simplifying access, instead of over burdening your menu’s and footers with endless sets of similar keywords that all link to similar pages. Google will be looking at how repetitive and similar content links relate. Instead, categorize, if you have a need for similar content. This also applies if you have a lot of products and services that appear similar. Using categories and menu navigation will not only help prevent red flags, but also be a more enjoyable experience for your users.
Spammy Titles, META Text, and Keywords
Create page titles that contain your brand and a simple phrase on what you sell will be better than repetitive keywords like “notebook battery, notebook charger, notebook high-end, etc…” Create, instead META text and descriptions that are specific to a particular page or product. Be concise in your text rather than spammy.
Zuhah is committed to creating high quality micro- and small shops. Sticking with authentic methods of promoting your site only saves you time and brings genuine customers to your store. We’ll be writing about more ways to correctly promote your store at our blog.
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