Is SEO really that difficult?

Is SEO really that difficult?

by | 14 Jan 2021 | Business Tips, Website Tips

It’s been almost 5 years since I first posted about SEO (search engine optimisation) and gave you 5 Simple Steps to Improve your SEO. In that time, not surprisingly, things in the SEO world have moved on as technology has improved and the number of websites has increased exponentially. And along with it comes an explosion of SEO myths.

But what hasn’t changed is the constant diatribe of some so-called experts who want to keep the whole SEO world shrouded in mystery and would prefer to talk down to their clients and treat them like children, rather than actually explaining what SEO is and how THEY can make changes to improve their website ranking on search engines.

Note: when I refer to so-called experts I am NOT referring to the real experts like Neil Patel who will gladly share resources online for all of us. I mean the thankfully small group of business owners who scare their clients into buying packages they don’t need so that when those customers come to me they are wary of SEO and feel that it is beyond them.

So, I wanted to bust some SEO myths once and for all so that you can take control of your online empire and feel empowered to manage your SEO with an understanding of it rather than a fear of it.

Here are my Top 5:

Myth #1 – SEO is hard

Attitude over Aptitude - Marie Forleo quote on technologyListen, everything is hard when you don’t understand it or have no knowledge of how it works – and SEO is no different. If you are willing to dedicate some time learning what it is (and what it isn’t) and implementing even the simplest of steps, then it is just like anything else.

Don’t be put off by someone spouting technobabble at you – the key here is your ATTITUDE not your APTITUDE, as Marie Forleo so eloquently puts it…

Myth #2 – It costs thousands of pounds

Yes, you can spend lots of cash on the premium SEO plans – but that’s the same with any service. However, you don’t NEED to spend thousands of pounds on your SEO to see results.

Learn some of the basics (like those 5 steps I talked about earlier) or get an SEO Review done and get on and do the work yourself. There are also plenty of free SEO tools online that you can use to perform a basic check of your site and go from there. My favourite is Neil Patel’s UberSuggest, but there are plenty of others.

Myth #3 – The free tools are crap

I’ve heard this one before and straight to my face – by someone trying to sell me a super expensive SEO package! Funny that…

Trust me, if you took action on all of the advice from the free tools your site would be performing better and that’s what this is all about.

Myth #4 – Focus on SEO above all else

Really? Yup. Heard this one recently too. Whilst I argue that SEO is important, trust me, if your website content, message and other business skills aren’t up to scratch, all the SEO in the world isn’t going to bring you clients (or keep them).

Do what you can when you can and make sure you are putting as much effort into building professional relationships with people as you are into your SEO. In my own business, 90% of my clients come from recommendation and networking and only 10% as cold enquiries straight through my website. So, making sure that I am showing up in person (or on Zoom as it is these days) as well as online is really important.

Myth #5 – SEO is a one time deal

Nope. SEO is not a one time thing. You can’t just add keywords to your site and then leave it forevermore. As with all technology, the online world is moving at supersonic speed, and SEO requires your regular attention. Every time you create a new page or write a blog post you need to have SEO at the forefront of your efforts.

But that doesn’t mean it will take hours of work. It just means that you need to think about your message and take the time to ensure the key points associated with SEO are addressed – such as keyphrases, metadata and structure. After all, why go to all the trouble of writing something if it’s just going to disappear into the internet void. You want people to read it right?

So, there you have it, 5 SEO Myths well and truly busted. My advice is if you are interested and have the time then give it a try. Run your website through a free SEO tool and find out what needs to be improved and read up on SEO and become engaged in the success of your own website.

And if you need a hand, then give me a shout. Translating technobabble and empowering my clients to shine online is what I do.

Web Goddess

Need Help with Your SEO?

Why not check out my SEO Services which aim to teach you what you can do to make your site perform beautifully.

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It’s Time to Change the Way We Sell

It’s Time to Change the Way We Sell

by | 29 Sep 2020 | Blogging Tips, Business Tips, Social Media Tips, Website Tips

Is it just me, or are you also sick of the way that businesses try and sell to you based on fear and lack rather than focusing on ethics and value?

It has definitely been something I have rallied against since I became self-employed way back in 2003, raising a middle finger to the corporate ickiness I hated being a part of.

Still wondering what I mean? Here are some just some examples that I have come across:

Let me be your Mentor

Being offered a place on an ‘exclusive’ mentorship programme, only to find out that it’s actually a sales funnel for a network marketing gig and they expect you to sign up with them first!

I’ve got the Answer

Seeing an offer for a super-secret solution to something you know isn’t super secret and anyone can learn, or knowing there are different options which are all just as valid.

Let’s Connect

Connecting with someone via social media and then finding out you’ve been added to their email list without giving express permission.

Once in a Lifetime…

The offer that is advertised as a one time only deal, selling to us through the fear of missing out and only to be repeated again next week, next month or next year.

How do these make you feel? I know they really piss me off!

“Psychological tactics are designed to create false demand by feeding the fear that there will not be enough. This fear has us trapped in a cycle of consumption that is uninspired, unethical, and supremely harmful to the planet and its inhabitants.” – the ethical move

So, when I started Web Goddess in 2014, I knew that I needed to build my business around my authenticity and ethics and only sell in a way that I felt comfortable selling.

And that’s when I found the ethical move – an organisation devoted to changing the way we sell. Their original idea was to ask people to pledge that they would stop charging ‘charm prices’ – you know, the £297 price tags when we all know it’s basically £300! And because that kind of thing  really pisses me off, I pledged my support!

the ethical move

Now, the ethical move have increased their pledges against the outdated sales and marketing tactics we are bombarded with every day including countdowns that have no meaning, false scarcity (FOMO) and bait and switch techniques – and I am thrilled to re-pledge my support.

The full list of new pledges can be found on their website.

“Together, we are making the ethical move to create a new marketing standard based on transparency, trust, and honesty.” – the ethical move

So why is this important for your business?

Well for me, authenticity is EVERYTHING when it comes to creating business relationships with people – and if you start on the wrong foot then it’s pretty difficult to undo that initial mis-step!

Clients remember how you make them feel – and if you make them feel used, tricked or scammed then they are not sticking around for very long.

The alternative to following these ‘tried and tested’ sales and marketing techniques is to create a new, HONEST way of doing business – and I’m all for that. Putting people first and selling with integrity is in alignment with who I am – and I hope it resonates with you too.

I’ll leave you with these final words from the ethical move team:

“Small businesses are the largest growing sector of our global economy; how we operate will inform policy. There are a lot of us, we are courageous and adaptable — which makes us uniquely qualified to change the status quo.” – the ethical move

Stay true to what you believe in,

 Web Goddess

 

Why You Need to Stop Asking for Likes on Social Media

Why You Need to Stop Asking for Likes on Social Media

by | 9 Sep 2020 | Business Tips, Social Media Tips

I’m on social media almost daily and it works really well for my business, but my Number 1 pet hate is when people keep asking you to ‘just pop over and like my page’.

I can not be more straight forward than this:

PLEASE STOP ASKING FOR LIKES!!!

But why? Well, you may think that the more ‘Likes’ and followers you have then the better your business looks and performs on social media, but this isn’t actually the case.

In fact, having random people who have no interest in your business – like your Great Auntie Sheila who is just being polite – and members of groups who all say “follow me and I’ll follow you” can do more damage than good.

Here are 3 reasons why…

#1 They’re NOT Your Clients

Social media is all about connection. In terms of business, it’s about getting your message out to the right people – those who want to connect with you and what you do.

So, if the majority of your followers are simply there because you made a pinky promise to follow each other back to improve your ‘vanity metrics’ then the weight of their ‘Like’ really isn’t doing you any favours.

Are they actually engaging with your posts? Are they commenting and tagging you?

Web Goddess Tip: Focus on content for people who you want to become clients and follow those people you want to work with or buy from. This forms authentic relationships rather than ones built on fear of saying ‘no’.

#2 You WILL be Penalised

Platforms such as Facebook use algorithms to work out where, who and how often to show content in newsfeeds and these are based on a complex set of variables – including how RELEVANT the content is.

If you have thousands of followers who never interact with your content, you will be ranked lower (and appear less often) than pages with fewer followers who consistently get support from their fans.

Web Goddess Tip: Spend time cultivating a following of REAL customers rather than asking for random likes from people who will never buy what you are selling.

#3 It makes YOU look Desperate

Hey, I know that starting a business can be daunting and having your friends support you online is a lovely thing for them to do. But over time you want your family (remember Great Auntie Sheila?) replaced by REAL clients and people who are actually going to buy from you.

Constantly posting in groups asking for people to follow you just makes you look desperate. You need to be confident in what you are selling/making/doing and create social media content that shows that off to your best ability. That way people will follow you because they really want to, not because they are simply sick of you asking.

Web Goddess Tip: Have confidence in your business and what you provide. Let that shine through in all that you do online and you WILL create a following of people who want to invest in you and your business.

So, I implore you – please stop asking random strangers on the internet to follow you. It makes you sound desperate and will do your business more damage than good in the long run.

Instead, use your social media posts to inspire and provide value and trust that the right people will follow you – and you’ll create real connections that turn into real business.

Web Goddess

PS: If you need any help with social media, the Web Goddess Academy is the place to be for no-nonsense advice and support when it comes to shining online. This is the sort of social media myth I love busting for my members.

Recommended Reading

Recommended Reading

by | 27 Apr 2020 | Business Tips, Web Goddess Academy

Whether you are just starting out in business or have been running your empire for a while, it’s always good to get some inspiration from those you admire.

And for me, it is important to understand some of the mindset and ‘soft skills’ required as well as learning within your industry. 

With that in mind, here is my list of my MUST READ books that have helped me along the way and that I share with my Web Goddess Academy members…

The Desire Map
Danielle LaPorte

First things first. If you’re not clear on how you want your life to FEEL then building a business you adore will be really tricky.

So, this book and program is my go-to first step for any entrepreneur. 

Everything is Figureoutable
Marie Forleo

As a B-School Alumni, I love the way Marie Forleo helps you get clear on what you really want.

From facing your fear and dealing with imposter syndrome, to bouncing back from failure, this book is another must-read from my collection.

Start with Why
Simon Sinek

If you’ve not heard of Simon Sinek and his now-famous TED Talk, get on over and watch it and then get this book to discover why you need to Start with Why in your own business.

I love this book, but need to buy another copy as I’m pretty sure I lent my copy to someone…

The Fire Starter Sessions
Danielle LaPorte

Once you’re clear on how you want to feel, check out Danielle’s Fire Starter Sessions to help you create soulful success on your own terms.

Full of juicy prompts and permission to do things YOUR WAY – I re-read this book often.

Blue Ocean Strategy
W. Chan Kim, Renée Mauborgne

How to win by not competing, this book is full of actionable steps to help you succeed in your business without worrying about what everyone else is doing.

It’s a very dry read so I only digest it in small chunks, but still worthy of being on my shelf of inspirational books.

The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k
Sarah Knight

With a nod to Marie Kondo’s book of a similar title, this sweary little number is an irreverant guide to “stop spending time you don’t have doing things you don’t want to do with people you don’t like”.

It is the permission you need to do things your way and stop people pleasing. Definitely one of my favourite books for life as well as business.

 

So, which book are you going to start with first?

Web Goddess

Note: this post contains affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you purchase a book after clicking through using the links on this page. This doesn’t cost you any extra, but does help me a little!

7 Free Tools to Grow Your Business Online

7 Free Tools to Grow Your Business Online

by | 11 Feb 2020 | Blogging Tips, Business Tips, Email Marketing Tips, Graphics Tips, Other Resources, Social Media Tips, Website Tips

Running a small business (or any business for that matter) can require costly investment in everything from premises to products – not to mention the costs of being online and running a website.

But, there are TONNES of awesome free resources out there to help you get the message out to potential customers and keep existing customers happy.

Here is my list of 7 Awesome Free Tools that you can use NOW:

#1 Google My Business

Even if you don’t have a physical location that customers can visit, registering for Google My Business is a must.

As you keep your listing updated your online ranking will improve and your clients can add Google Reviews straight to your profile. This helps you appear in map searches too.

#2 Facebook

Facebook is still alive and kicking and is a great place to build a community for your business – as long as you post and interact consistently.

Try giving 80% information and only promote products or services 20% of the time so your customers aren’t constantly bombarded with icky sales messages!

#3 Instagram

I recommend upgrading from a personal account to a business one (it’s still free) if you are using Instagram for business.

You can use your Insta feed to update your Facebook page as well as your website so your images are always online in multiple places.

#4 Email Marketing

Social media is amazing, but you have no control over your online reach or when the platform algorithms change.

So, having an email newsletter is still one of the best ways of getting news out to your clients. I use MailerLite now and can track insights for all of my email campaigns.

It’s important to set a schedule and figure out your reason & vision before sending emails but it can be a wonderful way of connecting for free.

#5 Blogging

Don’t have your own website yet? No problem (although I would recommend that you have one). You can’t use that as an excuse not to start writing & sharing it online NOW.

Sign up for a free account with a Blogging site such as Medium or Blogger and start writing. You can always move and update your posts later when you have a website!

#6 Google Search Console

This option is only available if you already have your own domain and website, but being able to track your visits and search queries is a great way of understanding your online reach.

You can sign up to Google Search Console for free and improve your online ranking.

#7 Canva

This online graphic design platform is my favourite tool of all! You can sign up for free to create any type of graphic you can think of – from social media to posters to ebooks – Canva lets you do it all.

And, if you need a little more (like extra stock images, premium fonts or a brand kit) then you can upgrade to Canva Pro at any time.

I create all of my graphics (including the infographic for this post) using Canva and use them for my website, social media, business cards and even presentations.

With all of these tools, all that remains to be done is to learn how to use them!

Set aside some time and choose ONE to work on first. Give it some time and energy (and have a PLAN) and see how you can improve your online reach without spending a penny.

And, if you need help, pop along to one of my Digital Workshops to help you get started!

Web Goddess

Note: this post contains an affiliate link to Canva Pro and I may receive a commission if you sign up through the link. However, as with everything I recommend, I do so because I use it and bloody love it!

10 Reasons to use Canva

10 Reasons to use Canva

by | 11 Sep 2019 | Business Tips, Graphics Tips, Website Tips

I simply love technology! The amazing things we can now do with the click of a button still amazes me and graphic design is one of those areas that has long been only available to professionals. BUT, with online services such as Canva, all that has changed.

Now, before you pop me a nasty email telling me that graphic designers are awesome please note that I love them too. They can create designs that I would never conceive and have creativity and skill that can never be replaced. But let’s face it, no-one is going to continually hire a professional every time they want to create a social media graphic – so I believe there is room in this world for BOTH.

With that said, here are my 10 reasons why you should give Canva a go…

#1 It’s easy to use

Before I discovered Canva, creating images for my social media posts and websites could be a long and drawn-out process. You either needed specialist software or the online interface was slow and difficult to use.

Canva changed all of that! Their user interface is drag-and-drop and there are so many templates for you to use that you can create a gorgeous image in just minutes. Whether it’s for social media, a poster, invitation or even business cards – simplicity and speed are second-to-none.

#2 Image Library

With the free version of Canva you have access to 200,000 royalty-free images to use in your designs and that increases to 2 million with Canva Pro. You can use the inbuilt search feature to find the perfect image for your design or upload your own images to create something completely bespoke.

#3 Awesome Templates

No matter what type of graphic you are creating, Canva has a template already set up for it. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest graphics? You can create a post with the ideal dimensions in one click right from your homepage. And if you have Canva Pro, you can even resize a design to another template instantly. It saves hours of work and is great for all types of social media campaigns you may wish to run across multiple platforms.

#4 Fonts Galore

The free version of Canva offers you a large range of fonts that you can use to personalise your designs. If you upgrade to Canva Pro, you get an extra 500+ exclusive fonts AND you can upload your own and save them within your Brand Kit to access for all of your designs.

#5 Brand Kit

This is a feature of Canva Pro and definitely one I am pleased that I have. Here you can upload your company logos, fonts and colour palettes so that they are always on hand when you create a new graphic. My palette for this website is pretty simple, but it still makes it quicker to find the right teal colour by having it at hand…

#6 Store your designs in Folders

This is another Canva Pro option and one that I love. I can create folders for my own work and a new folder for each of my clients. As I can create up to 50 images a week sometimes, being able to sort these and find them easily makes my job just SO much easier!

#7 Design School

A resource open to all Canva users, Design School is a series of video courses on everything from graphic design basics to branding your business. There are also short challenge videos and quick tip videos to make sure you are getting the most out of this online tool.

#8 Animations & GIFs

This is a relatively new feature and only available to Canva Pro users – you can now create animated images and GIFs! I simply love this and created a simple animation for my Facebook page – so much fun to do and it creates interest in a way that static images simply can’t do…

#9 Collaboration Tools

As a Canva Pro user you can add Team Members to your account and share specific designs and folders with them. This is great if you are working with a group or collaborating on designs within a business. It may not be something that everyone needs, but to have it as an option for future work is worth remembering.

#10 Transparent Backgrounds

Hate the white background that appears around each of your designs when you create a graphic? Again, Canva Pro allows you to remove the background and save your design as a transparent PNG file. This automatically removes any sections of your design that are colourless (basically the background if you haven’t used an image or a colour) so they show up on your website or over other designs without the annoying white area showing. Cool huh?!

With all of these reasons to give Canva a go, it only remains to say that every single graphic that I create for my own website and my clients is done in Canva Pro – my job would be A LOT more difficult without it!

And, if you need help with your graphics or getting started, I offer digital mentoring and am happy to you make the most of this amazing tool too!

Web Goddess

Note: this post contains affiliate links to Canva Pro and I may receive a commission when you click one of these and make a purchase. However, as with everything I recommend this does not impact my review of this product. My 10 reasons listed above are based on my own continued use of this product and this post is written to help you make the best decision for your own business.

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