If you're just getting started in search engine optimization (SEO) for your Etsy shop, you might (unfortunately) have been subjected to a few SEO Myths. Before you start throwing away your time and money on an SEO wild goose chases, read these ten myths of search engine optimization.
1. Search engine optimization (SEO) is too difficult to understand for regular people.
Not so. The basics of a good SEO strategy will equip you with what you need to make your site succeed in the search listings. Sure, there are some complicated topics in SEO, just like anything else. But once you have the basics under your belt, you’ll be well prepared to optimize your Etsy shop.
2.There’s too much for me to learn about optimizing my Etsy shop. I’ll never catch up.
Again, not so. SEO is just like any other subject. You wouldn’t expect to learn everything there is about the War of 1812 by watching one PBS documentary, would you? SEO is much the same. Just learn the basics and move on from there. You’ll be surprised at how much more comfortable you feel once you’ve learned the core concepts.
3.Once I submit my Web site to search engines, I've got it made.
Not quite. In fact, submitting your site to search directories or search engines does not guarantee instant success. The act of submitting your site does not guarantee that you will now receive more hits, or suddenly shoot up to the top of the heap in the search results. Site submission just tells the world that you are out there and ready to be visited.
4. SEO just takes up too much time.
Not really. Again, the core of good SEO is very basic. It just means you need to have a different point of view when writing your content, creating your source code, and designing your Etsy shop’s look. You’re already spending time doing all these things, so if you optimize your shop for your visitors and the search engines, you’re really only helping yourself in the end.
5.I need to submit Etsy shop to at least 1,000 search engines...right?
This is probably one of the most tired SEO myths out there today. First of all, where are these 1,000 or so search engines? Anyone who asks for money to submit your site to this many search engines is not going to be doing you any favors.
6. My Etsy shop is too big. I’ll never be able to do this all by myself.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your shop. The best strategy is to take one page at a time. Each page is a possible doorway into your site: that means that every single page can be your calling card to a possible customer or user. Focus on your most popular pages first to see what they need, and then keep the SEO core concepts in mind as you create new pages.
7. Meta tags are the most important part of website optimization.
Meta tags, such as keyword, title, and description tags, are informational HTML tags in the head section of website pages that search engine spiders use as part of their indexing strategy. Meta tags are by NO means the most important part part of optimizing your shop, but they are a part of a successful SEO strategy.
8. I need doorway pages, keyword stuffing, and more tricky stuff in order to get high rankings.
Doorways, cloaked pages, keyword stuffing - these are all part of what is known as "black hat SEO" and definitely should NOT be part of a good SEO strategy.
9. I can get to the Top Ten on any search engine in a very short period of time.
SEO is all about patience and lots of hard work...sounds fun, huh? In all reality, getting your site to the "Top Ten" of any search engine should not be the end goal; while obtaining that high ranking is a nice side benefit, your true target is providing a service to your visitors with your Etsy shop. The old adage "if you build it, they will come" applies especially in the realm of optimizing your site, because once you create a viable Etsy shop that gives searchers what they are looking for, more traffic naturally will follow.
10. I don’t need SEO. I’m already doing well in Google.
That’s great! However, you probably don’t want to ride off into the sunset just yet. Good SEO is an ongoing, never-ending process. There’s always something that could be tweaked, optimized, or revamped. Learn the basics of SEO and find out how you can apply them to your site to make it even more successful.
Adapted from: http://websearch.about.com/od/searchenginemarketing/a/seomyths.htm
Mary
SEO and Relevancy Guide Books
