As online search has evolved and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has become a household name, there has been a rise in misconceptions, bad practices & terrible search engine optimization tips and strategies. The industry has become so riddled with cheats and overall lies – that it has become extremely difficult to decipher truth from opinion – and to recognize the difference between best practice and cheating the system in order to improve ranking.

Unfortunately, the world of SEO is similar to the world of sports. Only the best will prevail.  However, many have chosen to sacrifice quality, integrity, and long term – sustainable growth or performance – in exchange for shortcuts and quick fixes.  Inevitably, these shortcuts will come back to bite you in the rear end; and even worse, your business will die as a result.

Sadly, SEO is commonly treated like steroids. The results of this steroid approach to search engine optimization, will eventually be the death of your business. This is not a threat as much as it is a promise.  Search engines make the rules and they can change those rules at any point in time.  Google and search engines alike, have requested a common best practice for years; however, many Search Engine Optimizers utilize loopholes and cheats in order to move ahead of the competition. Each and every day, the online presence of businesses dies due to the use of these SEO steroid practices. Link farming, content duplication, keyword stuffing, link building, link spamming and poor onsite optimization practices are all culprits.

“Steroids are like trying to help a chick break out of its egg; whether your intentions are positive, it will end up killing the subject.”

Here comes the secret……wait for it!…..wait for it!

There is no secret! Amazing! I know.

Stop taking a short term approach to search engine optimization. Stop gambling! This is your business we are talking about.  Search engine optimization is a long term investment in your business, similar to your retirement plan.  You should not and will not see overnight success or growth.

Start looking at the long term success and growth of your business.

The Natural Listing Ads™ strategy places a large emphasis on long term growth and sustainability of your business’ online presence. There is absolutely zero argument against  online Visibility being the single most important piece of your business’ success in today’s world, and that is not going to change.  The demand and need for an online presence is increasing every single day.  And the competition is becoming larger, more powerful and smarter as well.  Every single day that you are not making a sound investment in the future of your business, you are losing ground to your competitors.

In any inbound, online, digital, internet marketing strategy, Search engine optimization is the most arduous, daunting and time consuming piece.  However, search engine optimization is the foundation by which you will build your business’ future.  A successful Natural Listing Ads™ strategist employs a ‘Green Thumb’ approach to search engine optimization.  It is like planting a seed then watering and feeding that seed; eventually, that seed will grow into a very large, strong and visible tree that will reap long term business success. SEO is a long term, momentum based strategy that reaps benefits over the long haul.  When you couple a comprehensive SEO strategy, along with a proficient and effective Paid Advertising Campaign, you will be successful. But, as with anything that is worth its weight in gold, it takes time, energy, effort and a lot of patience.