What Does This Mean?

Navigating the tricky waters of SEO can often feel like a juggling act, especially when you're a small business owner like many of you. This month, I noticed a trend in questions about sudden drops in SEO traffic, and I've been there too.

It's alarming when you check your analytics and see that dreaded decline. But don't worry, I've got some insights to help you understand and fix these issues without breaking the bank.

What Can You Do About It?

Firstly, let's talk about detective work. When you see a drop in your traffic, it's crucial to play the sleuth. What exactly is causing this dip? Is it one particular page or a specific kind of query?

Tools like Google Search Console are your best friends here. They help you drill down to the specifics – whether it's a drop in traffic to your product pages or a general decrease across the board. Understanding this is the first step in addressing the problem.

Now, let's touch on the technical aspects. It might sound basic, but have you checked for simple errors? I can't tell you how many times I've found that a page was accidentally blocked by robots.txt or had a misconfigured status code. These 'small' issues can have a significant impact on your site's visibility. Regular audits can save you a lot of headaches down the road.

Moving on, have you considered the impact of your other marketing activities on your SEO? For instance, if you're investing more in paid search, it could be impacting your organic traffic.

This doesn't mean you should stop your paid campaigns, but understanding the relationship between the two can help you balance your efforts more effectively.

Last Week in SEO

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What Can You Do About It? (con't)

Now, this is a bit more complex but bear with me. Sometimes, the issue isn't with your site but with how search engines are displaying information.

With the rise of featured snippets, users often get their answers directly from the search results. This means they might not click through to your site, even if you're ranking high. It's frustrating, but it's a reality of modern SEO.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is the issue of search intent. Search engines are constantly evolving, and so are the ways people search. It's no longer just about getting your site to rank for certain keywords; it's about matching the content of your site with the intent behind those searches.

This might mean reevaluating your content and ensuring it aligns with what your audience is actually looking for.

Remember, SEO isn't just a set-it-and-forget-it part of your business. It's an ongoing process that requires attention and adaptation. As a small business owner, your agility and willingness to learn can be your greatest strengths.

So don't hesitate to dive in and adjust your strategies today.

Podcasts & Resources

• Local SEO & Digital Marketing Podcast - Listen Now

• Learn The Most About Looker Studio by Google - Read Now

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