Of all the reasons for spectacular startup failures, misunderstandings around both the function and power of SEO have to be one of the most common. Many brands simply don’t prioritize SEO as much as they should, and the online visibility that costs them can very quickly spell curtains.
After all, if customers can’t find your brand online in those fateful first months, then your business might as well not exist at all. And, before long, it probably won’t!
Luckily, this isn’t a hidden problem.
Around 95% of startups know that they have significant SEO blind spots. But, what are the most common SEO misunderstandings costing startups business right now, and how can you possibly begin to overcome them?
# 1 - Budgets Need to be Pretty Big
A surprising amount of new companies (around 90%, to be exact), completely fail to factor SEO in their already pushed startup budget. Even those that do set aside money for this task don’t understand the extent of costs involved.
And, guess what? Early SEO significantly suffers as a result.
While you won’t want to pay out for SEO at the cost of your products themselves, you might want to put this priority in front of pretty much everything else. After all, sales won’t ever happen if no one can see you!
Generally speaking, most businesses at the startup level should spend between 5-10% of their overall profits on SEO each month. This money is necessary for costs including vital resources, ongoing maintenance, and either in-house or outsourced SEO must-haves like content creation and web design!
# 2 - Agencies Should Always Have Industry-Specific Experience
If you’re planning to work with an SEO agency (which we would honestly recommend), then it’s vital you don’t just plump for any attractive option. While there are generalized SEO agencies out there, even they would tell you that an agency with experience in your specific industry will provide far better results.
So, if you’re breaking into the banking world, look for a financial SEO agency.
If you’re trying to make a go of an aesthetics clinic, look for an agency that can provide specific aesthetics SEO. This level of specialised experience ensures an agency that knows exactly what works, and what doesn’t, within a field that even you don’t know all that well yet.
# 3 - Keywords Aren’t the Only Ranking Factor
Every startup owner and their dog knows about the importance of keywords for SEO. But they tend to know a whole lot less about other equally important ranking factors, including content quality and EEAT authority.
Unfortunately, this misunderstanding can lead to the most fatal online sin of all – keyword stuffing! Not only will this look terrible to consumers, but it’ll also see you penalised with lower ratings by Google. Avoid that by always prioritising natural, minimal keyword usage within interesting and relevant broader topics.
It’s easy for startups to slip up on SEO when they’re working under these misunderstandings. Make sure you don’t make the same mistake!
