It’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when. Google is constantly updating their search algorithm in fact they make very minor adjustments every day. But several times a year they will make core adjustments that can throw your rankings off. So again, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. So what can be done to ensure you don’t lose it all and have to start over and rebuild.
For starters, when Google makes these big updates, that’s all there is to it. It’s a done deal and no amount of complaining from SEOs around the world will make a difference. So the first thing to do is NOT get mad at your SEO agency… Unless you’ve been served a manual action from Google, in which case, you should be furious. A manual action means that Google, essentially, takes your website listing down until you fix what is wrong. Since SEO is constantly evolving, your SEO agency should be well versed in doing the right things to ensure a drop in ranking is fixed.
Next, you might want to begin to review the content on your website. It’s the job of your SEO agency to provide quality content, but you should absolutely have a look at the content from time to time to ensure it is actually good quality, helpful info that your website visitors will find useful. Speaking of quality content, one of the things we do for our client websites is write original vehicle comparisons for each vehicle that our clients sell as a franchise. This helps build authority, and a wealth of quality content that consumers will find useful to their decision.
Next, you might begin to consider having your page titles and descriptions changed. Take a look at your competitors on Google and see what their title and description says on Google. Does yours sound exactly the same? Most likely it’s pretty similar. Change it!! Your SEO agency will be able to do it, but hopefully they’re creative enough to write something for you that will help you stand out.
Lastly, have your SEO agency run a backlink report and make sure all of your backlinks are quality. Local directory listing sites and press releases are the best backlinks to go after as they are not only quality, but easy to get if done right. So make sure your backlinks are coming from good sources. If you see backlinks coming from random websites that have nothing o do with automotive, or local business, you need find out why your website is being linked from there and find a way to get rid of them.
Not sure your SEO agency is doing everything they can for you? Ask about a free SEO audit and analysis.