Let’s face it. Doing SEO is like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded.
You think you’ve figured it out for a minute, then Google does a shuffle and you’re back to square one.
No wonder, then, that so many Perth businesses hold fast to outdated SEO beliefs that do more harm than good. With hundreds of businesses in Western Australia over the years, we have pretty much heard every myth going around concerning SEO.
Some of these misconceptions are harmless enough, but others can cost Perth businesses real money and real opportunities.
So let’s get right into the most persistent of these SEO myths still floating around the business community in Perth – or anywhere for that matter, and more importantly let us dispel them.
Myth #1: “SEO Doesn’t Work Anymore – It’s All About Paid Ads Now”
It’s a funny one – generally from business owners who have tried their hand at DIY SEO for a few weeks and haven’t quite seen their website rocket to the top of Google overnight.
And here’s the reality—SEO is very much alive and kicking, perhaps even more so. Sure, PPC ads can deliver quick wins (and we’re not knocking them—it’s not that they don’t have their place), but still, the lion’s share of website traffic comes from organic search for most businesses.
Thus, when somebody in Perth searches for ‘electrician near me’ or ‘best coffee shop Fremantle’, it is not just through clicking on the ads at the top. One great thing about SEO is that it stays in place.
Once your Perth business has achieved strong rankings through proper optimisation, the results will keep benefiting you without those ongoing per click costs that PPC needs. It’s like planting a tree – takes time to grow, but the shade lasts for years.
Some businesses find the best results in using both. PPC can be used to get you visible immediately while you work on building your SEO foundation for the future. It’s really not something you should be stressing over as an either/or decision.
Myth #2: “More Keywords = Better Rankings”
Ah, keyword stuffing – the zombie that just won’t die. We still encounter Perth websites that read like someone threw a dictionary at them and called it content.
“Welcome to our Perth plumber Perth plumbing services Perth emergency plumber Perth hot water Perth…”
Stop. Just stop.
Google’s algorithms are sophisticated enough to spot this nonsense from a mile away. What actually works is creating genuinely helpful content that naturally incorporates your target keywords where they make sense. If you’re a dog grooming business in East Perth, write about “mobile dog grooming in East Perth” in a way that actually helps pet owners understand your services.
Quality keyword research focuses on finding those sweet spot terms – ones with decent search volume but manageable competition. Sometimes a longer, more specific phrase like “24-hour emergency plumber Joondalup” will bring you better results than trying to rank for “plumber” against every plumbing business in Australia.
The goal isn’t to trick Google – it’s to help real people find exactly what they’re looking for.
Myth #3: “Any Backlink is a Good Backlink”
This myth has probably caused more SEO disasters than any other. We’ve seen Perth businesses get so excited about building backlinks that they’ll take them from anywhere – dodgy directories, link farms, completely irrelevant websites.
Here’s what actually matters: quality trumps quantity every single time.
One backlink from a respected Perth business journal or a well-established industry website carries more weight than 50 links from random blog comment sections. Google looks at the authority and relevance of the sites linking to you. A link from a high-authority website passes along some of that website’s credibility to yours – that’s the “link juice” you want flowing your way.
The anchor text matters too. If every single backlink to your site uses the exact same keyword phrase, Google gets suspicious. Mix it up with your actual URL, branded terms, and natural variations.
Building quality backlinks takes time and genuine relationship building. Sorry, but there’s no shortcut that won’t eventually bite you.
Myth #4: “SEO Results Happen Quickly”
“How long before we hit page one?”
Any SEO company that gives you exact time frames like ‘four weeks’ is one you run far away from. Seriously. They either plan to use risky techniques that could get your site penalised, or they’re just not being straight with you.
SEO is not a process of days or even weeks but rather is measured in months. Much competitive keyword difficulty and the existing condition of your website are all contributing factors to the timeline.
A complete SEO audit will show you where you stand at present and will help mark out realistic expectations for improvement. Think of it as getting in shape – you wouldn’t expect to run a marathon after one week of going to the gym.
The businesses that do best in the long run are those that commit to the process and believe in progressive, sustainable improvement. That isn’t to say that there aren’t usually some low-hanging fruit available in the early phases of optimisation.
More technical implementations and enhanced title tags, as well as improved internal linking, could begin showing results fairly quickly. But the competitive keywords that truly matter for your business? That’s a waiting game.
Myth #5: “Local Businesses Don’t Need SEO”
This one’s particularly damaging for Perth businesses. “We’re just a local cafe/mechanic/dentist – people will find us anyway.”
Wrong on so many levels.
Local search has become absolutely crucial, especially since Google started giving more prominence to map results and local reviews. When someone searches for “car mechanic Perth” or “dentist Cottesloe,” they’re actively looking for businesses in their area.
The playing field has actually been levelled for local businesses. Instead of competing with every website on the internet, you’re competing with other Perth businesses optimising for local terms. That’s a much more winnable game.
Local SEO involves optimising for location-specific keywords, claiming and optimising your Google Business Profile, gathering genuine customer reviews, and making sure your business information is consistent across all online directories.
For many Perth businesses, local search provides the highest-converting traffic because people are actively looking for services in their immediate area. Miss out on local SEO and you’re essentially invisible to potential customers who are ready to buy right now.
Still believing common SEO myths that hold your business back? See how our small business SEO services can set the record straight
Myth #6: “Social Media Directly Boosts SEO Rankings”
Here’s where things get a bit muddled. Social media doesn’t directly impact your search rankings – Google doesn’t look at your Facebook likes or Instagram followers when deciding where to rank your website.
But (and it’s a big but), social media can indirectly help your SEO efforts in several ways:
- Drives website traffic – Social posts can send visitors to your site, potentially boosting the engagement metrics that Google does monitor
- Increases brand visibility – More people talking about your Perth business means more potential mentions and natural backlinks
- Builds relationships – Engaging with your local community can lead to genuine partnership opportunities and quality link prospects
- Amplifies content reach – Your blog posts and resources get seen by wider audiences when shared across social platforms
The key is integration, not isolation. Use social media to connect with your Perth community and build relationships that might lead to genuine backlink opportunities down the track.
Don’t waste time trying to game social signals for SEO purposes. Focus on building a genuine social presence that serves your customers and supports your overall digital marketing strategy.
Myth #7: “Meta Descriptions Don’t Matter”
Meta descriptions may not have direct impact on rankings any more, but writing them off completely is a mistake many Perth businesses make.
Think of meta descriptions as the search result equivalent of an elevator pitch. That’s what people read to have an idea to click your site over someone else’s or not. An informative and true meta description can positively amp your click through rates from search results.
Higher click-through rates tell Google that your content is relevant and of good quality. Besides, if a user clicks through and finds exactly what your meta description promised, they’re much more likely to hang about and explore your site.
Keep them under 160 characters, include your target keyword naturally, and focus on what makes your business worth clicking on. “Perth’s friendliest electricians with 24/7 emergency service” is what people know they can expect.
Myth #8: “Set and Forget – SEO is a One-Time Thing”
We wish it were that simple. SEO isn’t like painting your house where you can tick it off the list and forget about it for years.
Google’s algorithms constantly evolve, your competitors are actively improving their SEO, and your business grows and changes over time. What worked perfectly last year might need adjusting this year.
Regular monitoring and maintenance keep your SEO efforts on track. This includes checking for technical issues, updating content, monitoring your backlink profile, and staying current with algorithm changes.
Many Perth businesses benefit from ongoing SEO management rather than one-off projects. It’s like maintaining a garden – consistent care produces better results than occasional big efforts.
Myth #9: “DIY SEO is Just as Good as Professional Help”
Look, we’re not saying this just because we’re in the business. There are plenty of basic SEO tasks that business owners can handle themselves – updating content, writing blog posts, optimising images.
But here’s what we see happen time and again with DIY attempts:
- Time drain: Business owners spend hours trying to figure out keyword research tools instead of focusing on their core business
- Technical overwhelm: Getting lost in complex audits and not knowing which issues to prioritise first
- Costly mistakes: Accidentally damaging site SEO while trying to improve it (we’ve seen some real disasters)
- Outdated tactics: – Following advice that worked years ago but now hurts rankings
- Tool limitations: Missing access to professional-grade SEO software and analytics
Professional SEO experts bring several advantages:
- Specialised tools: Access to premium keyword research, competitor analysis, and technical audit software
- Experience with algorithm changes: Years of adapting strategies as Google evolves
- Technical knowledge: Understanding of complex factors that can make or break your rankings
- Measurable ROI: For most Perth businesses, professional management delivers returns that far outweigh the costs
Your time is better spent running your business while SEO experts handle the complexities of optimisation. It’s about working smarter, not harder.
Myth #10: “Technical SEO Doesn’t Matter for Small Businesses”
“Our website seems fine – so why the need for a technical audit?”
Yeah, but what’s fine for the user and what’s fine for the search engine are two different things. Your site may load beautifully on your laptop but crawl snail-like on a mobile device; it may show up fine but sport ‘broken’ internal links that search engines can’t follow.
A very solid technical SEO is the base for everything. A simple bad optimisation for mobile users or slow loading, or not providing HTTPS may really cripple your rankings no matter how good your on-site content is.
SEO audits can expose these hidden skeletons and map out a clear way of correcting them. It’s like having a building inspection done before buying the house; you’d want to know about any structural issues before they turn into ‘major problems.
The Bottom Line
Myths about SEO are apparent because operational marketing is inherently unclear, and sources of information can be quite ancient. The world is changing fast, and what may have worked half a decade ago may simply not apply today.
SEOs that succeed focus on the basics. Great content for real people, sound and genuine relationships for quality link-building, local optimisation, and spotlessly technical websites If you’re feeling overwhelmed with conflicting SEO advice, you’re not alone. Most Perth business owners never got into business to become SEO experts. They got into business to serve their customers and build something meaningful.
That’s why working with seasoned SEO professionals makes sense. Not that DIY SEO is impractical, but your time and effort are probably better invested in what you do best, leaving the technical complexities to people who live and breathe this stuff.
Good SEO, as you already know, isn’t some secret hack to outsmart Google or find some kind of wizardry. It’s just making your website the best possible resource for people searching for what you offer. Do an outstanding job of serving your customers—both online and off—and, pretty naturally, the rankings will tend to follow.
So, is your Perth business prepared to separate SEO fact from SEO fiction? Starting with a complete SEO audit to understand where you stand now because, as the saying goes, you can’t improve what you don’t measure.
Still unsure what’s fact or fiction in SEO? Contact us today and let’s clear up the myths holding Perth businesses back.
