Last week I was in Andorra (Pas de-la Cassa resort) on my second Snowboarding trip. Just like my SEO career, being self taught, I realised that snowboarding is all about try, try and try again; understanding, balance and technique. Nothing comes free in this life, its all about graft and work ethic and getting the basics right.
Day 1 – Getting the basics right
Understanding & Balance
After the first full day I realised that taking snowboarding (SEO) patiently and methodically (getting the basics right) works far better than thinking you can rule the slopes (search engines) in a day. This is so like the search engine optimisation world, using a method based methodical approach holds you in good stead for the future and builds confidence in your site slowly but surely.
Day 2 – Experimentation
Technique
Having got the basics right (Meta data) it was time to experiment a little. Day 2, I was confident that the basics were there and I was able to predict what lay ahead of me and it was time to do a little testing (keyword phrase positioning, content writing). I decided to go a little further into the mountains and try some more difficult runs.
So all of you know, there are 3 types of ski – snowboard runs (paths), blue, red and black, blue being the easiest and black being the toughest.
I would compare these to search engine optimisation techniques:
- Blue run: Getting the basics right
- Red run: Experimentation within the guidelines
- Black run: as some call it black hat, I call it stupidity and always will (I will explain later).
Anyway back to day two, I decided to listen to my more professional ski – boarding friends (who have been more times than they have fingers and thumbs). I followed them through several blue and red runs feeling confident that the basics had given me the confidence to try some more daring testing and experimenting.
I listened intently to my boarding peers (testing what I had learned from SEO articles from the top recourses) and tried a few several more complicated techniques and runs. Due to this going well without collapse or breakages or removal from the slippery slopes I thought I could do anything and get great such a thrill and a high (ranking) without the pain or disaster.
I followed them across the Pass de-la Cassa’s mountain range to the second resort range, where I was rudely awoken and realised they wanted to push me too far (when looking at I faced), I did the right thing (I did not allow myself to be easily drawn in and do something I could not control or was comfortable with).
Daring but unwise SEO Companies
Just like the SEO world there are many daring but unwise SEO companies and individuals out there that try to push the boundaries too far that can cause collapse (possible refusal by the search engines to accept your site) I decided to stick to what I knew and enjoyed testing myself on what I understood to be correct. (A wise move that should be heeded). Always look at the company history, get examples of work, testimonials of clients that you can contact yourself.
Going forward through the week
Each day I pushed myself a little further and enjoyed the return on investment, not trying to take things too far but understanding how far I could push my body and skill base (I was adding quality content each day and doing it sensibly (no keyword stuffing, no content theft, no spamming) but more re-submitting my site-map cleaning up my website code (techniques) etc).
Last day
Following the correct paths (runs)
I thought as I had done so well during my time in Pas de-la Cassa i decided to experiment a little too far and followed my friends during the day; which I came to realise was way too far.
Time came to get of the lift at the top of the mountain. This is where i discovered the black hat black run. I was extremly nervous and with trepidation I watched my friends take the plunge on what only can be described as complete madness. I was left alone to make a decision that would potentially cripple me and cause no end of pain (removal from the search engines) and life itself.
Was I to risk it all and have possible exclusion from my active life in the fast lane for what could have been months, or follow my own understanding from the guidelines I have come to understand (Google guidelines) and do the right thing and take a different route?
So what did I do? Yes or No?
One stage too far Sidney, I started over the edge and within what felt like a second (re-indexed), I was too far to return to the top in fact all I could do was prey and drop like a stone down the mountain (which is Google). I called my friends for help but it was too late they could not get to me and recover me from the black hat run and from the most horrible of experiences I would not wish on my enemy.
To be perfectly honest I was way out of my depth and had tried something that within my heart I knew I should not have attempted. I did eventually get to where I could get back on my snowboard but this was after much anxiety, swearing at my friends and also a complete humbling for me for being so foolish to even consider the extreme (black hat SEO).
Stick to what you know
It was a huge learning curve; I was very disappointed in myself and my decision that I had not heeded the warnings, wobbly legs, increased blood pressure etc. There always signs to follow, heed them; they can help guide you through the dark murky world of the unscrupulous SEO Company and individual. If you are looking to understand the SEO world in more detail get some books, do research, testing, and remember ballance and technique. Following the correct runs (paths) will hold you in good stead now and in the future.
I am in one piece but I had a very lucky escape, don’t be fooled,
A relieved snowboarder….