When a website loses its rankings and visitors it can be devastating to the business owner. Google is constantly updating the way it determines which website ranks at the top of the listings. There have been hundreds of updates to the algorithm over the last couple of years that has caused thousands of sites to be penalized. Website penalty recovery is also a constantly changing process as new Google algorithm changes take place. Each time a change takes place the “new” rules must be examined to see if any changes need to be to the website to be in compliance with the update. Many of the Google updates are minor and most websites that have been setup and structured properly will see no effect. It is always in your best interest that attention is paid to details and proper techniques when setting up or optimizing a website. Not only does that help you rank faster it also allows you to hold that ranking and we all know that being on the first page in the search results is where 95% of the traffic is and 94% of that traffic goes to the organic (non paid) listings.
Many times the rankings will improve after a recovery because other website structure improvements were made as part of the process.
If you have seen a sharp or even steady decline in website traffic there is a very high possibility that your site has been penalized by one of these updates. With the minor updates you will normally see a slow decline in traffic but with the major updates it’s like falling off a cliff. Here is good resource to look at the major Google Algorithm Changes.
I have had numerous clients that have been hit with a website penalty recently and need to recover their site because it has become the lifeblood of their business.
How long does recovery take?
That’s a good question; sometimes a few days after the corrections have been made. In some cases you may have to wait for a Google “refresh” which they do once per year. The problem with the refresh is that Google doesn’t say when that will occur. In some instances the site can be submitted for reconsideration. It is site specific and many times patience is the key.
Not doing anything and just waiting for a refresh will not result in the penalty being lifted.
Corrective actions must be taken for the penalty to be removed.
As mobile search becomes much more important it is imperative that you stay near the top of the search results. One of the best ways to make sure you stay near the top is to be listed first in the Google map listings, which now requires a lot more steps than it used to. But can be accomplished with the proper approach.
Recovery has become a specialty with me and I would be glad to take a look at your site and see if that is an option. There are circumstances that starting over with a new website is the best option, but most websites can be recovered. Please call or email and I’ll get back to you right away. Every day that you wait is lost revenue.
