Good practices have their place. When you get into an in-depth topic like SEO, for example, sticking to accepted best practices can save you from drowning. The problem with best practices, however, is that they are one size fits all. They are often far from being the best for everyone. Best practices are guidelines…essentially data…on how to avoid SEO issues. But there is always a difference between data and wisdom. Some SEO best practices cram web pages into unrealistic boxes. And content creators are often asked to meet (or lower) arbitrary standards that don't help their content succeed.
If you want to improve your SEO, you need to go beyond best practices. Here I'll dive into examples and help you get realistic about what works for your website and business. Best practices that don't always work A tailor wouldn't put the same suit on company employee list everyone. Especially not if these people were dressed for a competition and trying to stand out from the crowd. Dog wearing a one size suit. So why should all sites aim for the same credentials? Here are some “best practices” sacred cows to dismantle immediately.
The ideal page length Most SEOs remember when Neil Patel made waves saying everyone should write more than 2,000 words. While longer might be preferable for some industries, it's a dangerous standard to meet for all pages. Let's be clear: there is no ideal page length. In reality, page length depends on the purpose, topic, and site behind a page. The “ideal” page could be longer or shorter, depending on these elements. For example, a page detailing HVAC services on a local technician's website is likely to be much shorter than an "ultimate guide" page.