100: Starting from scratch... again.

Summary

In the 100th episode, Meredith’s husband reflects on how their own SEO rankings have dropped due to time spent on podcasting and ongoing site redesigns. He shares a plan to relaunch Meredith's website, starting from scratch using Squarespace and incorporating outsourced foundational SEO work from an external team. This episode emphasizes how SEO requires consistent effort and highlights the challenges of managing a website’s performance, making it relatable for website owners.

Rebuilding SEO from Scratch: Our 100th Episode SEO Journey

SEO is an ever-evolving process that requires constant attention and adaptation. In this milestone 100th episode, we faced an ironic reality: while helping others with their SEO through our podcast, we neglected our own! As a result, Meredith’s site rankings plummeted, and it was time to take action. This post walks through the steps we’re taking to rebuild Meredith’s SEO from scratch, offering a practical roadmap for website owners facing similar challenges.

The Problem: Neglected SEO and a Continuous Website Redesign

Over the past two years, we focused heavily on building our podcast and online community, while Meredith’s website remained in a perpetual state of redesign. Unfortunately, this led to a steep drop in search rankings. Many website owners find themselves in this situation—especially when juggling multiple responsibilities. Redesigning a site can delay implementing solid SEO practices, but it's never too late to get back on track.

Our Plan: Starting with Squarespace and Outsourced SEO Support

Here’s the strategy we’re using to get Meredith’s site back in the SEO game:

• Launching on Squarespace: Despite its limitations, we’ve decided to launch Meredith’s redesigned site on Squarespace. Squarespace offers a smooth, user-friendly experience for web design but lacks the robust SEO tools that platforms like WordPress offer. By starting on Squarespace, we can focus on getting the site live quickly and gathering data on how it performs in the short term.

• Outsourcing Fundamental SEO: We’ve hired a reputable SEO team (from Milind at Ebrands) to handle the foundational aspects of Meredith’s SEO. While outsourcing can’t replace hands-on SEO work, it can handle the technical groundwork like ensuring proper site structure, on-page optimizations, and indexing issues. This is especially helpful for website owners with limited time or expertise.

The Key Lesson: SEO is a Continuous Process

SEO is not something you can set and forget. It requires regular attention, whether through fresh content, addressing technical issues, or adapting to changes in search engine algorithms. In our case, we learned that even the experts can fall behind when they don’t prioritize their own sites. By outsourcing key elements and focusing on foundational SEO practices, we’re rebuilding and documenting the journey to share valuable insights with our listeners.

Steps to Take When Rebuilding SEO:

• Use the Right Platform: Platforms like WordPress are generally better for SEO, but if you’re using Squarespace, as we are initially, be aware of its limitations in areas like structured data and technical SEO.

• Outsource Smartly: If you lack time or expertise, outsourcing basic SEO tasks can help. However, it’s important to stay involved in your website’s voice and content.

• Track Your Progress: Measure your SEO metrics regularly to see how your changes are impacting search rankings.

By sharing our SEO journey, we hope to inspire others who might be feeling stuck. Rebuilding SEO takes time and effort, but with the right steps and persistence, it’s entirely possible to regain rankings and achieve online success.

Resources

• Ebrands SEO Services

• SEO Roadmap from Meredith’s Husband

This journey serves as a reminder: whether you’re an SEO pro or just getting started, maintaining your site’s visibility is a continuous effort, not a one-time fix.