SEO Ho Ho

At around this time every year, I’m hit with the horrifying realization that Thanksgiving is next week.

Not that big a deal, as it’s a holiday I, in general, enjoy. I like eating. I, for the time being, have abandoned vegetarianism and the resultant turkey-eating-related guilt ebbs daily (prodded by knowledge that ranch turkeys, if left unattended in a rainstorm, will drown because they won’t stop looking up with their beaks open).

No big deal, except for the panic generated by the holiday’s attendant imperative (in the dwindling but still audible voice of my conscience):

“Christopher, Christopher, Christopher for the sake of everything holy PLEASE don’t put off buying gifts for another four weeks! Like last year, the Year of the Gift Card.”

The situation is made worse by the fact that my mother has, in all likelihood, completed her shopping. Some years she’s done by Halloween. She has no compunction against talking about it, either.

Mom: “You done shopping?”

Me: “Mom, come on.”

Mom: “I finished last week.”

Yeah, that’s great, ma. Thanks for that.

Here’s where I get to the point – if you’re considering implementing an SEO campaign, and your business is seasonal or holiday-dependent, emulate my mother. Give yourself 3-4 months. Six months is even better. It takes time to get substantial results.

As with the ever-increasing number of potential gift options (and no, a cookie jar that oinks when you open it does not a good present make — take it from me on that one), the variables affecting search engine results and your site’s visibility are many. Plan ahead with best practices and good solid SEO, and you won’t find yourself digging through the search engine bargain bin.