The Harsh Truth About Online Presence
In 2023, I realized my website wasn’t cutting it anymore. Life had gotten in the way, and the same old tactics I once relied on had become obsolete. Google’s algorithm had evolved—dramatically. Where backlinks once pushed pages to the top, today’s SEO demands far more. Search engines are more intelligent now. They want relevance, speed, structure, clarity, and substance.
I learned this hard when I noticed my website slipping in the rankings. That’s when I took a long, hard look at it—not as the owner but as a visitor.
Self-Awareness: The Game-Changer in SEO
Would You Buy From You?
When I reviewed my website, I asked: What is the first impression my customers get when they land here? That led me down the rabbit hole of user experience.
- Is it easy to navigate?
- Does it load quickly?
- Is the design visually engaging?
- Does the content build trust?
Every time I read my website, I found flaws. That realization was painful but freeing. You permit yourself to keep improving once you accept that your website is never done.
The Ego Bruise Is Necessary
Why You’ll Never Outgrow Rewrites
I’ve stopped thinking my website is ever “finished.” When you start believing your site is perfect, you’ve fallen behind. Growth dies where the ego begins.
Honestly? I sometimes avoid rereading my old content because I know I’ll find something I don’t like. But that’s the whole point.
Think about it: Apple didn’t launch the iPhone 16 out of the gate. Every great product is the result of continual iteration. Your website is no different.
Real Example: Watching a Client Use My Website
Small Behaviours = Big Insights
Recently, I watched a client navigate my website on her phone. She kept tapping on pictures that weren’t linked. To me, it was apparent those images weren’t clickable. But to her—and likely many others—they weren’t, so I made those pictures into links.
Lesson: Just because something makes sense to you doesn’t mean it makes sense to your audience. Observe, adapt, evolve.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Your Website Is a 24/7 Sales Tool
Your website works internationally for you every day of the year while you sleep. So it is better:
- Present your value
- Reflect your brand
- Convert visitors into buyers
If writing and updating isn’t your thing, hire someone to capture your story and keep it sharp.
If you’re looking for a Toronto SEO marketing service that uses more than basic tactics, check out my SEO services page. I offer marketing strategies grounded in real-world results, not fluff.
Want to understand the core of SEO? Read more about it here.
Final Thoughts
You’re Not Lazy—You’re Human
Your website is always going to feel imperfect. It’s supposed to. And if you’re bold enough to admit that, you’ll find ways to improve it.
Mine still has spelling mistakes and weird layout issues, but I trim, tweak, polish, and rewrite it every week, and it strengthens.
When updating my Toronto product photography page, I saw just how many micro-improvements I could make once I got out of my way. That mindset—of constant, iterative growth—is the real SEO advantage.
Your website is ugly. But it gets better with the right mindset and Toronto SEO marketing service.