Why SEO is Like Trying for the Superbowl

Yep, here it is: the post you have all been waiting for. I’m finally going to use a football analogy to describe SEO. This despite the fact that I can’t stand the sport.

The NFL is made up of teams, right? Each team has an offensive and defensive lineup. You need a man to throw the ball, another to run, and still others to clear a path and protect the runner until he gets to the goal line. Once in a while a kicker gets to take a shot at landing one between the posts.

I know that is simplified to an extreme degree. It’s all we really need at this point, however, so please don’t comment on this post explaining how woefully inadequate my description is; I really don’t care.

Your site is like the ball. The goal-line is the #1 spot n the SERPS. Your team is the SEO you do. Of course, all the other balls (sites) have teams (SEO) too – and in this game they are all playing on simultaneous fields with one goal in mind – the Superbowl.

The playing field is your content. The guy throwing the pass is your links feeding in from around the web. The quarterback himself is your targeted keyword phrase, barreling towards the goal.

Your supporting players are your SEO efforts. The kicker is a clever piece of link bait, and the coach – well, the coach is you. Your training sessions are your analytical ad campaigns, and the visitors to your site are the fans!

You have to make your team all work together to have success – and you have to do it better than the site in the next state. You have to figure out when to bench a player, and when to let one run the ball. You have to take into consideration timing, venue, your market and above all what the fans want.

You can build a fancy new stadium over your playing field, with lots of flash and stuffed with players whose salary costs you millions, but if you don’t play a good game your efforts will be in vain. Forget about stuffing keywords and shelling out for high priced ads. If your team, your SEO, is good enough and you focus on your fans, you will make it to the top!