Never Too Experienced For A Web Panic Attack
A funny thing happened to me last week (not that funny), that just proves you can never be too experienced for a small panic attack and having a "sky is falling" moment.
Last week, I saw my traffic drop from about 3,000 visits per day, to about 1500. Then 25. I thought my site was de-indexed!
Why?
Well, I've been making a lot of small changes to the site, trying to improve some SEO stuff for 2018.
- I started using SEMRush to analyze my backlinks, and submitted a "disavow" file to Search Console to disavow any toxic backlinks.
- I uploaded a new robots.txt file because for some reason it was missing.
- Genesis had an update, so I updated my Theme
- I started publishing more frequently, and more diverse types of content
With the traffic drop, here were the thoughts running through my head:
- Did I disavow some important links that dropped my rank?
- Did I upload the wrong robots.txt file and block Google from crawling my site?
- Did I deindex myself with that that robots.txt file using the "Disallow" wrong?
- Did someone negative SEO my site?
- Did my Genesis update mess up my tracking code somehow and everything is OK?
- Did one of my writers steal content and I'm getting some sort of penalty?
- Was there an algorithm update and Google just hates my site now?
Well, it turns out it was just a tracking code issue. Either the Genesis update, or Google Analytics update meant I had to re-install a new Universal Analytics tracking code to my site. Tracking resumed as normal, and my panic subsided.
Good thing I didn't make any rash decisions!
Update
So I wrote this post last Monday, and everything was fine for the rest of the week. This Monday rolled around, and I woke up to another panic situation: A major security breach (hack) on a few of my websites (they are not hosted here at WA).
Looks like instead of being produtive, I'll just sit around waiting for ticket support to help me clean up this mess.
My Mondays aren't going so great lately!
Recent Comments
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Ohhh Nathaniell, so sorry to hear about all this stuff going on... it's frustrating for sure, you think you're doing good and boom.. go forward to back go forward... back...
Hang in there!
It happens to the best! Even though it's frustrating it's good to know that these things just happen and it's a normal part of internet business. I'll remember not to panic the next time my sky is falling lol.
I know what you're feeling. I've had my fair share of technical issues, Google issues and everything between. lol
Eiiishhh scary stuff. What a relief though. Actually, I was wondering recently about the whole disavow thing, (whether to do it).
I do have some dodgy links - but, I'm unsure how much is TOO much. Do you think it's worth doing?
I have a suggestion use Google Back Link Checker you will see it on your dashboard, Other than that have a nice Monday Nathaniell
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It's not only the issue it is so much wasted time trying for a fix.
I feel your pain.