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We live in the age of information. With thousands of companies trying to get seen online, Google search visibility and SEO are more important than ever.
So just how important is search engine optimization, exactly?
Search engine optimization or SEO for short focuses on creating and improving a business’ online search engine visibility. Ultimately, it helps to bring traffic to a site and increase conversions. Utilizing a team that implements on-page or “on-site” best practices and other off-page or “off-site” strategies helps you reach your target audience.
You might be wondering if your business needs SEO or not.
If you provide products or services that people may search for on Google, then SEO should be on your to-do list. According to research performed by Accenture, 88% of consumers search online before purchasing in stores. If you aren’t popping up during their search process, then you’re not going to be considered for that particular purchase.
One point that is important to note is that SEO requires strategic research, planning, and execution that is meant to yield long-term results and success. If you need something more immediate, you may want to look into something along the lines of a PPC or Pay Per Click campaign through Google Ads.
Now that you know that you do need SEO, what does it do for you?
#1: It increases traffic & traffic quality to your site.
The higher your website ranks for keywords, the more traffic you will receive. A properly executed SEO plan ensures that each page on your site creates an opportunity to reach and engage your customers at every stage, ultimately leading to an informed conversion when they are ready.
#2: It improves visibility.
Did you know that it takes 5-7 brand impressions before someone will remember you? The higher your site starts to rank, the more you become visible to your target audience, which increases your number of impressions and ultimately brings in brand awareness.
#3: SEO builds credibility & trust.
Gone are the days when you could spam a bunch of keywords and links, or provide an attractive website and expect that to work. Google is continuously crawling sites for spammy content or dirty tactics, and though those tactics may work short term, it’s Google, and you WILL GET CAUGHT! The recovery time to come back from a Google penalty is much longer, more excruciating and significantly more costly, not to mention, there is always a chance you may never recover. Focus on utilizing relevant content and be a resource for your clients. People generally click on businesses that land on Google’s 1st page or search results, and even more so the higher you rank higher on that page. The more credible your site, resources, and links are the more authority and ranking Google will give you. You’ve shown them that you have established trust with your audience.
#4: It provides you insight into audience behavior.
SEO is not only powerful but highly measurable. Using Google Analytics, Search Console and other tools, you can view everything, from what device your potential clients are searching from to their interests. You can even measure traffic to your pages and how that relates to the goals you’ve set explicitly for your business, allowing you to plan and flow with the trends.
#5: SEO gives you sustainability in Organic Search.
Only 15% of total traffic for a keyword goes to paid ads. People are so familiar with Google nowadays, so they know what is and what isn’t an ad. SEO ensures your brand shows up where the click volume is. Be it locally, nationally or globally; you can reach your potential clients without spending outrageous money on tv and radio ads in every target market.
These are only a few of many reasons why SEO is so powerful and crucial to your success. Online presence and organic search are only increasing in importance, so keep your learning hats on, ride the waves of ever-changing SEO. Aim to enhance your audience’s quality of experience and be a resource! Following this simple yet complex philosophy is what will build your presence, bring in business, increase conversions, and form more fruitful relationships with your users, allowing you to yield real long-term benefits for years to come. If you’re looking for a team to help with your SEO efforts, feel free to give us a call here at IDG. We’d love to start you on the page to the Google front page.
