If you are an online business owner, you must have heard about SEO. Maybe you are convinced that it works very well for various kinds of online businesses.
The thing you probably wondering about is why it is so important?
Well, there are so many reasons to consider SEO if you are an online business owner and I will be getting into that very shortly.
But first, for newbies (who are new into this field), let’s take a look at what SEO really is?
SEO which stands for Search Engine Optimization is a process of strategically improving and optimizing your web page or website so that it gains higher ranking in search results. Higher ranking leads to more number of impressions and in turn, increases your number of customers/visitors.
For people other than geeks, let’s put it in simple words – basically, SEO helps people increase their visitors who are searching for topics related to their content.
In a world where the website count has reached to almost 6 per person, if you wish to stand out, you must have a proper plan in place to promote your business.
Many people consider SEO as an unnecessary process and here’s an appealing scenario why – so, you have spent a fortune on creating a beautiful website for your business which you like. Now, the consultant calls you and asks you to invest even more money to make it visible on search engine.
What would you do? Many people will say ‘NO’.
But, Google needs to understand your website in order to give it a suitable position in search results and SEO agencies help you just do that.
Being a smart business owner, you must have SEO campaign as a part of your marketing plan.
Even Google recommends you to have an SEO campaign, that way search engines can understand your site better and it will also increase your visitors through organic search.
Here’s what Google has to say about the need of an SEO:
If you’re thinking about hiring an SEO, the earlier the better. A great time to hire is when you’re considering a site redesign or planning to launch a new site. That way, you and your SEO can ensure that your site is designed to be search engine-friendly from the bottom up. However, a good SEO can also help improve an existing site.
SEO is unarguably the best way to connect to your potential customers than any other methods. But, implementing a good SEO strategy isn’t so simple with a lot of recent Google Ranking Algorithm Updates.
Still not convinced? Here are some reasons why you should consider SEO as your first priority?
SEO Drives Relevant Audience with High Conversion Rates
Search traffics are usually highly targeted down to minor details. With good SEO campaign and keyword research, you can find how big your market is and What users are searching for.
You can drive such highly targeted audience to your website which usually provides high conversion rates. A recent study has shown that the conversion rates from SEO leads are up to 15%, which is higher than any other type of marketing or advertising.
That is why having a good SEO company or consultant can make you high returns for every penny you spend on SEO optimization.
Here’s an example – Most people go on vacation to other cities or place and they need a place to stay. How would they find a good hotel to stay? By ‘Googling it’. With a good SEO optimization, your site would appear in some of the top results of search pages. If your site is relevant to his/her needs, it is highly likely that he/she would turn into your customer.
SEO can Increase Offline Sales
Gone the era of finding stores and products physically, most people today use search engines to find the stores or products they need.
A recent survey showed that almost 86% customers use the Internet to find the local businesses to buy from them offline. Yes, in the stores.
This is one more reason why you cannot ignore the SEO if you are a business owner. Having a website is like having a sales person who works 24/7 and 365 days without resting.
There are people who seek out the Internet to find a solution to their problems and you are providing the answer at their doorstep.
Without SEO, finding your website would like finding a needle in a haystack, it is there but no one can find it.
SEO is Most Cost-Effective Marketing Strategy
SEO is considered to be the most cost-effective marketing strategy than any other means. Don’t believe me? Here are some key points:
SEO drives highly targeted traffic which usually leads to higher conversion rates than any other means of marketing.
SEO provides high returns on per dollar you spent on your SEO campaign.
Hosting, designing cost remains same irrespective of a number of visitors to your site.
An effective campaign can attract a lot of customers searching for the same exact problem you provide a solution to. The impact of a good SEO campaign remains beyond time even after you shut your SEO campaign for weeks, months, or even for years. That said, SEO is no doubt the best marketing strategy ever existed.
SEO Outweighs PPC Campaigns
Have you used Google AdWords? You may have used it successfully or maybe not. But, here’s the ironic thing –
PPC campaigns drive 25% of traffic but have 80% of marketing budget while SEO drives 75% of traffic but only have 15% of the marketing budget.
The people who run PPC campaigns ignore a large part of the key ingredient that is search traffic.
You have already done well with PPC advertising with only quarter of traffic, imagine what you can achieve with other third of the traffic?
SEO Helps Build Trust & Authority
How do people determine superiority? It simple, it’s human nature that whoever comes on top is considered as superior or top class.
Take an example of football league (everyone knows football, I suppose), whoever scores most goals or helps scoring it considered for ‘Golden Boot’.
Whoever wins it is considered to be top, the other nominees are runners-up. All the others also played football but nobody cares about them!
This theory is similar about search engine rankers. The top position rankers get 35% of total search traffic, the 2
nd
ranker gets 13% and the third one gets about 9% of traffic.
Being at the top helps people remember your brand and build awareness and trust, which in turn results in more sales.
So, if you are not on the first page for keywords that are crucial for your business, then you are in serious trouble.
Even if you are doing well without any SEO efforts and ranking, imagine how much money you are leaving out on a plate, ready for your competitors to grab.
SEO Helps in Brand Building
What do you do when you need to find some information? Ask your Parents? Ask your teachers? Ask Your Friends? No. In today’s world, anyone who wishes to find something, they just ‘Googles it’.
With an effective SEO campaign, you rank higher in search results. When user search for particular topics and you are on top of the result, it helps improve your credibility.
Brand building is often considered to be a hectic and difficult task. You throw many things at customers and hopes that they will remember you at time of purchasing.
SEO campaign can accelerate your brand building efforts very effectively and help your customer memories your brand.
As we know, SEO drives highly targeted consumers to your site and when you rank higher, the user is most likely to click on your site.
When the users use your site or buy some products, it is most likely that they will come back again and tell their friends about it. So basically, SEO helps to turn a first impression into long lasting recall by presenting the most relevant content for which the user is looking.
Long Term Strategy
SEO is a long-term strategy. While SEO can deliver quick results and that’s what many business owners need but, the impact lasts for a long time.
Many marketing campaigns like PPC delivers quick results but, they are also expensive and have a specific timeframe. A recent survey showed that 91% of people prefer search results over paid advertising.
So, investing in SEO campaign is a smart move if you wish to stay longer in the competition. If you do your SEO correctly, your ranking will last even after you stop spending money on your SEO campaign.
Although I wouldn’t suggest it as it involves risk of losing your ranking as SEO is a continuous process.
If you need additional advice you can message me here > iot specialist