Search engine optimization (SEO) is a process used to improve the ranking of a website on search engines. Sites that rank higher in search engine results are more likely to be found by users, leading to increased traffic and revenue. SEO is an important part of any business, both large and small.
1. Primary Source of Website Traffic
In recent years, there has been a significant surge in the popularity of organic search as a source of website traffic. A study conducted by BrightEdge in 2020 found that organic search was the primary source of website traffic for 53%, compared to just 15% for paid search and 5% from social media. This is likely due to the growing awareness of the importance of SEO and the increasing difficulty of achieving visibility through paid channels.
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2. Trust & Credibility
In order for a website to be successful, it is important for it to have a high ranking on search engines. This is where SEO comes in; by optimizing a website for the search engines, its ranking can be improved, which will bring more visitors to the site. However, SEO is not just about improving rankings; it is also about building trust and credibility.
When a website has a high ranking, it is seen as being trustworthy and reliable. This is because search engines use algorithms that consider a variety of factors when determining rankings, including the quality of content and the number of links to the site from other reputable sources. As such, if you are looking to improve your website’s ranking, make sure that you also focus on increasing its trust and credibility.
3. Better Customer Insight
As consumers shift their attention online, it’s increasingly important for businesses to understand how SEO can help them connect with their target audience.
One of the benefits of SEO is that it provides businesses with valuable insights into consumer behavior. Through analytics data, businesses can see which keywords are being used to find their site, as well as the pages that are attracting the most traffic. This information can help businesses determine what is resonating with their audience and make adjustments accordingly.
4. Better User Experience
Marketing is no longer just about reaching new audiences or getting more sales. A great user experience is the key to reaching any audience, gaining organic search rankings, and boosting sales.
Google can tell if a consumer is having a good or bad experience on your site. That’s why a positive user experience has become such an important part of e-commerce success.
Google’s focus on customer experience is longstanding and they have made it clear that marketers in all industries must adhere to this new ranking system.
The best example of a positive user experience is Google’s search engine. It offers users the information they are looking for in fewer clicks and with fewer steps. This enhances a brand’s ability to show off its website, which was Google’s initial purpose.
It is important that quality SEO also incorporate a positive user experience, as this will work in a brand’s favor.
5. Local SEO Increasing Importance for Brick and Mortar
With the rise and growing domination of mobile traffic, local search has become a fundamental part of small and medium-sized businesses’ success.
In the era of mobile, Local SEO is a crucial part of your marketing strategy. In order to be found quickly and easily, your business needs to be optimized for the area it’s in. To do that, you need to focus on your local area, with specific neighborhoods, towns, cities, regions, and even states. This will allow you to communicate with your customers on a local level and make sure they can find you.
This is accomplished by localization of the brand’s website and content, including local citations, backlinks and any local and regional listing, like Google My Business and Yelp, related to the location and sector of the brand. Customer reviews on sites like Google and Yelp also play a vital role in local SEO and conversions.
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6. SEO Impacts Buying Decisions
Research in SEO is becoming more and more important for businesses. This helps businesses communicate the relevance of your products and services, as well as convey the importance and dependability of what you offer customers.
Potential customers have questions and business that are visible at the right place and right time providing those answers will get the business. And Local SEO enhances the visibility and connection with local customers.
7. Ever-Changing Landscape, Don’t Get Left Behind
Brands that implement SEO strategies, put their business steps ahead of their competition. However, brans with short-time engagement (budget constraints, etc.) and the online presence not being regularly re-valuated, will reach a threshold hold, no longer improve and over time will fall behind.
SEO world is an ever-changing landscape (at Google direction) and the brands that constantly monitor SEO trends, stay ahead of their competition and rank higher on search engine results.
Google makes thousands of changes to their algorithm every year, some with larger impact than others, and if your business doesn’t have a on-going SEO strategy to make does adjustments, your business will fall behind and it will harder to get back.
