Search engine optimization is more important than ever in today’s highly competitive online market. As of 2016, there are 966 million websites. Each year internet users complete approximately two trillion Google searches to locate content. Standing out from your competition doesn’t happen by chance. You must be intentional with your website creation and ongoing development to ensure optimal search engine practices.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a set of guidelines website owners must follow to optimize their sites for major search engines. Optimizing your site for search engines greatly increases the chances of improving your search engine ranking. SEO also significantly improves the quality of your website with faster load times, better navigation, and an overall improved user experience.
If you’re still not convinced SEO is worth the time and effort, consider the following benefits it offers.
Search engine optimization (SEO) improves click-through rate
Most search engine users are only going to click the top five results on the search engine results page (SERP). Optimizing your site for search engines increases your odds of securing one of these positions, generating a higher traffic volume and consequently, revenue stream for your business.
Search engine optimization (SEO) improves the general user experience
The end goal of SEO is to improve your search engine ranking. However, best SEO practices improve other aspects of your website as well, such as page load times and site navigation. These factors contribute positively to the user experience and overall usability of your site, which also drives more traffic.
Search engine optimization (SEO) increases user trust
Internet users trust the major search engines. Securing a top position on Google and Bing increases users’ trust in your business. Somewhere between 80-90% of consumers consult online reviews before making a purchase. Maintaining a high search engine position builds trust in your products and services and keeps consumers shopping with you instead of your competitors.
Search engine optimization (SEO) boosts user promotion
People who locate a website through a major search engine are more likely to promote it online. Securing a great search engine ranking increases user sharing on major social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is cost effective
SEO is one of the most cost effective online marketing strategies, and it offers a fairly solid return on investment (ROI). Social media marketing, purchasing leads for an email marketing program, and PPC advertising do work and may drive more social media traffic and revenue. However, all of these tactics cost money. SEO takes time but is essentially free and is a key strategy to use alongside other online marketing efforts.
Search engine optimization (SEO) isn’t going anywhere soon
Search engine optimization techniques work, and they aren’t going to stop working anytime soon. As long as you remain focused on providing the best user experience possible while implementing time-tested SEO tactics, you will achieve a higher search ranking and genuine organic traffic. While Google will continue to make regular changes to its algorithm, it’s highly unlikely SEO tactics will be rendered completely useless any time in the near future. Media searches, such as YouTube video searches, are fairly keyword dependent, further guaranteeing our continued dependence on SEO, even in a less text-based content internet.
Finally, search engine optimization is an ongoing process. It’s important to reassess your search engine optimization practices on a regular basis and make changes as needed. For example, once upon a time, mobile optimization wasn’t a priority. Now mobile internet use accounts for half, if not more, of all internet use. Not optimizing your site for mobile users compromises the mobile user experience and hurts your Google ranking.
Finding the right online marketing strategy for your company is an ongoing process. Staying on top of the latest trends and listening to the needs of your customers will allow you to adapt your marketing plan accordingly to maximize your revenue stream.
How good is your online presence?
Contact PEL TODAY!! We will gladly perform a free website and online marketing evaluation to let you know where you are and what we can do to improve your online presence and effectiveness. Get a Quote, Request Information or call (806) 680-2735.