When it comes to marketing, there is no scarcity of channels that can be utilized to spread the word about your business. While tried and tested Traditional Marketing tactics continue to have their time and place, the advancement of technology in the last decade has allowed Digital Marketing tactics to emerge as the most highly effective means of reaching target audiences.
The online research habits of consumers continue to evolve as online shopping platforms and search engines offer ever more personalized experiences. When was the last time you made an informed purchase without utilizing an online resource at some point in the process? Search engines, alongside the companies that know how to utilize them have curated immensely effective purchase funnels to the benefit of the company, the consumer, and the credibility of the Search Engine.
When used properly Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a synergistic and effective system that holds brands accountable while providing quick and accurate information to consumers. However, this is not a system to be taken for granted. Any effective system takes significant time and effort. Uneducated and even unethical SEO tactics have fostered distrust towards digital marketing efforts and undermine the utility of the online economy.
Our goal as an agency is to grow understanding and build credibility for these tactics and use them to grow effective online platforms for our clients. An important first step in this journey is education. Below, we attempt to scratch the surface in proper SEO understanding and help our readers ask the right questions and seek a fuller understanding of the field of Digital Marketing.
WHAT IS SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION?
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is a technique used to optimize your website’s performance in organic search results. It’s an attempt to ensure that your website is found in consumers’ searches on Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc., when searching keywords and phrases relevant to your business. Search engines look at a wide range of factors to determine the ranking of your website; some aspects include:
- Website content
- Credible backlinks
- A website’s overall user experience (UX)
In today’s competitive environment, a large part of your business’ success depends solely upon the performance of your website. It isn’t the quality of your product or service alone that accounts for your online success. There are a host of factors such as web design, customer relationships, and a strong SEO strategy that decide the success of your business.
SEO’s end goal is to boost your presence in relevant online search results so that your business can earn more leads, sales, and revenue; put simply– it grows puts your website in front of warm leads. If you haven’t already invested in SEO, here are four vital reasons why SEO is your most valuable marketing tool.
SEO DRIVES MORE TRAFFIC
There’s no shortage of ways to attract more traffic to a website; however, SEO is by far the most effective for sustained, long-term success. The prevalence of the internet and smartphones has made search engines the desirous place for consumers to search for products or services online.
According to the Search Engine Journal, “93% of buying circles now begin with an online search.” SEO helps ensure that your business website drives new traffic and maximizes viability. Ultimately, since the number of sales depends directly on your online presence visibility if you rely heavily on e-commerce, an intentional investment in SEO also maximizes your revenue.
COST-EFFICIENT GROWTH
SEO is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies as it targets users who are actively looking for your products or services online. SEO’s inbound driven nature helps save money instead of outbound strategies that aim to reach as many people as possible through tactics such as radio, television, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, telemarketing, etc. While these can still be part of an effective strategy, Titan Growth informs us that “the leads generated cost 61% more than leads generated by an inbound strategy like SEO.”
SEO instead targets users who are actively searching for products and services like yours. The traffic resulting from SEO is more qualified than other marketing strategies, ultimately resulting in cost-efficient growth for your business.
BETTER RANKING
As stated earlier, most consumers use search engines to find products or services they want. According to Leverage Marketing, “Research shows that websites on the first search engine results page receive almost 95% of web traffic, leaving only 5% for remaining search results pages.”
In other words, you need your business’s website to rank higher in search engines, and SEO can help you do that. The higher your site is ranked, the greater visibility you get, and the more shoppers will find your website.
BETTER USER EXPERIENCE
Search engine optimization is much more than just placing some keywords in your website content. Another factor that search engines take into consideration when ranking websites is the user experience within a website. SEO optimizes the navigation and content of a website and ensures a better experience for users.
One way to improve user experience is by publishing authoritative content that educates and engages the audience. Good content is king in the digital world. It is the best way to engage your customers, answer questions, establish leadership, and encourages loyalty. Content will continue to be one of the most effective tactics for your SEO strategy, so it’s important to keep it fresh.
SEO demands consistency with your content to keep it in compliance with your SEO strategy. It’s also essential to keep up with the latest SEO trends and implement them into your marketing strategies.
SEO can help you gain a large portion of the online market share, as many consumers decide whether or not they want to purchase their goods and services based on your website. If your site is taking advantage of SEO, you get more of a fighting chance to gain a competitive edge over your competitors.
Don’t allow your rivals to outrank you. At GriffinWink, our experienced team is committed to knowing our client’s business, understanding their target audience, and implementing a strategy that utilizes SEO marketing efforts. Allow us to find the best SEO strategy for your business and dominate the online marketplace.
For more information reach out to us or visit our website and discover the endless opportunities we can create for your business.