SEO (search engine optimization) seems pretty straightforward. Simply pick a couple of keywords, and just like that, your page is SEO optimized, Right?

Not really.

Most people are only conversant with the basic principles of SEO. This post will change that. It will take a deep dive into what SEO is and why it’s important for your business.

Let’s dive in.

What is SEO?

SEO refers to the process of improving your site’s visibility when people search for products related to your business in search engines such as Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo. The better visibility your page has, the higher the chances that it will attract potential and existing customers to your business.

How Does SEO Work?

SEO constitutes several actions, strategies, and best practices geared towards improving your website’s position in search engines.

There are two types of search engine optimization, namely off-page and on-page.  On-page SEO entails anything you can control on your own on your site to better your rankings. This includes things such as site speed, keyword density, and header text.

On the other hand, off-page SEO constitutes actions taken on other websites that may impact your rankings. It generally refers to links. It takes knowledge of SEO, time, and sound implementation of the desired on-page and off-page SEO to optimize your website to rank high in search engines.

What Is SEO Marketing

SEO marketing in advertising is an umbrella term that refers to the process of increasing the visibility of websites on search engine result pages (SERPs) via paid search advertising. SEM works by leveraging the power of various search engines to reach prospective customers at the ideal time and place.

SEO marketing is a vital tool for building brand awareness. By ensuring that your page is at the top of the search page for specific search queries and keywords, people will start to think of your brand when they think of the keywords they have searched.

SEO in marketing also gives you quantifiable data on the performance of your ads so you can understand your return on investment and can make better decisions about your ad spend.

Also Read: Gen Z Is Bypassing Google Search

Why Is SEO Important for Businesses

Here are some reasons why SEO is vital for your business:

• It is usually the Primary Source of Web Traffic 

Organic search plays a crucial role in the performance of business websites and is a vital component of the buyer funnel and getting users to ultimately complete an engagement or conversion.

We know that most people access the internet by visiting Google and other search engines. By ranking high on search engines, you can create brand awareness. Great SEO and a high-quality website can help you achieve that feat.

• It Boosts Credibility

A website that ranks high on SERPs is typically deemed high-quality and trustworthy by search engines, consequently boosting your business’s credibility. Taking time to improve and add valuable content to your website, increasing your website speed, and taking time to research keywords can help your website rank even higher.

• Good SEO Can Enhance User Experience 

One of the main goals of marketers is to provide the best user experience possible. Everyone wants to have organic rankings and high visibility. Even so, very few realize that providing an excellent user experience is a key part of getting there.

Google knows how to interpret favorable and unfavorable user experiences, and a great user experience has become a crucial determinant of a website’s success.

Today’s customers know what they want, and if they fail to get it, they’ll leave your site, thereby affecting its performance. A good SEO has a positive user experience and harnesses it to help the brand.

• It Maximizes PPC Campaign 

Paid marketing strategies and unpaid SEO work exceptionally well together. PPC campaigns help your website appear on the top paid search results, whereas SEO boosts your visibility organically. When both results appear at the top of SERPs, they boost your brand’s image and indicate that you’re not merely splashing money on advertising to be at the top. You can leverage SEO to boost your PPC campaigns—for instance, a high-ranking page may perform better if it’s used as part of PPC advertising –more so if the keyword has a low cost per click.

• It Improves User Engagement Rates 

An SEO-optimized website generates quality traffic. Suppose you have a website with useful content that matches the searchers’ intent; the chances are that they will spend more time browsing, leading to more conversion and increased return on investment in the long run.

Customers who engage for long periods with a site tend to have better connections with the brand –this can lead to advocacy. To increase your engagement rates, optimize things like titles, keywords, and meta tags. Additionally, make sure that your website is safe and mobile-friendly.

• It Helps You Rank Higher in Local Searches 

Local searches such as ‘shoe repair near me’ are becoming more prominent. This is not surprising given that approximately 80% of local searches on mobiles result in a conversion. Local SEO techniques help you attract local searchers who are often ready to make a purchase.

To get started with local SEO, you first need to create a Google My Business account. You then need to request reviews from customers. Optimize your listing by ensuring you have the right name, phone number, and address. You should optimize your listings for voice search. Also, create listings in local business directories and consider using local keywords.

• It Gives You a Competitive Edge 

Today, basically all businesses invest in SEO, meaning you should too. Those businesses that invest heavily in SEO usually outrank their competitors in search engine results and gain greater market share. Considering that the results on Google’s first page enjoy 90% of the traffic, you can’t afford to ignore SEO, especially if your competitors have invested in it. Create a website that loads faster, is mobile friendly, has the best content, and provides the best user experience to stay ahead of your competition.

Also Read: How To Show Up On Google Maps

Wrapping Up

As outlined above, SEO has numerous benefits and can lead to significant business growth. Businesses that invest in SEO build credibility and trust with their audiences, establishing long-term relationships.

Ready to optimize your site for SEO? VIP Marketing can help. We’re not your average SEO agency in Charleston. We’re the ones who get results. Our team of SEO experts can create and execute an excellent SEO strategy to improve your digital marketing. Contact us now.