A solid SEO strategy is an integral part of any marketing plan. If you’re going to invest in professional services to boost your sales, SEO should be your first priority. There are a number of ways that you can optimise your website to rank on search engines, and every business that is serious about gaining traction should be utilising them. This advice is even more important for smaller, local businesses.
Organic SEO
There are two main types of search engine optimisation. They are known as organic SEO and non-organic SEO. Organic SEO takes more energy and effort to produce, but research has shown that the extra effort is worth it due to its ability to give long-term results. Organic SEO is responsible for providing approximately 80 per cent of all website traffic.
Organic SEO is relatively inexpensive when compared to non-organic SEO. Its drives results and boosts web traffic primarily through content creation and link building. In one study, it was found that businesses that create professional and engaging videos for their websites were 50 times more likely than those who do not to increase their organic traffic.
Non-Organic SEO
Non-organic SEO has its place in marketing without a doubt. It can give businesses that are just starting out a quick boost, but research has found that it is nearly 6 times less effective in the long haul when compared to organic search engine optimisation. The results produced from non-organic search engine optimisation tend to be quicker than they are with organic SEO, but more often than not, the benefits do not last as long.
Non-organic SEO works by using a variety of marketing techniques like paid advertising and affiliate marketing. It is an excellent option for creating brand awareness and for getting the attention of targeted audiences when a company is first starting.
SEO For Local Businesses
One of the leading causes of small business failure in modern times is the lack of presence on the internet. People use search engines and social media to discover what products and services are available in their area. Print media has its strengths, but the days of being able to get by with an ad in the newspaper are long gone.
When it comes to local SEO, it was found that 72 per cent of all residents who completed an internet search for a product or service and were able to find it locally, purchased the product or service within a five-mile radius of their home. It was also found that 30 per cent of all searches made on a mobile device were directly correlated to location and people attempting to find products and services in their area.
Here are a few of the many benefits of SEO for local businesses.
Boosting Local Visibility
SEO can work wonders when it comes to increasing the visibility of your business within your local community. This is important not only for obtaining new customers directly but for networking purposes as well. The more local people know about your business, the more likely they are to mention it to their friends who need your services or products. This also enables people that are new to the area to discover your services through search.
Targeting Specific Demographics
SEO practices allow businesses to target specific groups of people who their services and products directly cater to. By creating direct funnels to the people who you know are likely to benefit from your products, you can begin to forge strong connections with the people in your community who are most likely to become repeat customers. When you use SEO to target your demographic in this way, you’re putting your business one step ahead when it comes to establishing brand loyalty.
Tips For Local SEO Strategy
Utilise Online Directories
Online directories tend to rank high in all of the major search engine listings. If you take advantage of these services and create listings for your business within these location-based directories, you are giving your company a considerable advantage over competitors who do not. Most online directories will allow you to list a direct link to your website in the description.
Local Keyword Research
Using market research to determine which keywords are commonly used by the locals in your community can help you to outrank other more substantial businesses. This is because when a person from your area searches for a particular product or service, they are likely to use certain phrases are keywords that are specific to their region. By optimising your website with these region-specific keywords, your business gains an advantage when it comes to increasing local traffic.
Increase Your Presence On Social Media
Social media has become more critical than ever before when it comes to bringing in new customers. Having a strong, consistent presence on social media can work wonders for strengthening your bond with the members of your community.
Social media is unique in the sense that it allows you to engage with your potential customers directly. The majority of consumers prefers this personalised approach to doing business. Once you have established trust with the community through social media, you can then use it for paid advertising and targeted marketing. In one study, it was projected that the total revenue generated by advertising on Instagram alone would reach close to 7 billion dollars by the end of this year.
Optimise Your Website For Mobile Use
In the year 2018, over 50 per cent of all search engine derived traffic came from mobile devices. With that information in mind, it is clear to see why search engines give preference to websites that are mobile device friendly. If you want to ensure that your website has a high ranking on search engines, taking the time to get your site running smoothly across mobile devices is an essential part of the process.
Offer Exclusive Discounts And Deals
Having exclusive discounts and savings for customers who frequent your website or social media page is a great way to increase traffic. Word travels fast, and people appreciate deals. When people catch wind of the fact that you are offering deals through your online platforms, they will begin to visit your website to check naturally. This increase in traffic will work to boost your ranking on the search engine results pages over time.
A Look At The Statistics
The power of SEO has been measured numerous times and through various studies. One of those studies, conducted in 2019, shows just how much impact a good SEO strategy can have on business. A variety of successful companies were interviewed, and it was found that SEO was the main acquisition channel for the majority of those businesses. 51% of all of the businesses give SEO credit for their continued success.
In another study, it was found that 61 per cent of marketers claimed that SEO was their main priority and their most reliable tool for increasing organic traffic to websites. Close to 30 per cent of all consumers enjoy engaging with sales personnel directly. Out of all of those interviewed in this study, 65 per cent of them claimed that they would much rather consult a search engine than an actual person.
It has also been discovered that over half of all searches made consist of phrases that include four words or more. This is why it is so important to use long tail keywords and phrases rather than just single terms. Statistics show that nearly 80 per cent of all search engine users ignore the paid advertisements that come their way and skip down to the organic search results that naturally rank on the first few pages.
The Facts Speak For Themselves
Modern consumers like to get involved with the research process before making big purchases or seeking professional services, and they use the internet to do their research. Due to this mentality, it will always be the case that businesses who take their web presence seriously will land more sales than companies who do not.
A large portion of consumers are still purchasing the majority of their products and services from within a twenty-mile radius of their home, which is why SEO is just as important for small local businesses as it is for larger ones. If you are serious about the continued success of your business, you need to make sure that you are also being serious about search engine optimisation and increasing organic traffic.
SEO has been around for a long time now, but as the times change the techniques that are most effective change as well. Search engine optimisation doesn’t have to be complicated. With the help of a team that specialises in this form of marketing, you can rest assured that your business website will be optimised for the latest search engine algorithms with the most advanced technology available.
