Where do you go when you need answers, product recommendations, or directions?
I’m going to take a guess here and say Google.
According to NetMarketShare, over 75 percent of searches are conducted using Google. That means there’s a chance the majority of your customers are searching there, too.
With search engine optimization (SEO), you can display your website at the top of these search pages. All it takes is a little strategizing.
That way, you can make a sale the next time a customer searches for your product or service online.
The importance of a small business SEO strategy can have a big impact on your business growth. Here are 10 reasons SEO for small businesses is a huge deal.
1. Show Where Customers Search
Whether it’s Google, Yahoo, or Bing, chances are your customers are using a search engine to find answers.
With an SEO strategy, you can appear in front of customers while they’re searching. That way, you’re taking advantage of a marketing opportunity. This also gets you in front of customers when it matters most.
With an effective SEO strategy, you can narrow down your website visitors and develop a target audience. With a narrow audience, you can attract the people most likely to make a purchase from your company.
As a result, you’re also narrowing down wasted clicks, which will boost your SEO score!
2. Effective Online Advertising
Marketing strategies such as pay-per-click (PPC) are an effective way to get in front of customers and build your brand. However, this strategy can also become a huge expense.
SEO, on the other hand, is a free form of online advertising. Each time your website shows in a search engine results page (SERP), you have a chance to market your business to new customers.
That way, you’re also boosting brand awareness.
As customers see your company more often in searches, they’ll begin to recognize your company name and website as well.
3. Brand Credibility & Trust
According to FitSmallBusiness, 56 percent of marketers believe personalized content improves brand engagement.
When considering the importance of small business SEO, it’s also important to consider your customers. What value are you providing them that no one else can?
Write blog posts that answer your customers’ questions. Offer them industry insights as well. This will show customers you’re a credible resource.
Your SERPs ranking can also build your credibility.
After all, we usually only click on the first few links. The higher your SEO ranking, the more credibility you have over competitors. As customers read your insightful content, they’ll start to trust your company even more.
Remember, you’re trying to provide your customers with valuable content. This will help customers see you as a credible resource in your industry.
Focus on developing trust with a niche audience. For example, Section 5 Media customizes their services for each client. This helps clients in specific markets feel that they’re getting help personalized to their industry-specific needs.
4. Respond to Customer Questions
The importance of small business SEO depends on your content.
What questions are your customers asking? To start, use social media and build engagement with your customers.
You can also use Google Trends to see what topics your customers are researching themselves.
Then, develop content that answers these questions. This will help build your credibility as well as your website ranking.
Here’s how to make a blog on a WordPress website. That way, you can start posting quality content and answer customer questions.
5. Boost Website Traffic
Once you start reaching those higher rankings on Google, more people will visit your website. SEO for small business owners can help bring in more traffic—and potential customers.
This increased website traffic will actually boost your SEO ranking even more. With a top of the page position, you can rise above websites and catch everyone’s attention.
6. Increased Conversions
Strong SEO content provides visitors with valuable information. However, it can also give them direction.
Once readers visit your website, give them multiple opportunities to convert into a lead. This can include a form on the page, a phone number button, or a place they can subscribe for emails.
As you direct more traffic to your website, you’re also directing more people to become a paying customer.
7. Improved ROI
You probably have a dedicated annual budget for marketing. Instead of going all out with an expensive strategy (that yields little results), choose SEO for small businesses.
SEO is a cost-effective marketing strategy. It helps build brand awareness as well as boosts sales. With SEO, you can improve your company’s return on investment without burning through your marketing budget.
Then, you can use that improved ROI so your business grows even more!
8. Stay Ahead of the Competition
As your SERPs ranking improves, your website will move higher and higher up the page.
That also means you’ll move ahead of the competition.
Since searches often only click on the first few links, those top positions are prime time spots. Getting a customer to see your website first can make the difference between a sale and a bounce.
9. Data-Driven Strategizing
Keyword research and Google Analytics can strengthen the SEO for small businesses.
Using online tools, you can determine what keywords your customers are searching and write content based on those trends. You can also see the phrases people searched before clicking on your website content.
That way, you can determine which pages are bringing in the most leads. Google Analytics can provide valuable insight to help you make important SEO decisions in the future.
10. It’s for the Long-term
The more search engine optimized content you post on your website, the more your SEO will improve. Content can also be recreated and repurposed, so you can maintain (or improve) your rankings.
Unlike print marketing materials, SEO is a strategy that will benefit your business for the long run.
The Importance of Small Business SEO Strategizing
With these 10 benefits of search engine optimization, you can discover the importance of small business SEO strategizing! Tap into these benefits for your own business and watch the leads—and sales—roll in.
Discover more ways to promote your brand and build your business today!