You may have noticed that you’re hearing about search engine optimization (SEO) more than ever. If you had been hoping that this complex set of algorithms would fade out and you would never need to know too much about SEO, you’re going to be disappointed.
When you consider the growing availability of AI tools and the pandemic-related shift to online commerce that hasn’t let up in the years since, you begin to see why SEO remains critical. Here are six reasons you will want to prioritize this area of your marketing strategy:
It’s the Primary Way Your Customers Find You. If you need information, you Google it. And so does everyone else. Though there are other search engines with some play, like Yahoo and Bing, Google is calling the shots. So, you need to know what Google cares about for its search engine rankings.
It Helps You Capture the Local Market. Optimizing your site and your content strategy for local SEO helps you reach those consumers most likely to patronize your business: locals. You should be investing in keywords that help you rank well in local mobile search, such as, “Electricians in Northwest Missouri,” or “Best Kansas City florist.”
SEO is a Trust and Credibility Measure. An enjoyable user experience on your site only helps your SEO, and as users continue to see your company’s content at the top of search engine pages, they recognize your brand. It takes time to build credibility, just like in real life, and SEO is one of the methods you should pursue. Elements like positive reviews, valuable content and links to your site all help build your credibility through SEO.
You Need to Engage the AI Battle. You are competing with bots, along with everyone else. Google will prioritize true content over AI-generated information, but you can expect this fight will go several rounds. Keep putting your genuine blogs, videos and customer testimonials out there, and invest in solid keyword research and industry insights. Your site will outrank those fueled by AI.
SEO is an Important Element of Your Buy Cycle. Helping your audience find the right information at the right time is the heart of any good content marketing strategy, and SEO makes sure it’s your information that your audience finds. From a special promotion on a new product line to offering an infographic for those trying to make a final purchase decision, SEO can be a great way to move a search along to a sale.
It Rewards Patience and Discipline. In a world where brands may feel like they have to create a lot of flash and noise, trying to get attention on a social media site, SEO is the steady, reliable tool that transcends a lot of fads. Investing in SEO requires paying attention to changing algorithms and following best practices, but within a year, you will see some momentum in your search engine rankings.
At SJC Marketing, we understand that the ever-changing nature of SEO can be a lot to add to your to-do list. We’re here to help. Contact us and let’s talk about some ways to begin improving your SEO practices for better search rankings.