Improving SEO is the top inbound marketing priority for the majority of marketers (Hubspot). But why has SEO become so prevalent over the past few years? Is your business doing enough to keep up with your competitors’ online presence?
Here are Miller Ad Agency’s top five reasons why you need to invest in SEO.
1: Organic search is usually the primary source of website traffic
In fact, 95% of all web traffic can be attributed to organic search. Though paid ads appear at the top of Google search results, the majority of users ignore these ads in favor of organic results. So if your website is not driving the amount of traffic you hoped for, this is the area that needs improvement. Improving your SEO can push your website to the top of Google’s search results and increase traffic.
2: If you’re not first, you’re last.
Even if your website is appearing in Google’s organic search results, this doesn’t matter if it is not on the first page, as the majority of users never scroll past the first page of search engine results. So, if you want those clicks, you need to win a spot at the top of the results.
If your website is not on the first page of results for the most relevant searches, you need to reevaluate your SEO strategy immediately.
3: Online visibility leads to conversions
For B2C marketers, ranking highly in Google’s organic search results increases brand awareness. Visibility catches potential buyers during the research phase of the buying cycle, and it’s no secret that consumers are more likely to buy your product if they know it exists. If you’re a DFW auto dealer not ranking for “DFW car dealership” searches, you’re missing out on business, and it’s time to improve your SEO.
SEO is just as important for B2B marketers, as 57% of B2B marketers say that SEO generates more leads than any of their other marketing initiatives (Junto). Additionally, SEO leads have a 14.6% close rate, drastically higher than the 1.7% close rate of outbound leads, including print advertisements (Search Engine People).
If your business is looking to increase conversions, SEO may be your solution.
4: Local listings matter
“Near me” Google searches are on the rise, as users are looking for local results 46% of the time (GoGulf). These searches are not only common but also high-value. Local searches result in a purchase 28% of the time (JoelHouse Seach Media).
Because of this, Google My Business listings have become a necessity for all businesses. These listings give local users a quick and easy way to read your business’s reviews, see your business hours, and find your location on google maps. Don’t let your competitor down the street snatch away your customers just because your local SEO is out of date.
5: When it comes to SEO, your work is never done
SEO best practices are constantly evolving as Google updates its algorithm, and just because you’re ranking #1 today doesn’t mean you’ll be there tomorrow. We know that Google has over 200 ranking factors, but exactly how these factors are weighted and considered is an ever-changing mystery.
So even if your company invested in SEO last month and got your website listing where you wanted it, you are not “finished” with SEO, and as soon as you pull back your efforts, you will see that your competition has not. SEO is a long-term undertaking, not a one-time fix. For optimal results, companies should build a sustainable strategy for their online presence.
If your website is behind when it comes to SEO, but you don’t know how or where to start, Miller Ad Agency is here to help. Let our SEO experts build a strategy to launch your website’s online visibility and take your business to the next level.
