What is SEO and Why is it Important?
Updated: Dec 28, 2021
Table of Contents:
1. What Is SEO?
3. How To Get Higher SEO Rankings
A strong online presence is essential for businesses to reach their target audiences. While everybody knows this, not everybody understands how to make this magic happen. If you fall into this category, you're not alone.
Many business owners don't know the best way to get their brand noticed in five seconds or less. That's how long you have to capture a prospect's attention. But there is a 'behind the scenes' way that can help your business get noticed. It's all about understanding the importance of Search Engine Optimization or SEO.
1. What is SEO?
SEO is the process that improves the quality and quantity of website traffic around the world. Period. When customers need a product or service - but don't have a specific company in mind to make the purchase - they usually do a quick Google search. All they do is type keywords and/or phrases that relate to what they want into the search bar. Seconds later, a webpage appears offering the names of a long list of companies.
The First Website to Pop-Up in a Google Search is Where You Want Your Brand Listed.
The higher up in the SEO rankings you get, the better chance you have of customers clicking on your link. You should aim to land within the top 3 results. But if you can't, try to get your company info on that first webpage no matter what words are typed into the google search engine.
2. Why Is SEO Important?
The higher your brand ranks in results pages, the more clicks and traffic your site will generate. SEO is also designed to improve user experience, making this process more tantalizing for customers to become what you want - repeat buyers.
To vie for that all-important first webpage in Google's search results is free and easy. An added benefit: You don't need to submit your site to Google. That's because this widely used search engine is already fully automated and uses web crawlers 24/7. These bots constantly explore the web - around the world - in search of websites to add to its index. That's why it's essential to fully grasp the importance of the SEO concept.
3. How To Get Higher SEO Rankings
Coming up high in the rankings is not easy. Some companies hire employees versed in Google analytics to help them achieve this goal. Of course humongous, well-known companies - like Amazon - have the SEO process all figured out. That's because this giant distributor employs several SEO experts to do it all for them. While you may not have money in your budget to hire an SEO pro, no worries. You can give it a whirl on your own.
The trick is to figure out what keywords and phrases to use in order to get your brand among the first that appear in a search. That's not all, though. Here are a few examples of what you must do to push your brand to be among the top rankings:
Publish Relevant Content
Update Content as often as possible
Have a link-worthy site (This shows authenticity)
Use 'alt' tags
Avoid commercial keywords
These are only a handful of suggestions. There are tons more.
You want customers to be directed to your website even if they misspell words in the search bar. If this has happened to you, you may have noticed that google asks this question: Do you mean fill-in-the-blank in order to double-check your word choice.
Hitting the goal of getting to the top of the SEO ranking chart takes time and patience, unless you luck out, or hire a professional well-versed in the process. But you don't have to go the latter route if money is a problem. You can give the SEO process a try yourself. Why not? You have nothing to lose.
Pro Tip: A Google Keyword Planner account is free to sign up and you can learn how to rank higher in SEO results for your specific business!
Summary:
SEO is the process that improves the quality and quantity of website traffic. Understanding its full value will give you an edge over all the competition. Remember these important key points when diving into SEO practices:
SEO gives your business the opportunity to be noticed in a Google search.
Unique keywords and phrases are a must to get a higher ranking
Don't use commercial or trite words that similar businesses may choose
Your goal is to have your brand come up on the first page of Google search
Achieving a high ranking takes time and patience
By following these tips your business has an increased chance to garner the attention of more customers who go searching for the services/products you offer. Take the time to understand the importance of SEO, and your business may get listed on that all-important first website during a google search.
Have you tried to find your company listing in a Google search already? Which tip will you utilize first? We'd love to hear from you!