5 Reasons why your business should invest in SEO

If you think SEO is dead and that you can do it yourself, you really need to think again.

SEO is very much alive, and savvy business owners and eCommerce startups understand this and are working with an SEO company for their online marketing.

Also read: Don’t rely on Google – the algorithms will kill you

Those businesses that ignore SEO and think that the old ways of direct marketing, cold calling, and relying on loyal customers work best are slowly seeing a decline in their customer base and revenues.

Also, taking a DIY approach to your SEO is a killer! You need to partner with an expert nowadays. It’s like trying to manage a house build. It may seem like a good idea, and you may think you are saving money, but watch out—things can and do go nasty quickly. Saving pennies up front will lead to issues and problems later on. You have to trust us on this.

Based on this and knowing that SEO should be part of your marketing mix, I have compiled five reasons your business should invest in an organic (not AdWords) SEO strategy. Organic SEO optimises your website to naturally rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) without paying for placement. This approach is more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run.

1) It works, it does

Don’t believe people who say SEO is dead. Sure, there have been massive Google updates, including the latest Hummingbird update, but you will rank if you implement your strategy with a clear and well-thought-out plan and have a realistic time frame. It’s as simple as that. I have helped rank hundreds of websites, which all follow a proven and tried technique. It’s a formula that we use time and time again that works. We have new clients with brand-new domain names and have been able to rank most of their core keywords within 12- 18 month which proves SEO is alive and well and a great marketing tool for your business. This success is not a one-off – but a consistent trend you can be a part of, giving you the confidence that your investment in SEO will yield positive results.

Based on what search engines use to rank websites, these SERPS or ranking results will not change in the future. The formulas and algorithms are tightening, but the ranking trends are consistent overall. The way Google ranks audio and video searches is also extremely consistent. All are text-based and rely on keyword density, title tags and a great back linking campaign. If you follow certain rules and guidelines and build trust continuously in your site, Google will reward you.

Also Read: SEO vs PPC: Pros, Cons, & Everything In Between

2) It’s a cheaper option

Think of what you used to pay for a magazine or newspaper advert; traditional marketing forms like TV, radio, and SEO now look very attractive. Also, compared to Adwords and remarketing, SEO is much more affordable. By choosing SEO, you’re not just investing in your online presence but making a smart financial decision. This affordability will make you feel financially savvy and confident in investing in SEO. But I really want to stress a couple of points here and that is: you have to set realistic timings and budgets. Without these you’ll just be disappointed with your current SEO agency and start flipping them and going from one to the other which is a recipe for disaster.

Again, look at traditional marketing such as TV, radio and print, and get an idea of how much (over the top prices) you were paying for these mediums. You may also think you can rely on free social media platforms such as Tiktok, Instagram and Facebook, but a solid SEO campaign should be the foundation of your online presence. Thinking you can escape without search engine optimisation is negligent and harmful to your business. Beware, and this is a good point to note – bargaining for SEO and scouting around for the cheapest deal is also a major problem and something that needs to be addressed. Paying rock bottom prices will only get your website penalised as you are giving your marketing to companies that practise black hat SEO techniques.

3) Search engines are now getting more market share

Somewhere between 70-85% of potential clients and customers will be looking online before making a decision. According to WordStream, Google has over 3.5 billion searches per day. Look at the trend. It’s amazing. Think about your buying habits ten years ago and look at them today and you will then clearly see the necessity for SEO – if you aren’t ranking and on page 1, you are nowhere. This trend will grow; if you are blind to this, your business will ultimately suffer the consequences. SEO is not just a choice; it’s necessary in today’s digital world.

4) Helps with local search

Local directories are outdated, and no one looks at them when searching. So, if you want to rank locally for your company, think SEO! Look at how Google has introduced the Google Maps component in the search results. SEO and citations are The only way to get your business there. A substantial local map listing will draw in loads of local businesses.

5) Makes you proactively update your website

Part of the SEO process is reviewing your website and ensuring it is up-to-date graphically and has new, relevant, and fresh content. Strategically, this is great for your business as it means you are forever looking for ways to improve your website’s online performance and content. It keeps you on your toes, which is great from a marketing perspective. Google loves new copy, and blogs will rank faster once an SEO campaign has started.

You are mistaken if you think your competition is not doing SEO for one minute. Join in and sign up with an SEO company, or be left behind. You will lose out if you are not looking for ways to improve your online position and leap over your competitors. Ignoring this incredibly powerful marketing tool is a grave mistake. I cannot emphasise this enough.

In conclusion

Investing your time and resources into organic SEO has never been more critical. Before you launch a business, or if you already have one, you need to think long and hard about this process and all the benefits that can be derived from it.

Finding the right SEO partner is the next challenge you’ll face. Make sure you research and ask the right SEO questions before making any final decisions. I’m always happy to help if you have any questions regarding SEO or how your business can benefit.