Many small business owners don’t realize the importance of search engine optimization. They might start marketing their products or service through traditional tactics or social media. After all, it seems to be easier to start on these platforms. But SEO may not be as complicated as you think. As a small business owner, these are some of the most essential things you need to know about SEO.
1. Nearly all transactions online start in a search engine
Did you know that over 90% of all online transactions begin in a search engine? That’s a staggering number, and it makes you realize the real power of search engines. If your website is nowhere to be found for keywords relevant to your business, just imagine the volume of customers that head over to the competition. This site is a great resource to increase your SEO knowledge.
2. SEO improves brand reputation
You should also know that online users tend to trust the businesses that appear on the first page of Google. Perhaps they think that those on the first page are doing something right, and since Google trusts them, maybe they should too. It’s also possible that they simply recall the brand names since they often see them on the search results. In any case, you should strive to reach the first page in order to gain the trust of your online visitors.
3. SEO is the most cost-effective form of digital marketing
SEO isn’t as expensive as many people make it out to be. Yes, you need to invest money upfront, especially if you plan on hiring an SEO agency. But when thinking about the long-term, it’s easy to see how much money you can save once you reach the first page for your target keywords. Compare this with pay-per-click marketing, for example, which requires you to pay money consistently to keep seeing results.