You’ve worked hard to build a reputation for yourself and created a brand that’s synonymous with excellence. But, all the effort you’ve put into building your reputation will amount to little if your target audience can’t find you. Unless you take steps to make yourself visible to the people who want your products and services online, the effort you put into your operations is less likely to translate into profitability.
When people search for products and services, most will instinctively reach for their smartphone, mobile device, or computer. A few words typed on a search engine are all it takes to get the names and details of businesses offering the products or services they need. If you’re not among those appearing on search results, you’re losing opportunities to get more customers.
Your position on search results can make the difference between a prospective customer choosing your business, or your competitors. This is why SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is such an important discipline in the busy and competitive digital marketplace.
Taking the time to boost your SEO can benefit your business in a number of ways.
A matter of visibility
SEO can boost your visibility on SERPs and make potentially loyal customers choose your brand over your competitors. The higher you’re position on the SERP, the better chance you have of a customer clicking your link to your website. The average user will not scroll past the first 5 entries on a SERP. This means that you have a very limited window to grab the attention of prospects and present yourself as the right choice for their needs.
There are a number of ways to boost your SEO and win more business, while building greater brand awareness. SEO yields free traffic, unlike in paid advertising that requires you to pay for every click.
SEO allows you to optimize for micro moments
91% of smartphone users say that they will stop and consult a search engine mid-way through a task. These moments are called “micro moments”; short but highly intent-rich moments in which you have the opportunity to position yourself as the ideal solution for a user’s needs.
Examples of micro moments include:
- “I want to go” moments
- “I want to do” moments
- “I want to buy” moments
By using web content like landing pages and blog posts, you can leverage keywords effectively to make yourself the ideal solution for smartphone users in these intent-rich moments.
Local SEO tips to help you conquer the nearby market
There are many businesses that rely on a steady stream of local trade. Cafes, bars, restaurants, boutique stores, and mom-and-pop shops depend on making a lasting impression on the local market and getting repeat customers. Developing an SEO strategy is a great way to ensure that yours is one of the first names users see when they search online.
What many do not realize, however, is that local SEO is subtly different to national SEO and even international SEO. If you’re trying to bring more local business to your enterprise, always update your Name, Address and Phone Number (NAP) on all local directories in which you are listed.
Getting backlinks from trusted, high authority local sources (like the local newspaper or chamber of commerce) is also a great way to boost your SEO without spending a fortune.
Content builds value and trust in your brand
Content is still king, and for a very good reason. It’s a great way to organically boost your website, while also building value in your brand and developing customer loyalty.
Writing blog posts, infographics, white papers and videos provides search users with information they need, while also establishing your knowledge, expertise and authority as a business owner. To be effective, your content should answer a question or help your audience solve a problem that they encounter regularly.
Websites with high-quality content are appealing to search engines because:
- It boosts users’ time on the page.
- It encourages scroll depth.
- It prompts visitors to navigate your site and access other blog posts or different kinds of content.
- It encourages users to return to your site.
Content marketing kills two birds with one stone – boosting your SEO while also helping users to perceive greater value in your brand.
How an SEO agency can help you
SEO is a multifaceted discipline. Some businesses are able to manage it in-house, but it can place an enormous strain on your resources. An agency that offers SEO services can help you come up with a strategic plan to target the market demographics that matter the most to you. They can help you leverage a combination SEO tactics to build a surge of interest in your brand and capitalize on it by building value for users and increasing conversion rates. They can also help you develop a content marketing strategy that builds your brand’s authority as it increases your visibility.
However you choose to boost your business’ SEO, there’s no better time to do it than now!
Author’s Bio:
Bernard San Juan III is the General Manager of Truelogic Online Solutions, a premier digital marketing company in the Philippines. He has more than a decade of experience in the digital marketing sphere, and is the hands behind the success of the marketing campaigns of more than 400 websites. He is a featured speaker for SEO Shots, Digital Performance Marketing Conference, and other national digital marketing events. Bernard is also a regular lecturer for the Certified Digital Marketing Professional program of the Digital Marketing Institute.
Keyword investigation is a significant element of Seo.