If you’re a business owner, chances are you’ve heard of SEO, or search engine optimization techniques. SEO services vary, but the basic concept behind search engine optimization is the same. SEO companies specialize in creating strategic web content relevant to your business in a way that jives with standard search algorithms. This means that when someone searches for a product or service similar to what you provide, popular search engines like Google, Yahoo, etc. return your company up higher in the results.
Understanding at least the search engine optimization basics (or finding someone who does) is important because most people are now connected to the internet, and fully 61% of people do their shopping research online. Nearly half of these online shoppers begin their basic research by using a search engine — meaning that if you’re not coming up on these major search portals, you’re missing out on a huge potential pool of customers.
If you’re thinking to yourself, “Ahhh, what do I do, I just learned how to use Windows 10 and now I have to learn this search sorcery??!” have no fear. There are hundreds of SEO companies out there waiting to offer you flexible, affordable SEO services packages. Before you run off and rather ironically use Google to find a few of them though, it might be a good idea to understand a little bit about current SEO best practices.
Right now, demand is trending local. Half of all mobile-based searches are made in an effort to find local results, and most of these searches end in a purchase. So right off the bat, you know you want local SEO services that make some use of the mobile app craze and that are hinged on geography and mileage. Local SEO strategies also have a higher likelihood of resulting in repeat customers, since chances are you’re going to attract people to your website or storefront who live within the area based on the location filter. Local SEO services and the resulting website hits, storefront visits, and increased customer volume will also give you a better idea of your core demographic, so that you can better tailor your products and services to your largest base.
You might be wondering, “Well this sounds great, but I bet I could get the same results doing a little more lower-tech advertising.” The short answer to this thought is “Not really.” Simply put, print advertising, direct mail, and other such initiatives yield a 1.7% close rate. (For those of you who never saw Glengarry Glen Ross, that means out of all the people who receive these materials, 1.7% will actually end up purchasing something as a result). By contrast, SEO leads have a 14.6% closing rate, over eight times higher!
Apart from the fact that most people buy online these days, this dramatic contrast is due to the modern buyers’ sensibilities. Gone are the days when salesmen would go door to door with suitcases and consistently turn a profit. The American public no longer likes to be sold to, but instead likes to self-engage passively as researchers. SEO services are a great way to make this research possible while still getting your brand out there, so don’t wait. Invest in SEO services today.
