What is Search Engine Optimization, And How Can It Help Small Business Owners?

Have you heard about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) but aren’t sure what that means or how it can benefit your business? As a small business owner, you wear many hats, and trying to make time to understand how the Google algorithm works and how to best leverage it for your small business can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Today we can start laying a foundation to help you understand search engine optimization and how to use it.

Why Does SEO Matter?

Businesses today are finding themselves having to adapt to online marketing. This is because Google has become an essential tool for consumers making decisions. According to some recent research, consumers used Google to answer about 10,000 questions a day back in 1998. By 2019 that number had risen to 77,500 searches per second. This research reveals how often we turn to Google to answer our questions. And your potential customers are already using Google to answer their questions, and we want to ensure they find your small business by optimizing your web presence.

If you want to run a successful business, search engine optimization will be a critical factor in your success. Although many small businesses struggle because they believe they don’t have the budget for it. In this article, we will discuss the importance of SEO and how focusing on your Google ranking can boost your visibility on Google and increase your revenue stream while increasing the return on your marketing investment. In addition, we will equip you with the knowledge of what you’ll need to start improving your SEO today.

What Is Search Engine Optimization?

Simply put, SEO is improving the optimization of your website so it attracts more quality traffic to grow your business. You don’t just want more eyes seeing your website; you want potential clients and/or customers to visit your site. By optimizing your website, we are crafting the content of your website to answer your client’s questions. When your website shows up in response to the question they typed into their search engine, you become the voice of authority on the topic they are interested in. This process is critical in building the trust factor between you and your potential clients.

Pair that with helpful information, positive reviews, and an easy-to-navigate website, and you are on your way to improving your presence online and growing your business. In addition, SEO targets unpaid traffic, meaning Google is directing people to your site rather than you paying for every click to get them to your site.

What Are The Benefits of SEO?

Professional SEO services provide an excellent return on your investment because they specifically target people already using search engines with an intent to purchase or book a service/appointment. It’s effectively funneling people who want to buy your product to your website to make their purchase or schedule their service. SEO also delivers long-term results; once the pages are created, consumers will continue to find them and the more quality traffic the higher your pages rank over time.

SEO typically shows up as one of the lowest-cost lead sources in annual surveys of marketers for businesses that have invested in SEO for at least 18 months. If you want to read more, we’ve gathered the top 6 reasons to invest in professional SEO here.

How Does It Rank In Comparison With Other Marketing Channels?

Applying SEO principles to your website can create a continual stream of consumers for your business. Other popular options like Social Media Ads or even paid Google Ads only direct traffic to your site while your ad runs. While this can be a valuable tool for a quick bump in traffic, SEO can continue to direct traffic to your business forever. As a result, SEO is typically considered one of marketers’ lowest-cost of lead sources.

What Are Common SEO Mistakes People Make?

Small business owners’ biggest mistake is trying to figure out the algorithm themselves. Even the best marketers use tools to improve SEO. The best step for your small business is to invest in a professional marketing company that understands the ins and outs of SEO. Other common mistakes people make are using the wrong keywords, writing sub-par content that doesn’t answer their client’s questions or neglecting maintenance like slow loading pages or errors.

Even the most beautiful websites will lose traffic if their pages don’t load promptly and provide accurate information. All these things will affect your SEO. And a professional marketing team like the Dietz Group is equipped to help you in these areas.

How Do You Find A Good Search Engine Optimization Expert?

Now you have the basic SEO foundation and understand how to use it. When you’re ready to boost your internet presence to the next level, we’re here to help. We’ve invested heavily in our team, training, and tools at the Dietz Group. We proudly offer our clients Search Climb, our three-pronged approach to SEO for your business. We start by building you a strong base camp by establishing your trailblazing pages. Then, we grow by expanding your content and optimizing your content. Finally, contrary to many agencies, we offer regular reporting to see actual numbers that reveal what’s working and what’s not (we call them “Metrics that Matter”) so you can make informed decisions about your marketing investments.