The Importance of SEO for Business Success
UK consumers are more tech-savvy than ever before, and their decision-making process begins way before they checkout their basket. From the moment they recognise their need for a product or service, a series of pre-purchase behaviours begins, more often than not, facilitated by technology. In this article the Imagefix team offers their insights into why SEO is important for business now so many of their customers are online.
In a recent global consumer survey carried out by Price Waterhouse Cooper, consumers were asked about their research preferences. Their answers revealed that 54% started by searching the internet to get information about what they wanted to purchase. This includes comparing prices, reading reviews, and looking at a range of different retailers. Search engines emerged as the top source of pre-purchase information.
Businesses looking at this survey will see immediately why SEO is important for business. By optimising their online presence, providing valuable content, and fostering positive customer experiences, companies can compete effectively to grow traffic to their website, and increase their conversions.
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8 (More) Reasons Why SEO is Important to Business
There’s no doubt that Search Engine Optimisation will improve the visibility of websites in search results but is that the only reason why SEO is important to business. At Imagefix we work with a range of businesses, from small local concerns to large global organisations, and we consider the value of SEO to extend far beyond its ability to improve the ranking position of our clients.
1. SEO Improves the Experience of Website Users
SEO and user experience (UX) go hand in hand. Search engines now consider user behaviour metrics, such as bounce rate, time spent on page, and click-through rate, as crucial ranking factors. And you ignore these at your peril; Google can now interpret the quality of user experience on offer and respond accordingly. The rule of thumb to follow is that users should be able to access the information they need in the least number of clicks possible.
By optimising your website for SEO, you are also improving the overall user experience. Faster load times, mobile responsiveness, easy navigation, and high-quality content are essential aspects of SEO that contribute to an excellent user experience.
2. SEO Encourages Precision Targeting of Your Audience
An effective SEO strategy allows businesses to target specific audiences based on their search intent. This term refers to the purpose, or reason why someone is searching online. Do they want information about a product, or are they looking for a particular website? Do they intend to buy something now, or compare prices at different retailers? Each of these are a part of the user journey, represented by different consumer behaviours.
Keyword research plays a pivotal role in identifying the words and phrases potential customers use when looking for products or services in your industry. By optimising your content with these relevant keywords, you ensure that your website reaches the right audience at the right time.
3. SEO Exposes New Potential for Brands
SEO agencies such as Imagefix not only use optimisation to reflect what’s already known about a brand, but also explore new potential. Our SEO team immerse themselves in the brands they work with. They want to understand it in the same way, and with the same passion that the executive team does.
SEO opens doors to diverse opportunities that can profoundly impact a brand’s trajectory. From optimising content, digital presence, and social media opportunities to contributing insights to sales, product, and customer service strategies, SEO plays a multifaceted role in driving overall success.
4. SEO Doesn’t Cost a Fortune, And Its Returns Are Excellent
Compared to traditional advertising methods, SEO offers a cost-effective marketing solution with a high return on investment (ROI). While paid advertising can yield quick results, it can also be expensive and unsustainable in the long run. And when the ad stops running the click throughs fall off a cliff. SEO, on the other hand, provides lasting value by attracting organic traffic that will build momentum over time.
5. Local SEO for Business Success
For businesses with a physical presence or targeting specific local markets, local SEO is indispensable. Local SEO optimises your website for location-based searches, making it easier for potential customers to find you when searching for products or services in their vicinity.
Here are some of the strategies we implement for small businesses targeting specific geographic areas:
- Create and optimise a free Google Business Profile.
- Optimise the website for geographical keywords.
- Get the business listed in local business directories.
- Implement a customer review strategy to ensure regular reviews from local customers.
- Optimise the website for voice search.
- Use social media platforms to connect with local customers.
6. Apply Best Practice Consistently
Implementing SEO tactics on a brand’s website and digital properties is undoubtedly beneficial. However, if a site isn’t consistently re-evaluated over time, it will eventually languish in the search results. Google requires constant vigilance, by introducing thousands of algorithm changes each year; to avoid falling behind, the improvement cycle needs to be continuous.
7. An Effective Long-Term Strategy
One of the main reasons why SEO is important for business is the fact it’s a long-term strategy. When done well, it will yield results within 3-6 months, and these improved rankings will continue to have a lasting impact for several years. Even a website that hasn’t undergone extensive SEO enhancements can still benefit from basic SEO best practice, particularly when combined with a satisfying user experience.
A website that receives ongoing SEO attention in terms of time, effort, and budget, will see its search prospects significantly improve. The cumulative effect of ongoing SEO enhances competitiveness and longevity, contributing to the authority of online brands. By consistently investing in SEO, businesses can position themselves as strong competitors and ensure their relevance and impact in the market over the long haul.
8. SEO is Measurable
While SEO may not yield data in the straightforward way that paid search can, with proper tracking and analytics, success can be measured. For brands, understanding their digital performance journey is essential – from where they started, where they currently stand, and where they are heading, particularly concerning SEO.
The main challenge lies in connecting the dots on the backend, as there isn’t a definitive way to understand the correlation between all actions. However, it’s crucial to grasp how specific actions are expected to impact performance and growth, and ideally, see those improvements materialise. An adept SEO professional will be able to assess the overall impact of the strategies employed against specific KPIs.
Ready to Implement SEO for Business Success?
Over the past few years, the significance of SEO has seen substantial growth. Notably, SEO plays a crucial role in assisting consumers as they try to navigate the internet in order to find what they need. By incorporating strong and high-quality SEO practices across a brand’s website and digital assets, businesses can reap significant benefits and bolster their overall marketing strategy.
Imagefix has demonstrated to clients again and again why SEO is important for business. In many cases a business is able to evolve and grow as a result of the success they experience with SEO. If you would like our team to optimise your website for enhanced online visibility, we would be more than happy to audit your current SEO and talk through an effective strategy with you.
If you would like to speak to an SEO expert from the Imagefix team, call us today on 01525 715608
