SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which is the process of optimizing your website or social media pages to have the furthest audience reach. This process is through using “organic” or “free” methods of reach, as opposed to paid advertising. It includes using keywords, descriptive URLs, titles, tags and descriptions in your website, which will allow search engines to find your business easily. It also includes making sure your site is mobile friendly, using social media links, optimizing page speed, and creating links in other media that point to your website.
With most internet users taking advantage of search engines to find needed information, and over 6 billion search engine queries a day, it’s obvious that website owners must utilize some form of SEO to ensure visibility. Consider the following reasons:
There are certainly things every business owner can and should be doing to help improve their SEO. Understanding your target audience, building your brand and telling your story with public relations, utilizing and learning all relevant social media platforms for your audience, and writing your own blog posts are all good practices. Hiring a professional SEO expert may seem costly at first, but it can help you save money in the end. SEO professionals create a consistent online campaign with every single one of your website pages, help keep track of data and any needed changes, and save you time.
Your SEO agency will be tracking keyword rankings, website and social media engagement, return visitors and direct traffic, the number of backlinks to your pages, page load speed, and mobile traffic. They will also be able to adjust your website as needed, to improve these analytics. You’ll be provided with periodic reports, so you can see exactly what kind of reach you’re getting, and what improvements are being made as your campaign progresses.
The cost of SEO can vary widely, depending on your business objectives. You will need to determine how fast you want to improve your reach, how much of a reach you currently have, and what your success potential is. Current research shows that businesses utilizing SEO providers pay anywhere between $500-$10k a month, depending on the size of their companies, their growth objectives, and how much competition there is for their product/services.
Search Engine Optimization is a necessity for the growth of your business. Visibly Connected is a leading expert in SEO, and can help you find a customized solution to expand your audience reach. Give us a call today at 281-940-7463.
*Data sourced from: Search Engine Land, “The Ultimate List of Reasons…,” Author Trond Lyngbø on May 17, 2012.