SEO, or search engine optimization, is one of the most important aspects of online marketing. It can be overwhelming for business owners to try and understand, but it is a critical piece of the puzzle if you want your website to be successful. Many people think that SEO is only for large businesses with big budgets, but that is not the case. In fact, small businesses can benefit from SEO just as much as larger businesses.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is a type of SEO that focuses on optimizing your online presence to rank higher in local search results. If you have a physical location or service area, local SEO can help you reach more local customers. In other words, local SEO is designed for small businesses who want the community to visit.
While big brands might dominate TV and other arenas, local SEO finally gives small businesses the chance to compete on a level playing field. It is the perfect opportunity for mom and pop shops to get in front of their target audience and attract local customers. Even if you only want to appeal to people within a 20-mile radius, this is possible. Essentially, you can position your brand so that all those nearby who look for a business of your type see your name rather than competitors.
How Does SEO Work?
SEO works by optimizing your website for Google’s algorithm. This means adding relevant keywords to your titles and blog posts, ensuring your site loads quickly, and making sure your site is mobile-friendly. You can also improve your SEO by building backlinks, which are links from other websites that lead back to yours. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your site will rank.
Why Does SEO Matter?
SEO matters because it’s how you can get your website to show up on the first page of Google search results, and we all know that people rarely go past the first page of Google when they’re searching for something. If you want people to find your website, you need to make sure it’s optimized for search engines.
SEO can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it’s worth it if you want to grow your business. If you don’t have the time or resources to do it yourself, you can always hire an SEO expert like King Kong to handle the SEO demands for you. In terms of local SEO, details like Google My Business make a difference.
Google My Business is a free service that allows businesses to manage their online information, such as their hours, website, and contact information, all in one place. Having accurate and up-to-date information is crucial for businesses that want to be found online.
SEO is for Small Businesses
Perhaps the most compelling reason of all for why SEO is for small businesses is that local customers are searching online every day; a study by Google found that 97% of consumers use the internet to search for local businesses.
Of those, 61% said they won’t consider a business if it doesn’t show up in search results, and 72% said they would go to a competitor’s site instead.
So, what does this mean for businesses that don’t have a website or show up in local searches? It means they’re missing out on a huge opportunity to reach local customers. SEO is for small businesses because it levels the playing field, allowing them to compete with larger businesses for local customers.
SEO is also for small businesses because it’s affordable and effective. A recent survey of small businesses found that SEO is the most effective form of marketing, with a return on investment (ROI) of 122%. Why not get started today? An Employer Of Record can help you find the best marketing talent.