What is SEO & Why Does It Matter?

When it comes to marketing, the first thing most people think of is ads. After all, ads are everywhere. On the radio, on TV, on the internet, in smartphone apps, on buses, and the list goes on. And while ads have their place, ads are just one piece of the Internet Marketing puzzle. Being found organically is just as important, if not more important in some cases. That’s where we come in with SEO. But what is SEO, and why does it matter?

The Meaning of SEO

SEO, also known as Search Engine Optimization, is the process of getting traffic through “organic” sources, meaning sources you aren’t paying for. For example, say you’re looking for a new car and search “car dealers near me”. The first couple of results are probably going to be ads, but after that, you’ll get to the organic results, otherwise known as those recognized by the search engine to be the best resource for the consumer.

You see, Google especially prides itself on having the best resources for its customers, so in turn, it only wants to promote what it views as the best resources. SEO helps make your site a better resource for both your customers and Google so you can rank higher in those organic results.

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Why Does SEO Matter?

If you don’t want any new customers and don’t care all that much about keeping your current ones, then it doesn’t. However, if you’re looking to grow your business, SEO is essential to making sure you’re putting your website in front of potential customers when they’re in a buying mindset. If someone is searching for a local business, chances are they’re looking to visit one of them soon, so it’s important to make sure they find you and not your competitors.

What Factors Go Into SEO?

There are over 200 different factors that affect search results, including content, listing consistency, website optimization, and domain authority. If you don’t know where to start SEO can be extremely overwhelming and even a little frustrating, especially because rising through the ranks on Google can be a slow process. It can take up to 6 months to see some major increases, which is why it shouldn’t be the only piece of your marketing puzzle.