Search Engine Optimization is an essential part of any successful marketing strategy. Many entrepreneurs trying to compete in a highly competitive market often find themselves facing a dilemma with their digital marketing campaign, especially when deciding on which specific tool they should use. There are various types of SEO that companies such as SEO Agency Birmingham can use to increase the number of visitors on your website.
To decide whether your main focus should be on SEO as the primary digital marketing channel in your arsenal, you have to consider its pros and cons. Here’s a handy guide to the pros and cons of using SEO marketing and what the fuss is all about.
The Pros
1. SEO exposes your business to people who are looking for an answer
One of the key reasons why consumers use the internet, especially search engines such as Google, is to get an answer to their issues, problems, or concerns. In the process of searching for a solution, they click on multiple links that they find on the internet.
When Search Engine Results Pages [SERPs] are returned, a significant percentage of the web users will click on the first items on the results list. 95% of all traffic, who have typed in a question or query related to your business offering, will come into contact with your brand if your website displays on the first page of results, bringing great exposure to your site.
2. SEO can generate traffic that has a high chance of a conversion
Using the right type of SEO can generate traffic and lead to conversion. According to the Search Engine Journal report, leads generated by SEO can reach up to a 15% close rate, which is more than the 1.7% close rate, that can be generated from email marketing.
3. Search engine optimization can help your business to grow
SEO, just like Performance Management Software, can help your business grow. The internet is such a massive place, and your business can thrive if you have a great online presence with your website and various social media platforms. SEO can help you get a significant online presence. When you use the right type of SEO for your offering, it can allow your business to increase visibility amongst the potential customers who use search engines, such as Google, to search for a business just like yours.
4. SEO can make you gain authority in your niche
If you use the right type of SEO, have a strong online presence, and have incredible content for your site that is both keywords optimized and useful for the user, you can easily achieve a good ranking position. After attaining a high ranking, you can then set yourself up as an authority in your niche, and develop the trust of your target audience. This will result in conversions such as sales or leads.
The cons
1. SEO results take time
One of the most visible setbacks of using SEO for a business, especially if you use the wrong type of SEO, is that it can be very slow when it comes to generating reliable results. Due to the ever-changing needs and wants of potential customers, coupled with the various Google algorithm updates, there is no one size fits all for SEO. What once worked 5 years ago is completely different to what is prioritized now.
Google is continually optimizing itself to provide the best experience for its users and marketeers are constantly adapting and changing their methods to suit. For digital marketing to succeed, it has to facilitate a good presence in the search results for your business. Also referred to as ‘the long game’, SEO strategies are usually a minimum of 12 months.
If you’re looking to gain quick results from your campaign, SEO might not be the best option.
2. SEO takes time to get ROI
Since SEO can take time to generate significant results, it will definitely take longer to get a good Return on Investment [ROI]. This may not be appropriate for small businesses that require a considerable amount of revenue in the shortest term.