Navigating the Worth of Regular SEO Services and Their Impact on Your Business
Before we delve into Search Engine Optimization (SEO), it's pivotal to understand the broader concept of Digital Marketing. The rise of digital marketing is a counterpoint to traditional platforms such as TV and print. There's been a significant shift from conventional business models to digitized ones, with prominent examples being Amazon's rise and the decline of Sears and Toys R Us. Our daily life is deeply woven with digital platforms: Google has replaced newspapers, people spend more time on Facebook than scrapbooking, and phonebooks are nearly obsolete. Digital marketing is not just a trend; it's a crucial element for business survival in this era.
In terms of internet achievements, Amazon holds a prominent place despite not having any physical storefronts. It's even surpassed Walmart's market capitalization, making it one of the largest retailers globally. This is a manifestation of the power wielded by digital marketing.
Digital marketing channels like search marketing, social media, display advertising, and email marketing have become important tools for businesses. In fact, 2017 saw digital marketing budgets surpass TV advertising expenditure. Out of these channels, search engines hold immense significance.
The monumental 200 billion searches per month (as per SEO.com) carried out via search engines underline their importance in today’s world. It is estimated that search engine users in the USA will cross 236 million by 2019. Marketers focus heavily on increasing their online organic presence; surveys show 66% consider this their top priority. Additionally, studies show that 72% of people who conduct local searches on mobile phones visit the store afterward. Further underlining the power of search engines, they generate the majority of online-based sales and lead to more website visits than social media, which only accounts for 3% on average.
From these facts, we can see that (1) digital marketing is more crucial than TV and other channels and (2) search engines dominate digital marketing channels. This shows that search engine marketing should be an integral part of any marketing strategy. There are two types of search engine marketing: sponsored search (PPC), and organic search. SEO turns out to be more cost-effective than PPC and yields a higher return on investment when done right.
So the question "Is it worth paying for monthly SEO services?" should be assessed by considering what's at stake if search engines do not index your business. SEO is a reliable way to drive business, second only to customer referrals. Search engines display your website to the people who are currently interested in your products/services. Investing in SEO makes good business sense since millions of people are searching for countless items every day, making for a high sales conversion rate.
The question may then arise: why not just invest in a one-time SEO boost instead of ongoing services? Simply put, SEO is not a sprint; it's a marathon. Improving a website’s ranking from #1000 on Google to #1 doesn’t happen overnight. Building trust with search engines takes time and regular work as algorithms change frequently – Google alone updates its algorithm over 500 times per year considering over 200 "signals." Therefore, consistent effort in SEO is crucial due to the ever-changing landscape of search engine parameters.
Sadly, while understanding the importance of SEO is easy, finding competent SEO companies can be challenging. Many firms are either malicious or incompetent. Therefore, it's crucial to take time when searching for an agency. Look for companies with proven track records and don't let salespeople persuade you without doing your due diligence. Make sure the SEO company is competent, reliable, and affordable for your needs.