If you’re a business owner, you’ve probably heard of SEO, otherwise known as search engine optimization, hundreds of times. However, this is for good reason – it’s an integral digital marketing tool that all businesses need to leverage in order to ensure their website gets in front of their target customers from relevant online searches, resulting in more visibility and more sales.

A multifaceted element of digital marketing, SEO can be complex, but the reasons why it’s important to utilize in today’s business world certainly aren’t. Here are just a few reasons why it’s time for your business to invest in an SEO strategy.

Increased web traffic

Losing customers to competitors? Poor SEO can be to blame – nearly 33% of clicks go to the first page of a Google search, and the first five listings receive over 75% of all clicks. Without investing in SEO – and even just being a few listings down on a Google search - you could be losing customers before you even have an opportunity to win them over.

A better user experience

These days, SEO is much more than just a few strategically placed keywords – it also means a better user experience, stemming from a clean and efficient website design and verbiage. With well-positioned SEO, users are able to find what they’re looking for from your website in the fewest amount of clicks possible, resulting in multiple visits and a more positive ranking from Google.

It’s extremely effective

A whopping 51% of all website traffic comes from organic search, making SEO 10 times more effective than social media. If you’re attempting to garner new customers simply through your social media channels, you’re missing out on an enormously effective tool – and one that generates 40% of revenue for businesses utilizing it properly.

Next steps

Frustrated by a lack of website traffic? A faltering SEO strategy can be to blame, as your competitors ranking ahead of you on an organic Google search may be swooping up your potential customers. If you haven’t given much thought to your online performance before, now is the time to do so to remain competitive in today’s marketplace.

Coordinate with your marketing team today to ensure that your website gets in front of customers searching for your services. To share these tips with your followers, click the ‘Share’ social icons below.