As a small business owner, you may have heard of SEO but not be entirely sure what it is or why your business needs it. SEO stands for “search engine optimisation” and refers to the process of optimising a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This is important because ranking higher in SERPs can lead to more web traffic and, ultimately, more customers for your business.
There are many factors that go into SEO, including on-page elements like titles and metatags, off-page elements like link building and social media engagement, and technical aspects like site speed and mobile friendliness. In the new digital landscape, we are also seeing the benefit of optimising Google Reviews, as it also can make a dramatic difference to where you rank.
While there's no guarantee that a high ranking in Google will lead to increased sales, studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between the two. For a Google Search (one of the most important search engines) position 1 achieves approximately 27.6% of all clicks - now that is truly powerful!
The Steps of SEO
SEO usually commences with a website audit. It’s like a health check for your site to identify any immediate areas that require support. This is then followed by keyword research to identify searches that will achieve the greatest volume of traffic - but balancing this with competition and what’s realistic. On-page SEO is then conducted followed by off-page SEO activities.
Whilst it may seem like it could be a one-off activity, the SEO game is the long-haul as it requires constant care and attention based on market changes, user behaviour and so much more.
Small businesses need SEO because it can help them reach new customers who are actively searching for their products or services online. If you're not sure where to start with SEO, there are plenty of resources available online, including blogs, forums, and books. Or not the hands-on tools type? No problem. Reach out to PAK Digital today and our
SEO specialists can assist in moving you to position #1.