What is SEO and how can it benefit your business?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. This is the process of manipulating content on your website to increase your ranking on Google, Yahoo, MSN or other search engines. The idea behind this is that if your Web page is on the first or second page of a search engine, the odds of someone finding you increases dramatically. Studies show that nearly 40% of all Internet users do not look past the first 2 pages of a search engine. Therefore, SEO can play a vital role in the success of your business.

Why is search so important?

The statistics speak for themselves. Over 71% of the North American population uses the Internet and 91% of them utilize search to navigate their way around it.

Why is SEO good for your business ?

Whether you are a small home based business or a large corporation you probably have a website. Up to this point, most companies viewed their website as a supplemental tool to their marketing plan. However, it can be used as a mean lean traffic generator. An optimized site results in more traffic which results in:

More leads
More sales
More customers getting the kind of information that your company provides
More donations if you are a non-profit
More requests for information about your products or services
More people finding you and your company

Common misconceptions about SEO.

Most people think that because their name shows up in Google when they type it in the search box that they are optimized. Truthfully, almost every company's name shows up when they do this. It actually has nothing to do with being optimized. Most searchers are looking for your products or services, not your company name.

Another misconception is that if they put keywords in their meta tags, they are going to rank. This is the old way of doing things. The search engines have become smarter and the use of meta tags are useless in the wake of the new search engine algorithms.

Who can learn SEO? Do I have to be technical?

The term SEO sounds a lot more complex than it really is. As a matter of fact most people who perform SEO are really non technical people. It is more a marketing function than anything.

Is SEO good for my business?

If you plan on being around for the rest of the 21st century you are going to need to embrace Internet marketing and SEO. SEARCH IS THE FUTURE!

When and how should I get started?

Yesterday. Getting started requires hiring an agency in your marketplace that performs this service, or self educating yourself through books or training classes. Whether you decide to outsource this function or bring it in house, you need to educate yourself to ensure what someone is telling you aligns with your company strategy and goals. Your website is a major part of your business and you need to treat it as such.

What type(s) of business perform SEO?