As Google, Facebook, and other widely-used platforms keep altering the conditions of their advertising offerings, numerous individuals who once ignored organic marketing are now wondering, “Can I rely on SEO instead? How long does it take to see results from SEO, and is it a worthwhile investment?”
To begin, let’s discuss what SEO entails – and what it does not.
What Is SEO?
SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization, involves enhancing your content, including websites, social media platforms, and advertisements, to be more favorable for search engines. We view SEO as a broad term encompassing various services and strategies. Essentially, SEO can be broken down into the following key areas:
Keyword Research and Competitive Analysis
Prior to selecting any target keywords, extensive research is necessary. To effectively optimize your website and surpass your competitors, it’s vital to first understand their strategies. A thorough analysis of the competition and the market should inform your SEO approach.
On-page SEO and Content Optimization
In developing your website and content strategy, it’s crucial to take into account the different buyer personas and their respective stages in the buying process. Following this, relevant keywords should be seamlessly integrated into high-quality content and metadata. However, on-page SEO is not only about content; it also encompasses various technical aspects, including fast loading speeds and internal linking.
Off-site SEO and Link Building
Link building, or link earning as it may also be referred to, indicates that SEO extends beyond what can be controlled on your own website. Off-site SEO holds equal, if not greater, significance. The link-building process can be complex, but in essence, it aims to secure backlinks from other relevant and credible websites. These links function as endorsements, and their quantity, origin, and quality are important factors.
Testing, Reporting and Analyzing
Since Google’s algorithms are constantly evolving, so is the field of SEO. While the core principles remain unchanged, the specific techniques, tools, and applications are in a state of flux.
Fortunately, SEO is a marketing approach grounded in data, allowing for most elements to be monitored, tested, and reported on. By examining the data, adjustments can be made based on both user interactions and search engine requirements.
