For many of us SEO is like Pandora’s Box – what is it all about and how can it maximise my business? One of the main queries we get asked often is ‘what does SEO involve?’ Before you start researching SEO and determining whether it is right for your business, you should ask yourself the following questions:
1. How is my website currently performing?
Start by typing in one of your company’s key phrases into Google. For example, if you were a pet store located in Chelsea, Victoria, you would type in ‘pet store chelsea’. Or even Pet store Melbourne. Once you have typed in your key phrase, can you see if your company is ranking on the first page? If not, maybe on the second page? Ok, so let’s try another keyword phrase. How is that ranking? You get the gist. Ranking highly on Google is imperative if you want to get more enquiries and leads. It’s simple. If your website is not being optimised on any search engine for your keywords and phrases, then it is time to take action. You don’t want to be invisible to your prospects. And it is one thing to have a well-designed website, it is another to have a well-designed and high ranking website.
2. Are my competitors outperforming me?
Type in the same key phrases as before and you will soon find out how your competitors are performing. For many companies, it is a huge frustration to see their rivals ranking higher than them on Google. Not only are the competitors getting more visibility but they would also be getting more enquiries and leads. And if you know you offer a superior product and better service than your competition, it is frustrating to see them rank on top. Let’s be honest, who really looks beyond the first page. Getting above your competitors and ranking highly on Google will not only maximise your business but build your reputation as a market leader.
3. Are my other forms of marketing sufficient?
What other forms of marketing are you using? And are they targeting the right people? SEO allows you to target people who are ready to buy. It is like getting found at the moment of relevance. Every dollar spent on SEO will go towards targeting the right people. While nothing online is permanent with the right up-keep and quality links to your site, your high ranking can last a long time after you have finished paying for the service. In comparison to other forms of marketing such as direct mail, SEO is the right choice if you want to sustain long-term online presence.
4. And finally… DIY SEO or professional SEO agency?
This question comes down to budget and time and knowledge. If you are tight on budget and can put in the hours, it may be advisable to get consultation session from an SEO expert and do the work yourself. Do self paced study and research online or even do a SEO training/workshop. It does work well for niche businesses targeting a local area. If your service/product is in a competitive industry it is advisable to seek a professional SEO service. Done for you solution backed by years of experience. Chances are that your competition would have hired experts whereas you might still be learning. So there is that opportunity cost of time lost. Also, don’t forget that SEO is a rigorous, time consuming process and demands ongoing effort. The rules are continually changing and while it is no rocket science, it requires staying on top of ever-changing search algorithms. If you think your time is best utilised working on your business rather than maintaining your website and your online marketing, then it is best off leaving it to the experts.
Are you one of these companies who don’t have the time to upkeep and maintain your online marketing and SEO? Then there is help! At Arrow Internet, we provide ongoing SEO and online marketing support to assure you get on top of Google for your key phrases… and stay there!
Check back soon to see our next blog on “How to research and shortlist an SEO agency”
