There is a good chance that you are at least aware of how search engine optimization might assist your business (SEO). Perhaps you’ve even given it some thought in the past. After all, it enhances the chances that a potential client will discover you through an online search and is a fantastic tool for raising brand awareness. Additionally, it’s a fantastic technique to beat your competitors. You might believe that all you need is a good website and active social media accounts, but these days, a little extra work can go a long way. Here are some reasons why your small business in Pittsburgh requires SEO if you’re considering changing up your marketing strategies:
- Boost Web Traffic:
One of the best things about SEO is that it brings more people to your website. Most of the clicks on a search engine results page (SERP) go to the first few pages. If you’re not in the top spots, you won’t get as many clicks. People think that the top rank on a page of search results is more reliable and authoritative. By focusing on the right keywords and phrases, you’re answering a user’s question. It’s a great way to help your customers right away and start building a business relationship at the same time.
- Local Awareness:
If you’ve ever had trouble deciding where to eat dinner, you’ve probably gone to Google and typed “food near me.” That word, “near me,” is very important. It makes your search more specific to your location. Zip codes, city and state names, and information about a neighborhood all do the same thing. By adding these to a search, users get information that is relevant to them and their area.
So how do businesses in Pittsburgh get these highly sought-after local results? If you said SEO, you are correct. Local SEO is a great way for small businesses in PA to get more people to know about them and buy from them. After all, a lot of people who do a local search want to go to a business that same day, and SEO helps increase your chances of that happening.
- Positive Reviews:
Let’s say you looked for nearby Italian food. As a user, are you more likely to choose the restaurant with two stars or no reviews over the popular place with four and a half stars and great reviews? Most likely, you chose the second option, which is why reviews are so important.
SEO’s presence boost not only makes your online reviews more visible but also makes it more likely that new customers will leave reviews. It’s a great way to quickly gain the trust of people who might buy from you. Many searchers say they put a lot of stock in customer reviews, so it’s up to you to make sure they can see right away what your business’s reputation is like.
- A Better User Experience:
Basically, search engines can tell if your website isn’t good for users, and Google puts a lot of weight on how good a site is for users when deciding which sites rank higher than others. The main goal of a search engine is to get users to the information they want as quickly and with as few clicks as possible. Because of this, Google now has featured snippets that give the best answer to a user’s question.
When you make your website better for search engines, you are also making it better for users. By making breadcrumbs visible on your site, adding contact forms, putting important information up front, and making your site easier to use, you increase your credibility in the eyes of both your users and search engines. It really is a case where everyone wins.
- Affordability:
SEO is typically less expensive than paid search, social advertising, and building a strong social media presence. Although many agencies will charge you a management fee as well as the additional costs of any of your ads, SEO is frequently a flat monthly fee that does not change. It’s a great way for budget-conscious business owners to boost their digital marketing efforts without breaking the bank.
It’s easier to justify if you think of it as an investment in the health of your company rather than a marketing expense. After all, SEO has numerous advantages and can even lead to higher conversion rates. It is a long-term strategy for increasing profits over time.
Nowadays, if you want your business to succeed, you need to include search engine optimization in your marketing strategy. It will help you gain a competitive advantage in search traffic, ensure that your website is as user-friendly as possible, and significantly increase brand awareness. It’s an excellent way to ensure that your company’s name is on everyone’s lips. Pittsburgh Online Marketing’s experts are well-versed in the ever-changing best practices of SEO and are ready to work with you to get your company the rankings it deserves.