Not so long ago, the Yellow Pages was the main portal for people who are searching for products and services. In a few short years, the phone book has become obsolete. Internet search engines have taken its place, and while online habits are ever-changing, the role of SEO remains as vital as ever.

Those with businesses have to recognize just how a gigantic shift this is, especially since the Internet is never as forgiving as the Yellow Pages. The phone book afforded entrepreneurs equal exposure to thousands of viewers per page. Search engines, in contrast, are selective when it comes to who gets that coveted spot on top of the search results.

In fact, more than 60% of Google users only click on the top three results on top search results, and 33% of those only click on the top spot. Achieving that sweet spot is extremely difficult without the help of SEO experts, and maintaining your ranking on your own can be downright impossible. This is where Search Engine Optimization comes, and it can make or break your business.

Staying competitive in today’s market place demands a concerted and committed SEO strategy. Without it, your website will be one of the millions out there that fail to reach your intended audience. Clearly, SEO still matters, and without it, business growth is hard to achieve.

More and more users rely on search engines

Google released data that shows 4 out of 5 consumers use search engines to locate information about businesses, especially local ones. They search for everything from your store hours to directions to your store. Even if you have a website, they might have difficulty finding you if your business does not show up under relevant results.

However, there are billions of active websites today, and competition for the top search results is stiffer than ever. SEO, therefore, plays a pivotal role in helping your business show up when users search for your target keywords.

Look at the costs

Advertising on traditional mediums such as magazine and newspapers is out of the budget for many businesses since they can be expensive. If you’re able to afford them, however, you need to continue shelling out for the campaign or risk losing exposure.

In contrast, SEO presents a more cost-effective way to get your brand out there. In fact, SEO can help you attract targeted traffic for years to come. The investment you make on SEO strategies pay off in the long run, making one of the most affordable marketing strategies there is. Better yet, SEO professionals can customize your SEO marketing strategies to fit your working budget.

Grab that competitive advantage

Chances are, your competition is already doing SEO, and if you’re not, you’re already behind the race. Many entrepreneurs already understand the benefits of search, and have invested in SEO campaigns to give them higher rankings.

Therefore, if you’re not doing SEO yet, you are losing valuable opportunities to compete with other businesses in your industry. SEO gives you the chance to put up a fight when it comes to attracting and retaining consumers.

Evolve with SEO

Google changes and updates its algorithm countless times a year, and these changes significantly affect rankings. For instance, one of the most recent updates prioritize mobile search results, and businesses that have not yet caught up to this shift are bound to slip when it comes to rankings.

Oklahoma City SEO professionals can help you stay up-to-date with such practices, allowing you to stay ahead of the curve with the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Sources:

6 Local SEO Strategies for Small Business, forbes.com
5 Ways Small Business Can Compete With Giants in SEO, entrepreneur.com