How SEO Builds Trust
Google’s goal is to give users the best and most relevant answers to their questions, which is why there are 40,000 searches every second. They’re always working to improve their results quickly. A well-optimized website helps build authority, which in turn builds trust with users. A good SEO company knows how to spot issues that might keep a site from ranking well, like 404 errors, slow page load times, crawl issues, and duplicate content. The best SEO companies also focus on creating content that is authoritative and knows the right keywords to attract potential leads for a business.
SEO and User Experience
Having a well-designed site is just part of the equation. On-page or technical SEO is essential for making your site Google-friendly and easy to index. This means fixing broken links, redirecting inactive links, adding alt tags to images for accessibility, ensuring fast load times, and making sure the site is mobile-friendly. All these factors contribute to a better user experience and keep visitors on your site longer. If users leave quickly, Google might think your site isn’t relevant and lower its ranking. An SEO agency will identify and address these issues during the setup phase and provide a plan to improve your site’s user experience.
Local SEO Boosts Conversions
Since 2013, mobile use has made local SEO more important. About 80% of consumers now do local searches, especially when they’re out and about. By 2018, 88% of these searches were done on smartphones. Keeping your business information up-to-date across listing directories helps search engines recognize that your business is relevant to users nearby. Local searchers are often ready to visit a nearby location and make a purchase within 24 hours. For businesses with longer sales cycles or high-ticket items, local SEO can make sure you’re on the shortlist when potential customers are deciding.
How SEO Affects the Buying Cycle
Many companies focus only on the initial discovery stage, where consumers realize they have a problem and start searching. But it’s crucial to also address the research and decision stages. During the discovery phase, content that identifies and explains the problem keeps users engaged. Even if a conversion doesn’t happen right away, it’s important to have content for the research and decision stages.
In the research phase, content should be rich with data, testimonials, examples, images, and videos to establish authority and show the value of your product or service. While videos are not yet fully indexed by search engines, they can still attract attention and set your site apart from competitors.
During the decision stage, content should reinforce the value of your offering and cater to well-informed prospects who have done their research. They’ll use specific keywords to find specialized providers. An SEO agency will create targeted content for each stage of this process and seek influencers to boost credibility.
SEO is Always Changing
Google’s algorithms can change rapidly, affecting your rankings overnight. Outdated tactics like keyword stuffing or paid links can lead to penalties. What worked in the past may now harm your site’s ranking, so investing in an SEO expert not only helps improve your site but also keeps you informed about current best practices.
SEO is Cost-Effective
While SEO services aren’t free, they offer long-term value. Once your site is optimized and ranks well for certain keywords, it can maintain its position without ongoing costs. Unlike Google Ads, which stop when your budget runs out, SEO results can last much longer. Other forms of advertising, like Facebook or Instagram ads, require frequent updates to stay effective, while well-crafted SEO content, like blog posts or infographics, can continue to drive traffic without constant revisions.