SEO (Organic Search) Is One of the Many Channels You Need to Maintain

Blog Layout

Taylor Tunnison • Apr 15, 2022

Nothing drives organic web traffic quite like search engines. That’s because most internet users begin their online sessions with something like Google. Search engines make it possible to filter through hundreds of millions of active websites to find exactly what you’re looking for online. It’s hard to imagine the modern internet without them. If that were the case, you’d need to know the exact URL of every single site you’d want to visit. Luckily, websites that employ search engine optimization (SEO) strategies are easy to find, even for first-time visitors. Let’s take a closer look at what SEO is, why it matters, and how you can improve yours with a little effort.

What Is SEO?

Websites form the backbone of the public-facing internet. They are especially important for companies that wish to grow and reach new people. A professional website with a meaningful domain name is like a form of digital real estate. Around here, we refer to business websites as digital storefronts because they function much like physical property did in the 20^th century.

If websites are digital storefronts, then search engines are digital yellow pages. Except, these online phonebooks immediately open to the right place almost every time. No more flipping through countless pages to find the address and phone number of stores, retailers, and restaurants. Nowadays, a single search often points you directly to a relevant company’s website or social media profiles. This saves users a lot of time and effort, and it’s why search engines direct so much organic traffic on the internet.

Search engines do this with the use of AI. They frequently crawl websites’ content and index it according to specific keywords. That’s why keyword research is such a major part of any good SEO strategy, but more on that later. For now, just know that for any website to be visible on Google, it needs to be optimized in many ways. Basically, optimized websites are fast, functional, and informative on all devices. They receive the largest amount of high-quality, organic traffic, and they tend to produce the most leads, sales, and revenue.

Why Is SEO Important?

It’s well-known that the average internet user spends nearly 7 hours online each day. They often use a mobile device and begin their session with a search engine. These facts say a great deal about the average user’s online experience. Users expect websites to appear on search engines and function on their smartphones, and if they don’t, many users will simply leave.

SEO and user experience go hand-in-hand. That’s why optimized websites contain the same content on both desktop and mobile versions. This is critical now that Google has shifted to mobile-first indexing. Mobile optimization ensures that smartphone users can easily view and browse a website on the go. That way, they’re likely to spend more time clicking, reading, and possibly purchasing products or services. Users who have a great experience on your website will likely return and recommend your company over competitors.

Another major component of any SEO strategy is content creation. Content is king, as the saying goes, and a website is one of the best places to share it with the world. Whatever you provide, whether it’s products, services, or information, there’s probably an audience searching for it. Search engines rank websites based on how often they publish new content. They also prefer those that cite their claims with links back to credible sources. Regular content updates signal that a webpage is more active, current, and authoritative than similar pages. This is important because search engines aim to serve the most trustworthy sites to their users first.

How to Improve Your Website’s SEO

The best SEO strategies are long-term and multi-faceted. They follow various on-page and off-page best practices including regular website updates, keyword research, and Google Business Profile management.

In our opinion, every business website needs a blog page for many reasons. Regularly publishing high-quality blog posts signals that your site is active and authoritative, especially if other websites link back to it. Posts can also be included in email and social media campaigns to encourage audience engagement. Give users an excuse to visit your website by including eye-catching, thought-provoking content, and you’ll reap the rewards that come with more web traffic.

Much of SEO hinges on keywords. These are the terms and phrases that users type into search engines to find certain content. Optimized websites feature keywords that attract the right audiences to them. There are plenty of online resources available to aid in the research process. In fact, anyone can find keywords relevant to their business, and we’ve detailed how to do so in the past. Including popular and relevant keywords will improve your website’s SEO and the quality of its traffic. Remember that search trends change often, so keep an eye on each of your webpages’ rankings and revisit your research monthly.

Google also offers businesses various useful tools to improve their SEO. One of the best is a Google Business Profile (GBP). We’ve also covered this topic in detail before, so here’s a quick overview. Simply put, a GBP is like a social media profile. It’s a great place to include key company details like addresses, products or services, contact information, hours of operation, and a website link. You can even track insights like web traffic and phone calls through it. Be sure to create and claim your company’s GBP, and update it as often as possible.

Enter the Digital Age

Optimized websites nurture both new and returning users from the very first click. These digital resource hubs provide unmatched value and are dependable enough to make secure online purchases. They also capture almost all organic search traffic because most internet users never click past the first page of Google results.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of optimized websites in the digital age. Of the nearly 8 billion people on the planet today, over 5.2 billion or about 62% can access the internet. Hundreds of millions of new users come online every single year and this trend will continue. What’s more, there were just over 6 billion sm artphone users in 2021. This number may grow to about 8 billion by 2030. What does all of this mean for companies? It means they’d better be online if they hope to stay competitive in the future.

Not long ago, it was possible to start and grow a successful business with little more than hard work, good will, and word of mouth. While that still may be possible today, it will become tougher each and every year. The simple fact is our world is becoming interconnected at an alarming rate. The internet lowers the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs and allows them to efficiently reach millions of people. This opens up countless new opportunities for next-generation companies that provide innovative products and services. However, a digital world also creates many new risks in terms of security. Criminals employ various scams, phishing attacks, and computer viruses to take advantage of the unprepared. Although simply being aware of these threats is often enough to avoid them.

Don’t Get Left Behind

Websites, search engines, and mobile devices are quickly transforming our world. Companies that understand and accept this fact can better position themselves for long-term growth. If your business needs a new website or SEO support, we hope you’ll contact us today. We’d be honored to help you successfully navigate the digital frontier.

Originally published on June 3rd, 2020

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Are You Interested In More?

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Share This Post With Your Friends

Latest Posts

What is a Bounce Rate vs Engagement Rate? Why it Matters

08 May, 2024

Imagine your website as your online store. You wouldn't want people to peek in, feel awkward, and then disappear, never to return, would you? That's the bounce rate in action. It's the percentage of visitors who bounce off your site after just one page, like a dropped basketball. The engagement rate is the flip side of that coin. It tells you how many visitors actually stick around and explore. They might click links, watch videos, fill out forms, or browse other pages. The more engaged they are, the better! So, understanding a bounce rate vs engagement rate is important for any organization with a website. Here's why these two metrics are important: 1. Bounce Rate: Your Wake-Up Call A high bounce rate could be a red flag. Maybe your landing page is a snoozefest, your content is confusing, or your navigation is a maze. Thoroughly analyzing your bounce rate helps you identify areas that need work. 2. Engagement Rate: The Sticky Factor A good engagement rate means visitors find your site interesting and useful. They're digging deeper and potentially taking the next step, whether that’s buying something, signing up for your email list, or contacting you. 3. Not All Bounce Rates Are Created Equal Plot twist! A high bounce rate isn't always a disaster. Let's say you have a blog post titled "The Best Hiking Trail in Eastern Nebraska." Someone might land on that page, get the info they need (the trail’s name), and bounce. Well, that's a good thing since they found what they were looking for. You must consider your website’s context and goals, so discretion is key! High bounce rates on product pages or contact forms might be a sign of trouble, while high bounce rates on informative blog posts *might* be perfectly okay. 4. Engagement Rate: Beyond Just Time Spent Engagement rates are about what a reader does on your site, now just how long they were browsing it. Did they click that "Buy Now" button, read your entire "About Us" page, or quickly fill out a contact form? These actions tell a much richer story than just the time your readers gave up. 5. Bounce Rate and Engagement Rate: Better Together Think of bounce rates and engagement rates like cookies and milk, they're best analyzed together. A high bounce rate with a low engagement rate suggests there's a problem. But a high bounce rate with a decent engagement rate might not be as bad as it seems. 6. Know Your Audience Who are you trying to attract to your website? What are their goals? Once you understand your target audience , you can better interpret your website’s data. For example, if you run an online store selling luxury goods, you might expect fewer visitors overall, but a higher engagement rate from those who do visit. They're probably more likely to be serious about buying something than somebody composing their wish list on Amazon. 7. A/B Testing: Your Secret Weapon A/B testing lets you experiment with different versions of your website and see which one has a better bounce rate and engagement rate. Maybe you test two different headlines for your landing page or try out a new navigation bar for maximum impact. 8. Don't Get Fixated on One Number Bounce rate and engagement rate are valuable tools ( KPIs ), but they shouldn't be the only ones in your toolbox. Look at your conversion rates (the percentage of visitors who take a desired action), average time on page , and traffic sources. 9. It's All About User Experience In the end, the goal is to create a fantastic user experience. You want visitors to be engaged and keep coming back for more. By analyzing your bounce rate and engagement rate, you can identify areas for improvement and make your website a welcoming, informative, and user-friendly space. 10. Deep Dive with Analytics Tools Most website platforms have built-in analytics tools that track bounce rates and engagement rates. There are also powerful analytics platforms like Google Analytics that provide even more detailed insights into user behavior. What is a Great Way to Boost Your Bounce Rate vs Engagement Rate Ready to make your website a bounce-free zone (well, almost) and boost its engagement? Well, True North Technologies can help! We're a digital marketing agency passionate about crafting websites that convert. From SEO optimization to killer content creation, we have the expertise to help your website shine .

Behind Those Banner Ads: What is Geofencing in Marketing?

By Derek Oss • 02 May, 2024

Imagine craving a caffeine fix and strolling past your favorite coffee shop. You then see an ad later that day for the exact same coffee shop, offering a discount just for you! Or maybe you're scrolling through online stores, checking out the latest sneakers, and bam! Ads for those same shoes start popping up everywhere you look. Spooky, right? Maybe a little but trust us, you’re not Jason Bourne and no command center is following your every step. It's actually a clever marketing strategy called geofencing, and it's changing how large and small businesses reach their customers. Understanding Geofencing Geofencing creates an invisible boundary around a physical location, like your favorite store or gym. This tactic allows marketers to establish these virtual perimeters using GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular data, or IP addresses . When someone with a smartphone enters or exits the designated area, they can receive targeted messages, notifications, or even banner ads. It's essentially a personalized billboard that follows you around (virtually, of course). The Power of Reaching Customers at the Right Moment Geofencing's strength lies in its ability to connect with potential customers at the best time. Consider a scenario where you're walking past a sporting goods store right before the weekend. A geofenced ad might remind you to pick up some new baseball gear for a kid's game or hiking gear for the nearby trails. With a well-crafted landing page , a great ad can be the deciding factor to make a conversion for people who check your site out! This is the power of geofencing – highly relevant marketing that cultivates targeted actions. Creative Applications of Geofencing With vast possibilities, geofencing is being employed by businesses in innovative ways, as seen in the following examples: Retail Stores: Attract customers with special offers or announcements about new product arrivals. Restaurants: Target nearby office workers with happy hour deals or entice passersby with a complimentary appetizer. Gyms: Motivate gym goers by offering discounts on memberships or personal training sessions when users are near the facility. Event Venues: Remind attendees of upcoming concerts or conferences. Competitor Targeting: Subtly nudge potential customers towards your store when they're in the vicinity of your competitor's location (always maintain a professional tone). Addressing Privacy Concerns It's understandable to feel apprehensive about location tracking. However, users must opt-in to some mix of location services, cookies , and privacy agreements for it to function. Additionally, geofencing is anonymous – it tracks users within a designated area, not their entire whereabouts. Tailoring Your Geofencing Strategy Geofences aren't a one-size-fits-all solution. Marketers can achieve highly targeted campaigns through various methods: Radius Fences: Create a circular perimeter around a specific location, like a store or park. Polygonal Fences: Define a custom shape for even greater precision, ideal for targeting specific areas within a building or shopping mall. Implementation and Cost Considerations While geofencing offers immense potential, it's not a DIY project that businesses can slap together. Partner with a marketing agency that’s assembled the necessary tools and expertise for effectively executed campaigns. The cost varies depending on the campaign's size and complexity. However, compared to traditional advertising methods, geofencing can be a highly cost-effective way to reach a targeted audience. Plus, your campaign can be tracked in real time, so your team can tweak things on the fly to get the best outcome.