Search engine optimization (SEO) is a term you hear frequently when discussing online marketing. It’s often mentioned by people who want to convince you to pay them to handle your marketing. It can seem like an overwhelming topic, but SEO is critical when you’re creating any kind of online content. What gets left out of the conversation is a clear explanation of what SEO is and why you should care about it. Without that insight, you may find yourself questioning the real value of SEO when it comes to marketing.
What is SEO
Google is the most widely used search engine in the world. People will only find you online if your content grabs the attention of Google and other search engines. The catch is that search engine algorithms are particular about what they notice while pulling information. SEO is creating content in a format that Google and other search engines will notice. That formatting requires things such as including images with your posts and making sure your content is mobile friendly. Many factors contribute to how Google ranks your content, but proper SEO is always a good place to start. You can DIY SEO, but you may want to outsource the process so you can focus on other aspects of your business.
How can it help grow your business
SEO isn’t a magic bullet for business growth, but it is a key step in optimizing your online marketing. When you rank on the first page of search results, it’s more likely that people will click through to your content. Those click throughs are half the battle when it comes to online marketing. Another benefit of ranking on the first page is that it signals that Google thinks your content is credible. For someone who isn’t familiar with you, this can signal that you are a legitimate financial advisor. Once potential clients reach your content, it’s up to you to serve them engaging content that can move them into the lead funnel.
Websites, blog posts, and visual content can help your online marketing efforts, but they aren’t without limitations. They only work if potential clients find them so SEO should be front of mind no matter what kind of content you create.
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