Why SEO Isn't Just For The Big Dogs
In the world of online marketing, there is a common misconception that search engine optimization (SEO) is only beneficial for large corporations with big budgets.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that SEO is the great equalizer. It levels the playing field and allows smaller businesses to compete with their larger counterparts. In fact, it can be the key to success for small businesses in the increasingly competitive online landscape.
In this blog post, we will explore why SEO shouldn’t just be reserved for the “big dogs” and how it can benefit businesses of all sizes.
What Is SEO, And Why Is It So Strong For Small Business?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing a website to improve its visibility and ranking on search engine results pages. It involves various strategies and techniques, such as keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and content creation to help you show up higher when a customer is looking for a particular product or service.
You Can Make Yourself Appear Larger
One of the major benefits of SEO for small businesses is the ability to present themselves as a larger, more authoritative brand. Even if you’re a one-person operation working out of your home office, with effective SEO techniques, you can rank higher than industry leaders and established corporations in search results.
Florist Scenario - One Person vs Large Brand
Picture this scenario: you’re a local florist with a website optimized for SEO. You operate your business out of your home and you have no employees. When someone in your town searches for “flower delivery,” your business pops up as one of the top results.
Your competition is a national brand with thousands of employees, but their website is clunky, outdated, and doesn’t even show up on the first page of Google results.
Who do you think that potential customer is more likely to choose? That’s right, you.
Ranking High In A Small Market Is Easier
SEO is a scalable strategy that can be tailored to fit any budget. While larger companies may have more resources to invest in SEO, small businesses can still achieve significant results with a strategic approach. There are plenty of cost-effective SEO techniques and strategies that can help small businesses improve their online visibility and attract more organic traffic.
Less Expensive To Target Local Customers
Small businesses can focus on targeting local audiences and niches, allowing them to stand out in their specific markets. They can also prioritize long-tail keywords, which are often less competitive and more relevant to their products or services.
For example, if your town only consists of small businesses like yours, you just have to be better than them. When it comes to SEO, location matters. There might be a thousand other businesses out there that offer the same services or products as you do, but they’re not all located near you
You don’t have to worry about outranking every other business in your industry, just the ones in your local area.
SEO Scenario - Don't Leave Money On The Table
Opportunity Cost Of Not Showing Up
If you are not investing in showing up online and competing with your competitors, you are essentially leaving money on the table. This is what we call the opportunity cost of not being present in the digital space. It may be tempting to think that you can’t afford SEO, but the truth is, if your budget is tight, you can’t afford not to have it. Plus, once you start showing up at the top of Google, you can generate organic leads which decreases your customer acquisition cost giving you more financial leeway.
About Half of Google Searches Are For Local Businesses
With the rise of mobile search and location-based services, more and more people are using search engines to find nearby products and services. 92% of people who look up products or services online make some kind of purchase related to the search. If half of the searches are local and 90% of them result in a purchase, you definitely want to be sure you are showing up and giving yourself a fighting chance to make that sale.