Why "We've Done Fine Without SEO" Is Not a Good Strategy
As a business owner, it can be tempting to stick with what has worked in the past. After all, if your company has been thriving for years, why change now?
This mindset is understandable, but it’s also a dangerous one. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing digital landscape, relying solely on past successes can lead to stagnation and ultimately, decline.
While it may seem like your business is doing well without SEO, the truth is that you could be missing out on a significant amount of potential growth and revenue. In this blog post, we’ll explore why the mentality of “we’ve always done well without SEO” is not a good business strategy and why embracing new technology is crucial for continued success.
Explaining The Importance of SEO
Showing up when people are searching for your product or service is crucial. Customers expect businesses to be online, and if you’re not, you’re missing out on valuable opportunities.
Just think about it: when was the last time you made a purchase without first doing a quick search on Google? Your customers are no different. They turn to search engines to find information, compare options, and make informed decisions.
By not having an online presence, you’re limiting your company to one-dimensional marketing strategies.
Not Investing in SEO is Refusing to Compete
Imagine if your competitors are the ones appearing at the top of the search results while you’re nowhere to be found. Not only would you be missing out on a significant amount of organic traffic, potential customers, and business opportunities, you’d be losing them to your competitor. As a business owner in today’s highly competitive market, you can’t afford to let your competitors gain an advantage simply because you refused to show up.
Misconceptions About SEO
When it comes to SEO, there are several common misconceptions that often lead businesses to believe they don’t need it.
Misconception #1 - SEO is Only for Big Companies
One of the biggest misconceptions is that SEO is only important for large companies with extensive online presence. This couldn’t be further from the truth. SEO is one of the few ways a smaller company can even the playing field with larger competitors.
Misconception #2 - SEO is Just Adding Some Keywords
Some businesses also mistakenly believe that SEO is only about keyword optimization. While keywords are an important component of SEO, there are many other factors involved, such as website speed, mobile-friendliness, and user experience. Simply spamming keywords won’t work, and if you go overboard with it you can actually do more harm than good.
Misconception #3 - People Don't Scroll Down to Websites Because Ads Are At The Top
Another common misconception you hear is that nobody looks at organic search results because ads are at the top. This simply isn’t true. Although ads appear at the top, studies have shown that only 12% of people actually click on them because they know those businesses paid to be there. The majority of users click on organic search results instead because they rightly believe business owners at least had to earn their ranking to some extent.
SEO Tip - Showing Up Online Is Good Customer Service
How Ignoring SEO Is Bad For Business
By neglecting to optimize your website and content for search engines, you are essentially choosing to be invisible to potential customers who are actively searching for your products or services. This means that you are missing out on a significant amount of organic traffic and potential leads.
Handing Away Customers On A Silver Platter
Customers rely heavily on search engines to find what they need. If your competitors are appearing at the top of the search results while you are nowhere to be found, you are essentially handing them your customers on a silver platter.
Not Viewed As A Reputable Company If No One Can Find You
Not showing up online sends a message to your customers that you are not keeping up with the times and may not be as credible or trustworthy as your competitors who have a strong online presence. Customers expect businesses to have an online presence, and if they can’t find you easily, they may assume that you are not a reputable company.
Making Life Hard For Customers
Ignoring SEO also means neglecting the user experience and making it harder for customers to find you. In a world where convenience is king, customers expect businesses to be easily accessible online. If your website is buried in search engine results pages, it’s highly likely that potential customers will have to take their business elsewhere.
Addressing The "We've Done Fine Without SEO" Mindset
You never want to fall into the trap of thinking that because you’ve been successful in the past, you don’t need to adapt. The phrases “we’ve always done it this way” or “we don’t need that” are often the famous last words of failed businesses. While it’s true that you may have had success without SEO in the past, the world of business is constantly evolving, and so are customer expectations. Why shouldn’t you?
Resting On Your Laurels
Companies that rest on past achievements often face difficulties when the winds of change start to blow. Being rigid in a constantly evolving market eventually leads to failure. In today’s world, the only constant is change, and those who adapt are the ones who succeed.
Disdain For Advancing Technology
Not embracing things like SEO or having a website because you simply don’t like technology or think it’s bad for society is not a good strategy. Having a nostalgic attachment to traditional marketing methods and believing that all you need is word-of-mouth or personal connections is an impediment to long term success.
Most of us quit using horses for transportation a long time ago for this exact reason. You can still get where you need to go on a horse, but when the competition starts flying by you in an automobile, it’s probably a good idea to get one too. Doesn’t meet you have to retire the horse completely, you just can’t rely on it as much anymore if you have to compete with cars.
Netflix Adapted, Blockbuster Went "Bust"
Think about Blockbuster. Once a giant in the video rental industry, they refused to adapt when technology changed the game. They had a winning business model that made them successful for years, but when streaming services started gaining popularity, Blockbuster continued to rely on their outdated business model and fell behind.
On the other hand, companies like Netflix embraced the change and developed a new way of delivering entertainment to people’s homes. Now, they are one of the most successful and innovative businesses in the world.
Embrace Change And Thrive
Refusing to evolve and innovate means certain failure. Businesses need to stay nimble, constantly look for new ways to meet customers’ needs and expectations, and embrace change as a way to thrive and stay ahead of the competition.