Tired of settling for pages 3, 4, or 5 or lower in Google’s search rankings?
Too many business owners don’t vie for top-shelf rankings because they’re intimidated by the competition. And let’s face it: small business owners can’t match the budgets and resources of the Walmarts, Targets, and Best Buys of the world. No matter which field you’re in, you probably have at least one competitor that simply exists on a different playing field.
But Google processes billions of search queries every day, and the majority of those searches come from mobile phones, with people looking for local goods and services.
Many of these folks aren’t looking for big-box retailers. They’re looking for whatever is closest. And according to Google’s own research, half of all people who search for goods and services on their smartphones end up visiting stores on the same day. That’s an incredible return on investment that’s on the table for any business.
Local SEO evens the playing field between large and small businesses. It’s also just one of many examples of how your business could benefit from a good SEO strategy.
That said, the first step toward success is clearing up the reasons that keep people sidelined.
I’m going to address the top four reasons I hear small business owners give for not investing in SEO. And I’m going to tell you why they’re no reason to be afraid of investing.
Reason #1: “I’m Too Late to the Game.”
The first reason for not taking the plunge into SEO is simple: small business owners are reluctant to spend money against competitors who’ve been in the SEO game for years. They can’t imagine how they could ever overcome their competitors and capture worthwhile search rankings. Why even bother?
But as I said above, local SEO is the great equalizer. If you shift your focus locally, it can lead to great success.
Invest in strengthening your position in hyper-local searches by fleshing out your website and setting up your Google Business Profile. Generate content that is relevant to your city, your district, your neighborhood, or your street.
It’s never too late to begin competing for local SEO rankings.
Reason #2: “SEO Services Cost Too Much.”
As is the case with most in-demand service providers, quality SEO professionals don’t work on the cheap.
Investing in SEO services can be daunting for small business owners because they’re not guaranteed to get tangible results. They see hiring an SEO firm as more like hiring an attorney than hiring a roofing company. When you hire a roofer, you know you’ll get a sturdy roof that doesn’t leak in return. When hiring an attorney, there’s no guarantee of winning in the courtroom.
That said, SEO professionals don’t improve search rankings with magic wands and pixie dust. If you choose a quality SEO company, they’ll apply sound strategies that will help you see results.
SEO companies will build out your website and make sure it performs optimally for your target audience. They’ll create high-quality content. They’ll make sure you’re listed in all the major local directories, and they’ll research all the ways you might attract new customers online. And as a result, you’re likely to see a rise in your Google search rankings.
If you absolutely can’t afford to hire an SEO professional, then there’s plenty you can do on your own to get started. Or you can hire someone for a one-time project to lay the foundation. It’s better to do something to improve your SEO strategy than nothing at all.
Related article: How much do small business SEO services cost?
Reason #3: “I Won’t Be Able to Keep Up with All the Changes.”
It’s definitely true that keeping up with the latest SEO trends requires effort. However, the SEO game doesn’t really change as much as it evolves. In fact, some of the core building blocks of a good SEO strategy haven’t changed in years. We organize these fundamentals into what we call the 4 Rs of SEO: Research, Relevance, Reputation, and Results.
A good website packed with relevant, valuable content is absolutely essential for earning the best possible page rankings. So is having a sensible website structure with pages that have unique and logical themes.
You must also make an effort to engage others online and encourage people to link to your site.
And of course, making sure your site functions properly on all devices, including mobile, is extremely important.
An ongoing commitment to improving your SEO strategy doesn’t mean chasing your tail through an endless flurry of algorithm updates. Think more along the lines of gradual shifts over longer periods of time.
Reason #4: “I Don’t Even Know Where to Begin.”
You want to strengthen your website’s SEO, but you don’t even know where to start. This is common. There’s no magic bullet that will beat out your competitors, and most SEO campaigns take time to deliver results.
Like running a marathon, the best first step is the one right in front of you.
Focus on your website. Make sure it works on desktop and mobile devices.
Then work on your content. Each priority page of your website should be uniquely themed with focused keywords.
Next, create a Google Business Profile and establish listings on the major online directories.
In addition, publish a blog on your website and update it regularly.
From there, you can broaden your efforts for even more results, or you can hand the reins over to an SEO professional. Either way, enhancing the quality of your website is the best place to start.
Need Help with SEO?
If you need help getting started with SEO or improving your current strategy, we can help. Request a free SEO quote, and we’ll review your site and recommend the right next steps.
