Search engine optimization is the way to bring your website and services to the first page of search results. Many business owners struggle with promoting their businesses. It’s a common problem but a simple one. How are people supposed to find out about your business without a strong online presence?

The first thing we do when we need something is to look it up online. Whether we’re looking for a pediatrician, plumber, or contractor, we look to the Internet for answers. SEO is how you get people to check out your website when they’re trying to find one of the services you provide.

How SEO Helps You Beat Your Local Competition

The goal of SEO isn’t just to bring you customers, but to divert them from your competition to your business. When we look up something online, we’re likely to go with the first result we see. There’s almost no reason to go back and look through other results. People don’t have time for that anymore. By optimizing your content, your website can be the first result people see. How does SEO make this a reality?

SEO works with web design to equip your business with a high-quality website. This means a smooth, fast, easy on the eye, and accessible website. There’s very little benefit in having your website as the first result if people can’t stand to use it. Making sure it’s easy to use and look at is integral.

Compatibility is also important. Most of us use our phones and tablets to look up things online. It’s hard to believe that there are websites out there that aren’t compatible with these devices. If a person can’t access your website through their phone, they’re almost never going to rely on your services.

All of these affect conversion rates. What are the conversion rates? This is the rate of people that use your website and continue to acquire your services or products. After all, your goal isn’t to simply attract people to your website, unless your service is a blog or similar business. Your primary goal is to convert viewers into recurring and loyal customers.

At the end of it all, you’ll want a better social media presence and higher conversion rates compared to your local competition. SEO will help build your brand and earn you the trust of the people of your community. People trust the top search results more than others. To some, the second page of results doesn’t even exist. If it’s not on the first page, it doesn’t matter. SEO can take you to the top of the first page.

When done right, you can begin to gain prominence and compete with national businesses. People prefer local businesses for many reasons. They’re easier to reach, are readily available, and are often cheaper to hire. The hard part is to get your name out there and let your community know that your business is reliable. SEO, or search engine optimization, is the key to making this happen.