Is SEO Worth It?

SEO (search engine optimization) works and can be worth it for many reasons, including:

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Increased Organic Traffic

A recent study by BrightEdge discovered that organic search accounts for 53% of all website traffic. For instance, a company that receives 100,000 monthly visitors could attribute 53K of those visitors to organic search, proving the significant impact of SEO on web traffic. Organic traffic is important because it consists of users actively searching for products, services, or information that your website provides. This highly targeted traffic can in better engagement and higher conversion rates compared to other traffic sources.

[Source: BrightEdge]

Cost-Effective Marketing

According Demand Metric’s study, the cost of content marketing is 62% less than traditional marketing and yields three times as many leads. For example, a small business who pays $10,000 for SEO could generate an ROI of $30,000. This makes SEO affordable strategy, allowing businesses to attract a steady stream traffic without the high costs of paid advertising.

[Source: Demand Metric]

Builds Credibility and Trust

A survey by Search Engine Journal showed that 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results. If a business moves from the second page to the first page, it can potentially capture 75% of the total search traffic, significantly boosting visibility and trust. Ranking on the first page of search results is seen as a mark of credibility and reliability, as users tend to trust search engines to provide the best results for their queries.

[Source: Search Engine Journal]

Better User Experience

A study by Forrester found that a well-designed user interface could increase a website’s conversion rate by up to 200%. For example, if a company’s conversion rate is 2% with 10,000 visitors, improving user experience through SEO could increase conversions from 200 to 600. SEO involves optimizing website speed, mobile-friendliness, and overall usability, all of which contribute to a better user experience and higher engagement rates.

[Source: Forrester]

Higher Conversion Rates

According to Search Engine Land, leads generated from SEO have a 14.6% close rate, compared to 1.7% for outbound leads. For a business generating 1,000 leads, this means SEO could convert 146 leads into sales, compared to just 17 from outbound methods. This higher conversion rate is due to the targeted nature of SEO, which attracts users who are already interested in your products or services.

[Source: Search Engine Land]

Long-Term Strategy

A case study by Ahrefs found that 60% of pages listed on the first page of Google are three or more years old. This longevity shows that once you achieve high rankings, the benefits of SEO can last for years, providing continuous traffic without ongoing costs. Unlike paid advertising, which stops driving traffic once the budget is exhausted, SEO efforts can continue to pay off long after the initial investment.

[Source: Ahrefs]

Competitive Advantage

A study by Conductor revealed that companies investing in SEO grow 20% faster than those that don’t. If a business’s revenue is $1 million, investing in SEO could potentially increase revenue by $200,000 annually, compared to a competitor not using SEO. This growth is attributed to the increased visibility, traffic, and conversions that come with higher search rankings.

[Source: Conductor]

Supports Content Marketing

Content marketing generates 3 times as many leads as traditional outbound marketing but costs 62% less, according to Demand Metric. For instance, if a business spends $10,000 on traditional marketing to generate 100 leads, the same investment in SEO-driven content could generate 300 leads at a lower cost. This efficiency makes SEO a highly effective component of a content marketing strategy.

[Source: Demand Metric]

Enhances Local Search

Google reports that 76% of people who search for something nearby on their smartphones visit a related business within a day, and 28% of those searches result in a purchase. For a local business, this could mean that out of 1,000 local searches, 760 visits could translate into 212 purchases. Local SEO tactics, such as optimizing Google My Business listings and obtaining local reviews, can significantly boost visibility and sales.

[Source: Google]

Measurable Results

A survey by HubSpot found that companies using inbound marketing (SEO) double their average website conversion rates from 6% to 12%. For a business with 50,000 visitors per month, this could mean an increase from 3,000 to 6,000 conversions, doubling their bottom line impact. SEO tools and analytics provide detailed insights into traffic, behavior, and conversions, allowing businesses to refine their strategies for maximum impact.

[Source: HubSpot]

Is SEO worth it for small businesses?

Yes, SEO is definitely worth it for small businesses, providing undeniable benefits such as a strong brand identity, sustainable long-term growth, and cost-effective lead generation.

However, it’s important to note that SEO requires a long-term commitment and might not be suitable for businesses seeking quick wins.