Why So Many Companies Are Turning to SEO

Recently, many online pundits have made the claim that search engine optimization is dead. Somehow they argue that SEO marketing has run its course and now has gone the way of the dinosaur. However, attention grabbing antics aside, the fact is that search engine optimization is increasingly important in the realm of web marketing.

Where It All Began%3Cbr%3E

In September of 1998, Google was founded. In February 2009, Google’s first-ever tweet read “I’m feeling lucky” in binary code. The company headquarter’s lawn is maintained by goats, rented from a grazing company, that naturally keep the grass mowed. Yes, the company is quirky but because of their search algorithm, “PageRank”, online marketing was, unarguably, born into the world.

Why SEO is So Important%3Cbr%3E

More than 88% of U.S. web users over the age of 14 browsed and researched products online
in 2012. 40% of those followed up on social media platforms. However, of those initial experiences that lead web surfers to company websites, 93% of them began with a search engine, according to Search Engine Journal. Using search engine optimization is key to being seen and having your site visited by web users. How key is it? Consider, 57% of B2B marketers say that search engine optimization has the biggest influence on reaching their lead generation goals.

What Are the Most Important SEO Tools?%3Cbr%3E

Google, currently owning nearly 80% of search engine market share, continues to change the way its search engine rankings work. Subsequently, SEO tools continue to evolve. Here are three of the most important tools for current search algorithm definitions.

• Content Marketing

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Content marketing, the method by which high quality, custom content is created and shared, continues to be the most important search engine optimization tool following Google’s recent “Hummingbird” update. Content marketing allows keywords and back-links to take a backseat to thoughtful writing that provides content readers with a service.

• Social Media

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Social media presence is now figured into Google rankings. Having an active social media presence that is followed and shared by fans is a great way to improve search ranking and, subsequently, improve traffic and income potential. Consider, 1.12 billion people use Facebook alone. Maintaining an active, engaging social media campaign is one of the best ways to improve your web marketing outreach.

• Web Design

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It used to be that web design and search engine optimization were nearly mutually exclusive. However, web design and SEO are no longer two distinct areas. Indeed, especially with the rise of the mobile market, thoughtful web design is crucial to web marketing. 65% of mobile users rely on their mobile device to find local business so that they can make a purchase. Websites do not always work the same on mobile browsers as they do on those for desktops. Subsequently, web design that is mobile optimized is crucial to reaching the ever-growing mobile market.

Search engine optimization, while dynamic, is certainly in no danger of dying out soon. Since Google pioneered the concept of internet marketing, SEO has only become more important. Companies looking to get ahead need to put SEO tools to effective use or risk falling far behind their competition.