SEO Investment: Why should I invest in SEO?

Many businesses ask themselves, “Why should I invest in SEO, or search engine optimization?” The answer to this is not always clear and there are many opinions on the subject. Therefore, it is important to look at the different aspects and discuss both the advantages and the possible counter-arguments.

The advantages of
investment in SEO
are undeniable. SEO can increase the visibility of your website, generate more traffic, boost user confidence and ultimately help generate more business. All of these aspects can have a significant impact on your business and your bottom line.

But as with any investment, there are counter-arguments to SEO that must be considered. Some critics claim that SEO is too complex or that results are too long in coming. Others point out that search engines are constantly changing their algorithms, making it difficult to maintain a consistent SEO strategy.

In this post, I will discuss both sides of the debate. We will highlight both the benefits of investing in SEO and address the counter-arguments.

My goal is to give you an overview so you can make an informed decision about whether investing in SEO is right for you.

Search engines like Google are one of the main sources of information for most people. With a good SEO strategy, your website will rank higher in search results and become visible to more people.

In the digital world, visibility determines success and failure. If you are easy to find in the search engines, it means that more people will come across your website when they search for the products or services you offer. A well thought-out SEO strategy can place your website at the top of search results for relevant keywords. It’s like opening a store on the main street instead of a secluded side street.

A high rank in the search engines leads to a significant increase in website traffic. More visitors mean more potential customers and therefore more business opportunities.

It’s like a busy street – the more passers-by, the more customers you’re likely to have.

The share of organic traffic can vary greatly depending on the industry, target audience and the quality of your SEO strategy. However, some research and studies shed light on general trends.

An oft-cited 2014 study by BrightEdge found that organic search accounts for an average of 51% of all web traffic. In a later 2018 study, BrightEdge even claimed that more than 53% of all web traffic is organic.

In addition, a 2020 study by Conductor found that organic search is responsible for 64% of all web traffic. Other sources, such as a 2016 analysis by SimilarWeb, note that organic search accounts for about 95% of all search traffic.

Overall, however, it is clear that the share of organic traffic is well above 50% for most websites.

Internet users trust search engines. When your website appears in the top search results, it is automatically perceived as trustworthy.

Users trust organic search results because they find them more credible, relevant and useful. They appreciate the better user experience and sustainability that come with well-implemented search engine optimization. This only underscores the importance of a well thought out and implemented SEO strategy.

It’s like getting a recommendation from an authority. This trust can lead to stronger customer loyalty and more repeat business.

1. perception of credibility: many users see organic search results as more credible and relevant to their search queries. Being paid doesn’t always mean being the best. Organic search results are the result of careful content building and a well-thought SEO strategy, which users perceive as a sign of quality and trustworthiness.

2. skepticism about advertising: it is common knowledge that people have a certain skepticism about advertising. Internet users have become accustomed to skipping paid ads and clicking on organic search results instead. They understand that these ads were purchased and that the product or service may not be the best choice for their needs.

3. better user experience: organic search results often provide a better user experience. They are usually more informative and useful for the user, as they are tailored to their search queries. In contrast, paid ads can sometimes seem irrelevant or distracting.

4. sustainable strategy: organic search results are the result of a sustainable, long-term strategy. They testify to a permanent presence and stability, which gives users an additional sense of security and confidence. Paid ads, on the other hand, are often temporary and can be perceived as less stable.

SEO is an extremely cost-effective marketing strategy. While other online marketing techniques like pay-per-click advertising can be costly, SEO offers long-term results at a fraction of the cost.

Think of it this way: With SEO, you plant a seed that, over time, grows into a vigorous tree that steadily provides you with fruit.

Online, competition is more intense than ever. If your competitors invest in SEO and you don’t, you could fall behind. However, with a robust SEO strategy, you can stay ahead.

It’s like a marathon – whoever has the best shoes has a better chance of winning the race.

One of the great strengths of SEO is its adaptability. You can adjust your strategy as needed to achieve specific goals or focus on certain aspects of your business.

It’s like wearing a tailored suit that fits your style exactly.

SEO provides clear, measurable results. By using specialized tools, you can monitor your SEO performance and track data such as traffic, bounce rate and conversion rate. With this information, you can fine-tune and continuously improve your strategy.

Think of it like a navigation device that shows you the exact way to your destination.

The benefits of investing in SEO are undeniable. SEO can increase the visibility of your website, generate more traffic, boost user confidence and ultimately help generate more business. All of these aspects can have a significant impact on your business and your bottom line.

But as with any investment, there are counter-arguments to SEO that must be considered. Some critics claim that SEO is too complex or that results are too long in coming. Others point out that search engines are constantly changing their algorithms, making it difficult to maintain a consistent SEO strategy.