Search engine optimization (SEO)  helps your Orange County business drive traffic and appear in organic search engine results. It requires up to date knowledge of constantly changing search engine algorithms, which can be a daunting task. As a result, most people have little experience with what it takes to rank higher in search engines.

Google does not reveal how the exact algorithm strategy looks like. Even the professional SEO experts sometimes get confused by frequent updates released by the major search engine. It makes SEO challenging and often requires constant efforts. So is all this effort worth it? 

It takes time to research keywords, carefully put them in title tags, titles, and meta descriptions, and create great content worth these results. With so many marketers seemingly focusing on content only, does SEO still make sense? Your competitors in Orange County are likely to use SEO to grow their business effectively and you should do the same

Does SEO still make sense?

SEO is essential, and the strategy is more critical than ever. It is an integral part of successful digital marketing. If you are already familiar with SEO, then you should realize that there is a huge difference between attracting a lot of website traffic versus getting lost among billions of other websites on the internet.

So why does anyone question its importance? Changes in algorithms continue to reward high-quality content, so some marketers misunderstand the fact that as long as they post valuable content, SEO is somehow irrelevant. Although high-quality content can be beneficial in building customer trust and driving users to your website, it can’t get ranked itself. SEO can even help users find your content even if it’s of low quality.

Content visibility depends on SEO 

As mentioned earlier, content cannot thrive without SEO. Given that even high-quality content that you took hours or even days to create can remain useless and result in considerable loss to your company.

If you waste time and resources creating content that fails in search engines, you might lose your energy. SEO will ensure that your top content gets the recognition it deserves. If potential customers find useful content you post online, they are more likely to want to learn more about your business.

Keywords are still relevant

Search engines treat keywords differently than before. Old practices related to keyword use, such as keyword stuffing is now penalized. But keywords are always connected to ranking in search engines. You need to know how to use them properly.

The more your keywords are relevant to the content; the more qualified your traffic will be. So even if fewer keywords mean fewer visitors, those few visitors will more likely to be potential clients.

Although you may be frustrated by this, you should consider updates in the algorithm as a positive change. Keep in mind that search engines like Google are changing their methods not to annoy website owners, but to create a better experience for their users. It means that as they grow, eventually, you will only attract visitors who are genuinely interested in your content and products.

So how do you optimize your website to attract the right visitors? Here are some tips to help you get started:

Use tools to find relevant keywords

Successful SEO campaigns begin with keyword research. Keyword researching tools (such as Keyword Tool, Ubersuggest, and SEMrush) let you pinpoint keywords and phrases that people search online to find your business.

It will help you create pages that attract traffic to your website and help you win more customers.

Naturally integrate keywords

Although search engines aren’t perfect enough to read and understand things like humans, they can tell you when to use certain words and phrases to improve rankings. The best way to avoid penalties is to integrate keywords naturally.

This may mean fewer keywords and less frequent use, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. Add keywords to page titles, titles, and meta descriptions, then use them where they make sense in the body. If they sound clumsy or forced, don’t use them.

Focus on long-tail keywords

If you spend any time doing keyword research with a tool like Google’s Keyword Planner, you know that some keywords are highly competitive. Rather than trying to compete with them, focus on longer, more specific phrases that are highly relevant to your business.

If you get the right long-tail keywords and phrase, it will take some time (similar to all SEO), but can attract those visitors who want you to provide them.

SEO is continuously changing, and it is challenging to keep up with all trends and updates. But one thing is sure: Search engines will continue to reward high-quality content, and you need SEO to ensure that your audience sees the content. 

What if I don’t use SEO?

Without an ongoing SEO effort, you run the risk of losing the top position in search results. Competitors are likely to seize the opportunity to overtake you. 

You may have the most well-designed website, but if no one can find it, you will not attract new customers or grow your business. That’s why working with a trusted SEO company in Orange County like Drive Traffic Media is so important.