SEO - Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve been doing search engine optimisation, or SEO, for a few years now but people still give me a funny look when I say “I do SEO”. Most know it has something to do with t’internet but they don’t really know what it is or understand what I do. So here I’ve put together some frequently asked questions all about SEO.
What is SEO?
Some people think SEO is some abstract thing, a mystical dark art form, but it’s really pretty simple. It’s a few techniques that, when done well, tells search engines what you do, gets your site ranking for relevant search terms, attracts customers, gives them a good user experience and – ultimately – leads to more sales for your business!
It covers a mix of technical and creative marketing skills that work together to improve your site’s overall performance. This involves making sure your site is technically sound, your metadata is optimised, and you have quality content that shows off your products, services, and industry expertise.
Why do I need SEO?
With 87% of shoppers searching online before making a purchasing decision, even if they’re planning to buy from a brick-and-mortar store, you can’t ignore the power of search.
You need to have a presence in search engines so when any potential customers run an online search for a product like yours, your website shows up on page 1 – and above your competitors.
Search engines need to be able to find your site and understand it in order to display it in their search results. If your business is not ranking for target keywords, you could potentially be missing out on a significant amount of traffic. This is where SEO comes in.
What can SEO do for my business?
Improve Rankings
- Improve your website’s ranking for a well-researched group of keywords
- Leverage useful content in successful link building campaigns
Drive Traffic
- Attract visitors who are genuinely interested in products or services that you offer
- Focus on site structure and making your site easier to navigate
Increase Awareness
- Improve your website’s online visibility through white hat SEO optimisations
- Add value to your website and your business
How long does SEO take?
SEO is not a quick fix solution. The time it takes to see results depends on a lot of factors including the current state of your website, the amount of competition, the length of time you’ve had your domain and more, but whatever your business or industry, SEO should be built in to your long-term digital marketing strategy.
Why choose a freelance SEO consultant over an agency?
With a freelance SEO expert, you can normally get a more tailored, bespoke service with a greater emphasis on relationship building. You’ll get more one-to-one support as you’re dealing with the one person who oversees every aspect of your SEO campaign.
Also, it can be considerably cheaper to use a freelance SEO consultant than an agency as you don’t have expensive agency overheads built into your price.
How to get started with SEO?
This is just a (very) basic overview of what SEO is and how it can help grow your business online. If you’re thinking about making your first investment in SEO, find out what to expect from your SEO campaign here.
Feel free to email me with any specific SEO questions or connect with me over on LinkedIn.