What is SEO, and How Does It Affect Business?

So you have decided to make a website for your business. You register your URL and have a developer lined up to build your site…now what? A great website is essentially worthless if you don’t get a person to visit it, so you need the services of someone who specializes in Search Engine Optimization, or SEO.

Search Engine Optimization is the process in which the visibility of your site in search engines is increased through the use of keyword-rich content, link-building, and the overall structure of your site. When a site is properly optimized for the correct keywords, it shows up higher in the natural search results on Google or other search engines. Better site placement on Google results in more visitors, which results in more leads… and more sales. If your site is not optimized for SEO, and not showing up in search engines, chances are you are missing out on a lot of potential customers.

How can you tell if a site is not optimized for SEO? It’s simple – you probably can’t find it when you search for it. While Google looks at a variety of factors when determining where to place a site in search results, the most important part is fresh, original content with the right balance of keyword phrases. In the past, websites relied on putting their preferred keyword phrase on their site as many times as possible: this practice, known as “keyword stuffing”, doesn’t work anymore. Ensuring your website has great placement in the search engines takes a calculated approach. For starters, consider what your overall business goals are: take into consideration who your customers are, and what you think people who should end up on your site would search for. From there, an SEO professional can help you put together a plan to start bringing in those potential customers.

If you are not happy with your website’s placement in search engines or the amount of traffic your site is getting, contact us today to see how MCM can help you create an effective new online strategy!

For tips regarding understanding analytics (once your SEO is in place), visit our blog!

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