Most customers today search for the best products and services online. This means that a strong online presence is necessary for organizations to be visible to it’s potential customers. Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing are powerful tools that can be used to connect with prospective and current customers. The importance of SEO and SMM for an online marketing strategy cannot be overlooked as both are very effective in reaching out to the audience. This blog lists the main reasons about why SEO and SMM are important.
Search Engine Optimization is the process of optimizing your website and content so that they appear in the top results of SERPs. The basic idea here is to attract website traffic and increase conversions while making sure to deliver value to your customers. Social Media Marketing is the use of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, etc to promote your brand, products or services and boost engagement with your customers.
Importance of search engine optimisation
SEO is a crucial factor to get more website traffic. Without technical and content optimization, it will be very hard to drive traffic to your website. SEO has many benefits as it can establish you as an expert in your field and increase your visibility. The next few points highlight the importance of search engine optimisation:
1. Builds trust and credibility
People usually trust companies that appear in the first page listings of Google’s search results. They usually equate higher page rankings with your organization being reputable and credible. In fact, the audience is more likely to click on a result that appears higher than on the results that are comparatively lower on the search result page. Being on the second or third page means that approximately just 30% of all the traffic can see you. Thus, the importance of SEO and SMM should never be overlooked as it can positively impact your business and enhance its credibility.
2. Better customer experience
Since user experience is one of the ranking factors for websites. Search engines favour websites that are mobile friendly, have low bounce rates, have higher average stay time, etc. To achieve all of this, websites provide high quality, engaging and relevant content which makes visitors stay on your page for a while. Thus, while implementing SEO strategies, organizations automatically make sure that the visitors get a good user experience. This results in higher conversions, increased credibility and brand loyalty. Read about some of the mobile marketing techniques, in our blog: MOBILE MARKETING TECHNIQUES: HOW TO BOOST SALES AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT.
3. Increased engagement
When you post content that is valuable to the audience, it interests them and compels them to engage with your website. It might be through commenting on your posts, sharing them, or taking actions like subscribing to a newsletter or purchasing something. All the SEO techniques are designed to boost visitor engagement with your website. Highly engaged customers buy products and are more loyal to your brand. If you want to know more about product content writing, read our blog: ALL ABOUT PRODUCT CONTENT WRITING: WHAT IS IT?
4. Increased traffic and conversion rates
The websites that appear in the first page of the search results get majority of the traffic. This is because more than 70% of the visitors don’t move past the first page. SEO strategies not only make sure you rank higher but are a sure way to increase your website traffic. SEO definitely increases traffic at a steady rate. It also increases CTRs, gets you highly qualified traffic and results in increased conversions. If you wish to know about the reasons behind sudden loss of website traffic, read our blog: SUDDEN WEBSITE TRAFFIC LOSS REASONS: THINGS TO CHECK.
5. Is a long term strategy that keeps website traffic coming
The results of SEO, though slow, are permanent. You might need to keep optimizing your website to keep your rankings, but they won’t fall anytime soon. A good SEO campaign has long term, lasting results. If you manage to get ranked at the top of the SERPs, it means that your website is delivering value to customers. This will signal the crawlers that your website is credible and gives value. Thus, the rankings will last for a very long time.
Importance of social media marketing
Social media marketing is a crucial part of many digital marketing strategies. This is because it generates exposure and helps in business growth. It is an easy way to connect with customers and target a specific audience. Here are a few points that highlight the importance of social media marketing:
1. Brand recognition and brand awareness
It is very rightly said that the importance of Social Media Marketing should never be underestimated. Social media is an effective method to increase your brand’s visibility. The most important goal of any marketing strategy is to boost your visibility. Therefore, every business needs to understand the uses and importance of SEO and SMM. A social media strategy can help you gain recognition as it helps you connect and engage with an audience that are potential customers. It makes you more visible, recognizable and familiar to your audience. Each time you post something on social media, you have the opportunity to gain more visitors. With a regular use and good implementation, social media marketing can generate a wider audience reach which promotes brand recognition and awareness.
2. Better conversion rates
Social media marketing helps to increase conversion rates. With an enhanced visibility, the traffic to your website increases. This provides opportunities for prospects to convert into customers. As social media helps you engage and connect with your audience, it increases trust and credibility. A well articulated social media strategy can improve conversion rates. Know the top 10 Social Media Marketing benefits, in our blog: TOP 7 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING BENEFITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS.
3. Improved customer experience
Social media networks are communication channels. Companies can address complaints and answer any questions that their customers have almost immediately. Customer interaction on social media can help create better customer relationships and improve user experience. Taking time to address issues or reply to any messages, shows your brand in a positive light.
4. Better targeting
Through social media marketing, you can target a specific set of audiences. Paid social media advertising allows you to target audiences based on geography, demographics, interests, etc. By tapping into these sophisticated targeting options, you can ensure that your content is being seen by those who will be genuinely interested in your content. Also, know how to identify your target audience, in our blog: STEPS TO IDENTIFY THE TARGET AUDIENCE: KNOW WHAT IS MARKET.
A good SEO and SMM strategy will not only bring more traffic, but will result in better customer experience. The importance of SEO and SMM cannot be overlooked. This blog highlights just a few points, however, there are many reasons to implement these two methods. When done right, both strategies can get more traffic, more conversions, and generate more leads. Both these methods of digital marketing, at their core, are about fostering beneficial relationships with customers. Nothing improves your brand image better than the engagement with customers. So, tap into the potential of SEO and SMM, and watch the positive impact it has on your business.
