Many think that just owning a website is enough. But having a website without  good Search Engine Optimization is like having a business without anybody knowing about it nor having any referrals.  This way your business would be doomed to failure.

So is a website without SEO work done in it.

A good and clear example is this:

“Hey John, I am thinking of remodeling my kitchen. Do you know of any good remodeling contractor in Crown Point, IN?”

“Sure. Try (such and such). Talk to them and get a feel for their work quality. Then you can better decide who you want to do the job.”

Now translating that to the internet:

A person will go to Google.com for example, and search for “kitchen remodeling in Crown Point Indiana”.

The search results would bring the websites “referred” by Google. And usually the first couple pages are the most viewed. And no, it costs absolutely nothing to be “referred” by Google, but it does take work – that is,  Search Engine Optimization work that basically is “giving that boost” to your website so that Google “chooses” it before all your competitors.

So if you believe you offer a good quality product or service then you must have SEO work done in your website, otherwise the “referral” thing would just not happen and your website would simply not be found by the search engines. Unless of course, your customer goes specifically looking for your company by its exact name — which is not what most people do when they search,  like “flooring contractors in Lansing Illinois”, for example.

Please read the article below to get a little more understanding of the need for SEO:

Getting your business in a prominent position on the search engines is becoming increasingly complex, but no less essential for success. And it’s not just a challenge for those new to the Web; veteran SEOs often encounter issues at times. Website MagazineSEO contributor Dante Monteverde interviewed Heather Lutze of Lutze Consulting on her new book, “The Findability Formula: The Easy, Non-Technical Approach to Search Engine Marketing.” Discussed is the importance of findability, common search marketing mistakes, the viability of in-house SEM, and search-engine marketing expectations.

WM:What is “findability” and why has it taken so long for businesses to realize its importance to the success of a business?

Lutze: “Findability” refers to the ability of a user to find you online. Many business owners believe that just having a website is sufficient, and that search engines will do the work for them. Of course, that’s not true. They don’t realize that the engines have a very specific method of ranking websites and that the vast majority of consumers do not look past the first page of search engine results. Simply put, if companies are not on the first page, they don’t exist. Successful companies understand what it takes to have the search engines put them there. Unfortunately, training in these areas has been very limited, very expensive and extremely high-level. I wrote “The Findability Formula” to provide an easy, non-technical guide to business owners on how to conduct a successful campaign to get their websites better rankings and start drawing more buying customers.

WM:You show readers how to avoid common search marketing mistakes. What are some of the more glaring issues for small business owners?

Lutze: Two major marketing mistakes that are easy for small business owners to fix are (1) doing a little background research and (2) taking the time to define their paid search accounts.

Most business owners have a keen understanding of their target audience. However, many owners don’t have the time or resources to know all the ways customers might be searching for them. Luckily, the research is already done for them; all they have to do is access available online tools. I recommend several great resources in my book, but a free resource that business owners can take a look at today is the Google External Keyword Tool. With this tool, users can type in a potential keyword and Google will show the number of searches in the past month, as well as generate other potential keywords. This can help business owners understand how their audience searches for their products or services.

A little time and effort upfront in a paid advertising account can save capital in the long run. For example, a company that only serves a small location can ensure its paid advertising only reaches its geographic market, preventing unwanted clicks from consumers who won’t buy their products or services. In addition, all companies should pay close attention to negative keyword lists on their accounts. So, if you sell televisions, you probably do not want consumers who are searching for free televisions or television repair, so the words “free” and “repair” should be on your negative keyword list. This will prevent you from paying for wasted clicks, and lower the cost of qualified clicks.

WM:Is starting an in-house search marketing campaign a reasonable undertaking for a small enterprise?

Lutze: Search marketing isn’t rocket science. Anyone who reads my book should be able to start a campaign, if they have the time. If you have a small budget it makes sense to take the time to do it yourself. If you outsource, use my book as a reference and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Also, remember to always check references, which may seem like common sense but is often overlooked in the decision process.

WM:What are some reasonable expectations from an increased focus on findability?

Lutze: Increased findability means more traffic to your site, more phone calls, more leads and more sales. Never underestimate the power of being found on the first page of search results using the right keyword. If you can identify your keyword findability, you will connect with searchers who are ready to take action, not just window shopping. First, use paid clicks through paid search to find keywords, and then transfer real customers to your SEO campaigns. This formula will get you the results you deserve.

source: Website Magazine

SEO – Search Engine Optimization
means work done on your website both “behind the scenes” as well as on the actual pages that are viewed by your visitors, for the sole purpose of generating organic traffic, that is, to make your website findable by search engines such as Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask and Bing.

Why do I need this?
Most visitors to any website arrive there because they did a search on a Search Engine such as Google, and clicked on the results that were brought in their search. It is in your best interest that your website should appear in the search engine’s results — especially on the first page if possible, thus increasing the chances that your website would be visited before your competitor’s. If your website cannot be found when potential customers are looking for a business that offers your type of service in their local area, you may miss out on great opportunities.

If you want to learn more about Search Engine Optimization and the real importance of it, please read this article in our blog section.  Zooming on Google >>

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WHY GO ONLINE — 1.FINDABILITY — 2.PRESENTATION — 3.FUNCTIONALITY