Search engine optimization (SEO) has long been an important strategy for business success, and it’s becoming more relevant. More people are ditching desktops and laptops in favor of mobile-only devices, and conversion rates on smartphones are 15 times higher from searches than as a result of social media recommendations.
SEO can bring a lot of value, so whether you should be managing it yourself is worth some thought. Here are seven compelling reasons to hire a pro.
1. SEO is not easy.
In reality, an effective SEO strategy covers a lot of ground. There are technical considerations specific to your website, content optimization, user experience and effective backlinking. Not to mention optimization for other emerging rank factors.
2. The rules keep changing.
Google regularly rolls out major and minor algorithm changes. That doesn’t even include the changes they don’t tell you about. Some of them effectively rewrite the SEO rulebook.
3. Mistakes can hurt you.
Not all SEO is good SEO. Some tactics actually can hurt your rank in search, or worse, get you penalized.
4. The pros have the right tools.
A professional SEO expert invests in the most important software to improve your SEO. On top of that, she or he will know the best application for every tool.
5. They offer robust analytics.
SEO software can be complicated. Seeing your analytics doesn’t mean you’ll have a clear picture of what it means for your SEO or how you can fix it. You might notice a high bounce rate on your landing page, but can you determine why?
SEO professionals understand the relationships among your key performance indicators. They'll use that knowledge to tease out a strategy that improves the customer journey through your online presence.
6. They keep track of your competitors.
Competitor analysis is a big part of getting the most from your overall SEO efforts. A professional can identify the best strategies to set you apart from your competition. Even better, an SEO expert with experience in your field will know what has and hasn’t worked for similar businesses.
7. There’s serious ROI potential.
SEO offers a unique opportunity for return on investment (ROI). Unlike any other kind of offline or online advertising, SEO targets people who are specifically looking for the products and services you offer. Traditional advertisements -- and even pay-per-click models (PPC) -- can require a significant financial investment to be worthwhile. Professional SEO services, on the other hand, can be quite affordable. And they can deliver results that continue boosting your bottom line down the road.
Courtesy of Entrepreneur
