If you are a small business then you might feel cautious about Search Engine Optimization and other forms of web advertising. Perhaps you figure that SEO is an expense only a medium to large company can make. After all, they have the money—they can afford to lose it, right?
However, this logic is dangerous. SEO is a form of internet marketing and a widely accepted form of marketing. Would you ever say that your company can live without marketing? Can you live without advertising? This is simply a matter of “avoiding bad business 101”. Whatever you are reaping right now in terms of profit is the marketing you paid for last year or even two years ago.
You may be making money from customer loyalty or from referrals but all sales come from a definite source. If you suddenly stop all forms of marketing and just live off your sales, what do you think is going to happen? Eventually, your sales will begin decreasing. Eventually, you will stop taking in sales altogether because reaction is the result of an action, in life and certainly in business.
So, consider the alternatives to SEO and web marketing. TV or radio advertisements? Print ads? Banners on the road? Just how well can you target your customer base with these mediums?
Did you know that over 70% of all online consumers start their quest for a product or service using a search engine? Chances are, they are using Google, Yahoo or Bing, the top three in North America. The advantages of SEO web marketing are concrete:
- SEO is cost efficient and in many instances, entirely free!
- SEO is the most targeted form of advertising
- The Internet is where your audience is buying
Why rationalize it away? Whatever your marketing budget, some of it should go to SEO, as it is a very cost-effective way to generate new customers!
