Spend enough time researching Search Engine Optimization online and you’ll inevitably see the phrase, “Content is king,” repeated ad nauseum.
But is content really king? Or is it more like that red-headed prince in England who’s main responsibility seems to be hanging out with blonde Americans in Las Vegas, and blonde French girls in Paris, etc. Why is content so important, anyway? After all, most small businesses have nothing to do with content; they provide HVAC contracting, or sell electronics, or they paint houses. Why should small businesses spend time and money on SEO services that provide content marketing?
Well, if you stop asking all those hypothetical questions, I’ll tell you. Let’s take these one at a time, shall we? Okay, last hypothetical question, I promise.
Why is content so important, anyway?
Short answer: Because Google says so, that’s why. That might seem flippant, but it’s the truth, and no doubt your local SEO experts will tell you the same thing. As with many aspects of SEO, Google is the beginning and the end of the conversation.
In the past few years, Google has updated their search algorithm to rank websites with quality content higher in their search results. That means sites with lots of engaging, original content will perform higher in search rankings.
That’s also why 27 million pieces of content are shared on the Web every day.
But what does that have to do with my small business?
Well, according to the polling and data firm Pew Internet, 58% of consumers research services and products online. The fact is most U.S. consumers, especially the young ones, will research your small business online. Without SEO services for small businesses, you will never land on those consumers’ radar in the first place. SEO services can help make your site visible to those new customers.
Plus, 92% of marketers said that creating content is “somewhat” or “very” effective for local SEO strategies. Content creation might not have anything to do with your plumbing business, but it can help your plumbing business rank better on Google, which in turn will help you generate new leads.
Why should I invest in SEO services for small business? Why not create content in house?
In order for content marketing to be effective, your website needs to regularly update with engaging content. If your company (or a computer savvy niece or nephew) has an employee who can devote themselves to churning out quality content consistently, then that could be great way to create an SEO branding strategy on your own.
Even if you do handle some SEO work in house, most companies realize that SEO services for small businesses are a worthwhile investment for their future.
No matter how you decide to proceed, very, very, very few businesses can afford to go without local SEO in 2015. In fact, the only company that doesn’t have to worry about how they rank on Google is, well, Google itself.
