Why Your Business Needs More Than Just Social Media

Something you see over and over is small businesses relying solely on social media to grow their online presence. While social media platforms offer instant visibility and can be great for building brand awareness, the power of establishing a robust and long-lasting online presence is best achieved by the careful orchestration of SEO strategies. In this blog post, we delve into some of the reasons why business owners should prioritize SEO over relying solely on their social media posts.

Sustainable Visibility: Beyond the Social Media Buzz

Social media platforms are geared to narrow their focus on what you see. Or in other words, the posts you see are generated just for you based on any number of factors. In contrast, what results you see for a search on Google are the same for everyone in a geographical area regardless of sex, age, income, etc... According to recent studies [1, 2], the organic reach of social media posts has been steadily declining. Facebook's organic reach, for instance, dropped from 16% in 2012 to a mere 5.5% in 2019. With algorithms frequently changing, your social media posts can easily get buried, making it challenging to maintain consistent visibility.

Unlike the ephemeral nature of social media posts, SEO offers a sustainable approach to visibility. By optimizing your website's content, structure, and performance, you can rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords. This longevity ensures that your business remains visible to potential customers long after the initial publication. According to a study by BrightEdge [3], organic search is the largest driver of website traffic, accounting for 53.3% of all traffic sources. Investing in SEO means securing a prominent spot in the digital landscape, leading to continuous organic traffic over time.

Credibility and Trust: Building a Solid Online Reputation

While social media platforms provide an avenue for engagement, they also serve as breeding grounds for misinformation and negative feedback. A single negative comment or viral rumor can tarnish your brand's reputation, impacting customer trust. Moreover, social media profiles are susceptible to impersonation and fake accounts, further muddying the waters.

However, a professionally optimized website lends credibility and authority to your business. A study by Search Engine Journal [4] revealed that 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results. By appearing on the coveted first page, your business gains trust in the eyes of potential customers. Additionally, well-optimized websites are considered more reliable sources of information, enhancing your reputation and fostering trust.

Measurable ROI: Social Media Challenges

While social media platforms offer analytics, quantifying the direct impact of social media posts on revenue generation is often elusive. Additionally, the transient nature of social media posts mindless scrolling make it difficult to track the customer's journey from initial interaction to conversion.

SEO provides tangible, measurable results. With analytics tools, you can track website traffic, user behavior and conversion rates with precision. Data-driven insights empower you to refine your strategies, ensuring that every marketing dollar is invested wisely. By optimizing your website for relevant keywords, you tap into this vast pool of potential customers, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

While social media platforms can offer immediacy, the long-term success of your online presence hinges on a robust SEO strategy. Sustainable visibility, credibility and measurable ROI are the cornerstones of SEO's efficacy. By investing in SEO, you're not just creating a website; you're building a valuable asset that can continuously attract, engage and convert customers.

Are you ready to elevate your business's online presence and be seen? Together, we can craft a customized SEO solution tailored to your particular needs. Contact me for a personalized consultation and a major step towards sustainable online success.

Thanks for reading!