SEO is an integral component of the success of any website on the internet. A startup needs a website in order to exist. Are you making the link? Despite it being a low-cost, high-reward strategy, many startups tend to neglect SEO.
Being bootstrapped naturally makes you wary of every dollar you spend. Some investments are not only beneficial; they are also necessary for any progress to happen in your company.
SEO is undoubtedly one of these investments if not solely for the fact that it’s the only way to bring in qualified traffic leads to your website from search engines. Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why SEO is exactly what your bootstrapped startup needs to skyrocket your company to success.
Higher Traffic and Conversions
SEO helps bring in the type of traffic your website needs to yield tangible conversions and revenue. Building a proper SEO strategy is more affordable and effective in the long run than just about any other form of marketing. As a matter of fact, it’s said that organic traffic brings in 400% more conversions than any other type of marketing, barring email.
Improves Trust
High-ranking websites automatically build intrinsic value for potential customers, who see that they can trust that company. This is especially important for bootstrapped startups that still have much to show and prove. People will also be more willing to sign up for your newsletters and stay in touch with you on social media if your website is better established.
Affordability
Many components of the SEO process can be done on a very low budget, if not for free. Tools such as Google Search Console and Google Analytics are completely free to use, yet extremely powerful. The plethora of resources available today makes it easy for someone with limited knowledge of search engines to learn how to optimize their website.
This means the best way forward would be to determine an ideal balance between time and money invested. What you can’t afford, you can probably learn to do yourself, and what you can do yourself, you won’t have to pay for.
That said, finding a reliable SEO service is important because you do get what you pay for at the end of the day. Some services are well worth the investment. For example, consider using a backlink service with experience.
It should be a company that’s not only been around for some time but one that also offers a wide range of SEO-related services. This will ensure that your website receives a full treatment that keeps you ranking where you want to for longer.
Uncovers Valuable Data
Doing SEO research not only helps you learn how to optimize your website but will also provide valuable and useful data on what your target audience is searching for. Startups can find out where their potential customers are, what they’re searching for, and through analytics tools, how they use their website.
Long Term Benefits
Paying for ad space on other websites or running through a social media marketing campaign more often than not only delivers short-term results – and at a higher price. As soon as the campaign has run its course, your traffic tanks and you’re back to square one.
With SEO, however, the benefits last much longer as you continue to build your audience over time. Provided you keep producing quality content and you stay up to date with Google’s algorithm updates, your SEO efforts will provide a consistent stream of useful traffic to your website.
Conclusion
Building a strong digital presence is crucial for every company yet doing so often comes at a cost that bootstrapped startups aren’t able to cover. SEO is then perhaps the best way forward, being affordable and powerful both today and in the long run.