With the Internet and particularly social media being so visual, it’s not surprising to wonder whether SEO is still worth it in 2023. At first glance, it might seem that the might of digital marketing is shifting away from SEO (a.k.a. written content) towards things like images, videos, A.I., and voice search, so you would be forgiven if you think that SEO has become obsolete.
If you have limited resources on hand, is it still worth researching high-ranking keywords, crafting meta tags and descriptions, and creating quality content? Should you still budget for a seasoned SEO writer on your team?
We would argue, yes! And here are five reasons why.
1. SEO helps you understand your target audience better
The main strength of SEO is that it gives you deeper insight into how your target audience conducts their searches online. Through keyword mapping, you can analyze the online activity of your intended customer base so that you can adjust your marketing strategy accordingly.
2. SEO still has a greater market share than social media
According to a 2019 report by Brightedge, SEO drives 1000% more traffic than organic social media. This proves that when it comes to achieving visibility online, SEO still reigns king.
3. SEO has longer traffic equity
Getting that elusive “first-page” ranking takes time and investment, but if you do it right, you will be able to enjoy long-term benefits that you won’t experience with other forms of digital marketing. The thing with trends and viral videos is that, by nature, they are short-lived. You’ll enjoy a quick bump in traffic, but that traffic can fade away just as quickly. However, with a solid SEO strategy and by keeping an eye on Google’s algorithm, you will reap the benefits for as long as you can maintain your ranking.
4. Higher rankings, higher chances of conversion
Did you know that Google processes around 40,000 search queries every second? And that Google’s first page captures as much as 92% of clicks? If you can rank on the first page of Google results, there is a better chance of traffic conversion simply because of your page’s visibility. What’s more, a higher ranking also increases people’s confidence in your brand.
5. SEO gives your brand authenticity
While visibility is important, there is another factor that influences people’s decision to buy into your brand: authenticity. Paid ads can drive people to your page, but they can also give your brand the feeling of being over-commercialized. A good SEO campaign helps you connect with your audience by speaking their language, thus giving your brand authenticity and relatability.
6. SEO leads to an Improved User Experience
These days, eye-catching websites are a dime a dozen, which means that users appreciate quality content versus gimmicks. While a fun and catchy gimmick can certainly hype up traffic, users can quickly sense if your website will offer anything of value. Good SEO allows your audience to find the information they need without needing to rely on bells and whistles.
So, back to the million-dollar question: is SEO still worth it in 2023?
Yes, as long as the SEO strategy that you use keeps up with the ever-changing trends and demands of digital marketing. The “perfect website” does not exist, and the “perfect SEO strategy” is never stagnant. In a year, today’s SEO strategies may be considered outdated, or even obsolete. The only thing that will never change is the need for well-written, timely, and quality content that resonates with your users.