Note: This is part of my Understanding SEO series. Check the main post to start your journey learning everything you need to know about SEO.
“Build it, and they will come,” they said. While that might have worked for a baseball field in an Iowa cornfield, it’s not quite the strategy you want for your business. It’s more like, “Build it, SEO it, and they might come.”
But that’s life in the dynamic, ever-evolving world of organic SEO marketing. It’s the key to the digital kingdom, the gateway to web visibility, and in my humble opinion, one of the smartest investments you can make to market your business.
But what does it even mean?
Grab an organic sandwich, and let’s figure it out together. (I’ll give you a minute to digest that sentence about an organic sandwich).
What Is Organic SEO?
First things first, what is organic SEO? Let me try to put it in simple terms:
Organic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is all about optimizing your website to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs), but without paying for placements.
It’s the art and science of making your website appealing to the algorithms that dictate search engine rankings.
Remember the good ol’ days when we’d climb trees and play outside? Well, think of organic SEO marketing as climbing the digital tree that is Google, and instead of reaching the highest branch, we’re aiming for that top spot on the SERPs.
Why You Should Care
Now you’re probably thinking, “Alright, Alex, you’ve been pretty straightforward so far. Why should I care about this?”
Well, let me tell you why you should care about organic SEO marketing:
- It’s cost-effective: Unlike paid advertising, organic SEO is a long-term strategy that doesn’t require you to shell out cash for every click.
- It builds credibility: People trust organic search results more than paid ads. It’s the online equivalent of a trusted friend’s recommendation.
- It’s the gift that keeps on giving: Good SEO is like that Energizer Bunny; it keeps going and going. A one-time investment can yield results for years to come.
How To Do Organic Search Marketing
Here are some high-level steps to implement organic search marketing:
- Keyword Research: Find out what your target audience is searching for and optimize your content for those keywords. It’s like tuning into their wavelength! Plus, you should already be trying to understand your customers, so this shouldn’t be a big step.
- Quality Content: The saying “Content is King” might be cliche, but it’s true. Google loves fresh, relevant content that adds value to users.
- On-Page SEO: This includes optimizing meta titles, descriptions, header tags, and URLs for your targeted keywords.
- Off-Page SEO: Build quality backlinks to your website. It’s like getting a thumbs-up from other reputable websites. (But please don’t go for shady ones – that hurts you.)
- Technical SEO: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, has a good loading speed, and is easy for search engines to crawl and index.
Remember to keep an eye on organic search marketing trends and tweak your strategy accordingly. SEO isn’t a “set it and forget it” deal; it’s more of a “set it, monitor it, tweak it, repeat” kind of thing.
What’s The Difference Between Paid and Organic?
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the difference between organic and paid search marketing.
- Organic SEO is all about naturally ranking higher in search results through optimization. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but it builds long-term credibility and trust.
- Paid Search Marketing, on the other hand, is like buying a VIP ticket to the top of SERPs. It’s fast, but the moment you stop paying, your visibility plummets. It’s great for immediate results but isn’t sustainable in the long run without a hefty budget.
Can I Do It Myself?
The million-dollar question:
Can you DIY organic SEO marketing? Yes, you absolutely can! You can also cut your own hair and pull your own tooth.
Just because you can doesn’t necessarily mean you should. But as with most things, expertise and experience can significantly enhance the results.
Just like you can technically cook yourself a gourmet meal, having a seasoned chef (pun intended!) do it for you can add that extra sizzle. Similarly, an SEO expert can navigate the ever-changing organic search marketing channels and algorithms to optimize your strategy and get the most bang for your buck.
Armed with this knowledge, you can start to unlock the power of organic SEO marketing for your business. And remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more to learn and implement, but hey, every marathon starts with a single step.
