Whether you’re a large business with multiple locations or a new business just starting out, search engine optimization (SEO) is integral for a successful web presence. But what is SEO, and how does it work? At Creekmore Marketing, we have the answers to top SEO questions and why they matter.

How Does SEO Work?

An SEO marketing plan is a way to rank higher on Google and help customers find you online. It targets specific areas of your website that influence your search engine results page (SERP) rankings. Websites with good SEO practices typically appear closer to the top of Google SERPs, while those without good SEO usually appear lower.

The two main branches of SEO are on-page SEO and off-page SEO. On-page SEO works on parts of your website, such as meta tags, meta descriptions, and meta titles. Off-page SEO works on aspects of search engines that aren’t part of just your web page. For example, earning links to high-authority sources like government agencies and improving your content authority.

What is SEO Writing?

SEO writing creates content aimed at appearing on Google’s first SERP. You may hear it as first-page results or top-10 SERP results. Successful content can have the following qualities that help it rank higher on Google:

• Create high-quality content: High-quality content is free from grammatical and logical errors that show how you are an expert in the topic you write about.
• Show unique perspectives: Google values unique and novel perspectives about familiar content. For example, how your business uses its products and services to solve specific problems or answer consumers' targeted questions is a unique perspective in every industry.
• Solve problems: Many users search for answers or solutions to their problems, so answering those questions or providing your expertise to solve them is valuable.

What is SEO vs. SEM?

SEO is all about organic results. These are the ones that rely on quality, accuracy, and first-hand accounts to achieve top-ranking positions on Google. In contrast, search engine marketing (SEM) uses paid advertising to drive traffic to your website. While accuracy and quality still matter, you pay for an advertisement on Google with SEM.

Is SEO Worth It?

Absolutely. Not only is SEO worth it, but it’s necessary for success. Good SEO practices help you create high-quality content that’s relevant to your specific audience and provides answers to their questions. Investing in an SEO plan can ensure you get the traffic you need to increase leads to your website.

How Do You Choose an SEO Company?

When you’re ready to partner with a company that specializes in SEO, there are several considerations to make, including:

Quality: Check for previous work the company has and consider talking to the company’s clients to see how successful SEO strategies are. You can also look at reviews from the company’s previous and current clients.

Success: Consider how the SEO company meets its goals, including how it measures its success and the processes it uses to achieve results.

Budget: SEO can be labor-intensive but doesn’t need to be expensive. Set your budget for SEO, find an SEO plan that works for your business, and consider doing monthly or other short-term contracts so you’re not locked in with a company you don’t like.

SEO Services at Creekmore Marketing

When you partner with Creekmore Marketing, you can find high-quality services, explicit plans and goals for your SEO improvement, and short-term contracts that allow you the flexibility you need. We believe in creating digital marketing strategies for your entire business, SEO included. If you’re interested in our services, you can book a free consultation with our Business Development Managers to find a strategy that meets your marketing goals.

Creekmore Marketing proudly serves local businesses near Lexington, Kentucky, and businesses worldwide. Contact us to discover what we can do for your business.