Do I need to invest in search engine optimisation? (SEO)

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) companies are constantly contacting website owners explaining how they can increase website rankings on the likes of Google, Bing and Yahoo search engines. The costs for embarking on a project like this however can run into many thousands (R/$/€) per month.

So the question is. Do you need SEO?

The simple answer is, if you NEED to be on the first couple of pages of a search query, then, YES - you do need some form of SEO.

I emphasise the word NEED. Do you NEED to be on the first page?

1. If you don't sell anything, don't have advertising on your website (Google adverts, etc) or only have a selected few people who make use of your website then there is no point in SEO.
2. If your product is unique, has a unique name and area (location) specific then a well worded website would probably you rank well in any search engine anyway.
3. If you have lots of competition, your product is fairly common, the product is available in many locations... YES, SEO. is probably for you.

Think logically when contracting with a SEO company.

• If you have to be on the first page of Google it's going to be expensive (using SEO alone)
• No SEO company can guarantee you will get onto Google search first page (unless your product or service is as mentioned in point 2 above)
• SEO is a continual process and there are no such things as "quick fixes".

SEO is something that you can do yourself at no cost (except time). All the know-how is free and out there... "Google is your friend".

What about Google ads?

Now that's a different story - stay tuned for my next post ;)