What is Organic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Why do I need it?

SEO as defined by Wikipedia - "Organic Search Engine Optimization" (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines via the "natural" or un-paid ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results. Other forms of search engine marketing (SEM) target paid listings. In general, the earlier (or higher on the page), and more frequently a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine. SEO may target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, video search and industry-specific vertical search engines. This gives a website web presence." Further to that I will add that there are different kinds of SEO and we will discuss them briefly here.

First there is "On-Site" SEO. this is the practice of optimizing your HTML Tags, URL Structure and on site content for maximum visibility by the search engines. Each item is important, failure to miss even one or failure to optimize it correctly and your hard work can all be for nothing. Other factors include Internal linking and Keyword density and selection.

Next there is "Off-Site" SEO. Off-Site SEO is more or less marketing your site. What do I mean by that? Well, in order to get traffic to your site, you have to tell people about it. In other words you need to create some good and unique content and then broadcast it on the Internet. This is where most SEO "do-it-yourself'ers" get into trouble. Doing this the wrong way can result in significant penalties or even banning by the search engines. The goal is to create content and have other, more popular sites link back to yours. This increases traffic and your standings with the search engines. The more "votes/links" you have from other sites the higher your search engine rankings will be. It should be noted that there are several ways to build these links....some good, some bad.

Why do I need SEO? The short answer is that you don't need it. Not if you are happy with your current traffic rate, number of customers and leads that come from your web site. But, what if, [and I am just brain-storming here] what if you want or "NEED" more customers from your your existing site, what if you provide a better product, service or widget than the XYZ Company down the street? You don't think you do, YOU KNOW YOU DO! What if all of that? Now do you think you need SEO? You do if you want to beat the XYZ Company!

Okay...I now know what SEO is and why I need it. How do I get it? Simple, you have two choices. Choice #1 - You start learning, reading and studying. In about 3-6 months you will have the information you need to start your SEO process all by yourself. You then need to purchase the software and accounts required to be effective and efficient at SEO (minimum investment will be around $2,500.00 for everything you need). Then, and ONLY then, should you go to work beginning to optimize your site for high search engine ranking page results. From there you can begin to build your on-line reputation and linking strategy. Choice #2 - You can hire and SEO expert that can turn this into a much easier and faster process with results that change your business forever. The choice however, is YOURS and you have to make it. The third choice is do NOTHING. But that will result in the same results you may be currently experiencing.