WHAT IS SEO? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT IN DIGITAL MARKETING?

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• SEO (Search Engine Optimization) definition

This article offers a concise introduction to organic search engine optimization and its two key elements.

Table of Contents

• 1. SEO
  • 1.1. What is SEO?
  • 1.2. What are the two key elements of SEO?
  • 1.3. What is a KEYWORD?
  • 1.4. SEO-FRIENDLY CONTENT

What is SEO?

Summary

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization.

It refers to the ways you can ensure that your website pages are shown near the top of the list of organic search results when your target users/audience searches for the content your website offers.

Organic search results refer to those results which are neither influenced nor affected by advertiser payments.

The performance of a website is judged by measuring the volume of organic search traffic it receives.

Just have a look at the following screenshot.

If you google INSURANCE POLICY FOR CAR, you will get a lot of websites which offer the service. In fact, to say that we get a huge number of links in the search is an understatement. Now, imagine that you own a company which offers insurance and insurance related services. In addition, imagine that your company offers insurance for cars too. It implies that if your company has a website, the highlighted number of search results is pretty close to the number of your competitors who are available to provide your potential customers with almost the same services that you are going to offer them.

However, if you are not even visible to those people who are searching for a specific purpose, they will not visit your website. Even if you are on the second page of the search results, it's not good enough! People will not approach your website if they do not come to know that it exists.

I am sure you use Google and YouTube. How many times have you ever looked for something on the second page of the search results? Ask yourself! I think most of us don't even go past the first five search results that are there on the very first page.

Nevertheless, there is hope! If you are worried about losing business in the face of stiff competition, remember that everyone who has a website faces this situation. I know this because I have a website too.

Someone may have shared the page link with you, and it may explain how you found me. However, that's not going to help me in the long run because it is not possible to share the link with each and every person who wants to know what SEO is. One has to depend on organic traffic. That's why, Search Engine Optimization is the most important topic in digital marketing.

What are the key elements of SEO?

The term, Digital Marketing, refers to the ways one can increase one's online sales, but even if someone is not selling goods online, one still needs visitors all the same.

In order to improve your search engine rankings and drive your potential visitors to your website, you need to make sure you have taken care of a few things:
a. Keyword
b. Content

What is a KEYWORD?

A Keyword is a word or phrase that is used by internet users to search for specific information, e.g. 'insurance policy for cars', 'what is insurance premium', 'digital marketing for beginners', 'what is SEO', 'mathematics for machine learning', 'what is a keyword'. It implies that a keyword also refers to a word or phrase that describes your content best.

However, you are obviously not the only content creator who is posting material on the topics your website deals with. That's why, KEYWORD RESEARCH plays a huge role in the SEO of a page.

SEO-FRIENDLY CONTENT

While Keyword Research increases your chances of visibility on the internet, your content will make sure your visitors believe your website is worth their attention. Give them what they want and they will come back again and again!

However, remember your content must be in accordance with its title and search description. Don't write anything that damages your credibility! If your visitors find you trustworthy, they will spend more time on your site. More importantly, they will return to your posts. Consequently, your chances of ranking higher will increase. Lastly, the body of the text should also contain the keywords.

You must include your keyword(s) in the title, the search description, the body of the content, and the URL of your post.

I have given you a glimpse of the fundamental aspects of what SEO is. I would recommend doing your research on your own. I have merely scratched the surface.
© RB