Search engine optimization (SEO) is a set of tactics for improving the ranking of a website in the organic search engine results. Many factors account for how well a page ranks, but smart methods used by top SEO agencies can influence some of them. Here’s everything you need to know about SEO if you’re running a small business. Why it’s worth to invest in SEO? The majority of consumers use search engines to navigate the internet and find product or services they need. SEO helps your website to appear on top of the search results, allowing potential customers to find your business. Moreover, if your business pops up all over the place for selected keywords, consumers will also begin to recognize and trust it. Search engines bring respect and authority to your brand if it’s dominant in the search results. What to expect from SEO? SEO is a long-term process for building your website’s credibility and relevance in search engines. Don’t forget that the results of an SEO campaign are not often immediate. That’s why you should perceive SEO as the long-term marketing strategy that should last at least 6 to 12 months. However, SEO is a very valuable channel because once you achieve these results, it’s cost-effective to keep it up as a sustainable source of quality traffic to your website. Moreover, inbound marketing is now made easier thanks to services like Marketin9 – Content Marketing Platform, that connect publishers with advertisers, allowing small businesses to find cost-effective methods for publishing quality content. By investing in content, you’ll not only gain links to boost your SEO profile but also build a reputation for yourself as an expert willing to share your knowledge with consumers. Here’s how you should choose the right SEO agency Just because you land on the first page of search results for a single keyword, it doesn’t mean that you will see an immediate increase in the revenue. It all depends on factors such as the keyword itself, the number of people searching for it, and whether you’re the fifth or first result on the page. However, it is critical that your business appears on the first page because very few people will venture onto the second page of search results. When picking an SEO agency to partner with, ask them whether they have experience working for companies in your industry, review their case studies to see what kind of results they were able to generate, and pay close attention to the pricing model they offer you. SEO is critical for attracting traffic and qualified leads to your website. If consumers can’t find your business online, how else are they going to buy your product or service? That’s why investing in an SEO strategy is a smart move for every small business owner today.