Is SEO Worth it for Small Businesses in 2024?
In today’s competitive digital landscape, small businesses need every competitive edge they can get to stand out and thrive. As we approach the end of 2024, search engine optimization (SEO) continues to play a critical role in driving organic traffic and increasing visibility for small businesses.
With 68% of all online experiences starting with a search engine, it’s natural to be drawn towards SEO, but is SEO worth it for small business owners, given how competitive it is?
To help answer this question for you, let’s dive deep into the world of SEO, its benefits, and factors to consider before making the decision on whether SEO is worth it for a small business.
Tip: Before jumping into the deep end, try out our SEO plugin or SEO services - they're the best way to kick-start your Squarespace SEO journey.
Short Summary
SEO is essential for small businesses, providing increased website traffic, higher conversion rates and improved brand awareness.
Local SEO can be a game changer by helping to increase visibility and target local customers.
Careful consideration of costs & ROI should be taken when evaluating DIY or professional services to maximize digital marketing investments & drive growth.
SEO doesn't have to take a long time with the right strategy
Understanding SEO and Its Importance for Small Businesses
SEO, or search engine optimisation, is the process of optimizing website pages to rank higher in search engine results, thereby increasing organic traffic and visibility. For small businesses, essentially means you can be found on Google and attract your target market of customers to your website, consequently leading to increased sales, as well as enhancing website traffic, conversion rates, and brand recognition.
Watch the video below to understand more about SEO's worth.
In the following sections, we’ll explore how SEO has evolved, the role of search engines, and why it’s crucial for small businesses to invest in SEO strategies.
What is SEO? How has it Evolved?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and is the process of improving your web page to rank higher on search engines.
When you "do SEO", you essentially doing work to achieve higher rankings on search engines, such as Google. Ranking higher leads to boosted website traffic and additional leads or sales for a business, helping them reach search engine users who are actively looking for their products or services.
Various factors influence SEO, such as the quantity and quality of links from other websites pointing to your website, and the overall quality of your website, including its speed, design, and content quality. This makes SEO an integral part of digital marketing efforts for small businesses, as it helps them target their audience and stay competitive in their industry.
The Role of Search Engines
Search engines play a significant role in connecting users with relevant content by acting as filters for the vast amount of information available on the internet, enabling users to quickly and effectively locate information that is relevant and useful.
By optimizing their website content to meet the criteria of search engine algorithms, businesses can increase their organic search results, making it easier for search engines like Google Search to locate and rank their content. One way to complement this strategy is by using Google ads to further increase visibility in Google's search results.
This optimization helps businesses reach their target audience by facilitating users to discover their content when searching for related topics.
Note: Search engines and SEO don’t just stop at Google, did you know you can also do SEO on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok? Whenever there’s a search engine you’ll have SEO.
Is SEO Worth it for Small Business Growth?
Small businesses can reap significant benefits from investing in SEO, such as increased website traffic, higher conversion rates, and enhanced brand awareness. As an example, a business we worked with generated an additional 140+ inbound leads/month after we increased their web traffic by 19.7x.
In the next sections, we’ll explore how SEO can help small businesses grow by increasing website traffic, conversion rates, and brand recognition.
Increased Website Traffic
By optimizing on-page elements, optimizing images, implementing search engine optimization techniques, refreshing relevant keywords, regularly updating the website, and blogging regularly, SEO can help increase website traffic for small businesses.
Creating captivating, high-caliber content is essential to draw in prospective customers and boost sales.
Digital ads and social media can be employed to increase website visibility and enhance a local business search reputation.
Constructing backlinks from reliable sources also plays a significant role in increasing website visibility and rankings in search engine results.
All these factors combined can help small businesses drive more traffic to their website and attract new customers.
Our feature in Forbes backed this up, as we noticed a significant increase in web traffic activity after getting mentioned in an article.
Higher Conversion Rates
Effective SEO strategies focus on attracting users with high buying intent, which leads to higher conversion rates. By optimizing website content for pertinent keywords and improving user experience, SEO increases the likelihood of conversions, resulting in increased sales and revenue for the business.
In other words, SEO helps small businesses reach potential customers who are already searching for their product or service, making it easier to convert them into paying customers.
Enhanced Brand Awareness
SEO assists in building brand awareness by boosting visibility in search engine results, resulting in more people being aware of the business and its offerings. As a business ranks higher in search engine results, more users are likely to click on its website, leading to increased organic traffic and brand recognition.
Moreover, SEO can help build trust and credibility with local customers, resulting in heightened brand recognition that can ultimately lead to increased sales and revenue.
Local SEO: A Game Changer for Small Businesses
Local SEO is a powerful tool for small businesses, allowing them to target local customers and stand out from competitors. By focusing their marketing dollars on optimizing their website for local search results, small businesses can increase their visibility and attract more potential customers.
In the following sections, we’ll discuss how local SEO can help small businesses target local customers and differentiate themselves from competitors.
Targeting Local Customers
Local SEO helps small businesses reach customers in their area, resulting in higher buying intent and increased sales. By optimizing their website for local search results, businesses can ensure that they appear in front of potential customers who are actively searching for their products or services.
In addition, local SEO enables businesses to tailor their marketing efforts based on their target audience, increasing the likelihood of conversions and sales.
Standing Out from Competitors
By focusing on local SEO, small businesses can differentiate themselves from competitors and improve their chances of generating ROI. This differentiation can be achieved by optimizing their website for local search results, developing local content, using local searches and constructing local citations.
Additionally, forming relationships with local customers and engaging with them on social media can help small businesses build trust and credibility in their community, further setting them apart from their competitors.
SEO Costs and Investment: What to Expect
While SEO offers numerous benefits for small businesses, it’s important to carefully consider the costs and investment required to achieve these results. In the following sections, we’ll discuss typical SEO pricing and the importance of evaluating return on investment (ROI) to determine if SEO is a worthwhile investment for your business.
ROI (return on investment) is an important factor to consider when deciding whether to invest in SEO. It is.
Typical SEO Pricing
SEO pricing, also known as SEO cost, typically ranges from $750 to more than $5,000 per month, depending on the agency and the services offered. Factors affecting the cost of SEO services include the industry’s competitiveness, the degree of optimization offered, and the geographical area.
Some of the deliverables you might see in an SEO service or package include:
On-page optimisation of 3 pages
Application of an SEO checklist
Google Search Console, Tag Manager and Analytics setup
Local SEO setup (including Google My Business)
Content writing and upload
Backlink generation
Our SEO packages (26/07/23) have been designed to be extremely efficient for small businesses.
For small businesses, you can expect to pay at least $500 per month for cheap providers, however, you cannot guarantee the results with this and going for an experienced business that understands your CMS platform (such as Squarespace) is key.
Evaluating ROI
Assessing factors such as traffic, conversions, and customer lifetime value can help businesses determine the ROI of their SEO investment. By calculating the total investment in SEO and comparing it to the business value of all SEO activities, businesses can measure the increase in organic traffic, leads, conversions, and revenue.
Tracking the number of keywords driving traffic and the conversion rates for each analytics goal can also help assess ROI.
At SEOSpace, we use Google Tag Manager to accurate track the leads we generate and where they come from - without this, it’s very difficult to measure the ROI of SEO.
We use Google Tag Manager to track conversions and where they come from
Timeframe for SEO Results: Patience Pays Off
SEO results take time, but consistent efforts and patience can lead to long-term success. It’s important to understand that SEO is not a one-time effort but rather an ongoing process that requires regular optimization and updates.
In the following sections, we’ll explore the factors influencing SEO results and the value of consistency in achieving desired outcomes.
Factors Influencing SEO Results
Factors such as competition, website optimization, and industry can influence the timeframe for SEO results. For instance, if there is a high level of competition in your industry, it may take a longer period of time to realize SEO results.
Additionally, the quality of your website, including its loading speed, design, and content quality, plays a significant role in determining how quickly your site can rank higher in search engine results. Once it ranks, use this guide to check your website’s Google ranking and improve it.
The Value of Consistency
Consistency in SEO efforts is crucial for maintaining and improving search engine rankings over time. By regularly optimizing your website and updating content, you can ensure that your site remains relevant and visible in search engine results.
This consistency not only helps you maintain your current rankings, but also allows you to gradually improve your position over time, increasing the chances of long-term success.
Why do you think our Squarespace SEO resources are updated so regularly? We practice what we preach!
DIY vs. Professional SEO Services: Making the Right Choice
Choosing between DIY and professional SEO services depends on factors such as budget, expertise, and time commitment. In the following sections, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of both DIY and professional SEO services to help you make an informed decision for your business.
Pros and Cons of DIY SEO
Many small businesses begin with DIY SEO, but is it really worth it? Let's understand with the pros and cons of this option.
Pros of DIY SEO
DIY SEO services can be a great option for businesses with limited budgets. It allows you to use it freely.
DIY SEO can be cost-effective, but requires time, effort, and knowledge to achieve desired results.
One of the main advantages of DIY SEO is cost savings, as it allows businesses to optimize their website without the expense of hiring an agency or freelancer.
Cons of DIY SEO
The main drawback of DIY SEO is the lack of expertise and the time investment required to learn, implement, and maintain effective SEO strategies.
Fortunately, our Squarespace SEO tool takes the guesswork out of DIY SEO with its very on DIY plan.
On the other hand, businesses with limited time or resources may find it challenging to dedicate the necessary effort to learn and execute their own SEO strategy.
In such cases, investing in professional SEO services can be a more viable option, as it enables businesses to focus on other areas of their operations while leaving the optimization process to experts.
Pros and Cons of Hiring an SEO Agency/Freelancer
Hiring an SEO agency or freelancer comes with various advantages as well as drawbacks too.
Pros of Hiring an SEO Agency
An SEO expert agency can provide expert guidance and save time.
The main advantage of hiring a professional SEO service is access to specialized knowledge and resources that can help your business achieve better results in a shorter amount of time.
Additionally, a professional SEO service can provide ongoing support and updates to ensure your website stays optimized and adapts to changes in search engine algorithms.
Cons of Hiring an SEO Agency
The main drawback of hiring an SEO agency or freelancer is the cost, which can be significantly higher than DIY SEO.
Furthermore, businesses may have limited oversight over the SEO process and may need to trust the agency or freelancer to deliver the desired results.
For example, As an SEO expert agency, we've helped over 1000 Squarespace websites with their SEO. Our services are more than our plugin, but our specialized knowledge and expertise have to come with a price.
Ultimately, the decision between DIY and professional SEO services depends on your business’s specific needs, budget, and priorities.
Integrating SEO with Other Digital Marketing Strategies
Integrating SEO with other digital marketing strategies, such as content marketing and social media, can amplify results and drive business growth. In the following sections, we’ll discuss how SEO can be integrated with content marketing and social media to create a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that maximizes your investment.
You can also explore 30+ essential SEO tips to amplify the results.
SEO and Content Marketing
Content marketing and SEO work hand-in-hand to create valuable, relevant content that attracts and engages users. In fact, adding blogs to your website is one of the most important aspects of SEO.
By identifying the target audience, defining the topic area, pinpointing keywords that meet the audience’s needs, doing keyword research, and crafting a relevant theme to develop content around, businesses can increase shares, backlinks, and reader engagement.
This symbiotic relationship between content marketing and SEO helps businesses create content that not only ranks well in search engines but also resonates with their target audience, ultimately driving traffic and conversions.
SEO and Social Media
Social media can complement SEO efforts by increasing brand visibility, driving traffic, and improving user engagement. increased exposure, increased traffic, and lead generation are some of the leading benefits of social media for marketing purposes.
By creating content that is optimized for both search engines and social media platforms, incorporating keywords into social media posts, and utilizing social media to promote content and build relationships with influencers, businesses can effectively integrate SEO with their social media strategy.
This integration can lead to increased website traffic, higher conversion rates, and enhanced brand recognition, making it a valuable addition to any small business’s digital marketing efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SEO really work for small businesses?
Absolutely! SEO can be an invaluable tool for small businesses to organically promote their brand and drive website traffic. SEO allows businesses to reach a wider audience and get noticed by potential customers, as well as build trust and credibility.
For those who follow best practices in SEO, it can yield great results.
How much should a small business pay for SEO?
Overall, small businesses should expect to pay between $500 and $1,500 per month for SEO services, depending on their needs and budget. Agencies and freelancers may charge an hourly rate ranging from $75 to $100 per hour for one-off projects with costs up to $5,000.
Is paying someone to do SEO worth it?
Paying for SEO can be a valuable investment if done correctly, as it helps to build an online presence and improve website visibility. An experienced SEO agency will have the technical knowledge and skills required to optimize your website and set it up for long-term success.
Overall, investing in SEO is worth it if you’re looking for results.
Is it a waste of time to do SEO?
No, it is not a waste of time to do SEO as long as it’s done right and your target customers use search engines. Overall, SEO can be a worthwhile investment in website traffic and visibility; however, in many cases, it is not necessary and can become a waste of time if you are not optimizing for the right target audience.
Therefore, carefully consider whether or not SEO is worth your time before investing effort in it.
What is the estimated timeframe for SEO results?
For successful SEO results, it is generally advised to expect a timeframe ranging from 6 months up to 2 years. SEO takes time, and the timeframe varies for every website depending on various factors, such as the SEO strategy. With the right strategy, tools, and execution, you can expect considerable results within a few months.
Is SEO Worth it for Small Businesses: Conclusion
In conclusion, SEO is worth it for small businesses in 2024, as it offers numerous benefits, including increased website traffic, higher conversion rates, and enhanced brand awareness. Additionally, local SEO can help small businesses target local customers and stand out from competitors.
However, businesses must carefully consider factors such as costs, ROI, and integration with other marketing strategies to maximize their SEO investment. By taking the time to research, plan, and execute a comprehensive SEO strategy, small businesses can set themselves up for long-term success in the digital world.
If you are a small business with no idea about how to get started with SEO, get a free SEO audit for your website before trying out our SEO plugin for Squarespace. Also, you get registered in our Squarespace SEO course and training to get the deep understanding or SEO.
