Three Important Reasons for SEO and SEM
Posted: February 4th, 2008
Internet usage and its ability to quickly and easily spread information has without a doubt been changing the way we shop in general. Let’s look at three reasons why businesses need to really implement a strong search engine optimization and marketing plan.
1. Comparison Shopping
With the onslaught of product information floating around the Internet, it’s important now more than ever to pay attention to product differentiation. Take a good hard look at what products and services you offer, how they are different from the competition (and better), and really emphasize those features and benefits.
Create some really unique product information pages that focus on the differences. Optimize these pages for search engines and implement some strong link building initiatives. Standing out from the sea of usual suspects is bound to get you noticed - and fast.
2. Word of Blogs & Reviews
The advent of the Internet has also transformed “word of mouth” to “word of blogs” and “word of reviews”. No longer is there a need to wait for family gatherings to spread your love (or hatred) of a particular company. Bloggers and online reviewers are quite an influential group and need to be addressed.
Brand and reputation management can be accomplished in a few ways. First of all, apologize and address the situation. Contact these bloggers and reviewers and actually talk to them (no canned emails!). Whatever problems or issues consumers are having - fix it. Most importantly, stay transparent and absolutely genuine, or a simple bad customer service experience can escalate into something much worse.
Be proactive! Company blogs and testimonial-type pages are great for telling your side of the story and to address situations in official capacities. Be sure to search engine optimize these pages so that they show up as high (or higher) than those bad reviews.
3. Online Shopping
This one’s the obvious one. People are actually making purchases online from auction-houses like eBay and retail storefronts. To really capture searchers who have already made their buying decision, consider using pay-per-click advertising that highlights sales, deals and “for a limited time only” type situations. If you’re about to buy a specific jacket, then the main variable left before you actually buy it is probably price.
That’s all for now. Good luck with properly incorporating SEO and SEM tactics in your business!
Another reason that you have to focus on SEO is because all of your competitors are probably doing it and if you don’t you will get left behind
Absolutely right. Getting ahead of the game is a definite bonus in many ways too, including link building.
Staying on top of your game (and subscribing to blogs such as this one) is just as important as well.