There are many mixed opinions about search engine optimization (SEO) among new businesses. Can it really be worth investing in? Why does an SEO campaign take so long to show results? Doesn’t Google Ads offer better results?

As a digital marketing agency, we, of course, believe that SEO is very effective! To guide you, we’ll discuss all the pros and cons of an SEO strategy in this article, so that you can make an informed decision.

If you’ve never heard of search engine optimization (SEO), let’s briefly go over the basics. A website’s organic ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs) depends heavily on its SEO status; these rankings represent the best results for each user’s search query.

Optimizing a website for search engines (especially Google) is the key to ranking well for your desired keywords. Ranking for some terms is difficult due to intense competition while ranking for others is easier. For example, it’s easier to rank for “plumbing services” in small towns than in larger cities like New York.

Listed below are some SEO benefits and drawbacks, starting with 4 disadvantages:

It Can Take A While To See Results

SEO isn’t the best option for businesses that want quick, overnight results. It can take up to a year for an SEO campaign to take full effect, as Google’s algorithm takes time to index and evaluate each page.

In other words, if you’re launching a brand-new website and aiming for quick success, you might be better off investing in pay-per-click, an instant traffic source;  your paid ads will instantly appear at the top of the results page.

Google Algorithms Constantly Change

Despite the most effective SEO strategy, the ranking of a website can unexpectedly deteriorate when search engines update their algorithms.

Google, in particular, is constantly updating its algorithms to produce more accurate results. Even small changes to your website can cause it to slip from first to third position, as algorithm updates are designed to improve the user experience.

Google is always transparent about how to fix things when you are affected by their updates. The drop in traffic can be overcome by taking some basic steps, including 

• Find out what makes your competitors’ content different
• Publish user-friendly content after extensive research
• Have the articles written by experts
• Avoid clickbait titles
• Improve the speed of the website
• Avoid spelling and stylistic errors
• Check for mobile compatibility
• Follow E-A-T guidelines

Keywords With High Competition Are Tough To Crack

You’re dealing with a large number of competitors. More than 200 million websites mean fierce competition from other companies offering products and services similar to yours.

Without a solid plan on how to dominate your competitors for common keywords, you’ll have a hard time competing. It’s best to rank for less competitive keywords in your region.

SEO Can Be Expensive

Running SEO campaigns can sometimes be very expensive due to the time and complexity involved. Moreover, an SEO strategy may not be able to achieve high website rankings within a certain period. For that, you need regular backlinking, quality content, and expensive SEO fees. Of course, the total price of a campaign increases due to these measures. It is entirely up to you to decide whether the cost is worth it or not.

Since we promised to provide a complete list of the pros and cons of SEO, we have taken into account everything that could be a burden. Now here are some advantages of an SEO strategy.

SEO Targets All Parts Of The Marketing Funnel

Your website must appeal to customers throughout the entire buying process. Engaging your customers early in the awareness cycle, such as through blog posts, will ensure they remember your brand and are more likely to eventually become customers. Every step of your potential customer’s buying journey is an important SEO strategy. An SEO strategy, if executed consistently and diligently, will result in a long-term increase in sales.

SEO Offers Measurable Results

The long-term results of search engine optimization are easy to track. Your website’s traffic and rankings can be tracked using software or tools like Google Analytics. It’s easy to see which keywords need to be adjusted, which pages need to be improved, and where your traffic is coming from. There are several primary metrics associated with SEO, including

• Organic traffic increase
• Increase in SERP visibility
• Number of pages for which the website ranks (increase)
• Increase in keyword rankings
• Click-Through Rate (organic)
• Increase in organic conversions
• Increase in good backlinks

SEO Increases Targeted Traffic

The purpose of search engines is to find solutions to immediate problems or needs. You must appear among the first results when people search for the services you offer.

According to statistics, the majority of users still prefer organic search results over Google Ads. Why? Of course, being in the first place without paying for it gives your website more credibility.

SEO Provides Sustainable Clicks

In contrast to paid search traffic, which disappears as soon as you stop paying, search engine optimization is a digital marketing strategy that has lasting effects. The great thing about SEO is that you will still see results from organic traffic, even if you reduce your budget after a while.

SEO Builds Authority

We have almost reached the end of our SEO pros and cons list and saved the best for last. SEO can make or break your website’s credibility and value.

Google’s algorithm uses a variety of signals to evaluate the value of a website, including E-A-T signals. Depending on your industry, these signals include your expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. Your SEO success depends on showing Google these signals and proving that you are the king of your industry, far above the rest. You are the leader in your field and the first choice for clients who want your services.

By now you should have an idea of what good SEO practices can do for you and your web presence. When it comes to the pros and cons of SEO, the positives far outweigh the negatives. However, to be successful in the world of search engine optimization, you should have a solid understanding of the concepts involved. You need to know what you are up against to avoid making a crucial mistake and ending up paying the price.

It’s best to work with a professional team that has experience with SEO. Through search engine optimization, Momentum Digital can maximize your company’s search results and credibility. Contact us to increase your sales and online presence with our customized SEO plans.

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