Search Engine Optimization

Why use an SEO Consultant?

webboss2024-01-19T16:12:59-05:00If your site does not appear on the first page of results for important search terms, you are missing out on a slice of the pie. Sometimes only a few relatively minor changes need to be made to the structure and/or code of your site to quickly increase the amount of search engine traffic visiting your site. However is can be more complex than that as there are off-site optimization opportunities to consider, and some websites can require a lot more work.

Can I do my own SEO?

webboss2024-01-19T16:14:28-05:00You're not the first person to ask, "Can I learn SEO on my own?", and you absolutely can. If you run a small local business, you can probably do much of the Local SEO work yourself. It's quite a learning curve, but if you have the time, it can be done. There are plenty of free resources online and "do it yourself SEO tools" that can help you with learning how to manage your own SEO. And if you are a small business or a start-up (and you're not in a rush to see results), it's perhaps even a good idea to try to do it yourself before you hire an SEO company, as it will give you a basic understanding and appreciation of how complex search engine optimization can be. Apart from the obvious time cost (the time to learn how to do your own SEO, and the opportunity cost while learning) you may also end up spending money paying for various SEO tools - tools that SEO consultants and agencies use day to day. These tools help you to better understand the SEO opportunities, research keywords, and monitor your results along with your competitors, however their monthly costs can add up, quite quickly. For an SEO agency, the cost of these tools are spread across all of the clients and are just part of doing the job efficiently. What you get with an SEO consultant is years of training and experience at a digital agency, learning from their peers, understanding the do's and don'ts with search engines, access to the tools and reporting, along with having developed tried and tested strategies that can save you a lot of time (and potentially save you from making serious mistakes). Remember that it will take time for you to see results: typically, from 3 - 12 months from the time you begin making changes until you start to see serious benefits (more on that below). If you think that you still need extra help from a professional, please get in touch.

How long does it take for SEO to work?

webboss2024-01-19T16:15:16-05:00It is hard to say exactly how long it will take as each SEO strategy is unique, and is effected by various factors like the amount of competition, the quality of the website, etc. Generally, we notice a movement in positions within 1- 3 months from the start of the SEO campaign, followed by an increase in ranking in 4-6 months to really move the needle. That can feel like a long time, but you'll celebrate the milestones along the way, and reap the benefits long into the future. If you are in a highly competitive environment then be prepared to wait a little longer to see significant improvement. Planning for a 12 month SEO strategy allows for continual monitoring and ongoing growth (SEO strategies are generally cumulative, building over time).

What is an SEO Agency?

webboss2024-01-19T16:35:01-05:00The primary purpose of an SEO agency is to help businesses increase the amount of website traffic they receive organically (free traffic) from search engines like Google, Yahoo or Bing. When done well, sites will rank higher, and convert more traffic.

What is the difference between SEO and SEM (eg. Google Ads)?

webboss2024-01-19T16:19:39-05:00Both SEO and Google Ads are marketing strategies that involve search engines and keyword usage that you can engage in to attract web visitors, increase leads, and boost your sales. However, there are several differences between the two, and your choice of which technique to use will depend on your overall marketing goals. 1. Cost: Search engine optimization (SEO) is an organic way to rank your website on top of search engine results page. With some website modifications, content optimization, and technical tweaks, you can dominate Google without spending a lot of your marketing budget. Meanwhile, Google Ads require budget spend because you will have to bid on keywords, buy placements, and pay on every click you get on your ads. It definitely costs more than engaging with SEO. 2. Results: When done properly and maintained regularly, your SEO campaign can drive long-term results. This means, all the time and effort that you’re exerting today in optimizing your website will not be wasted and will bring in traffic even after years to come. On the other hand, the increase in traffic, visits, and conversions brought by Google Ads are just short term. As long as you’re funding your Ad Words campaigns, you will be getting good results. But, as soon as you turn them off, all metrics will go down again. 3. Traffic: When your website ranks organically on top of Google search results from an effective SEO campaign, you can expect a huge volume of traffic to come in, with a daily increase as long as it maintains its good position. Additionally, the more web pages you rank, the bigger the volume of traffic you’ll be getting. With Google Ads, they will only generate traffic for the duration of the campaign. While Google Ad Words provides faster results and instant placement of your website on top of Google search results (under Sponsored links), it can be really costly and the results are not lasting. With search engine optimization, you can guarantee excellent results that can last for years!

How can SEO marketing help grow my business?

webboss2024-01-19T16:17:12-05:00Search engine optimization is a cost-effective marketing technique that provides many benefits, helping website owners grow and scale their business. When done properly and strategically, SEO can help you dominate search engines where in your website will show up on top of search results; thereby, attracting web users to click on your website, learn more about your brand, and avail of your products or services. Here are some of the ways SEO can help you grow your business: SEO increases website traffic. The higher your website is positioned on search results, the more clicks it will get from web users using the search engine. And more clicks mean increased traffic on your website. This traffic can be translated to leads, paying customers, and even loyal followers who will keep coming back to your website or refer your business to their friends. SEO helps generate leads. Do you need more subscribers to sign up to your coaching session? Are you trying to grow your email list? If you are struggling with acquiring leads, SEO can definitely help. Stop wasting your marketing budget paying for leads that are not within your niche or do not have any interest about your company or brand at all. If your website is optimized for search engine, you can be sure that people typing your target keyword on Google already have the interest and intent to transact with your business. This is how search engine optimization helps bring in leads straight to your website.

How can SEO help my website generate more revenue?

webboss2024-01-19T16:17:54-05:00The benefits of engaging in search engine optimization is more than just bringing your website organically on top of search engine results for wider reach, better visibility, and increased clicks. More than this, SEO can help you acquire new leads, get more orders and sales, and boost your business. Cost-effective return on investment. SEO is one of the most cost-effective and promising digital marketing strategies that, when setup and implemented correctly, can continue to pay dividends over a long period of time. By driving more traffic to your website, SEO gives you more opportunities to convert leads into customers, build relationship with them, establish trust and loyalty, and eventually increase your revenue. The time and effort you invest in performing SEO techniques and practices will bring in a much higher return over time.

Is SEO still relevant in 2024?

webboss2024-01-19T16:18:35-05:00Yes, organic search should still an important marketing channel for your business in 2024. If you're not visible and ranking for relevant keywords, then your audience won't find you, and location-based SEO is even more relevant in 2024. SEO should be a marketing investment for any business in 2024 – however big or small.

What is the average cost of SEO services in Canada in 2024?

webboss2024-01-19T16:42:41-05:00SEO strategies for each business are different depending on the industry, the competition, and the website's foundation, and hence the cost can vary, however a typical SEO retainer in Canada ranges from around $1,000 to $3,000+ per month. If you are in a highly competitive industry then you may expect to pay more to implement intelligent strategies to out-perform your competitors.