Will SEO make you rich? Understanding SEO & ranking

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is the process of enhancing your website to rank higher on search engines. While investing in SEO can benefit businesses, it doesn’t guarantee wealth.  

SEO can indirectly generate revenue by attracting the right audience to your site, giving you the chance to make sales. If you want to attract new customers, SEO is essential, as most people use Google to search for what they need. By using SEO keyword research, you can target specific people who are interested in your topics and drive them to your website.  

However, numerous variables affect the success of SEO in generating significant income, such as the type of business, website design, how many hours you put it into your business, how much you invest in it and whether it’s a niche market. Despite these variables, investing in SEO or becoming an SEO specialist is worthwhile.  

Ultimately, SEO provides opportunities for sales, but it’s not a guaranteed path to riches. 

So, before you invest in an SEO specialist by doing the Google search SEO + your location like ‘SEO Essex’ read on for more information. 

Understanding SEO  

According to a recent report by HubSpot ‘32% of marketers plan to leverage websites, blogs, and SEO as part of their overall marketing strategy in 2024.’   

That said, SEO won’t guarantee that your business will be successful, but it will ensure your website is seen.   

Maintaining a strong web presence is how you get website clicks which increases your chances of getting sales/customers.  

However, it is important to note that clicks do not always equate to sales, sometimes it is the case that your website is ranking well on Google but you’re still not getting sales for one reason or another like your CTA’s (Call to action) being ineffective.  

Note: a call to action refers to the action you want the consumer to take. For example, you might have a button on your website saying ‘sign up to know more’ which enables your website visitors to sign up to your newsletter if they choose to. 

A good SEO strategy can effectively target and attract potential customers who are most likely to use your services or purchase your products, ultimately boosting your conversion rate. 

Top ranking factors 

Google considers over 200 ranking factors, but let’s talk about the top 3 – in no particular order. 

1. Quality content- Google rewards keyword-rich, quality content and that includes across your whole website. From the website design to the layout, to how your images and high quality copywriting are used, there are so many factors to quality content. One main factor is being an expert in your field and having authority. Your site’s level of authority will affect your rankings as Google wants to ensure that their users are being provided with reliable information. 

1. Backlinks- Backlinks, also known as incoming or inbound links, are links from one website to another that significantly enhance organic rankings. Sites link to high quality sites, so it’s like a vote of confidence. In 2016, Google confirmed that backlinks are in the top three of major ranking factors for websites. High quality, relevant, and naturally placed backlinks positively impact organic search results, with authoritative ones notably boosting search engine performance. 

1. Website loading speed-The speed of your website significantly impacts your Google rankings. To address this, Google developed Google Lighthouse, a tool designed to show improvements to a website loading speed. Faster-loading websites tend to rank higher on search engines, as a key aspect of a good user experience is quick loading times. 

Can you afford to invest? Learning vs hiring  

Can you afford to invest in SEO? The better question is can you afford not to?  

If you have the time and are lacking in budget, it is possible to learn SEO for yourself.  

You can opt for paid courses or learn through free online resources like YouTube. However, investing in an SEO specialist can save years of learning and quickly boost your website’s Google ranking. 

But before you research who you want to hire and how soon, find out what your SEO goals are. 

Make sure that your goals are achievable, measurable, relevant and time-bound. Be realistic- for example, your goal could be to increase organic traffic by 25% within 6 months. This goal is specific, time-bound, measurable and achievable.  

Now that you have a specific goal, think about your budget.  

According to various online sources, the average cost for an SEO specialist can range from £100 per hour to £1000. There are of course several variables to consider like how small your business is and what your budget is.  

Choosing a good SEO agency is crucial and starts with thorough research. Define your objectives, and review testimonials, case studies, awards, and client retention rates to assess their effectiveness and reputation.

Final thoughts  

SEO might make you rich, but there are too many variables to predict this with certainty. What can be said is that investing in an effective SEO strategy requires significant time, investment, and hard work, but it is worthwhile. A well-executed SEO strategy will likely improve your website’s ranking on Google, increasing your reach to potential customers and leading to conversions.