To answer this question in a single sentence- you should invest in Search Engine Optimization as soon as you start with a business. Or even if you already own a successful and sustainable business you should still invest in SEO for growth.
According to a survey, more than 53% of business owners stated that SEO brings in more leads than any other marketing tool combined.
This data is evident enough of how beneficial investing in SEO could be for your business.
However, if you still need more convincing, read this article till the end.
When you take your business online
Whether you own an e-commerce website or simply a blog, you need to rank for your relevant keywords. It is not only important for your website to gain traffic but also to create a brand awareness. It is noteworthy that when you’re taking your business online, the primary objective is to be visible to newer markets. And optimizing your website for the search engines could help you with the same. In short, as soon as you plan to take your business online, SEO should be on top of your essentials list.
If your website is receiving low to no traffic
If your business is already present online, you may still need to invest in SEO. In the most unlikely event that your Search Engine Optimization strategies are not performing as expected, you should look for a better service provider. Perhaps, you can search for terms like “the best SEO in New York” to find the right optimization expert for your business. That being said, if your website is not receiving enough traffic, it is also a clear sign of incompetent optimization. Notably, this could harm your business more than it could benefit, down the line.
If your leads are not converting into sales
For businesses, especially startups, the most important aspect of sales and marketing is generating leads. And not just any leads, but the ones that eventually convert into sales. According to a survey, most businesses invest in PPC and other online marketing, before investing in SEO. Well, this might offer the initial boost needed to kickstart the business, it lacks the longer-lasting results. A rather more beneficial strategy would be to invest in optimization techniques along with other marketing practices.
When you want to invest less but expect more returns
Last but not least, is the case when you do not have enough capital to invest in conventional marketing. Search Engine Optimization is one of the cheapest ways to market your brand. Unlike traditional marketing tactics such as billboard ads and TV commercials, digital marketing can help at a fractional cost. To put this into perspective, it is important to learn more about on-page and off-page SEO strategies. It would only help you understand why SEO investments are more economical than other alternatives.
To sum it up, there’s really no right time to invest in SEO, but as soon as you start and wish to grow your business. With a plethora of benefits to reap, Search Engine Optimization and digital marketing can improve your brand’s visibility. Along with that, it can also help bring in more business than any other marketing tool ever could. So, better invest now than later.