Why is SEO Important?
Organic Search is the dominant source of web traffic to websites. Organic search results are the ones that are at the top of the search engine results page (SERP) after you query something on a search engine, such as Google, specifically the results that do not have the word "ad" next to them.
With over 3.5 billion searches per day on Google alone, the visibility that comes from ranking highly in search results can't be matched by any other marketing channel. Being visible where your customers are searching is invaluable—especially since these users already have high intent and are actively looking for information related to your products or services.
Furthermore, SEO builds credibility and trust with your audience. Websites appearing at the top of search results are generally perceived as more trustworthy and authoritative. A comprehensive SEO strategy not only improves rankings but enhances the overall user experience of your website.
What is SEO?
SEO can be difficult to understand as a whole, so for simplicity let us break it into three main parts:
Organic Search Results
Organic search results are the listings on search engine results pages that appear because of their relevance to the search terms, as opposed to being advertisements. These are the non-paid results that most users trust and click on. SEO helps your website rank higher in these organic results, increasing visibility without paying for placement.
Quality of Organic Traffic
You can attract all the visitors in the world, but if they're coming to your site because Google tells them you're a resource for Apple computers when really you're a farmer selling apples, that is not quality traffic. Instead, you want to attract visitors who are genuinely interested in the products or services you offer.
Quantity of Organic Traffic
Once you have the right people clicking through from search engine results pages, more traffic is better. SEO focuses on growing your visibility in search results, which leads to more qualified potential customers discovering your site. Effective SEO strategies can significantly increase your website's organic traffic over time.
Combined
53.3% organic traffic15% paid search
Retail & eCommerce
41% organic traffic23.6% paid search
Media & Entertainment
53% organic traffic8.2% social traffic
Business to Business
64.1% organic traffic12.3% paid search
Technology
59.8% organic traffic9.7% paid search
Travel & Hospitality
41.4% organic traffic23.4% paid search