SEO services are worth it for big companies and small businesses because they drive more leads and higher income potential. They strengthen brand credibility, customer loyalty, and online visibility. SEO services are 14x more effective than traditional marketing in closing leads. They let you capture search intent with competitive keywords and link-building strategies. SEO services really work in 2024, as seen in well-known brands like Macy's, Etsy, and Amazon. Sellers who use SEO audits and techniques get 87% more customers through organic traffic.
SEO is important to make your websites visible on search engine results pages (SERPs). You can do this through content gap analysis, rank tracking, and keyword density monitoring. Ranking higher on search results attracts more traffic. This leads to increased conversions, sales, and revenue in the long run. According to Search Engine Journal's survey, 49% of brands report that SEO drives the highest ROI compared to other digital marketing channels.
A Reddit user even commented on the significance of SEO for businesses. He said that SEO professionals have way more experience. This means that they can make more detailed and cost-effective strategies. They can adapt your marketing campaigns according to the latest trends and demands. You also get more time to focus on your business.
However, many Redditors say that it's not worth it because anyone can learn SEO. Many websites, forums, and platforms teach SEO for free. Some examples include HubSpot Academy, Ahrefs, and Udemy. Other Redditors also suggested doing different SEO techniques. This includes setting up a Google Business Profile and gathering reviews. You can also use targeted keywords and build backlinks for your site. A Redditor even experienced unfulfilled expectations and goals working with SEO agencies.
Quora user Joe Sembleck commented on how individuals and businesses can DIY SEO. He suggests joining big online forums. These online spaces talk about SEO strategies, experiences, and tools. Some examples include Warriorforum and Blackhatworld. Joe highlights the significance of understanding SEO first before investing in related services.
Businesses that utilize SEO services have better online traffic and engagement. This is because SEO deals with site structure and content management. In fact, BrightEdge's report states that 53.3% of the total web traffic goes to organic search. It comprises 44.6% of revenue across industries like travel, retail, B2B, and technology.
This article will answer the questions "Are SEO services worth it?" and "Do SEO services work?" We'll also discuss the challenges and benefits of SEO services for businesses. We provided real testimonies from people who tried various SEO services. Plus, discover the best way to make money in 2024.
Is Search Engine Optimization Worth the Investment?
Search engine optimization is worth the investment because it drives high-quality organic traffic at a low cost. According to Nutshell, you can start with SEO for as low as $100 to $500. Moreover, SEO services are worth it in 2024. They enable businesses to adapt to dynamic search engine algorithms. BrightEdge statistics show that 68% of online experiences start with a search engine query. This signals the start of your potential customer's online journey.
Backlinko states that less than 1% of active searchers navigate to the second page of Google. That's why ranking on the top three of the first page is crucial. As Smart Insights Digital Marketing mentioned, you get 10.2%-39.8% more clicks. SEO achieves this by considering search volume, keyword density, and backlinks. SEO is also 53% more effective than paid ads and organic social media in driving website traffic.
Here are three examples of global companies gaining traction in digital ads and online traffic with SEO:
Our research shows the potential for customer, revenue, and brand growth using SEO services. According to Gitnux, 57% of marketers confirm the efficacy of SEO initiatives over other digital marketing strategies. These modern techniques are working well, especially with the popularity of search marketing. In fact, SparkToro reveals that 90.06% of all website traffic comes from Google Search and Images. This proves the feasibility of using SEO services to grow your business.
Do SEO Services Really Work? Reddit & Quora Users' Experiences With Paid SEO
Lina Smith from Switzerland shared on Quora how effective SEO services are. An SEO service company called WUMO SEO helped her rank her business sites. Lina engaged with experts because she found it hard to learn and do SEO by herself. The agency helped her through blog commenting, forum posting, and many more. She added that they also helped her understand how SEO works.
This Redditor gets 10K visitors weekly by paying for SEO services for over a year already. She hired ariMarketing to boost the organic traffic of her home improvement business. According to her Google Analytics profile, she generates 40K to 60K visitors monthly.
A Reddit user commented on SEO's positive impact on his restaurant business in New York. Geek Informatic helped him improve his sales and revenue within 7 to 8 months. The SEO agency also delivered page-one keyword rankings for local SERP. Plus, his website traffic also improved.
SEO services are necessary for small businesses because they can help find leads. It generates traffic and increases their potential revenue. SEO professionals and agencies help them build authority faster and more systematically.
But, SEO has its risks and uncertainties. Some SEO companies and freelancers lack enough experience. They can create detailed SEO strategies and plans. Yet, your websites can end up with no significant traffic or sales increase. Some SEO experts develop the best SEO initiatives but produce the opposite effect. This depends on various factors like content quality, keyword selection, and domain age.
This Reddit user mentioned that an SEO company's services don't always guarantee value. He said that companies focused on sales may not prioritize SEO. The user shared how he provided web design services for a tattoo studio with no website. He implemented standard SEO as a bonus and got the business on the front page of search engines. It would've been more difficult if the business competed with major players. And, some SEO companies aren't as honest as him.
Wes McDowell, YouTuber and Website Strategist, shared how complex SEO services are. He mentioned that SEO will get more difficult. This is because of Google's new AI search feature called Search Generative Experience. There are also intelligent tools like ChatGPT and Jasper. These technologies generate SEO content that makes it difficult to stand out. Wes also talked about the popularity of YouTube and video content to rank on search engines. He said that people place more trust in videos than written content nowadays.
8 Benefits of Investing in SEO Services
1. SEO Services Increase Online Visibility
Investing in SEO services can improve your business's online visibility. SEO experts do this through content marketing and site optimization. That's because a digital presence is important for engaging more potential customers. Online visibility is the attention your business has online, explains Alexander Storozhuk of PRNEWS.io. The audience is more likely to visit your site when you're visible. These visits could lead to conversions or sales. Paying someone to do SEO is worth it because you could achieve faster results. The SEO agency performs the keyword research and site optimization for you.
Siteefy reports that there are around 1.09 billion websites worldwide. It adds that 3 new websites are being created every second. In seeking an SEO service, you need people who can optimize websites. They help improve your content to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).
2. SEO Services Help Get Higher Organic Website Traffic
SEO services impact organic search results through keyword research and optimization. Businesses want to be at the top ranking results because it means getting more traffic. Ahrefs's study of over 14 billion pages in its Content Explorer index shows only 1.94% of all pages get between one to 10 monthly search visits on Google. Meanwhile, 96.55% of the pages get zero search traffic. That's why acquiring reliable SEO services is crucial to delivering high site traffic.
SEO experts help you attract targeted traffic. They perform in-depth keyword analysis. This will help you identify the keywords potential customers use in search queries. They will optimize your website, meta tags, and URLs using these targeted keywords. This way, your website ranks higher in search engine results for relevant queries. According to Ahrefs, the top-ranking page gets the most search traffic 49% of the time. It leads to higher engagement and conversion rates.
3. SEO Services Improve Websites for a Better User Experience
SEO services help your business website improve user experiences. You can do this by enhancing site accessibility and structure. User experience or UX refers to how a visitor feels when using a site or a mobile app. UX optimization includes mobile-friendliness, better site elements, and site speed. High-quality content also contributes to good UX. Here is how SEO agencies can provide a better user experience:
4. SEO Services Help Build Brand Credibility for the Long Term
SEO services are a sustainable marketing strategy for your business. This is because they build credibility for the long term. Users will likely check out websites at the top of search results. This can increase brand awareness, customer loyalty, and business credibility.
But, WebFX notes that SEO is a long-term strategy. Ranking on the first page takes time. It will take one week to 12 months for SEO to work. Some website owners claim that they notice results within 2 weeks, while some take over a year. Mansi Miglani, an SEO Executive, shared how a comprehensive SEO plan can produce results within six months. But Pastor Dre, an SEO coach and digital marketing expert, says proper SEO can take 3 months.
According to Google and Backlinko, SEO results take 4 to 12 months to show. Forbes also reported that pages at the top search results are 2.6 years old on average. Users are more likely to click through a website with a higher rank. Data shows that the organic click-through rate for the number one rank on Google is 27%. The rate decreases as the page rank lowers.
Maintaining rankings needs constant optimization to prevent other sites from outranking your website. Find SEO experts that offer ample expertise to check your site's performance. They need to use actionable insights to develop new strategies.
5. SEO Services are a Worthwhile Investment for Startups
SEO services are a worthwhile investment for startups because they offer long-term growth and success. Businesses can build a solid online following and brand engagement. Take the case of NerdWallet, for instance. NerdWallet is a personal finance company. Tim Chen and Jacob Gibson founded it in 2009. Sido.Digital reported that their goal was to produce 500 high-quality content monthly. In 2014 and 2015, their content increased and resulted in 36,000 indexed pages.
This proves that search engines rank pages that have authority and are trustworthy. Google and Bing place weight on page authority. SEO experts should help you maintain ranking. They must update your site's content and ensure relevant keywords are in place.
6. SEO Services Enhance Local and Global Reach
SEO services enable your business to broaden its local or global reach. They do this by focusing on keyword searches that are ranking on specific locations. For local businesses, SEO services can focus on fulfilling local search queries. SEO experts optimize your Google Business Profiles and local listings. In fact, Safari Digital reported that 97% of users go online to look for a local business. You can also rank high on global search results by starting with local SEO. Then, you can build your credibility, content quality, and site accessibility.
Monthly SEO is worth it for businesses who want to build their reach. Muntaha Murad, Wix Patriots founder, explains that businesses need to consider the following:
- Do they have the time to implement free SEO methods?
- Are they looking for quick results?
- Do they want expert guidance and support?
- Are they willing to pay for the results?
Reaching your target market is one of the most valuable things your SEO agency could offer. They enhance your local and global reach. They use geo-specific targeting and their experience working with global organizations. These experts should also perform SEO competitor analysis. It helps you identify top websites using the same keywords that you're targeting.
7. SEO Services Help Clients Stay Ahead of the Competition
SEO services help you beat the competition through technical analyses and KPI monitoring. These techniques ensure adaptability to evolving trends and algorithm changes. You should use proven strategies to improve your search engine rankings and visibility. Here are some action plans you could use to beat the competition:
8. SEO Services Provide Cost-Effective Marketing
SEO services can provide cost-effective marketing because of their long-term effects. When you invest in an SEO service, you build a foundation for attracting traffic. In paid advertising, traffic stops once your budget is exhausted. But, when you hire the right SEO experts, they get organic traffic continuously. Ongoing optimization can maintain your high ranking. The high-quality content you get from them contributes to your site's authority. These will improve your search rankings for various topics and keywords.
The average cost for SEO services is $500 to $1,500 a month for a monthly retainer. Hourly SEO rate costs $75 to $100. Meanwhile, WebFX says working with a social media marketing agency can cost $4,000 to $7,000. Some would even pay as high as $20,000 monthly, depending on their needs.
In 2019, Higher Visibility published a survey among small business owners. 44.3% reported they have a $1-$499 online marketing budget per month. Affordable SEO services for small businesses cost at least $500 a month. Search Engine Journal reported that businesses spending over $500 a month for SEO are 53.3% more likely to be “extremely satisfied” with the results.
How To Choose SEO Services That are Worth It: Insights From SEO Experts
SEO experts have projects that show results. Rewati Khare, an SEO manager, says clients should pay attention to case studies. Case studies must show how they have improved rankings, organic traffic, and conversions. If they are offering SEO services, start checking previous projects. They should've documented how they improved a client's site. Note their clients' increase in sales or revenue after implementing the SEO service.
People recommend SEO experts. Shahid Maqbool, founder of SEODebate and SEOWallet, suggests clients ask for references. He adds that it's a way for clients to ensure the candidate "cannot provide false information." Ask their previous employers or clients for recommendations. They should maintain good rapport with clients. You can ask them for updates about their past projects and clients.
SEO experts can complete trial tasks. Pedro Dias, a technical SEO consultant, says clients can assess an agency or individual's expertise by testing them with a problem. Then, you can observe how they resolve it. They should be honest about their experiences. They should also not make unreasonable promises. Some red flags clients watch out for when choosing an SEO service provider are over-promises and lack of transparency.
Top Issues When Dealing With SEO Services From Agencies
Loretta McVoy, a Social Media Consultant, mentioned how some SEO agencies repeat the same strategies for all their clients. They use similar SEO strategies for every website. This sends the wrong impression to Google's algorithm. So, make sure that your SEO agency develops a unique action plan geared towards your business.
Quora user Maxim Media revealed that many SEO professionals aren't accountable enough. Some promise results that are difficult to achieve. That's why many clients end up having negative experiences with SEO experts. This user also added that most SEO services cost so much. Some agencies charge unreasonably high.
William Scully, a business owner, commented on how damaging some SEO companies are. He said that there are companies who use black hat SEO tactics. The problem with this is the potential backlash from Google. According to Elegant Themes, Google can ban your website. And, you can lose your ranking.
Is It Worth It To Start an SEO Business in 2024?
It can be worth it to start an SEO business in 2024 if you are willing to sacrifice significant time and effort. This business model entails learning the right skills to produce high-quality outputs. You need to understand how on-page, off-page, and technical SEO work. You also need to invest in reputable platforms and resources to learn SEO. Freelancers and aspiring SEO agency owners can benefit from offering SEO services. The demand for such digital services will be high in 2024 and beyond.
LinkedIn's Emerging Jobs 2022 report reveals over 860K SEO job openings globally. This means that businesses and organizations are seeking SEO services. SEO Specialists in the U.S. earn around $76,497-$135,024 yearly, according to Salary.com. Some Redditors who operate a one-man SEO agency also report making $8,000-$10,000 monthly. SEO agencies with a big team can earn more. Detailed's article revealed how they generate 5 to 9 figures in annual income. Some examples include Centori ($28,800 yearly), Indexsy ($598,000 yearly), and Yext ($390.6M).
SEO is still profitable. Ahrefs' data shows that 57.4% of SEO agencies can charge over $1,000 monthly. The usual price of an SEO agency's monthly retainer is $500–$1,000 per month. So, the more clients you have, the higher your potential monthly income will be.
Is Providing SEO Services the Best Way To Make Money Online?
Providing SEO services is not the best way to make money online. Local lead generation is the best way to make money online with SEO. Unlike offering SEO services that are competitive, local lead generation focuses on specific areas. This strategy narrows down the competition. There are also many individuals and agencies offering SEO services in 2024. This is a highly competitive industry to be in.
As a beginner, you won't have as much client trust as established ones. That's why you need to spend time, effort, and money. You have to market yourself to potential clients. You also have to tackle black hat SEO tactics and dynamic algorithms. One of the biggest risks of offering SEO services is uncertain SERP outcomes. Building an SEO strategy for a business takes months and intensive research. Your SEO campaigns need to be dynamic. Plus, small businesses may opt to do SEO themselves.
The best way to make money online is to use SEO for local lead generation. This business model utilizes local SEO. That's why you have less competition than when offering SEO services. Local lead generation entails building sites for local services. Then, you rank these microsites organically using SEO. Once your websites are in the top spots in Google's SERP, you can start generating free leads. It doesn't need as much maintenance as monitoring client SEO campaigns. Plus, you can make 80%-95% profit margins.
Choose a business model that offers more control, time freedom, and financial stability. Local lead gen lets you earn up to $10K per site. The more sites you create, the higher your passive income will be.
