Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search Engine Optimization is the practice of getting a website to the top of search engine rankings.

To best explain the benefits of SEO, view the image below and note the following:

1. Search Term – this could be any word or phrase.  In this case, the search was for Social Media Dashboard Software.
2. Results Found – this is the number of listings found by Google.  In this case, 1.2 Million listings were found!
3. Paid Advertisements – these are the areas where paid-advertisements show up.  These companies are competing for display placement via Google’s “auction” system.
4. SEO Results – this is the area where highly-ranked webpages are displayed.

So you can quickly see, that you have three choices when it comes to being found on search engines:

1. Take your chances.
2. Use Paid Advertising.
3. Use SEO to get ranked.

Now, here are some key things to bear in mind about SEO:

• There are only 10 placement slots on the front page of Google.
• SEO is NOT FREE, you either spend your time trying to master it, or pay someone to do it.
• The chances of getting to the top are slim.
• Be careful when choosing an SEO company (see below for more detail).

SEO – Buyer Be Careful:

Getting to the top of search engine rankings using search engine optimization is a dream for many people.  And, “selling the dream” is a lucrative business for many other people.  So, if  you are in the market for SEO services, please choose wisely.   Ask your potential provider questions like these:

• Show me examples of success stories?
• Where are you ranked?

A good resource for understanding the pros, cons, and hazards of seeking out SEO help can be found here on Google’s Website.

Good luck with your efforts online, and look for more articles about Search Engine Optimization here on the Unilyzer’s Blog.