The Value of E-commerce SEO

Looking to drive more organic traffic to your e-commerce site while gaining a competitive edge? If so, don’t sleep on search engine optimization (SEO) as a marketing strategy. Even with a robust referral network in place, a solid SEO strategy can help you maintain your position or help you get ahead.

On the flip side, overlooking SEO can have major consequences for your business—stunting your growth and giving your competitors a chance to take that coveted spot on the search engine results page (SERP).

The Return On SEO For E-commerce

So, what kind of return on investment (ROI) can your e-commerce business expect with SEO, anyway? The good news is that, when done well, SEO is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies out there—yielding returns of anywhere from 550% to a whopping 1220%!

In the e-commerce sphere especially, an effective SEO strategy can yield gradual yet consistent growth over a long period of time. Better yet? SEO can complement your other marketing channels without eating up your entire marketing budget in the process. Even if your business already has a decent referral network, then, a targeted SEO strategy can help you avoid falling behind if and when those referrals start to drop off.

How SEO Builds Momentum

Compared to pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, referrals, and other digital marketing strategies, SEO is one of the few methods that can really help your brand build long-term momentum.

Consider, for example, what happens when you invest in PPC advertising. During the time of your paid campaign, you might see an influx of traffic to your e-commerce site. Unfortunately, that PPC traffic can come to a halt as soon as your campaign ends. The same concept applies to referrals, where you may lose out on the bulk of your traffic when those referrals eventually drop off.

A great SEO strategy, on the other hand, is the gift that keeps on giving. Even when you lessen your focus on SEO, it can continue to drive traffic. And unlike other forms of digital marketing, SEO work can be done in smaller and more manageable chunks even when you need to allocate your resources elsewhere. In this sense, SEO can serve as a valuable long-term strategy that pays for itself time and time again.

Don’t Show Up Late to the Party

SEO is an incredibly cost-effective and versatile marketing strategy, but you’ll get the most out of it when you start sooner rather than later. If you haven’t made SEO a priority already, now is the time to get serious.

Unfortunately, the later you start, the longer it takes for your SEO efforts to really start making a difference. Keep in mind, too, that even if your brand isn’t focusing on SEO right now, there’s a good chance that your competitors are. The longer you put it off, the more difficult it will be to catch up with your competition and overtake them in the rankings. On the flip side, if you can get ahead of your competition with a solid SEO strategy now, it’ll be more difficult for them to catch up to you.

The Opportunity Cost of Not Doing SEO: The Bottom Line

Your e-commerce business has a lot to gain from an effective SEO strategy. From increased traffic and conversions to improved brand visibility and recognition, even a small amount of effort can go a long way. Meanwhile, it’s important to consider the cost not to buy into SEO as early in the game as possible.

One of the main reasons businesses hold off on their SEO is that they simply don’t know where to begin. If you’re not a seasoned marketing professional, you might feel overwhelmed when you read up on SEO, audience research, keyword research, competitor research, and other buzzwords.

This is where it can be so helpful to consult with a skilled and knowledgeable marketing team that has proven experience working with e-commerce brands like yours. This way, you can get the tailored e-commerce SEO advice you need to build and execute an SEO strategy that will pay off while you focus on other important aspects of running and growing your business.

Looking for More E-commerce SEO Advice?

With the potential for huge returns on your investment and long-term growth, SEO is one marketing strategy that your e-commerce business simply can’t afford to ignore. The good news? You don’t need to spend hours researching SEO or dedicate all your resources to building an SEO strategy that works for your brand. Our team at CSP is here and ready to help with more than 100 years of combined experience and deep knowledge of what it takes to optimize any website with custom-tailored SEO strategies that work.

Don’t let the opportunity for growth pass you by; talk to an SEO expert today and keep your website from falling behind the competition!