How to Get Website Traffic: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is Necessary

According to a poll I conducted, just over 1 out of 10 people don't think SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is mandatory as a designer; and what really surprised me is about 24% don't even know what SEO is! If you're among the quarter of people who don't know what SEO is or understand how it can help you, you should really read this article. How to Get Website Traffic? Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is Necessary or Optional?

The Basics: How Search Engines Work?

First, let's look at how crawler-based search engines work (both Google and Yahoo fall in this category). Each search engine has its own automated program called a "web spider" or "web crawler" that crawls the web. The main purpose of the spider is to crawl web pages, read and collect the content, and follow the links (both internal and external). The spider then deposits the information collected into the search engine's database called the index. When searchers enter a query in the search box of a search engine, the search engine's job is to find the most relevant results to the query by matching the search query to the information in its index. What makes or breaks a search engine is how well it answers your question when you perform a search. That's based on what's called the search engine algorithm which is basically a bunch of factors that the search engine uses to say "hey is this page RELEVANT or NOT?". The higher your page ranks for these factors (yes some factors are more important than others) than the higher your page will get displayed in the search engine result pages.

What is SEO :-

Search engine optimization(SEO) is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via "natural" ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results. Typically, the earlier a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine. SEO may target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, and industry-specific vertical search engines.

As an Internet marketing strategy, SEO considers how search engines work and what people search for. Optimizing a website primarily involves editing its content and HTML coding to both increase its relevance to specific keywords and to remove barriers to the indexing activities of search engines.

The acronym "SEO" can also refer to "search engine optimizers," a term adopted by an industry of consultants who carry out optimization projects on behalf of clients, and by employees who perform SEO services in-house. Search engine optimizers may offer SEO service as a stand-alone service or as a part of a broader marketing campaign. Because effective SEO may require changes to the HTML source code of a site, SEO tactics may be incorporated into web site development and design. So it needs Search engine professionals.

Why SEO is necessary :-

Building a website without search engine optimization is just like that a car without engine.

It may look beautiful, have all the bells and whistles, and make you proud to know it is yours. But without the engine, without the guts, it will never get you where you want to go. Website optimization is essential to gaining traffic. Without traffic your website is just like that car without a motor. Pretty, maybe. But, chances are you wanted it to function as well.

Search engines are used daily by four out of five internet users. Of adults aged 30-49, 82% are internet users. Of those aged 50-64 70% are internet users. Internet use rises proportionately with education and household income. Your website must be found within the search engine results pages, to be an effective advertising medium for your company. Being found in the search results is absolutely necessary to drive traffic to your website. 80% of all internet users say they stop looking for a site after 30 results. That is typically 3 pages of search engine results pages with 10 results on each page. Eye tracking studies have shown, your best bet is to be 'above the fold' or on the top portion of the page, on the left.

It stands to reason that the higher your site is positioned within a search engine or directory, the more you will increase your website traffic. Optimizing your website for higher search engine ranking and strategically planning keyword inclusion is a measurable/traceable method of attracting self-qualified customers. Its importance is critical.