[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith the holiday season coming, there are quite a few significant reasons why it is shaping up to be the biggest online shopping spree ever. For one, the current pandemic has driven most people to do most of their work (and online shopping) from home. The result is a lifestyle that has been forced indoors, and one that will likely take advantage of all the new online services offered by businesses that once made a killing with physical establishments. Due to all of the current events, people are looking toward search engine optimization (SEO) and hiring the SEO consultants available to get the job done.
That said, while 2020 is shaping up to be a year of firsts when it comes to online shopping, the next year might be something entirely different. With the current trends regarding the pandemic, there is a chance that things could very well allow people to go about socializing. After all, just because the current year is shaping up to be incredible for online business owners, it does not mean that the luck will last. For those that are looking past the opportunities to potentially future-proofing their business to 2021, here is just a quick guide to help sellers gain a foothold even after the holiday season.
Organic traffic or paid traffic? Here are some differences
Regarding the most crucial difference between the two, the return on investment (ROI) is similar no matter which strategy is chosen. That said, when it comes to company credibility, organic SEO traffic wins out by a landslide. After all, unlike paying to have the company high up on the paid rankings, those that work hard enough and optimize their business to the point that they are high up on the organic search results gain the same benefits without having to worry about paying for their spot.
While there are advantages no matter which strategy is chosen, there is a focus on gaining organic traffic, as some of the best SEO consultants will want to focus on the slow and steady approach, as it is bound to pay off in the end.
Short-term or long-term strategies?
The choice of whether or not to look for short or long term strategies depend on the type of business being run. For example, those with more of a focus on business to business transactions (B2B) will end up having to go for long term strategies, as it is not enough to convince clients initially. There is a process involved in such transactions, which is why the long term strategy tends to win out.
On the other hand, businesses that have to attract online shoppers through e-commerce will likely benefit more from short-term campaigns that can get users to visit and purchase items right away. Unlike B2B, there is no need to convince any higher-ups that the products are worth it for their business. That said, looking toward the year 2021 means that a combination of short-term victories with a long-term plan is ideal. Making use of content marketing as well as ensuring that a business has a Google My Business account all count toward making things easier.
According to the best SEO consultants, mobile is the way of the future… again
It might seem a little odd that some of the best SEO companies are once again urging business owners to focus on mobile apps, as there has been a sharp decline of sellers focusing on the mobile portion of their online stores. The result is those online shoppers that end up being confused due to a messy mobile store, despite the fact that the seller has exactly what the shoppers need.
While there are undoubtedly advantages from focusing on the browser due to how many people are staying at home, it does not mean that they are more likely to use desktop computers to shop online. Most people are still used to their smartphones, which is why the prudent approach would be to ensure that the seller has a decent mobile platform before the start of next year. Considering how few businesses are currently optimizing mobile, it provides a rare opportunity to stand out from the rest of the crowd.
How to ensure that online customers have a reason for repeat visits
The aforementioned content marketing is one of the ideal methods of capturing the attention of most online shoppers and curious visitors. While it might take some effort to develop quality content, it can be easy for such a tactic to attract organic visits. For example, a company looking to gain higher search rankings through local SEO would benefit from content marketing based on current events in their area. By putting a focus on current events restricted to the area, it can create more unique local content, ensuring that the business gains more visibility in the local rankings.
The same thing can be accomplished by business owners looking to break out at the national level, with the use of evergreen content such as exercise and weight loss. It would also be a good idea to craft unique material depending on the products being sold. It will give users a reason to visit again and will help companies connect with their clients. It would also help to make use of social media marketing to further bridge the gap.
With the best SEO consultants, the future is looking bright
The year 2021 is bound to have its own fair share of challenges, though it is likely not to match the unprecedented challenges that came with 2020 — a year that will likely go down in history due to the pandemic.
That said, for those who are looking to take advantage of the current online marketplace, there is no better time than now to start preparing. With the help of the best SEO consultants available, the future of an online store that makes the necessary preparations through SEO is looking bright indeed.
