As a business owner today, you know digital marketing is crucial for your success. But with limited resources, what should you prioritize: SEO or social media?
In the past, the answer was clear: focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Back then, optimizing your website was the key to ranking well on search engines and getting noticed. Today, though, it’s not so simple. The rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter has added complexity to the decision-making process for businesses on a budget.
Quick Facts
For some background on the SEO vs social media debate, you may want to review the following facts:
- About 44% of online shoppers still begin the shopping process via search engines.
- In the past six years, social media usage for product research has increased by 356 percent.
- Google algorithm updates were implemented one after another, causing major changes in SEO.
- Customer engagement has become more important for the success and growth of any business.
- Google’s algorithms have become smarter.
- Keywords are no longer enough to optimize your site.
So, going back to the question as to whether you should focus more on SEO or social media if your digital marketing budget is tight, let’s take a closer look at these two aspects of digital marketing as they are today.
SEO
Despite claims that SEO is dead due to Google’s algorithm updates, it remains alive and essential for online success. While it has evolved significantly, SEO still matters. Nearly half of online shoppers start their journey on search engines, emphasizing the importance of ranking well on SERPs. To succeed, abandon outdated SEO tactics like keyword stuffing and focus on quality content, organic links, well-crafted titles, Meta tags, and other ethical SEO practices.
A note on keywords…
Keyword stuffing is no longer okay, but keywords are still crucial for SEO. Choose your keywords wisely and use them strategically in your content. Make sure they fit naturally within your narrative. Google’s algorithm is smarter now and can detect if keywords are forced into content.
Avoid overusing keywords in one piece of content; Google may penalize you for it. Two to three well-chosen keywords per content piece should suffice. Also, include keywords in your titles and Meta descriptions for better SEO performance.
A note on backlinks…
Links to your site remain valuable for SEO today, much like keywords. However, how you acquire and use these links has changed to avoid penalties and maintain rankings. Buying links is now frowned upon, as the focus shifts from quantity to quality. Quality links are relevant to your content and come from reputable sites.
In the past, links were obtained through tactics like directory submissions and forum participation. Nowadays, the best approach is to create and share high-quality content regularly. This leads us to the next part of our discussion.
Social Media
Most people are engaged in social media these days, and many of the people on social platforms spend most of the day online. Even at work, people are constantly logged on to the Internet and into their social media accounts. The success of your online marketing campaigns therefore hinges not only on the SERP rankings you get but also on the reputation you manage to build online. One of the best ways to establish a positive online reputation is to engage with your target market regularly.
What is the best venue for engaging in meaningful conversations with your target market? You guessed it right: Social Media. When you set up social media pages for your business, you give your customers a chance to voice out their opinions and ask you questions directly. If you simply read all their questions and comments without bothering to respond, you’re likely to be seen as being entirely focused on profit without caring for your customers’ needs. On the other hand, responding to their comments/questions promptly helps you earn the reputation of being a brand that truly cares. Guess which type of business is more likely to earn people’s loyalty.
There is also the matter of word-of-mouth advertising. This has always been—and probably will always be—the most effective form of advertising. When people recommend your business to others, those to whom it is recommended are likelier to give it a try, since people they know and trust have already tried it. But word-of-mouth is no longer so literal these days. It no longer takes two or more people to come together in one place and talk face-to-face to swap stories about brands and products they patronize.
Social media is known as the modern-day version of word-of-mouth advertising. People now talk about their experiences with certain brands and products on their social media accounts. So if you want more people to know about your brand’s existence, you need to work on getting your social media audience to talk about you—on a positive note, of course.
So, how do you get your brand mentioned repeatedly on social media? And how do you get a lot of people to share your content to their social circles? By going back to the basics, that’s how. Keep creating well-written, original, relevant, and interesting content. Publish them on your website or blog and promote them on your social media pages. And be sure to make the content easy to share on a wide variety of social media platforms. Incorporate social sharing buttons on your website and blog, and don’t forget to post links to your content on your social media pages.
SEO vs Social Media
SEO and social media are vital for digital marketing success. But if you’re on a tight budget, you don’t necessarily have to choose between them. Many businesses have found success by combining both approaches.
Google’s algorithms not only scan websites but also social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. When your brand is mentioned positively on social media or endorsed by industry influencers, Google rewards you with higher rankings. This is because brands mentioned frequently and linked by influencers are seen as industry leaders and authoritative sites.
So, rather than seeing SEO and social media as separate, they should be viewed as complementary. Today’s SEO isn’t just about keywords and links; it also involves high-quality content, good web design, and social engagement. Engaging on social media builds trust and loyalty, leading to more brand mentions and influence, ultimately boosting SEO performance.
Conclusion
Some argue that social media is replacing SEO. While not entirely accurate, social media now plays a crucial role in online marketing. Content that gains traction on social platforms can attract more backlinks from industry-related sites, improving SERP rankings. To excel in SEO today, it’s essential to succeed in social media. So, when it comes to SEO vs social media, our answer is simple: embrace both.