Why You Should Ramp Up SEO Efforts During a Pandemic
Search engine optimization is one of the best strategies to keep your business afloat despite an economic downturn.
The coronavirus has disrupted business as usual, affecting all of us on a personal level. The economy is reeling from the impact of the COVID-19. Businesses of all varieties are having to adjust their strategies in response.
If you’re a VBO (virtual business owner) with an in-demand VBO niche, you’ve probably been largely unaffected by the pandemic, at least from a business perspective. You were already working from home, so the shelter-in-place orders didn’t impact your business. And depending on the service you provide, you may have a steady stream of clients who are content to continue to do business with you, even during these downtimes. If that sounds like you, that’s great. Kudos to you for setting yourself up for success.
However, if you’re a VBO who’s struggling throughout this pandemic, know that we’re here to help. In a recent blog, we shared five ways to grow your freelance business during the coronavirus. This time around, we’re going to tell you about SEO, and why it’s an important tool to have in your arsenal during times of crisis.
Search engine optimization is all about driving traffic to a webpage with the hope of increasing conversions and driving sales. A core part of the VBO strategy is using the internet to sell your services, so SEO is very important. We’re not going to lie. SEO won’t bring you overnight success. It takes time and effort to develop a sound SEO strategy that will yield the results you seek. But, SEO is something that can enable you to thrive even in downtimes. So, let’s cut to the chase. Here are a few reasons why you should ramp up your SEO efforts during the pandemic:
SEO can produce cash.
During economic hardship, cash is crucial. Businesses that have the cash they need to sustain themselves through the crisis are the ones that survive. And by getting your services out in front of those who need them, SEO can help you generate more cash.
SEO produces sales because it enables the consumer to connect with your brand when they’re searching for your service. Again, it goes back to having an in-demand VBO niche. There are probably still people out there who are likely to need your service even if they’re sequestered in their homes for the time being.
Since people aren’t out and about anymore, there’s a pretty good chance they’re going to searching more online. Ranking for relevant keyword strings will help you seal the deal with searchers who are ready to buy.
You can measure your efforts.
A big benefit of SEO is the fact that it’s measurable. Unlike other branding efforts, it’s very easy to see if your SEO efforts are effective. It’s just a matter of looking at your analytics for sales and leads data. Having this information accessible allows you to change your strategy and budget when necessary. SEO is data-driven. Being able to look at your analytics and adjust your strategy will help you to get the most out of each dollar you spend on SEO.
Scarcity can bring in a harvest.
This one may not apply to every VBO. However, it’s worth noting that scarcity can create a huge earning potential for those who can deliver on the things people are searching for. Pandemics have a way of shifting supply and demand in unprecedented ways. Who would’ve thought something as commonplace as toilet paper could become the most sought-after item in stores and online? If you can show up in the search results when people are looking for scarce products or services, you could make a killing. See what’s already become scarce and anticipate what will become scarce as the pandemic progresses. If appropriate, capitalize on that scarcity by working to rank for those items and topics surrounding those items.
What you do today will shape your tomorrow.
The fact is, the COVID-19 crisis won’t last forever. While things may never completely go back to ‘normal’, they will stabilize eventually. Certain things will remain true even after the pandemic is over; one of them being the fact that SEO will continue to be an important part of any business’ marketing strategy. If you take the time to implement an SEO campaign now, you could reap beneficial results in the future. And those results could prepare you for the next hardship that will inevitably come.
SEO requires effort. And it doesn’t deliver results overnight. But with diligence and patience, it could prove to be an effective strategy to help you stay afloat during the pandemic and beyond.
