Is SEO Just About Getting More Traffic, Or Does It Help You With Conversions?

SEO can help you with both traffic and conversions. It is more than just about getting more traffic. It’s about getting the right traffic. 

Imagine this:

You’re a business owner and you’ve just launched a new website. 

You're excited to start attracting visitors and generating leads, but after a few weeks, when you login to your website’s analytics and… disappointment. 

Your traffic is low and your conversion rate is non-existent. 

What's going on?

The answer is simple. 

You're not focusing on CRO-focused SEO. You’re attracting the wrong visitors to your website. You’re attracting people who aren’t interested in what you have to offer, and they’re leaving without taking any action. 

You see, you can attract all the traffic in the world with your SEO techniques, but if it’s not optimized to convert – you won’t see any increases in revenue. 

CRO-focused SEO is the key to attracting qualified visitors who are more likely to convert into customers or leads. 

In this blog post, I’m going to explain what CRO-focused SEO is and how you can use it to improve your website's traffic and conversion rates. 

So stick around, and let's get started!

SEO is not just about getting more traffic, but also about driving more conversions

One of the most common misconceptions about SEO is that it is only about getting more traffic. You see, not everyone who visits your website is a potential customer. 

To make the most of your online presence, it's important to identify your target audience using SEO and focus on converting them into customers. 

For that, you need to target very specific keywords and phrases. (Specifically long-tail keywords, they tend to convert much better). 

When a website is optimized for the right keywords or phrases, it is more likely to rank high on SERPs. 

This means that potential customers are more likely to see the website when they search for the product or services that the business offers. 

While it is true that SEO can help businesses get more traffic, it is important to note that not all traffic is created equal. Some traffic is more likely to convert than the other. 

Another common misconception about SEO is that it is a quick fix. SEO is an ongoing process and it takes time and effort to see results. 

However, the benefits of SEO are long-lasting, and businesses that invest in SEO can see significant increase in traffic, conversions, and revenue over time. 

Combining SEO and CRO for Effective Online Marketing

Understanding the synergy between SEO and CRO is crucial for successful online marketing. These two strategies should work hand-in-hand to drive both traffic and sales to your website.

The power of SEO lies in its ability to attract a substantial number of visitors to your site by:

• Crafting informative blog content that positions you as an industry expert.

• Conducting targeted keyword research, including transactional and purchase-related keywords that your audience commonly searches for.

• Implementing technical SEO improvements to eliminate broken links and enhance page loading speed.

• Making on-page SEO enhancements like keyword usage, compelling copywriting, alt tags, and metadata optimization.

• Securing high-quality backlinks to boost your SEO authority.

These tactics result in a steady flow of website traffic, which is a great start.

However, merely having traffic is not enough; you need conversions to translate those visitors into sales. This is where CRO strategies come into play.

With CRO, you can steadily boost your revenue by:

• Conducting A/B testing on product page copy, messaging, CTAs (Call to Actions), and checkout processes.

• Incorporating persuasive CTAs at the end of blogs, product posts, and landing pages.

• Ensuring visibility of 'Buy Now' buttons throughout your web pages.

• Optimizing every stage of your marketing funnel.

• Creating a user-friendly experience with easy navigation.

When you have both SEO and CRO strategies in place, you not only attract traffic but also convert them into valuable sales, essentially having your cake and eating it too in the digital marketing world.

Enhancing User Experience with SEO

When it comes to SEO and CRO, they both need to be in sync when it comes to creating a top-notch user experience. 

This user experience is the heart and soul of your website. If it's easy to navigate and user-friendly, you're on the right track. 

And why is that so crucial, you ask? Well, because a good user experience can be the key to boosting conversions. Let's break it down.

• First off, site speed plays a significant role in SEO rankings. A slow-loading site can also be a conversion killer. In fact, did you know that just a one-second delay can result in a 7% loss in sales? So, it's not just about SEO; it's about keeping your customers happy and engaged.

• Now, delivering engaging, valuable  and contextually relevant content is the key to SEO. 

• Likewise, for conversions, you need a compelling value proposition which is a very powerful copy that gets the user to convert. It's the kind of content that draws your prospects into your funnel. 

• You might be wondering, what about those manipulative link-building tactics? They're not sustainable anymore. What you need are authoritative backlinks that don't just boost your rankings but also drive conversions through the roof.

• A well-structured content hierarchy with proper heading tags is a win-win. It satisfies SEO by meeting user expectations, and it forces you to think about your message's flow, which, guess what, also supercharges your conversions.

Need some real-world proof that investing in user experience is worth it? 

Check this out – Google itself is a prime example of how user experience can become the future of SEO. 

They've also made user intent a central element, and that's something you can't afford to overlook.

Let's dive into the concept of search intent or as some may call it, user intent.

Google & Search Intent

When someone's searching online, they're not just typing random words. They have a specific purpose in mind. 

It could be anything, like buying a new laptop, finding the top digital marketing agency, or simply craving some Chinese food. Now think of the last thing that you searched on Google and what was your intention behind it? 

In terms of SEO, you not only need to identify certain keywords that your audience is searching for. You also need to identify the search intent behind it. 

Now, what’s that?

If you’ve ever used Google to learn about something new, your intent was informational. You wanted to educate yourself online on something you weren’t familiar with. 

If you already know what you need and you browse through a product on Google or say an ecommerce website like Amazon, your intent was transactional. 

In the case where you need a particular service or product but you’re still confused about certain factors like the cost or the benefits that it has to offer, you might need a little convincing before you buy that particular product, your intent was commercial. 

Lastly, unlike other intents, when you already know what to find or a specific page like a gmail login page or Starbucks contact page, your intent is navigational.

Now you see, Google’s primary goal is to provide users with the most relevant results for their queries, which means that it needs to have a deep understanding of the search intent. 

Google uses a variety of factors to determine search intent, including the specific words and phrases used in the query, the context of the search, and the user's search history. 

For example, if a user searches for "best dog food," Google can infer that the user is likely interested in learning more about different types of dog food and comparing them in order to make a purchase. 

Look at the example below: 

You may see that for this query, Google has mostly ranked websites that offer the best dog food. 

On the other hand, if a user searches for "how to train a dog," Google can infer that the user is looking for information on how to train their dog, not necessarily looking to buy anything.

Based on the data above, you can see that Google has ranked all those websites that provide information and tips on how to train a dog.

Google's understanding of search intent has become increasingly sophisticated over time. 

This is due in part to the development of machine learning algorithms, which allow Google to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns that would be difficult or impossible to detect manually. 

These algorithms are constantly evolving, and they've got a soft spot for content that aligns perfectly with what the searcher wants. That's why understanding search intent is a game-changer.

Google's understanding of search intent is important for both users and businesses. 

For users, it means that they are more likely to find the information or products they are looking for when they search on Google. 

For businesses, it means that they can create content and optimize their websites to be more visible to users who are searching for the products or services they offer.

If you tend to ignore search intent in your CRO SEO strategies, you could end up losing a lot of potential traffic. 

Ask yourself:

Why am I creating this page, and what is my audience looking for?

Then build a well structured page keeping that specific need in mind. 

The Power of Content and Link Building

Now, let's get to the juicy part – your content. Google loves it all, and the more, the better. But remember, it's quality over quantity. So, create content that wows your audience.

Whenever you add new content, Google notices. That's why a regular supply of epic-length content is a great idea. Keep those search engine bots interested.

The Importance of a Content Release Schedule in SEO

A content release schedule is a core practice of SEO because it addresses the fundamental need for fresh, high-quality content that search engines can index and present to users. 

Without a consistent stream of content containing targeted keywords, search engines like Google would lack the resources to rank your website effectively. However, it's not just about the keywords; it's also about matching user intent.

In SEO, understanding user intent means creating content that fulfills the specific needs and expectations of searchers. 

Whether they are looking for information, a product, or a service, your content should cater to their intent. This alignment ensures that your website is more likely to rank well because search engines aim to deliver the best possible results for users.

The Role of CRO in Content

Conversion rate optimization (CRO) focuses on improving the conversion rates on your website, which can range from making a purchase to filling out a contact form. 

Even content primarily designed to educate your audience and answer their questions should have CRO elements at play to guide readers closer to becoming customers. 

If you don't optimize your content for conversions, you may miss out on turning valuable traffic into revenue.

Mixing CRO and SEO Together

Integrating CRO and SEO is a powerful strategy that can lead to higher rankings, more organic traffic, and increased conversions. Here's how to combine these practices effectively:

Call-to-Action (CTA): At the end of your educational blog post, include a clear and compelling CTA that encourages readers to take action. 

This action might be to learn more about your product, sign up for a newsletter, or contact your business. 

By adding a CTA, you create a direct path for readers to engage further with your brand.

Internal Linking: Incorporate relevant internal links within your content to guide users to other pages on your website. These links can direct them to product pages, service offerings, or other related content. 

Ensure that the links are contextually appropriate and add value to the reader's experience.

A/B Testing: To optimize for conversions, create multiple versions of your blog posts for A/B testing purposes. Test variations of your CTAs, headlines, and content to determine which elements are most effective at driving conversions. Google Analytics can help you track the performance of each variant.

Data-Driven Decisions: Analyze the results of your A/B tests by using Google Analytics to check the conversion rate of each post and focus on the post that demonstrates the highest conversion rate. 

Now, use the successful elements in future posts and continuously refine your content strategy based on data and user behavior.

By combining CRO techniques with SEO best practices, you can create content that not only ranks well but also converts visitors into valuable customers. 

This synergy between content, SEO, and CRO is an effective strategy for online success, helping you maximize the return on your content creation efforts and drive business growth.

Amazon's Winning Formula

Amazon – the online shopping giant, and a prime example of SEO and CRO at their finest. They've got it all figured out. Amazon's got an abundance of high-quality content that's easy to navigate. 

They offer a vast range of products and services, enjoy a stellar reputation, and have built trust with their customers. Plus, they invest heavily in both SEO and CRO.

So, what makes Amazon shine? It's engaging content, user-friendly experience, product info, reviews, free shipping, speedy delivery, and more. All these elements are carefully designed to drive conversions. Amazon knows how to provide what customers want.

Here is an example of how Amazon's ranking and conversion optimization (CRO) and search engine optimization (SEO) work together:

A customer searches for "best running shoes for women" on Amazon. Amazon's search algorithm takes into account a variety of factors, including the customer's search history, the keywords and phrases used in the query, and the popularity and relevance of the products in its catalog. 

The algorithm then returns a list of results, with the most relevant products ranked at the top.

Each product listing on Amazon is optimized for conversion. This means that the title, description, and images are all designed to persuade shoppers to click on the listing and make a purchase. 

The product listing may also include features such as reviews, customer questions and answers, and a comparison tool to help shoppers make an informed decision.

Amazon also uses SEO to ensure that its product listings are visible in search engine results pages (SERPs). This means that Amazon optimizes its listings for relevant keywords and phrases so that they rank higher in SERPs when shoppers search for those terms.

As a result of Amazon's ranking and conversion optimization efforts, shoppers are more likely to find the products they're looking for on Amazon and to make a purchase.

Key Takeaways

One final word of advice – if your website is struggling for traffic, focus on creating awesome content. 

Without a compelling story, you won't get those conversions. Build the highest quality user experience for your audience, combine CRO and SEO strategies, and build awesome CTAs. That’s your winning strategy. 

Remember that the real magic is understanding your audience's user intent. It's all about delivering top-notch, semantically relevant content while ensuring a delightful user experience.

SEO and CRO can coexist harmoniously, even if you think outside the box like flash-based websites. So, don't fret – there's a way to make it work.