Organic search results are not dead, but they do need a little help to get a business on the first page of results - where most searchers find their answers. When businesses first set out to put an imprint on the world wide web, they think of presence first. They are not far wrong - search engine algorithms can index important third-party sites such as Yelp, Facebook pages, and other elements. New companies often reach out to clients via social media first, then think about advertising when the budget will allow.

These growing businesses might have heard about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) but may not know why it's even more important than advertising campaigns or social media presence.

SEO 101: What SEO Is

SEO is not one action but a series of actions that optimizes a company’s website, blog and other web presence elements to be findable, accessible, and ultimately indexed by search engine algorithms. The emphasis in White Hat SEO is the organic growth of site traffic by using elements for search engine success
1. Content. On page and off page content is one of the key factors in developing successful SEO. Keywords placed in the content - such as web pages and blogs - are indexed and made searchable.
2. Site architecture. Playing into keywords in the content is the site architecture. Algorithms move incredibly quickly, copying pages to create an index. This index becomes the library of the Internet and is the reference that search engines use when someone inputs a query. JavaScript and flash along with other elements can obscure links and even entire pages.
3. HTML code. This code is the foundation of every page on the Internet. Using specific elements of HTML code make a page more likely to be indexed. Simple tags such as title, meta, headers, and structured data are a factor in SEO success.
4. Link building. Including high-quality links that are relevant to your site in your content is a great way to build authority and trust in your content, and consequently, build authority and trust in your brand. High authority citations are indexed and graded.

Related Read: Can Affordable SEO Packages be Effective?

There are other factors, of course in building good SEO, and unless you have the time to devote to the study and implementation, you might be shortchanging yourself and your company. If you are not getting the results you want, it may be time to purchase an SEO plan and work with professionals.

The Best SEO Packages

Basic SEO should be considered a basic expense just like the power bill and the rent. The best SEO packages clearly delineate the services that are being offered. Until you find your footing, start with a basic package that includes keyword research, backlink analysis, optimization for up to 10 keywords in your on-page content, up to 10 pages optimized, optimization of title tag and meta-description, hitting and content optimization.

A monthly ranking report should be included in the best SEO packages, as should a baseline ranking report that gives you the picture of your websites ranking before optimization. Work with solid professionals with a proven track record of experience not just with SEO, but with website design, marketing, and other disciplines to make sure that you are out in front - the front page.